Western/COMP Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[SFO-IST]

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anyone here interviewing in jan? if so, i was interested in finding out the date for the sake of awareness
my first ever 'tweet': had a row just now and not so sure if dad's going to help with the flight..(and just before i was booking my flight too. man)

med school is an expensive proposition. prior generations had mountains of debt. our generation is stuck not only with even more debt, but the student loan rates have shot up to 6.8%, so we will be paying more interest. My advice to you is to suck it up, make up with your father, and continue knocking on his door, hat in hand. 🙁🙁🙁🙁

 

[wolverinepwns]

having been complete since first week of Sep and not hearing a word, short of the adcom is still reviewing your application, from the school I stopped worrying about future interview dates honestly, I figured when they decide to let me know, they will.

 

[MNBred]

Thanks for the response! If its one on one, no matter how hard the person is I feel like I will do a much better job than if its multiple people.

Just to put in my (unsolicited) two cents...I thought that it would be a lot harder to interview with two people (read: intimidating), but I think it actually turned out to work in my favor. When there is more than just one-on-one, the conversation is more versatile and can flow a bit more easily. You can also ask questions and get back two different perspectives, which I found really helpful (I had a 3rd year student and a professor). I don't really prefer one or the other (that is, one-on-one versus one-on-two) but neither is terrible as long as you are comfortable. They were really welcoming and immediately told me "don't be stressed" before the interview even began.

 

[kgelfen]

just withdrew my interview for dec 11th. I decided I'll be taking my talents to south beach next year! (well, near it)

I just hope it works out for you better then it is for LeBron.
I was also accepted to NSU and Western, but i am choosing Western. There are too many upset students at NSU...

Good Luck!!!

 

[mauve]

med school is an expensive proposition. prior generations had mountains of debt. our generation is stuck not only with even more debt, but the student loan rates have shot up to 6.8%, so we will be paying more interest. My advice to you is to suck it up, make up with your father, and continue knocking on his door, hat in hand. 🙁🙁🙁🙁

thanks. 🙁

 

[epicccfail]

I didn't feel like they tried to trick or stress you during the interview. They just genuinely wanted to understand my application's backstory. Just answer the questions honestly knowing that you won't remember everything perfectly. I think the key is to just say SOMETHING and be confident, articulate, and likable while saying it. Obviously if you're invited to interview, they like what they've seen. showing them that you're a cool guy will likely seal the deal. With an acceptance in the bag, hopefully this is easy for you.

Good luck - this is an awesome school.

what else did they ask you about other than you application? I've heard some schools like to ask you how you feel about certain medical ethics. Did they ask you a situational question like that?

anyone who has interviewed at westenU/COMP please feel free to respond. I appreciate it.

thanks in advance

 

[vega07]

So I have an interview elsewhere mid-December and was told to call in today to get a decision after sending in the email confirmation. Turns out they didn't go over my file yet. They only got to team 9 on 11/20.

I prepped myself before the call so I was little disappointed. This wait is excruciating...

So the two weeks is not a guarantee.

 

[joloeo]

For everyone who has been accepted, have you been able to log on to the email account they give? I've tried and I keep getting an error message

 

[stucka21]

So I have an interview elsewhere mid-December and was told to call in today to get a decision after sending in the email confirmation. Turns out they didn't go over my file yet. They only got to team 9 on 11/20.

I prepped myself before the call so I was little disappointed. This wait is excruciating...

So the two weeks is not a guarantee.

Two weeks is definately not a guarantee. I've been waiting for almost 5 weeks now (interviewed 10/30). I had 3 upcoming interviews, a deposit due immediately, and another deposit due December 1st). I called them weekly for 3 weeks asking for my decision and they kept holding it off. To this day, I still do not know where my letter is or of my decision. So don't get your hopes up that you'll get it fast like others. Unfortunately i've had terrible luck.

 

[jellyfishnh]

Two weeks is definately not a guarantee. I've been waiting for almost 5 weeks now (interviewed 10/30). I had 3 upcoming interviews, a deposit due immediately, and another deposit due December 1st). I called them weekly for 3 weeks asking for my decision and they kept holding it off. To this day, I still do not know where my letter is or of my decision. So don't get your hopes up that you'll get it fast like others. Unfortunately i've had terrible luck.

You're not alone!! I was interviewed on 10/30 and have not heard anything from them as well 🙁 I've been calling them for the past 3 weeks and always got the same response: "maybe next week"!!! It sucks that they didn't tell us exactly when they'll send the letters. I rather to wait for the snail mail 2-3 months than to think that I would receive the result in 2 weeks then ended up checking the mail box EVERY SINGLE day for the past 3 weeks!!

 

[JP1285]

So the two weeks is not a guarantee.

Yeah, I interviewed on 10/30 too. I was told they sent out my letter early last week, but haven't received it yet. This would be weird if I didn't live so closely to the campus. Oh well...

 

[stucka21]

You're not alone!! I was interviewed on 10/30 and have not heard anything from them as well 🙁 I've been calling them for the past 3 weeks and always got the same response: "maybe next week"!!! It sucks that they didn't tell us exactly when they'll send the letters. I rather to wait for the snail mail 2-3 months than to think that I would receive the result in 2 weeks then ended up checking the mail box EVERY SINGLE day for the past 3 weeks!!

I'm glad I am not the ONLY one in the situation. I've become very frustrated. Truthfully, I've put my deposit down at Touro-Nevada and I'm pretty set about going there regardless of my Western outcome. I just wish they would be truthful with me. Last time I called, I was told that my letter was in the mail, and that was 2 weeks ago. So, who knows!

 

[vega07]

But why would they have any reason to not be truthful with you? I would expect an admissions counselor to upfront and honest with everybody, especially for those with upcoming interviews. I am pretty sure you 10/30 people have already been reviewed since they are up to team 9 on 11/20.

Good luck to you all!

 

[mauve]

I'm glad I am not the ONLY one in the situation. I've become very frustrated. Truthfully, I've put my deposit down at Touro-Nevada and I'm pretty set about going there regardless of my Western outcome. I just wish they would be truthful with me. Last time I called, I was told that my letter was in the mail, and that was 2 weeks ago. So, who knows!

have no fear, wikileaks is out there 😛



has anyone stayed at the shilo inn or shilo suites? how is it? coffee shop nearby? seems attractive because of the transport to/from airport and school (and the car rentals wanted me to be min. 25 y.o )

 

[SFO-IST]

what else did they ask you about other than you application? I've heard some schools like to ask you how you feel about certain medical ethics. Did they ask you a situational question like that?

anyone who has interviewed at westenU/COMP please feel free to respond. I appreciate it.

thanks in advance

there are certain questions that are hypothetical situations similar in style to those in the interview feedback section. That's probably the best resource on this site. Other than that, they asked what I thought about issues that were relevant to what I was doing on my file. good luck

 

[EBAMom]

For everyone who has been accepted, have you been able to log on to the email account they give? I've tried and I keep getting an error message

My email didn't work either, but I called their help desk and they fixed it right away. Not that there is any email there. I'm just entirely too excited. 😀

 

[MNBred]

But why would they have any reason to not be truthful with you? I would expect an admissions counselor to upfront and honest with everybody, especially for those with upcoming interviews. I am pretty sure you 10/30 people have already been reviewed since they are up to team 9 on 11/20.

Good luck to you all!

I was so excited when I saw this because I was in Team 9 on 11/20, but I called today and they haven't gotten to me yet 🙁 Oh well...the committee meets again next Thursday! Everyone!

 

[LuckyCharmed]

Accepted! Interviewed 11/4 and called in yesterday to get the good news. I ended up cancelling the interview I had for this morning.

Pretty pumped since Western is my top choice! (so much so that i just had to add a signature >.<)

 

[drctother]

Accepted! Interviewed 11/4 and called in yesterday to get the good news. I ended up cancelling the interview I had for this morning.

Pretty pumped since Western is my top choice! (so much so that i just had to add a signature >.<)

Wow Western seems so inconsistent with their admin. Several people on here said they called to ask of status and werent told anything but "your letter is in the mail". How you called and were able to get an acceptance is beyond me.

Not to scare the people who were told to wait for letters, but maybe if you are rejected they wont tell you over the phone....only acceptances over the phone? I dunno this is just a theory with zero evidence to back it up...and only a hunch

 

[MNBred]

Accepted! Interviewed 11/4 and called in yesterday to get the good news. I ended up cancelling the interview I had for this morning.

Pretty pumped since Western is my top choice! (so much so that i just had to add a signature >.<)

Congratulations!! 👍

 

[SFO-IST]

Accepted! Interviewed 11/4 and called in yesterday to get the good news. I ended up cancelling the interview I had for this morning.

Pretty pumped since Western is my top choice! (so much so that i just had to add a signature >.<)

I'm glad they figured out an icon for the virtual high five i'm sending you.

 

[megathunder]

Random story, I found a DO ER doc at a pretty big trauma hospital here on one of my transports. Looked him up and saw he went to Western and then to Stanford for his residency. If that doesn't speak well about the school I don't know what does 👍

 

[DbDan]

Random story, I found a DO ER doc at a pretty big trauma hospital here in so-cal on one of my transports. Looked him up and saw he went to Western and then to Stanford for his residency. If that doesn't speak well about the school I don't know what does 👍

😱 Good for him. I wanna be a baller like that Doc I used to work for went from Western -> USC Internal Med. Seems like the place those pretty consistently as well. Really, it all is determined by your board scores and your own drive to succeed. Gunner-ism here I come

 

[wolverinepwns]

Random story, I found a DO ER doc at a pretty big trauma hospital here in so-cal on one of my transports. Looked him up and saw he went to Western and then to Stanford for his residency. If that doesn't speak well about the school I don't know what does 👍

Yeah, the hospital I work at the ER doc went to Western then to USC County for ER residency (one of the top ER residency programs in the nation)! But I think he might not be paying his alumni donation to Western cuz eventhough he wrote me a letter Western is just ignoring me. haha, but yeah thats pretty awesome.

 

[zetabetazeta]

I hate to ask this again, but several people said you get interviewed by 2-4 people. Are you saying yes to the open file only?

How many people interviewed you guys?

I hate asking this but there is several answers on this forum. Thanks🙂

ahh, sorry, I don't check this thread that often anymore since I got rejected..hehe..two people interviewed me and yes, I was saying yes to the open file only..should have read the question twice..:]

 

[drctother]

Gonna be honest here im getting pretty discouraged about my Western interview. How are so many good people getting rejected? Most of the big posters on here got rejected🙁

Zetabetazeta how are other interviews? Have you gotten an acceptance yet?

 

[JP1285]

Accepted. Interviewed 10/30.

 

[Sinfest]

Yeah, the hospital I work at the ER doc went to Western then to USC County for ER residency (one of the top ER residency programs in the nation)! But I think he might not be paying his alumni donation to Western cuz eventhough he wrote me a letter Western is just ignoring me. haha, but yeah thats pretty awesome.

I had a current Western professor write my LOR and I still got rejected haha

 

[zetabetazeta]

Gonna be honest here im getting pretty discouraged about my Western interview. How are so many good people getting rejected? Most of the big posters on here got rejected🙁

Zetabetazeta how are other interviews? Have you gotten an acceptance yet?

haha, yea..I got accepted by DMU in september..after that, I withdrew almost all the rest of my DO interviews..

Umm, and I interviewed at one of my state med school two days ago..hopefully I will hear some good news in Jan :]

 

[zetabetazeta]

I had a current Western professor write my LOR and I still got rejected haha

haha, same here..I had a Western graduate DO write my letter and they still don't want me..😀

 

[sunnysand]

haha, same here..I had a Western graduate DO write my letter and they still don't want me..😀

Wow, must be the trend! I had an ER Western doc write my letter and still no love from Western! Been complete since August, even sent in a letter of interest...oh well!

 

[Sinfest]

haha, yea..I got accepted by DMU in september..after that, I withdrew almost all the rest of my DO interviews..

Umm, and I interviewed at one of my state med school two days ago..hopefully I will hear some good news in Jan :]

Nice!! How did it go? Hope it went well

 

[drctother]

haha well I dont have a LOR from a Western Grad😛 hopefully thats good for something

Does anyone have an idea how full the class is or any of the statistics for interview/acceptance? I read last year 600 people interviewed for 200 spots, I was wondering if its the same this year? Any ideas? Thanks

 

[zetabetazeta]

Nice!! How did it go? Hope it went well

It was MMI (multiple mini interviews) format and it was really intense and intimidating..lol..I didn't perform as good as I expected but I guess I tried my best..:] We will see what happens..wish me luck coz I truly need it!!!!!!!!

 

[traitorman]

I just hope it works out for you better then it is for LeBron.
I was also accepted to NSU and Western, but i am choosing Western. There are too many upset students at NSU...

Good Luck!!!

Thanks! I saw some of the complaints, but they just seemed typical of medical schools in general. NSU and western both have what I'm looking for so the deciding factor ended up being location. Congrats on your acceptance!

and lebron looked pretty good the other night against cleveland...but don't worry, I'll be repping cali at miami games with my kobe jersey!

 

[DbDan]

It was MMI (multiple mini interviews) format and it was really intense and intimidating..lol..I didn't perform as good as I expected but I guess I tried my best..:] We will see what happens..wish me luck coz I truly need it!!!!!!!!

I'm sure you did well! Good luck!!!! I would kill to have that interview

 

[LuckyCharmed]

I'm glad they figured out an icon for the virtual high five i'm sending you.

LOL thanks SFO-IST and MNBred! I still feel like I'm floating on a cloud even after a long celebration weekend. Good luck to everyone still waiting and hoping...PM me if you want my scoop on the interview. I've already responded to a few people and don't mind copy and pasting it on! 😛

 

[goucsdjb]

Just called and found out that they sent out my decision letter in the mail last Friday, so I should be receiving it early this week. I was team 16 or 17 from 10/30 interview. I hope the wait is worth it!

 

[hopefulCC]

it's my birthday and guess what FINALLY came in the mail?! my acceptance letter! WOOOOO!!

for those who have received your letter today/recently, does your deposit deadline also say December 15th? my letter was addressed December 3rd, that is so weird...

 

[jellyfishnh]

it's my birthday and guess what FINALLY came in the mail?! my acceptance letter! WOOOOO!!

for those who have received your letter today/recently, does your deposit deadline also say December 15th? my letter was addressed December 3rd, that is so weird...

Wow, I'm happy for you! Congrats! =D

It's my birthday tomorrow and I'm still waiting...It's either the best or the worst birthday present I've ever received!

 

[SFO-IST]

it's my birthday and guess what FINALLY came in the mail?! my acceptance letter! WOOOOO!!

for those who have received your letter today/recently, does your deposit deadline also say December 15th? my letter was addressed December 3rd, that is so weird...

I'd call the admissions people - that sounds like they might not have changed the date on accident.

If you're set on the school, be sure to check out the class' facebook page.

 

[jellyfishnh]

Those who got either the acceptance or rejection letters, is the acceptance package really bigger than the rejection letter??

 

[hopefulCC]

Those who got either the acceptance or rejection letters, is the acceptance package really bigger than the rejection letter??

My acceptance letter came in a "regular" envelope. I almost missed it bc I was expecting one of those 9x12 envelopes. From what I read, the acceptance 'packages' (with more information/ forms) come later on.

Good luck and happy early birthday!

 

[jellyfishnh]

My acceptance letter came in a "regular" envelope. I almost missed it bc I was expecting one of those 9x12 envelopes. From what I read, the acceptance 'packages' (with more information/ forms) come later on.

Good luck and happy early birthday!

Thanks HopefulCC! I bet you're enjoying your birthday to the max =] HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 

[Cheshyre]

My acceptance letter came in a "regular" envelope. I almost missed it bc I was expecting one of those 9x12 envelopes. From what I read, the acceptance 'packages' (with more information/ forms) come later on.

Good luck and happy early birthday!

Just fyi, my acceptance last year (for DO2014) also came in a regular business envelope. It's the scariest thing.

 

[SFO-IST]

People, I'm really excited about Western! I keep looking at the match list. Most of the places people went for residency are places where I'd like to live! For me, this means the west coast and select cities on the east coast. Across the board with all DO schools - even ones who have been around for over a hundred years - Western has the best match list if you're set on the west coast.

Additionally:
-awesome rotations
-awesome anatomy dept.
-modern facilities
-solid academics according to reviews from current students
-LA culture (students live in cities like Claremont)
-no disgruntled students on sdn
-pass/no pass grading
-research is encouraged
-flexibility when setting up rotations
-tons of community service opportunities
-interdisciplinary education
-lax attendance/dress code policy
-video archived lectures that can be watched in 2X and 3X
-actors hired to be standardized patients


Wow... OK, so this post is turning out to be a commercial so I'll stop. Good luck to everyone still to interview!

 

[motes]

Hi guys,

Does anyone know whether the ADCOM reads the LOR's before selecting students for an interview or after the interview has taken place?

Also, what is the average time it has taken for the ADCOM to respond with decisions?

Thanks!

 

[aidama]

I'm a bit late, but has anyone had trouble filling out the secondary? Every time I try to fill it out, it gives me an SQL error like it can't access the website...

 

[mes415]

Interviewing this Saturday 🙂 anyone know what time it should be done by?

 

[kai1581]

Hi all, just got my acceptance letter yesterday. I interviewed on 10/30, team #14. I was getting a little worried since it seems like a whole bunch of acceptances went out for the 10/30 group, as well as for November interviewees. Keep your head up if you're still waiting. If you have any questions about the process, feel free to PM me.

@hopefulCC
Yea, my letter says the deposit deadline is December 15th. I was hoping they would give more than a week to submit the deposit as I'm out of town until the weekend.

On page 7 of the admissions guidebook there is a section "Institutional Scholarships" with an address to a corresponding westernu.edu page. As stated on the page: "Academic Excellence/A Tribute to Caring Scholarships" are designated for incoming students and are based on the student's outstanding academic achievements as well as their contributions to the community. Does anyone know of someone receiving this or has any current students received this? Does anyone know the number of scholarships, amounts, and minimum/average stats for recipients?