PNWU-COM Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[Jnye33]

I chose to not attend PNWU because of the repeated times I heard Yakima referred to as "Crackima" and I am a single mom of a 3 year old- so a safe small town is important to me.
After interviewing at both Western-Lebanon and PNWU, I chose Western, but don't take this the wrong way- PNWU seemed like a great choice too. The decision is difficult and I think it's a very personal one. COngrats to all that were accepted and good luck to everyone still applying!

Funny story about that. After my interview in Lebanon, we were at the Food Co-Op in Corvallis and this lady (she worked there) was trying to convince me to buy her house (in Lebanon). Somehow the conversation turned and I started talking about how the school was going to be a vector for positive change in the city and how the city seemed to have already stepped up to try and better itself. At that point she said, "I can't sell you my house, you're too nice. Don't move to Lebanon. If you come here, live in Corvallis or Albany." Among her reasons were the schools in Lebanon (she lived in Lebanon, drove her kids to Albany for school, and worked in Corvallis). I don't remember what her other reasons were, but the lesson I learned was that ANY region (even the Willamette Valley) is going to have something wrong with it. Yakima, despite its shortcomings, is a nice place to live. I prefer to live elsewhere, but Yakima is nice if you live in the right area/neighborhood. That said, I'm not living in Yakima, but we have more reasons than "Crackima" for this choice.

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[racerwad]

Funny story about that. After my interview in Lebanon, we were at the Food Co-Op in Corvallis and this lady (she worked there) was trying to convince me to buy her house (in Lebanon). Somehow the conversation turned and I started talking about how the school was going to be a vector for positive change in the city and how the city seemed to have already stepped up to try and better itself. At that point she said, "I can't sell you my house, you're too nice. Don't move to Lebanon. If you come here, live in Corvallis or Albany." Among her reasons were the schools in Lebanon (she lived in Lebanon, drove her kids to Albany for school, and worked in Corvallis). I don't remember what her other reasons were, but the lesson I learned was that ANY region (even the Willamette Valley) is going to have something wrong with it. Yakima, despite its shortcomings, is a nice place to live. I prefer to live elsewhere, but Yakima is nice if you live in the right area/neighborhood. That said, I'm not living in Yakima, but we have more reasons than "Crackima" for this choice.

I echo this sentiment. When I first moved to WA everyone on the west side had nothing good to say about the eastern side of the state so I just wrote it off. Then I became good friends with someone who lived in Yakima and I've found that it's a great place. Like anywhere else it has its pockets of unawesomeness but overall, I think it would be a nice place to be, esp for a limited time. The western side of the town seems a bit nicer as well, both for schools and suburban life.

 

[burndtjamb]

I am looking to interview on the 25th of March and would take any suggestions on traveling help to Yakima. Should I fly into Spokane, Seattle or PDX? Either way, I am sure I will have to rent a car. If there is anyone else that is interviewing on the 25th and wants to split a car....? Unless someone knows of a shuttle or something. Has anyone done a couch surf while in Yakima? thanks for any input

 

[racerwad]

I am looking to interview on the 25th of March and would take any suggestions on traveling help to Yakima. Should I fly into Spokane, Seattle or PDX? Either way, I am sure I will have to rent a car. If there is anyone else that is interviewing on the 25th and wants to split a car....? Unless someone knows of a shuttle or something. Has anyone done a couch surf while in Yakima? thanks for any input

Seatac is your closest airport. Driving from PDX to Yakima via Satus Pass is a scenic drive but you add a fair amount of time/distance. Your best bet is to fly into Yakima itself. Usually you'll need to take a connection from Seattle (or PDX, actually) beforehand.

On your invite letter there should be some information about staying with a current student and how to make that happen.

 

[rrh9620]

My status online changed to "Interview" on Monday! (I applied really late) However, I haven't gotten an email confirmation from the admissions office yet. Would any of those who've interviewed so far be willing to tell me how long it took for you to get your email after your status changed?

Thanks!

 

[dermpathdoc]

Looks like Yakima here I come... Anyone look for housing that isn't on craigslist or is craigslist the best way to get a good idea of what is available?

The university will provide you with a list of realtors and available apt/housing in the area....some are fairly close to PNWU, but the reality is most of Yakima and surrounding communities are within 10 mins drive from the school..

 

[dermpathdoc]

My status online changed to "Interview" on Monday! (I applied really late) However, I haven't gotten an email confirmation from the admissions office yet. Would any of those who've interviewed so far be willing to tell me how long it took for you to get your email after your status changed?

Thanks!

should be pretty quick...if you haven't received it yet..give them a call

 

[dermpathdoc]

Seatac is your closest airport. Driving from PDX to Yakima via Satus Pass is a scenic drive but you add a fair amount of time/distance. Your best bet is to fly into Yakima itself. Usually you'll need to take a connection from Seattle (or PDX, actually) beforehand.

On your invite letter there should be some information about staying with a current student and how to make that happen.

Yakima has only 4 flights a day...best bets are spokane or seatac...Seatac is shortest drive to Yakima, but you do have Snoqualmie pass which can have iffy weather, this time of year...best thing to do is to go online to washington state pass reports to check for weather issues, but I don't see any major weather problems for the next couple of weeks...yeah there will be some snow..but no blizzard conditions like in the midwesy.

 

[dermpathdoc]

Woohoo! Just accepted. Interviewed last Friday, February 4th, and got my call this afternoon. Thanks PNWU for the fast turn around time! YAY!!

congrats! See you at orientation...

 

[dermpathdoc]

Thank you for your indepth and candid response. I have been eyeing PNW for the last couple years. However, having a wife and kids, Yakima seems a bit shady. At least from the newspapers and some other blogs. Is that true? Anyone else moving up there with their family? I apply next cycle, but PNW and Western are on top of my list.

you know i find it funny when i see the posts about Yakima seeming shady..I relocated back to PNW from East coast and let me tell you about schools in shady locales..Touro COM in Harlem..., UMDNJ-Med school in Newark and UMDNJ-SOM in Stratford.

U penn pittsburgh..and Temple U horrible slums..need escort to parking lot after 5 pm....in summer in broad daylight..
The reality is..every school has it's plus and minus...weigh both..
What do you want in your school as far as academics and personlity...each school has a personality...
don't write the school off without doing the interview...if invited..

 

[dermpathdoc]

Agreed. Yakima, is no "Palm Springs", but it's certainly not as "shady" as the newspapers may make it look. There are some rough parts of town and I would not live in those, but other than those areas there are many sections with decent people and all the usual stores (which for me means Costco, Safeway, Feddy's/Kroger's, and Borders). There is a Wal-Mart near campus, but I would not call that place normal so if you do stop by and visit don't let that be your only impression of the area. There are other places not too far away to shop.

BTW: The new Cadwell building is now open so we have a second building and there is much more study room. It's already been a great addition.

yeah avoid Walmart, all kinds of weird people shop there....but as a late staying professor, I don't have much choice as I live downtown and it is the ONLY grocery store in a direct route from the school to my condo...(hmmm maybe I am one fo those weird people??(yipes)

 

[Zcrocodile]

yeah avoid Walmart, all kinds of weird people shop there....but as a late staying professor, I don't have much choice as I live downtown and it is the ONLY grocery store in a direct route from the school to my condo...(hmmm maybe I am one fo those weird people??(yipes)

Is there a mall in Yakima or a place to buy some nice clothes or a suit other then wal-mart, or target?

 

[thesauce]

you know i find it funny when i see the posts about Yakima seeming shady..I relocated back to PNW from East coast and let me tell you about schools in shady locales..Touro COM in Harlem..., UMDNJ-Med school in Newark and UMDNJ-SOM in Stratford.

U penn pittsburgh..and Temple U horrible slums..need escort to parking lot after 5 pm....in summer in broad daylight..
The reality is..every school has it's plus and minus...weigh both..
What do you want in your school as far as academics and personlity...each school has a personality...
don't write the school off without doing the interview...if invited..

LOL. This man speaks the truth.

Yakima is actually pretty nice. Low cost of living, easy access to TC for shopping, wineries, shows at the Gorge. I would greatly prefer it to anything resembling Newark.

 

[masscrash]

Is there a mall in Yakima or a place to buy some nice clothes or a suit other then wal-mart, or target?

Yes there is a mall. About 5 min from the school. It has Sears, Macy's or HotTopic if that's your thing. Here is a more complete list of the stores in the mall: http://www.shopatvalleymall.com/directory.html
They are also have Ross, TJmax, Oldnavy, Boarders and they are putting up a Kohls.

 

[Limvostov]

Funny story about that. After my interview in Lebanon, we were at the Food Co-Op in Corvallis and this lady (she worked there) was trying to convince me to buy her house (in Lebanon). Somehow the conversation turned and I started talking about how the school was going to be a vector for positive change in the city and how the city seemed to have already stepped up to try and better itself. At that point she said, "I can't sell you my house, you're too nice. Don't move to Lebanon. If you come here, live in Corvallis or Albany." Among her reasons were the schools in Lebanon (she lived in Lebanon, drove her kids to Albany for school, and worked in Corvallis). I don't remember what her other reasons were, but the lesson I learned was that ANY region (even the Willamette Valley) is going to have something wrong with it. Yakima, despite its shortcomings, is a nice place to live. I prefer to live elsewhere, but Yakima is nice if you live in the right area/neighborhood. That said, I'm not living in Yakima, but we have more reasons than "Crackima" for this choice.

Lebanon is a much nicer place to live compared to Yakima. I could give you a list but it would just discourage too many people who have already put down a deposit. If I could only do things over I would be be in Lebanon starting in the fall (but I'll admit I would be living in Corvallis because it can't be beat).

If you plan to attend PNWU make sure you visit the neighborhood you plan to live in first. If it looks questionable... it is. If you decide to live there anyway you'll end up like me spending a lot of your time at school to avoid the neighbors.

If you decide on Lebanon do the same. Most of Lebanon is not great. It's a poor community with a decent drug problem. Albany is similar, but much bigger. Corvallis is quite possibly the nicest place in the valley (I still have my house there if that says anything).

 

[racerwad]

Well I had to give up my seat today. Good luck to those of you on the waitlist! And for those of you who aren't sure about Yakima-give it a chance. It really is a pretty cool place.

A

 

[dermpathdoc]

Is there a mall in Yakima or a place to buy some nice clothes or a suit other then wal-mart, or target?[/]

decent mall in union gap, 5 miles south of Yakima on freeway 82. Not big city caliber but OK, Macy's, Kohl's(new), bed bath and beyond...

 

[Banting4Isletin]

late applicant:
complete 12/29
interviewed: 3/4
status: waitlisted

On the day of the interview there were 4 seats left, 2 pending. I wonder how many people are on the waitlist.

sad right now.

 

[SLC]

late applicant:
complete 12/29
interviewed: 3/4
status: waitlisted

On the day of the interview there were 4 seats left, 2 pending. I wonder how many people are on the waitlist.

sad right now.

Make sure you follow-up with them, make certain they know how much you'd like to attend. Sounds like you were almost certain to land on the waitlist regardless, PNWU is pretty full. Keep your head up man!

I'm canceling my 4-15 interview at PNWU.

 

[Banting4Isletin]

Make sure you follow-up with them, make certain they know how much you'd like to attend. Sounds like you were almost certain to land on the waitlist regardless, PNWU is pretty full. Keep your head up man!

I'm canceling my 4-15 interview at PNWU.

Thanks for the advice, I will keep calling and emailing them to show my interest. Do they put everyone who they don't accept on the waitlist you think?

Did you cancel your interview because of the school's full capacity or because you know exactly where you want to go? Where are you going to med school by the way? congratulations!

 

[SLC]

Thanks for the advice, I will keep calling and emailing them to show my interest. Do they put everyone who they don't accept on the waitlist you think?

Did you cancel your interview because of the school's full capacity or because you know exactly where you want to go? Where are you going to med school by the way? congratulations!

I don't think they put everybody that isn't accepted on the waitlist. I'm sure there are plenty of outright rejections after interviews. Probably in the 30-50% range I'd imagine.

I'm canceling my interview mainly because I had wanted to go to SOMA all along, my acceptance there happened to come the day after I scheduled my PNWU interview.

Keep doing what you're doing, follow up with them every week or two (as long as it doen't annoy them). Consider sending a letter of intent as well. Like I said, your chances of getting off the waitlist will be better if they know how much you want it.

The waitlist gets a lot of turnover, especially during the next month or so as Allopathic schools make their final acceptance decisions and some holding acceptances at DO schools abolandon them for MD.

 

[trixiecat]

As an Eastern Washington native. It would be fastest to fly into SeaTac and rent a car from there. PDX is the worst option.

 

[IDBOI]

I had to apply late for the Fall term. I finished my secondary in November, but I did not take the MCAT until January. Did anyone else take the Jan. MCAT get any word about interviews yet. I know they are about full, but I was wondering how long it takes to hear back.

 

[Banting4Isletin]

I had to apply late for the Fall term. I finished my secondary in November, but I did not take the MCAT until January. Did anyone else take the Jan. MCAT get any word about interviews yet. I know they are about full, but I was wondering how long it takes to hear back.

Their last interview date is April 15th, I believe. You should give them a call. Everyone there is very nice.

 

[SLC]

Their last interview date is April 15th, I believe. You should give them a call. Everyone there is very nice.

I've got an interview on the 15th, I'm canceling it so there's going to be at least one interview spot opening up if you can push for it.

 

[burndtjamb]

How did the interviews go on the 15th? Any ideas on numbers of accepted and outstanding offers? Did they talk about their board pass rates at all?

 

[rrh9620]

How did the interviews go on the 15th? Any ideas on numbers of accepted and outstanding offers? Did they talk about their board pass rates at all?

They didn't give out the overall pass rates, at least to me. I asked during my interview and the professor only told me that "we had one of the highest COMLEX scores", which doesn't say a whole lot other than one person did really well. As for the class numbers, they told us they for sure had 2 remaining spots and 3 pending offers out, meaning anywhere from 2-5 spots.

 

[sylvanthus]

The 1st time board pass rate was around 80%. As you likely know this is below the national average and is likely why noone is talking about it.

But, keep in mind, the 1st class was not required to take the COMSAE before taking the real thing, so there were people who were not prepared and should not have been allowed to take the real thing.

This is how medical schools artificially inflate their board pass rates. They hold certain people back from taking the boards and essentially eliminate the lower tier of test-takers from their results, thereby bringing up their stats.

So, I wouldn't take the pass rates too seriously. Although, it is important to note that PNWU does not give students much board study time (3-4 weeks) compared to other schools (6+weeks at some) and with a lower pass rate and less time to study, this will likely not improve much over the coming years.

 

[powersr8810]

If anyone is still watching this thread I will be giving up my spot very soon so good luck to those vying for it!

 

[Buff4med]

If anyone is still watching this thread I got in off the waitlist on Friday, but I had another offer so I declined. I hope the best for everyone!