University of Washington SOM Question!!

[deleted621740]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey folks,

I know that UW gives strong preference to WAMI applicants with only a 5% OOR acceptance rate. However, I am a URM (AA male) and will be applying as a disadvantaged applicant. Will this put me in a position to receive legitimate consideration?

I called the SOM and asked if they would give me WAMI-level consideration as a URM and disadvantaged applicant, and the rep said "Yes - absolutely. You should apply". But I want to know if anyone else could confirm, or has had success as an OOR URM/disadvantaged applicant. IDK if the rep was just "covering their bases" so to speak, so I'd like some confirmation.

I am an Oregon resident btw

@Goro
@LizzyM
@gyngyn

 

[chaim123]

Hey folks,

I know that UW gives strong preference to WAMI applicants with only a 5% OOR acceptance rate. However, I am a URM (AA male) and will be applying as a disadvantaged applicant. Will this put me in a position to receive legitimate consideration?

I called the SOM and asked if they would give me consideration as a URM and disadvantaged applicant, and the rep said "Yes - absolutely. You should apply". But I want to know if anyone else could confirm, or has had success as an OOR URM/disadvantaged applicant. IDK if the rep was just "covering their bases" so to speak, so I'd like some confirmation.

I am an Oregon resident btw

@Goro
@LizzyM
@gyngyn

According to the UW website, they accepted 44 OOR individuals, of which 18 matriculated (8 being MSTP). Those 44 acceptances are out of 7251 applications, or about 0.6%. You're going to need something more than being URM to be the 0.6%.

Acceptance Statistics | UW Medicine

 

[deleted621740]

According to the UW website, they accepted 44 OOR individuals, of which 18 matriculated (8 being MSTP). Those 44 acceptances are out of 7251 applications, or about 0.6%. You're going to need something more than being URM to be the 0.6%.

Acceptance Statistics | UW Medicine

Well, I have great stats and a really good overall application. Was just wondering if applying as URM/disadvantaged would put me on an equal plane of consideration as the mission-based groups. I am already aware of the statistics.

 

[deleted621740]

@Lucca Any experience in this realm?

 

[chaim123]

Well, I have great stats and a really good overall application. Was just wondering if applying as URM/disadvantaged would put me on an equal plane of consideration as the mission-based groups. I am already aware of the statistics.

Perhaps I'm just misunderstand your question. Being URM/Disadvantaged is part of an entire application, and a holistic review of your application will determine whether you will get an interview or not, and so on. From my experience, being URM/Disadvantaged adds a small bump, or puts you into a different pool. But it doesn't get you in. And no one here can tell you whether you'll be in that 0.6% or not.

 

[ndafife]

Do you have any connection to Washington or the other WAMI states? I think that would matter a whole lot more than URM/Disadvantaged status when applying there

 

[deleted621740]

Do you have any connection to Washington or the other WAMI states? I think that would matter a whole lot more than URM/Disadvantaged status when applying there

I have immediate family living in the Seattle area, so UW would be ideal. But that's about it.

 

[mybluedog]

I am an incoming E18 M1 to UWSOM. UW has a bit of an unique admissions process. I think you should definitely apply but don't take it personally if you don't get in. They love reapplicants and people with lots of life experience. It is definitely possible to get admitted being OOS/R, but when interview times come you need to show them that you are strongly strongly interested in underserved care or have done a lot of it. If you don't get an interview (screened out pre or post secondary), contact the adm office and ask if you could be reviewed again because of your interest to serve WA.

You are URM because you are AA, you are disadvantaged if you had to support your family's income, your family is low-income, had significant life adversity. (it boggles my mind when people think URM=disadvantaged status, you can be ORM with a disadvantaged status or an URM from a very wealthy family)

They can see right through any bs if you are trying to lie through the interview. But its definitely worth a shot because of the cheap secondary cost ($35) and reputable school. I highly suggest you (and anyone) to watch Dr. Carol Tietz's admission presentations, they are posted on their adm website. AND you should go look at the UWSOM 2017-2018 specific school thread if you have time. Right now, they are still in their waitlist movement time, but if you go back you can see some history of OOR/OOS applicants.

GL!

 

[deleted621740]

Perhaps I'm just misunderstand your question. Being URM/Disadvantaged is part of an entire application, and a holistic review of your application will determine whether you will get an interview or not, and so on. From my experience, being URM/Disadvantaged adds a small bump, or puts you into a different pool. But it doesn't get you in. And no one here can tell you whether you'll be in that 0.6% or not.

I wasn't asking if the status would get me an acceptance. I am well aware that it is only 1 part of an application. I guess I was asking if URM/disadvantaged status is one of their mission-based groups. But anyway, do you think that rep was just covering his bases then? He seemed pretty direct and enthusiastic when I asked if it was worth applying as an Oregon resident but with disadvantaged. status.

 

[mybluedog]

I wasn't asking if the status would get me an acceptance. I am well aware that it is only 1 part of an application. I guess I was asking if URM/disadvantaged status is one of their mission-based groups. But anyway, do you think that rep was just covering his bases then? He seemed pretty direct and enthusiastic when I asked if it was worth applying as an Oregon resident but with disadvantaged. status.

They are saying that simply because they say that to everyone. I had met interviewees from maryland, broynx, oregon, etc. I think you should focus on their mission and visions as a school community rather than the kind of people they are trying to accept.

 

[chaim123]

I wasn't asking if the status would get me an acceptance. I am well aware that it is only 1 part of an application. I guess I was asking if URM/disadvantaged status is one of their mission-based groups. But anyway, do you think that rep was just covering his bases then? He seemed pretty direct and enthusiastic when I asked if it was worth applying as an Oregon resident but with disadvantaged. status.

I agree with the above assessment. They want everyone to apply - more money for them, and stats stay low. That doesn't mean you shouldn't apply - that just means understand that this is a party line from an admissions staff member.

 

[deleted621740]

I am an incoming E18 M1 to UWSOM. UW has a bit of an unique admissions process. I think you should definitely apply but don't take it personally if you don't get in. They love reapplicants and people with lots of life experience. It is definitely possible to get admitted being OOS/R, but when interview times come you need to show them that you are strongly strongly interested in underserved care or have done a lot of it. If you don't get an interview (screened out pre or post secondary), contact the adm office and ask if you could be reviewed again because of your interest to serve WA.

You are URM because you are AA, you are disadvantaged if you had to support your family's income, your family is low-income, had significant life adversity. (it boggles my mind when people think URM=disadvantaged status, you can be ORM with a disadvantaged status or an URM from a very wealthy family)

They can see right through any bs if you are trying to lie through the interview. But its definitely worth a shot because of the cheap secondary cost ($35) and reputable school. I highly suggest you (and anyone) to watch Dr. Carol Tietz's admission presentations, they are posted on their adm website. AND you should go look at the UWSOM 2017-2018 specific school thread if you have time. Right now, they are still in their waitlist movement time, but if you go back you can see some history of OOR/OOS applicants.

GL!

Thanks for the info! I'll definitely look at the presentations!! And I am aware of the differences between URM and disadvantaged status. I am a URM by ethnicity, but claiming disadvantaged due to low-income/government assistance/familial instability growing up. I am very careful with my words when discussing the two (URM vs. disadvantaged).

Anyway, I know that UW values underserved experience, but did you glean any particular care for research experience while on the interview trail? I have seen a bit of mention on the site, but nothing overwhelming. My app is really research heavy and I have a lot of clinical experience, but b/c my university is in a relatively good area (BYU) it has been a bit difficult to work with the underserved, though I have a bit of experience.

 

[deleted621740]

I agree with the above assessment. They want everyone to apply - more money for them, and stats stay low. That doesn't mean you shouldn't apply - that just means understand that this is a party line from an admissions staff member.

Hahaha Got it. Thanks for the input folks!! Also congrats on the acceptances!!

 

[Lucca]

@Lucca Any experience in this realm?

None with this school, I’m afraid.

 

[mybluedog]

Thanks for the info! I'll definitely look at the presentations!! And I am aware of the differences between URM and disadvantaged status. I am a URM by ethnicity, but claiming disadvantaged due to low-income/government assistance/familial instability growing up. I am very careful with my words when discussing the two (URM vs. disadvantaged).

Anyway, I know that UW values underserved experience, but did you glean any particular care for research experience while on the interview trail? I have seen a bit of mention on the site, but nothing overwhelming. My app is really research heavy and I have a lot of clinical experience, but b/c my university is in a relatively good area (BYU) it has been a bit difficult to work with the underserved, though I have a bit of experience.

I didn’t get asked about research, but I know some others did. I had one non med pub, three poster presentations, with one 1-yr research and two smaller research projects. I wrote about them pretty in detail in my app, and my theme wasn’t research based. So maybe that is why I wasn’t asked.
I’d say people should def do research, but your Excom member might or might not be interested in research. I’m sure they’ll ask if you have research heavy exp.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hellowalnut]

Apply but don't get your hopes up. If you don't meet their mission they won't send you a secondary so you won't have to waste money--thankfully. If you can afford the extra $35 I don't see why it would hurt to try.

 

[pinacol]

Thanks for the info! I'll definitely look at the presentations!! And I am aware of the differences between URM and disadvantaged status. I am a URM by ethnicity, but claiming disadvantaged due to low-income/government assistance/familial instability growing up. I am very careful with my words when discussing the two (URM vs. disadvantaged).

Anyway, I know that UW values underserved experience, but did you glean any particular care for research experience while on the interview trail? I have seen a bit of mention on the site, but nothing overwhelming. My app is really research heavy and I have a lot of clinical experience, but b/c my university is in a relatively good area (BYU) it has been a bit difficult to work with the underserved, though I have a bit of experience.

I am an MS3 at UW, and I was definitely asked about my undergraduate research during the interview (and at all of my other interviews). When they ask about it, it's a great way to show that you can break down your complicated research into something that the average person can understand. Just watch out for the opportunity to show this skill at UW and everywhere else on your interview trail.

Also FYI: while experience with underserved populations is something UW really likes to see, it not necessary to get in. I spent a lot of my free time and summers doing research and didn't have a lot of underserved activities on my resume. What's most important is that you have things on your application that you are passionate and are able to talk about and relate it to how it will make you a better physician.