premed at UW-Seattle

[chman]

eww biol 180 ...I need to take this class too!
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010898857_bigclasses27m.html

I must admit; as a cc student with a max of 100 students in my classes, that is a bit intimidating..to say the least.

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[teenmachinery1]

What is this nonsense about 500+ students in a biochem class? This is ONLY true if you take the two-quarter series (which will yield you a BA in Biochemistry). If you take the normal biochemistry sequence (440,441,442) there will be about 180 students. If you take honors organic chemistry, there will be about 50 students.

I did not meet one gunner in all my 3 years at UW (I am a transfer student)... I never had a 2.6 curve for any course I took at UW, the lowest I had was 2.8, the highest 3.3.

I have commented on curving in different posts, but I find it makes the courses extremely easy. UW was significantly more easy for me than the junior college I went do (Bellevue College, previously Bellevue Community College).

Um... most pre-med students take the 2 quarter biochem series. Strange you don't know this.

Most pre-meds are NOT in honors organic chemistry... strange you don't know this.

Let's see... you NEVER had a 2.6 curve for any course at the UW huh? Well...

The Bio series that bio majors take and the majority of pre-meds take is 2.6+/- 0.2
The physics series that most pre-meds take 114 etc. is 2.6+/- 0.2
the o-chem that most pre-meds take is 2.6+/- 0.2

also, o-chem honors has a more generous curve.

and the chemistry series is also 2.6+/- 0.2

And you NEVER met a gunner at UW? OK i'll just take your word for it. But oh yeah, the 500+ person biochem classes that you've only heard rumors about...

majority gunners. Yup.

 

[teenmachinery1]

yea im going to do my best to avoid any gunners...no honors classes for me.

I was looking over some of the syllabuses from a year or 2 ago for the physics class... doesn't look to hard to me. It is algebra based and I got almost a perfect score on my GRE math. I just have to stay ahead and I should be fine.

1. honors classes CAN be easier and this has been discussed on SDN so search for this. They CAN have more generous curves and my guess would be there are LESS gunners in the honors class.

2. You say the algebra based physics class looks easy huh? That means something much different in a curved class than not doesn't it? I mean, a curved class with easy material might even be a disadvantage.

 

[teenmachinery1]

^
the chemistry department sets the class average to 2.6 (+/- 0.2). take a look for yourself. http://depts.washington.edu/chem/courses/

btw, don't be surprised to find 600-700 people in biology 180.

this.

translation: you're gonna get owned. enjoy it and please tell us how it went for our amusement.

 

[teenmachinery1]

So I have asked this question before and am keeping a mental tally; given you were in a situation like me (transfer from a cc), do you think it is a better idea to go to UW or a smaller state school like Western?

I've asked myself this question when i was undergrad at uw. Do yourself a very big favor and please go to western.

the people are so much cooler up there. Premed won't be HALF as intense than uw. etc. etc.

i really love uw to death and it's a top notch school and i owe much to the institute- but if I could do it over I'm not positive I would've chosen uw.

 

[teenmachinery1]

What is this nonsense about 500+ students in a biochem class? This is ONLY true if you take the two-quarter series (which will yield you a BA in Biochemistry). If you take the normal biochemistry sequence (440,441,442) there will be about 180 students. If you take honors organic chemistry, there will be about 50 students.

I did not meet one gunner in all my 3 years at UW (I am a transfer student)... I never had a 2.6 curve for any course I took at UW, the lowest I had was 2.8, the highest 3.3.

I have commented on curving in different posts, but I find it makes the courses extremely easy. UW was significantly more easy for me than the junior college I went do (Bellevue College, previously Bellevue Community College).

that's right douchebag: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010898857_bigclasses27m.html

that's 700 people in the bio class that pre-meds and bio majors take. If you went to this class, you would've met 699 gunners.

 

[teenmachinery1]

What is this nonsense about 500+ students in a biochem class? This is ONLY true if you take the two-quarter series (which will yield you a BA in Biochemistry). If you take the normal biochemistry sequence (440,441,442) there will be about 180 students. If you take honors organic chemistry, there will be about 50 students.

I did not meet one gunner in all my 3 years at UW (I am a transfer student)... I never had a 2.6 curve for any course I took at UW, the lowest I had was 2.8, the highest 3.3.

I have commented on curving in different posts, but I find it makes the courses extremely easy. UW was significantly more easy for me than the junior college I went do (Bellevue College, previously Bellevue Community College).

BIOC 405 Introduction to Biochemistry (3) NW Brockerhoff, Daum, Hol,
Survey of basic principles of biochemistry and molecular biology, emphasizing broad understanding of chemical events in living systems in terms of metabolism and structure-function relationships of biologically important molecules. Suitable for pre-majors, for students interested in careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, medical technology. Prerequisite: BIOL 200; either CHEM 223, CHEM 237, or CHEM 335. Offered: A.

BIOC 440 Biochemistry (4) NW Bosch, Klevit
Biochemistry and molecular biology (with quiz sections) for undergraduate students in molecular and cellular biology, for biochemistry majors, and graduate students in other science departments. Prerequisite: 2.5 BIOL 200; 2.5 in either CHEM 224, CHEM 239, or CHEM 337; 2.0 in either MATH 124, MATH 134, or MATH 144. Offered: A.

 

[iducky]

What is this nonsense about 500+ students in a biochem class? This is ONLY true if you take the two-quarter series (which will yield you a BA in Biochemistry). If you take the normal biochemistry sequence (440,441,442) there will be about 180 students. If you take honors organic chemistry, there will be about 50 students.

I did not meet one gunner in all my 3 years at UW (I am a transfer student)... I never had a 2.6 curve for any course I took at UW, the lowest I had was 2.8, the highest 3.3.

I have commented on curving in different posts, but I find it makes the courses extremely easy. UW was significantly more easy for me than the junior college I went do (Bellevue College, previously Bellevue Community College).

Its interesting that you found UW easier than BCC. All my friends that transferred from BCC totally got pwned by science classes at UW but that could've been the mentality they came to UW with (the "i 4.0'd the calc series in cc i should do fine at algebra based physics" mentality)

Also as teenmachinery1 noted pretty much all pre-meds take the 405 406 series for bioc. I know a couple who took the 440 series but that's only because they were biochem majors. For those of you out there.. don't take the 440 series unless you really are interested in biochem. The 405 series is a lot easier in my opinion. All you do is memorize the slides and take multiple choice exams. The 440 series involve a lot more short answer and problem solving questions.

In terms of what classes to take, this is what I took for my pre reqs:

gen chem: I took the honors series. It was really nice 'cause the median was set at a 3.5! Class is small and at that time are homework was on paper.

ochem: I took michael, maly, sasaki. There are two things that are of utmost important for taking ochem at UW: 1) picking the right profs and 2) lots of practice. As stated earlier michael and maly have pretty straight forward tests. Nothing tricky, just have to know your stuff. Sasaki recycles his tests like crazy and i guarantee you a lot of students will have copies of his tests. Also another thing is that maly and sasaki have their courses at night as in like.. 5 or 6 at night but only 2 times a week! I always saw it as an advantage cause we got more time for tests

biology: I had bradshaw/kerr, (blanking on her name), torri/weigel. Not much to comment on biology.. it's pretty straightforward. With that said.. of all my prereqs i did the worst in bio.. don't know if thats a good or bad thing since i'm going to be a doctor LOL

physics: I had efimov, reid, and rothberg. I took the algebra based one. Physics is pretty straightforward as well. At least for me it was just another math class. From talking with other friends there isn't really a difference in difficulty between the algebra and calc based series. The only big differences were 1) In the algebra class we aren't show how the equations are derived because that of course would require calculus and 2) the lab is a seperate course for algebra based so it was easier not to run into schedule conflicts.

 

[iducky]

that's right douchebag: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010898857_bigclasses27m.html

that's 700 people in the bio class that pre-meds and bio majors take. If you went to this class, you would've met 699 gunners.

I concur! My first two years at UW were full of gunners. It was so bad that I really didn't like to tell people I was pre-med (though truthfully i was deciding between teaching and medicine) There are a lot of people out there who will sabotage or be shady. Many people will try to ask you what type of activities you are doing just so they can gauge where they are yet at the same type will try to be shady about what they are doing.. its all really weird.

And i'm dead serious about the sabotage. In my ochem lab.. we had labs were we had to synthesize chemical compounds from scratch and turn them in. Some people would steal final products from other people's hoods when they weren't looking! It's pretty ridiculous..

Hopefully i didn't scare anyone because there were a lot of other premeds that helped me along the way. You just have to find the right people =]

 

[chman]

I concur! My first two years at UW were full of gunners. It was so bad that I really didn't like to tell people I was pre-med (though truthfully i was deciding between teaching and medicine) There are a lot of people out there who will sabotage or be shady. Many people will try to ask you what type of activities you are doing just so they can gauge where they are yet at the same type will try to be shady about what they are doing.. its all really weird.

And i'm dead serious about the sabotage. In my ochem lab.. we had labs were we had to synthesize chemical compounds from scratch and turn them in. Some people would steal final products from other people's hoods when they weren't looking! It's pretty ridiculous..

Hopefully i didn't scare anyone because there were a lot of other premeds that helped me along the way. You just have to find the right people =]

This is gunner behavior at its finest. Kind of scary. I'm 24 though, so perhaps all the 18 year old gunners will write me off as non-competition..if I'm lucky.

 

[tjquinn]

Um... most pre-med students take the 2 quarter biochem series. Strange you don't know this.

Most pre-meds are NOT in honors organic chemistry... strange you don't know this.

Let's see... you NEVER had a 2.6 curve for any course at the UW huh? Well...

The Bio series that bio majors take and the majority of pre-meds take is 2.6+/- 0.2
The physics series that most pre-meds take 114 etc. is 2.6+/- 0.2
the o-chem that most pre-meds take is 2.6+/- 0.2

also, o-chem honors has a more generous curve.

and the chemistry series is also 2.6+/- 0.2

And you NEVER met a gunner at UW? OK i'll just take your word for it. But oh yeah, the 500+ person biochem classes that you've only heard rumors about...

majority gunners. Yup.

Like I said before, I was a transfer student (and I kind of got that feeling about some of the other posters and was posting from that perspective).

I never said that the biochem classes are rumored to be larger, the 405/406 ARE very large.

 

[tjquinn]

Its interesting that you found UW easier than BCC. All my friends that transferred from BCC totally got pwned by science classes at UW but that could've been the mentality they came to UW with (the "i 4.0'd the calc series in cc i should do fine at algebra based physics" mentality)

Also as teenmachinery1 noted pretty much all pre-meds take the 405 406 series for bioc. I know a couple who took the 440 series but that's only because they were biochem majors. For those of you out there.. don't take the 440 series unless you really are interested in biochem. The 405 series is a lot easier in my opinion. All you do is memorize the slides and take multiple choice exams. The 440 series involve a lot more short answer and problem solving questions.

In terms of what classes to take, this is what I took for my pre reqs:

gen chem: I took the honors series. It was really nice 'cause the median was set at a 3.5! Class is small and at that time are homework was on paper.

ochem: I took michael, maly, sasaki. There are two things that are of utmost important for taking ochem at UW: 1) picking the right profs and 2) lots of practice. As stated earlier michael and maly have pretty straight forward tests. Nothing tricky, just have to know your stuff. Sasaki recycles his tests like crazy and i guarantee you a lot of students will have copies of his tests. Also another thing is that maly and sasaki have their courses at night as in like.. 5 or 6 at night but only 2 times a week! I always saw it as an advantage cause we got more time for tests

biology: I had bradshaw/kerr, (blanking on her name), torri/weigel. Not much to comment on biology.. it's pretty straightforward. With that said.. of all my prereqs i did the worst in bio.. don't know if thats a good or bad thing since i'm going to be a doctor LOL

physics: I had efimov, reid, and rothberg. I took the algebra based one. Physics is pretty straightforward as well. At least for me it was just another math class. From talking with other friends there isn't really a difference in difficulty between the algebra and calc based series. The only big differences were 1) In the algebra class we aren't show how the equations are derived because that of course would require calculus and 2) the lab is a seperate course for algebra based so it was easier not to run into schedule conflicts.

I took the 440,441,442 series and I would say more than half of the class were pre-med (including myself). As teenmachinery, who so nicely called me a douche bag, pointed out, the harder the courses appear (they are not) to be the apparently less number of gunners.

Honors classes are NOT hard, they might look/sound hard because of the prefix, but they are easy. The honors curves are set higher, meaning if you do better than most than you are guaranteed a 4.0. The class size is smaller and so the curve is more influenced by the range of grades.

 

[tjquinn]

BIOC 405 Introduction to Biochemistry (3) NW Brockerhoff, Daum, Hol,
Survey of basic principles of biochemistry and molecular biology, emphasizing broad understanding of chemical events in living systems in terms of metabolism and structure-function relationships of biologically important molecules. Suitable for pre-majors, for students interested in careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, medical technology. Prerequisite: BIOL 200; either CHEM 223, CHEM 237, or CHEM 335. Offered: A.

BIOC 440 Biochemistry (4) NW Bosch, Klevit
Biochemistry and molecular biology (with quiz sections) for undergraduate students in molecular and cellular biology, for biochemistry majors, and graduate students in other science departments. Prerequisite: 2.5 BIOL 200; 2.5 in either CHEM 224, CHEM 239, or CHEM 337; 2.0 in either MATH 124, MATH 134, or MATH 144. Offered: A.

I never claimed that the 440 series was for pre-med students and the 405 series not. I simply stated that if you were planning on a biochemistry degree (which many premeds at UW are), you might as well take the full series, especially if you want a smaller class.

 

[Hypaspist]

so who's ready for autumn!!!! 700+ person classes heck yes

 

[chman]

I'm waiting to hear back to see if I got in for winter. If so I will be one of the 700 students in the intro bio. Luckily I am done with at least intro to chem, although I still have organic. Bummer.

Haven't you guys started already?

 

[wristbandMD]

I'm waiting to hear back to see if I got in for winter. If so I will be one of the 700 students in the intro bio. Luckily I am done with at least intro to chem, although I still have organic. Bummer.

Haven't you guys started already?

I'm in the same boat, waiting for an acceptance for winter. Maybe I'll see you in one of those 700-student intro bio classes, chman. (And organic, too.)

 

[chman]

I'm in the same boat, waiting for an acceptance for winter. Maybe I'll see you in one of those 700-student intro bio classes, chman. (And organic, too.)

Cool. It's always good to have some people in the same boat.

 

[arainyday]

I'm waiting to hear back to see if I got in for winter. If so I will be one of the 700 students in the intro bio. Luckily I am done with at least intro to chem, although I still have organic. Bummer.

Haven't you guys started already?

I'm waiting to hear back as well. Went to UW for my undergrad, and hoping to get acceptance letter number #2 for my postbacc. Just waiting for the mail...

 

[wristbandMD]

Cool. It's always good to have some people in the same boat.

I'm waiting to hear back as well. Went to UW for my undergrad, and hoping to get acceptance letter number #2 for my postbacc. Just waiting for the mail...

Yes, it is nice to actually talk to someone who is in the same situation. The waiting game is killing me, though. I need to know. I need to know NOW.

 

[chman]

Yes, it is nice to actually talk to someone who is in the same situation. The waiting game is killing me, though. I need to know. I need to know NOW.

Yea, I would really like to know too, although I doubt we hear anything until November. Are you guys applying anywhere else? I am currently writing my PS for Western during "study breaks", although I am not putting in nearly the same effort as I did for UW. I figure I am a shoe in for Western, and UW really, but you never know with the latter. It actually could be pretty competitive since Spring transfers are closed and with the economy.

 

[wristbandMD]

Yea, I would really like to know too, although I doubt we hear anything until November. Are you guys applying anywhere else? I am currently writing my PS for Western during "study breaks", although I am not putting in nearly the same effort as I did for UW. I figure I am a shoe in for Western, and UW really, but you never know with the latter. It actually could be pretty competitive since Spring transfers are closed and with the economy.

The website says that decisions are sent out November-December. Ugh. I'm also applying to Western. I just used the same PS I used for UW and changed the name of the college. I figure I should at least get into Western. I am a bit worried for UW, because, as you noted, there are likely to be more applicants than usual. I was considering applying somewhere else, but I don't know if I will. We hear back from Western within 4-6 weeks of the application deadline (October 1st), but some people hear back earlier.

 

[teenmachinery1]

Yea, I would really like to know too, although I doubt we hear anything until November. Are you guys applying anywhere else? I am currently writing my PS for Western during "study breaks", although I am not putting in nearly the same effort as I did for UW. I figure I am a shoe in for Western, and UW really, but you never know with the latter. It actually could be pretty competitive since Spring transfers are closed and with the economy.

don't quote me, but i believe about 2-3 years ago western surpassed uw in competitiveness applications/acceptance %-wise.

 

[wristbandMD]

don't quote me, but i believe about 2-3 years ago western surpassed uw in competitiveness applications/acceptance %-wise.

Not from what I've seen. Western's generally had about a 5%+ higher acceptance rate than UW. Never as many apps as UW.

 

[arainyday]

don't quote me, but i believe about 2-3 years ago western surpassed uw in competitiveness applications/acceptance %-wise.

I've heard that as well. It's a long story, but I went to Western as well a few years back, and that was one of the things they told us during orientation. I'm pretty sure it was only for one freshman class one year, or something.

I'm not sure whether to submit an application for Western or not. It's more of a personal thing though. I used to go to Western, and then ended up transferring to UW, and liking Seattle much more. I'll probably end up doing it though, I'm more confident that I can get in there. (Plus, it's like no effort at this point to change a sentence or two in my PS)

 

[wristbandMD]

I've heard that as well. It's a long story, but I went to Western as well a few years back, and that was one of the things they told us during orientation. I'm pretty sure it was only for one freshman class one year, or something.

I'm not sure whether to submit an application for Western or not. It's more of a personal thing though. I used to go to Western, and then ended up transferring to UW, and liking Seattle much more. I'll probably end up doing it though, I'm more confident that I can get in there. (Plus, it's like no effort at this point to change a sentence or two in my PS)

That's interesting. I've always considered UW to be a much harder school to attend, no matter what the case. I wonder what circumstances made it so that Western received more apps/was more competitive.

As long as the app fee isn't a problem, I would suggest applying to Western, at least as a fall back. Personally, I did exactly what you said and simply changed the name of the university in the PS and deleted a couple sentences. The whole app took about 10 minutes, maybe.


I don't know whether or not I should apply to a school like WSU or Eastern or Central, as well as UW and Western. I don't want to end up not making it into any schools, but I feel like I'm a competitive applicant for Western at the very least. Decisions, decisions.

 

[chman]

don't quote me, but i believe about 2-3 years ago western surpassed uw in competitiveness applications/acceptance %-wise.

Wow, that's actually pretty surprising.

That's interesting. I've always considered UW to be a much harder school to attend, no matter what the case. I wonder what circumstances made it so that Western received more apps/was more competitive.

As long as the app fee isn't a problem, I would suggest applying to Western, at least as a fall back. Personally, I did exactly what you said and simply changed the name of the university in the PS and deleted a couple sentences. The whole app took about 10 minutes, maybe.


I don't know whether or not I should apply to a school like WSU or Eastern or Central, as well as UW and Western. I don't want to end up not making it into any schools, but I feel like I'm a competitive applicant for Western at the very least. Decisions, decisions.

I wish I could just change a few words on my PS for Western, but my PS for UW was really detailed about why I wanted to go there and just wouldn't work for Western. I did end up using a lot of the same elements though.

It sounds like this would not be an option for arainyday, but if you are a cc transfer student wristband, then you should consider doing what I'm doing for a back up school and apply to either UW Tacoma or UW Bothel. Both schools have guaranteed admissions for students with an AA degree and a GPA higher than 2.75. It is a last resort for me, but it is nice to know it's there. Deadline is Oct 15th.

 

[searun]

You guys must be really bummed about the Husky football team again. Newsflash: Jake is not going to win the Heisman. Well, it is time to jump on the Ducks bandwagon!

 

[arainyday]

As long as the app fee isn't a problem, I would suggest applying to Western, at least as a fall back. Personally, I did exactly what you said and simply changed the name of the university in the PS and deleted a couple sentences. The whole app took about 10 minutes, maybe.


I don't know whether or not I should apply to a school like WSU or Eastern or Central, as well as UW and Western. I don't want to end up not making it into any schools, but I feel like I'm a competitive applicant for Western at the very least. Decisions, decisions.

Yes, the more I think about it, I should definitely apply to Western. I'm not crazy about moving out of Seattle, but if I'm serious (which I am), it's not that big of a deal. I really hope to get into UW though. There are other opportunities that come with going to such a big school in a city, compared to those of living in a smaller town like Bellingham.

As for WSU, Eastern, Central...I'm not going to apply. Mostly, because I can't see myself living there. I think my application is competitive enough to get in to one of the programs that I applied to...hopefully. 🙂

 

[wristbandMD]

It sounds like this would not be an option for arainyday, but if you are a cc transfer student wristband, then you should consider doing what I'm doing for a back up school and apply to either UW Tacoma or UW Bothel. Both schools have guaranteed admissions for students with an AA degree and a GPA higher than 2.75. It is a last resort for me, but it is nice to know it's there. Deadline is Oct 15th.

I hadn't even considered this, actually. It seems quite silly to not have thought about it, though. I think I will! Thank you for the information. I appreciate it!!! 🙂

Yes, the more I think about it, I should definitely apply to Western. I'm not crazy about moving out of Seattle, but if I'm serious (which I am), it's not that big of a deal. I really hope to get into UW though. There are other opportunities that come with going to such a big school in a city, compared to those of living in a smaller town like Bellingham.

As for WSU, Eastern, Central...I'm not going to apply. Mostly, because I can't see myself living there. I think my application is competitive enough to get in to one of the programs that I applied to...hopefully. 🙂

I think it's good to have a fall back, and if you know you can get into Western, then it seems like a great idea. I can't see myself at any of the schools I listed either. I've visited Central and I think I would rather take a bath with my toaster before I went there. I haven't been to WSU or EWU, but I know kids that are going and I know the general attitude and it doesn't seem like those would be for me either. I think I'll do as chman suggested and apply to UW-Bothell and UW-Tacoma.


Obviously, I haven't been in this situation (applying to college) and something just hit me....Western will send out an acceptance before UW. Am I required to accept within a certain time frame? Say I get accepted to Western on November 1st, but UW doesn't send out acceptances until Nov-Dec. Could I wait to find out if I was accepted, or would I need to accept Western within a couple weeks? 😕 (I'm assuming that by accepting an acceptance I would need to pay a big deposit or something along those lines.)

 

[arainyday]

Obviously, I haven't been in this situation (applying to college) and something just hit me....Western will send out an acceptance before UW. Am I required to accept within a certain time frame? Say I get accepted to Western on November 1st, but UW doesn't send out acceptances until Nov-Dec. Could I wait to find out if I was accepted, or would I need to accept Western within a couple weeks? 😕 (I'm assuming that by accepting an acceptance I would need to pay a big deposit or something along those lines.)

There is always the chance that you might hear back from Western before UW, but I wouldn't be too worried. Both quarters start at roughly (if not exactly) the same time, so I would think they would expect you to accept your acceptance at the same time. Usually the turn around is a few weeks, if I remember. And deposits are usually smaller for undergrad spots. I think mine was $150, or $200 for Western a few years ago. It sucks to lose the money, but if you end up going to a school you'll be happier at, it's totally worth it. Especially considering how much you'll be dropping in tuition, lab fees, books, etc each quarter.

 

[chman]

I hadn't even considered this, actually. It seems quite silly to not have thought about it, though. I think I will! Thank you for the information. I appreciate it!!! 🙂

Yea, it's good to know that you have a guaranteed spot. However, be aware that the majors at both UW Tacoma and UW Bothel are very "untraditional." I did speak with an advisor there and she said that they do have all the classes required for the pre-med pre-reqs though, which is the important thing. But yea, I don't know what your intended major is, but, yea...check it out. If I went there I think I would make up my own major, which is an option.

I hate to say it, but as far as major goes I really have all my eggs in the UW Seattle basket.

 

[chman]

My status just changed from "in review" to "all necessary materials have been received and a decision will be mailed to you when reached" (paraphrased).

So, I don't know if that's good or bad, probably neither, but at least it is something.

 

[wristbandMD]

My status just changed from "in review" to "all necessary materials have been received and a decision will be mailed to you when reached" (paraphrased).

So, I don't know if that's good or bad, probably neither, but at least it is something.

Yippie! One step closer. 👍

 

[chman]

Yippie! One step closer. 👍

Hey, do you know if the Western deadline is the same as UW when it comes to mailing the material. By that I mean, as long as everything is postmarked by the deadline am I alright, or does it actually need to be there by the 1st?

BTW, we totally hijacked this thread.

 

[wristbandMD]

Hey, do you know if the Western deadline is the same as UW when it comes to mailing the material. By that I mean, as long as everything is postmarked by the deadline am I alright, or does it actually need to be there by the 1st?

BTW, we totally hijacked this thread.

Haha, yes we did. 😛

I actually spoke with UW, because my high school hadn't sent the transcript the first time. They said that after I applied, I would be able to check what had arrived and what hadn't and there was about a 1 week period after the due date that I could still send things in. I'm assuming it's the same case with Western, but I don't know for sure. I just skimmed the website and I don't see a definite due date for transcripts, so I'm assuming they go by the same policy as UW.

Edit: I just looked further into the Western website and yes, they honor postmark dates.

 

[arainyday]

My status just changed from "in review" to "all necessary materials have been received and a decision will be mailed to you when reached" (paraphrased).

So, I don't know if that's good or bad, probably neither, but at least it is something.

Yes, it's something. 🙂 I've been staring at that status for the last 3 weeks. Now we're both in full waiting mode...

 

[arainyday]

uh...this is odd. Since the first my app has been in the status, "We have received all materials required to review your application...", and just below it said that my status was last updated Sept 1st. When I checked it tonight, the status said the same thing, but the date my status was last updated was today. Hm. Not quite sure what to make of it, probably nothing. But maybe a decision is coming sooner than expected...? Now I'm sort of nervous.

 

[chman]

uh...this is odd. Since the first my app has been in the status, "We have received all materials required to review your application...", and just below it said that my status was last updated Sept 1st. When I checked it tonight, the status said the same thing, but the date my status was last updated was today. Hm. Not quite sure what to make of it, probably nothing. But maybe a decision is coming sooner than expected...? Now I'm sort of nervous.

That is odd. It's *possible* they made a decision. Is there anything new listed in the transcript section? If you were confirmed done on the 1st, that means you got your app in early... I got mine in fairly early, although my high school transcripts lagged, and I didn't get confirmed until the 21st. What does all this mean? Who knows. I guess you will find out if you get a letter in the next couple of days.

I'm lucky that I have school keeping me too busy to be anxious..Although I admit it is starting to get to me a bit.. BTW, mine still says last updated on the 21st, so it didn't happen to everyone.

 

[wristbandMD]

My status changed today!!!! 😀

From "awaiting an initial review" to "We have received all materials required to review your application. Your application will remain in this status until decisions are finalized. We will inform you by postal mail when a decision is made."

 

[arainyday]

My status changed today!!!! 😀

From "awaiting an initial review" to "We have received all materials required to review your application. Your application will remain in this status until decisions are finalized. We will inform you by postal mail when a decision is made."

!!! Now, the harder part...waiting...

 

[arainyday]

That is odd. It's *possible* they made a decision. Is there anything new listed in the transcript section? If you were confirmed done on the 1st, that means you got your app in early... I got mine in fairly early, although my high school transcripts lagged, and I didn't get confirmed until the 21st. What does all this mean? Who knows. I guess you will find out if you get a letter in the next couple of days.

I'm lucky that I have school keeping me too busy to be anxious..Although I admit it is starting to get to me a bit.. BTW, mine still says last updated on the 21st, so it didn't happen to everyone.

Yeah, my application was done realllllly early, basically as soon as I paid my fee and finished my PS. My situation is a little different, applying as a postbacc. And because I went to UW for my undergrad, they have all of my previous transcripts from cc, high school, SAT, GRE, etc. Everything was done back in early August, and my status changed to "completed" from "in review" in early sept. Admission is really competitive for postbaccs during winter quarter (or more so than in Summer/Fall from what I've heard). It makes me nervous...

 

[cRAZIEpreMED]

Yes, it's something. 🙂 I've been staring at that status for the last 3 weeks. Now we're both in full waiting mode...

Same. HAHA 🙂

 

[chman]

Same. HAHA 🙂

welcome. it's a party.

 

[cRAZIEpreMED]

welcome. It's a party.

thanks!

 

[chman]

I think i might have hurt my chances for Western today. I applied for a fee-waver last night. All the questions were geared toward high school applicants (do you get free lunch? SAT waved? etc).

Anyways, I told them my financial situation when I applied last night. I told them I get financial aid, etc, and I, kind of embarrassing, am at poverty level. Low and behold at 7 in the morning I get an e-mail of rejection. Funny too, because their office does not even open until 8. So I called and asked for a second look and explained my situation again, and got denied by e-mail again.

I responded respectfully, but kind of said: "what exactly does one need to demonstrate to get the app fee waved." I mean seriously, you know the app fee wave program is federally funded, so I would just be paying them with federal financial aid. Frustrating, and I hope they don't think I'm being a prick about it, but I really am hurting financially.

 

[wristbandMD]

I think i might have hurt my chances for Western today. I applied for a fee-waver last night. All the questions were geared toward high school applicants (do you get free lunch? SAT waved? etc).

Anyways, I told them my financial situation when I applied last night. I told them I get financial aid, etc, and I, kind of embarrassing, am at poverty level. Low and behold at 7 in the morning I get an e-mail of rejection. Funny too, because their office does not even open until 8. So I called and asked for a second look and explained my situation again, and got denied by e-mail again.

I responded respectfully, but kind of said: "what exactly does one need to demonstrate to get the app fee waved." I mean seriously, you know the app fee wave program is federally funded, so I would just be paying them with federal financial aid. Frustrating, and I hope they don't think I'm being a prick about it, but I really am hurting financially.

I don't think your chances of being admitted are hurt in anyway, if that's what you were insinuating.

As far as the financial aid, if you did (in the past) receive fee wavers/food stamps, email them and inform them. If not, I would suggest being persistent. I'm sorry that you didn't get it. I hope that you can convince them. Good lock, chman!

 

[chman]

I don't think your chances of being admitted are hurt in anyway, if that's what you were insinuating.

As far as the financial aid, if you did (in the past) receive fee wavers/food stamps, email them and inform them. If not, I would suggest being persistent. I'm sorry that you didn't get it. I hope that you can convince them. Good lock, chman!

It didn't really bug me so much that I didn't get one..after all, I'm not "entitled" to it.

What bugged me was that I feel they didn't even give it consideration. I mean, I was denied before their office opened, which would suggest that one of the questions, which as I mentioned were geared towards high school applicants, automatically disqualified me somehow. Anyways, no big deal.

I was persistent and honest (told them I thought their way of going about that part of the application did not make sense). I'm not really too keen on going there anyways, so I'm not too worried. It would be one less choice to make.😎

 

[wristbandMD]

It didn't really bug me so much that I didn't get one..after all, I'm not "entitled" to it.

What bugged me was that I feel they didn't even give it consideration. I mean, I was denied before their office opened, which would suggest that one of the questions, which as I mentioned were geared towards high school applicants, automatically disqualified me somehow. Anyways, no big deal.

I was persistent and honest (told them I thought their way of going about that part of the application did not make sense). I'm not really too keen on going there anyways, so I'm not too worried. It would be one less choice to make.😎

Actually, all of my status updates and my fee waiver acceptance was done at around 7 am. I think that they open at 7 am, but start accepting calls at 8 or something.

 

[chman]

Actually, all of my status updates and my fee waiver acceptance was done at around 7 am. I think that they open at 7 am, but start accepting calls at 8 or something.

Ahh. I guess presumptions..well, you know what they do. 🙂

Out of curiosity, and feel free to PM if you want, what did you have to submit to get a waiver?

 

[arainyday]

I think i might have hurt my chances for Western today. I applied for a fee-waver last night. All the questions were geared toward high school applicants (do you get free lunch? SAT waved? etc).

Anyways, I told them my financial situation when I applied last night. I told them I get financial aid, etc, and I, kind of embarrassing, am at poverty level. Low and behold at 7 in the morning I get an e-mail of rejection. Funny too, because their office does not even open until 8. So I called and asked for a second look and explained my situation again, and got denied by e-mail again.

I responded respectfully, but kind of said: "what exactly does one need to demonstrate to get the app fee waved." I mean seriously, you know the app fee wave program is federally funded, so I would just be paying them with federal financial aid. Frustrating, and I hope they don't think I'm being a prick about it, but I really am hurting financially.

That's pretty ridiculous. I've heard other bad stories about those fee waivers, and how they are difficult to get. Sorry about Western. 🙁 Just keep your hopes up, and try not to get too down about the rejections until all your replies come back. I'm sure I've got a few heading my way... And hopefully UW will be sending you a very different message. 🙂