Western/COMP Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[Kalu123]

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I couldn't log into my email earlier today, but I just tried again and it works now. It's definitely going to take some time getting used to Outlook. It took me a bit to figure out how to change my password haha. I've been using Gmail forever!

 

[Siggy]

In other words: you have to wear shoes and shirts, no "dixie duke" shorts, and you must shower/shave enough not to be a stinky hobo. No hats during lecture, but it's OK inside the building or on campus.

Yea... I would have gotten a nice pair of Daisy Dukes if it wasn't for that.


As far as the hats... well... that's not really enforced past having them turned around during exams.

 

[Siggy]

We are all adults and i don't think it's cool to show up to class in sweats and flip flaps. I normal shirt and some pants are not too much to ask for. I dont think they are looking for a suit.

While I'm officially not a sandal/flip flops person, you do understand that flip flops are essentially akin to the official footwear of Southern California?

 

[Siggy]

Can someone (preferably a current Western student) please shed some new light on this? I would greatly appreciate it. I'm not much of a fan of mandatory attendance or a strict dress code.

And perhaps if I know what kind of curriculum I will be facing, I can start adjusting immediately. The book provided on interview day said it's a mix of everything from small- to large-based groups (CBL or PBL), classroom presentations, and online stuff (this deserves some clarification).

I would really appreciate any info on this, as well as many other prospective students.

Dress code has already been mentioned. In the same line as "we have a dress code," we have an attendance policy which states that we're supposed to be in all class periods. It's, by and large, unenforced and while some of the professors would like it enforced fully, they understand that not everyone learns the best in a lecture environment.

Regarding the curriculum itself, they're still making changes to it. Basically the way it's put together is the cases are released along with a bunch of primers on the material (physio, pharm, histology, clinical, microbio, etc as appropriately), along with recommended reading, normally from Harrison's Internal Medicine, and then everything is put together in the large group session. In large part because it's new, there are some issues with the implementation, but I feel (caveat emptor, I more easily give people the benefit of the doubt than a lot of other people) that they are trying to tweak the delivery to fix the problems. It's just frustrating being in the first group to go through this curriculum.

 

[PsychEpathic]

Accepted, but won't be attending. Good luck to everyone attending/interviewing!! 🙂

 

[vega07]

Anyone find the acceptance letter underwhelming? Two lines of congratulations and the rest of the page about deposits and requirements.

Or maybe it's because I knew of the decision beforehand?

 

[SFO-IST]

Yea... I would have gotten a nice pair of Daisy Dukes if it wasn't for that.


As far as the hats... well... that's not really enforced past having them turned around during exams.

AHA HAHAHA... Thank you sir!

 

[kgelfen]

I paid the deposit by phone with credit card. I didn't recieve much of a confirmation on my email or new Western email.
Yesterday i emailed the office and they said they recieved my money and acceptance letter.
So maybe they will send out confirmations after december 15 to everyone who accepted offer.
Also people seem to be so concerned about the dress code, thats really good because it seems like that's the only thing people can pick on. LOL.

Good Luck to everyone!!!

 

[Trent152]

I got my acceptance letter from Western yesterday and I'm so excited to attend Western this fall!! Congrats to everyone else who got accepted to Western

 

[Kalu123]

I paid the deposit by phone with credit card. I didn't recieve much of a confirmation on my email or new Western email.
Yesterday i emailed the office and they said they recieved my money and acceptance letter.
So maybe they will send out confirmations after december 15 to everyone who accepted offer.
Also people seem to be so concerned about the dress code, thats really good because it seems like that's the only thing people can pick on. LOL.

Good Luck to everyone!!!

Haha that's so true! Although, I do live in flip flops. 😛

 

[Kalu123]

I paid the deposit by phone with credit card. I didn't recieve much of a confirmation on my email or new Western email.
Yesterday i emailed the office and they said they recieved my money and acceptance letter.
So maybe they will send out confirmations after december 15 to everyone who accepted offer.
Also people seem to be so concerned about the dress code, thats really good because it seems like that's the only thing people can pick on. LOL.

Good Luck to everyone!!!

I just called Western and paid my deposit over the phone (I LOVE Robin, she is so nice!). She said that they are waiting for the student website (I think our personal Bannerweb sites) to be updated before they send out the confirmation e-mails. I don't think it will be too much longer.

 

[easyeye123]

ahhhhh I got waitlisted!! what's weird is that I called Robin last Friday and she said no decision has made yet (I have an interview in January so I can get her to tell me about my status) but the "alternate" status arrived in mail today...is there a possibility that they might got it mixed up? I live right next to this school and I will definitely go arrrgh

 

[Cheshyre]

ahhhhh I got waitlisted!! what's weird is that I called Robin last Friday and she said no decision has made yet (I have an interview in January so I can get her to tell me about my status) but the "alternate" status arrived in mail today...is there a possibility that they might got it mixed up? I live right next to this school and I will definitely go arrrgh

You should call to ensure that there's no mix-up, but most likely, there isn't one.

That said, you are an ALTERNATE. Realize that historically, Western has been pretty good about eventually offering most people who interviewed a spot at some point or another. This isn't the end of the world. Continue to improve your application in any way that you can (and send in updates if you think you have something they should know about - new awards, new grades, whatever, use your professional judgment) and call every so often to get an update on your status. These things don't go unnoticed. The school wants to offer spots to people who genuinely want them. It wastes their effort and time to offer spots to people who aren't really interested.

Also, you have other interviews. Do well on them because you never know what you might find. I was totally head-over-heels in love with UMDNJ and got waitlisted. I came to my interview at Western wanting to hate it so that I could go home and focus on getting into UMDNJ, but, I left loving it. You never know what might happen.

 

[easyeye123]

You should call to ensure that there's no mix-up, but most likely, there isn't one.

That said, you are an ALTERNATE. Realize that historically, Western has been pretty good about eventually offering most people who interviewed a spot at some point or another. This isn't the end of the world. Continue to improve your application in any way that you can (and send in updates if you think you have something they should know about - new awards, new grades, whatever, use your professional judgment) and call every so often to get an update on your status. These things don't go unnoticed. The school wants to offer spots to people who genuinely want them. It wastes their effort and time to offer spots to people who aren't really interested.

Also, you have other interviews. Do well on them because you never know what you might find. I was totally head-over-heels in love with UMDNJ and got waitlisted. I came to my interview at Western wanting to hate it so that I could go home and focus on getting into UMDNJ, but, I left loving it. You never know what might happen.

thanks you for the encouragement haha 🙂

 

[motes]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if you had any ideas as to what I should write in the thank you letter? I have never written one and I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[Cheshyre]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if you had any ideas as to what I should write in the thank you letter? I have never written one and I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks!

Just make your letter professional, polite, and sincere. That said, don't make it an essay - if you had something important to discuss, you should've mentioned it on the application, in your personal statement, or during the interview.

 

[drctother]

Motes, what is the intention of your letter? The med students told me to my face that its basically a waste of time because your interviewers have already made their mind. However, if you are just doing it because they were nice and made it a memorable experience...go for it.

I was going to but decided it wont make a difference and to be honest, I kinda forgot my interviewers name🙁 lol

 

[drctother]

For those who got letters (accepted or rejected): How long did it take for you to get the letters in the mail after your interview? I interviewed Dec 11th and I leave the continent for 4 months on Dec 29th. Do you guys think I will know my status by then?

Thanks🙂

PS I love this school. Its my absolute top choice for 100 reasons (I wont list them and spam the thread😛)

 

[SFO-IST]

For those who got letters (accepted or rejected): How long did it take for you to get the letters in the mail after your interview? I interviewed Dec 11th and I leave the continent for 4 months on Dec 29th. Do you guys think I will know my status by then?

Thanks🙂

PS I love this school. Its my absolute top choice for 100 reasons (I wont list them and spam the thread😛)

If you let them know of your circumstances via email with an itenerary, they may make an exception and let you know over the phone, since it will be difficult for you to pay the deposit in time if you're away for 4 months.

 

[Cheshyre]

The med students told me to my face that its basically a waste of time because your interviewers have already made their mind.

As a med student, I would say that short of being annoying, there's nothing that can be 100% a waste of time. Will writing a thank you letter/calling admissions/insert activity here always help? No, it'd be incredibly naive to think so. Hell, there's not even a consensus on the basics. Some schools won't take you without research. On the other hand, some schools don't factor research into admissions at all. Another example - I wore an ill-fitting suit to my 4 interviews (and yes, I have adequate knowledge of men's fashion unfortunately coupled with an inadequate bank account) and got into every school I interviewed at. I say that here on SDN and I've got multiple pre-meds, yes, people who haven't gotten acceptances telling me that my story can't possibly be true. Thankfully, the medical school application process hasn't gotten to be THAT shallow yet.

The point is that nobody knows for sure exactly what admissions committee members want to see or even what their mood will be like the day they review your app. Maybe your interviewer will be having a good day when they get your letter. Maybe they'll feel crummy and just toss it in the recycling. Maybe they'll feel so crummy that they (gasp) won't even recycle it.

In a process as important as this one, you just have to do the best you can. I suggest that you roll with the punches and always try to reach a little further. If things don't work out, well, at least you can sleep at night knowing you gave it everything.

 

[kgelfen]

Just wanted to put in my two cent on the thank you notes.
I agree they are polite, but at the same time why are they needed. They are looking to fill the class and just because you send them letter saying thanks it's not going to change their mind. They interview you because they think you are good enough, so talking to them and being polite right then and there is what decides if you get in, sending some letter later doesn't make sense. Also it's part of their job to interview people, it's not like they are doing it to you as a favor, they have to interview people one way or another.
Let me give an example. I was interviewed at NOVA, some student talked to us and said you have to absolutely send thank you notes if you want in. I didn't. Guess what, i got in.
I see why people think it's nice to do and i am not arguing that. What i am saying is that they can't change their mind based on the thank you note, if they did it would be unfair to everyone.

Send a thank you note to people who wrote you rec letters, they are the ones that did you a favor!!!

Good Luck!!!

 

[jmb23]

Does anyone know how many seats in the class are still available? I have not been invited to interview yet, but am wondering if it would be a waitlist interview by January or February?

 

[Kalu123]

I wanted to chime in on the thank-you notes discussion. Don't think of a thank-you note as a way to kiss their butt or as a way to make yourself look like a better applicant. Think of it as an act of professionalism. You're doing it for the same reason you wrote (or should have written) your letter writers thank-you's -- because you're a professional, respectful adult. A thank-you note should be brief. Don't write one with the intention to score points with your interviewer.

You don't have to write one if you don't want to, but I think it's a bit rude not to. I know that many applicants don't write them, so it shouldn't hurt you if you don't do it (I was accepted to two schools I interviewed at before I had a chance to send mine in). However, I've heard that for residency interviews, it's absolutely expected to write thank-you's. So why not start practicing now?

 

[VPP]

HEllllllllo Friends,

Does anyone know if the January interview invites are already out? When can we expect them by? Are they coming out early next year????

Thank you in Advance 🙂

VPP

 

[Siggy]

However, I've heard that for residency interviews, it's absolutely expected to write thank-you's. So why not start practicing now?

However residency interviews are very different than medical school interviews. Medical schools are trying to fill a 200+ student class and are interviewing students. Residencies are trying to fill a handful of spots (often under 10) and are interviewing potential employees who they need to get along with for the next 3+ years.

 

[heartofsmiles]

I wanted to chime in on the thank-you notes discussion. Don't think of a thank-you note as a way to kiss their butt or as a way to make yourself look like a better applicant. Think of it as an act of professionalism. You're doing it for the same reason you wrote (or should have written) your letter writers thank-you's -- because you're a professional, respectful adult. A thank-you note should be brief. Don't write one with the intention to score points with your interviewer.

You don't have to write one if you don't want to, but I think it's a bit rude not to. I know that many applicants don't write them, so it shouldn't hurt you if you don't do it (I was accepted to two schools I interviewed at before I had a chance to send mine in). However, I've heard that for residency interviews, it's absolutely expected to write thank-you's. So why not start practicing now?

I wholeheartedly agree. Writing because you want to is what it should be about. If you only send it in because you feel like it would help with the admissions process, it defeats the purpose. It's just a thing to say thank you for taking time out of your busy day and career to interview me. It's definitely a privilege to interview and not a right that we have just because we expect to.

 

[kgelfen]

I wholeheartedly agree. Writing because you want to is what it should be about. If you only send it in because you feel like it would help with the admissions process, it defeats the purpose. It's just a thing to say thank you for taking time out of your busy day and career to interview me. It's definitely a privilege to interview and not a right that we have just because we expect to.

I agree that it's polite. But interview is not a privilege by any means in my view. There are certain things you have to do to get an interview and that's it. You are going to pay money for the education it's not free. Also if those people didn't want to interview you they dont have to. It's there choice to work at a school and being part of selecting new students. Most of them enjoy it and want to do it, because they care about the future doctors. And yes recidency is very different, you are getting hired pretty much to do work and learn (you are getting paid). School is different (you are paying). And here is my biggest problem with thank you notes, in my view it tempering with the admissions process, people could be putting gift cards into the thank you notes and many other things. You should have no way of communicating to the adcom besides interview, otherwise it's not fair and not transparent (this is why you talk to admission adviser).
And by the way if all 600 people they interviewed send thank you notes, do you really think it would be nice to open you mail box everyday and see 2 or 3 cards in there, they are going to put them in trash without opening them. Do you really think they will open each one and be "oh this person is so polite we should take them".
I also say this because i have family that participates in admissions at an X school and he told me that it is nice, but nobody cares, and some people are just annoyed.
THIS IS MY PERSONAL VIEW ON IT. (I also understand why people do send thank you notes)

 

[MNBred]

UPDATE: If anyone who interviewed on 11/20 hasn't heard back yet (like me), I called today and they said that they finished all of those files yesterday. So there you go. The director isn't in the office yet, so they don't have the decisions on hand, but I thought you'd all want to know either way.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

 

[Kalu123]

However residency interviews are very different than medical school interviews. Medical schools are trying to fill a 200+ student class and are interviewing students. Residencies are trying to fill a handful of spots (often under 10) and are interviewing potential employees who they need to get along with for the next 3+ years.

I understand that the nature of the interview/application process is different, but I still think it's a nice, professional gesture. I went through my premedical committee at my undergrad to apply this year, and it was absolutely expected that each of us write thank you letters to our committee interviewers (our interviewers are faculty members and physicians in our community). It's something we are taught by our advisor, and something I also agree with. This year, one of the interviewers didn't receive a thank-you and made a complaint to our advisor. This is just what happened at my undergrad, which is obviously not the same as med school. But I do think that some people do expect to receive thank-you's, especially if they are older and more traditional.

As for which people on an admissions committee might find it annoying to receive a thank you letter, it's going to be different for everyone. At the end of each of my interviews so far, I have asked my interviewers for their contact info so that I may send them a thank you letter. None of them discouraged me from doing so. I also have a very close friend who is on an admissions committee. She loves getting thank you letters from applicants that she interviews. But others may find it obnoxious. So to be safe, don't try to kiss butt in the letter! If they get the sense that the purpose of your letter is to score points with them, then they will get annoyed. It just depends on how you write it.


I also want to add that sending a gift in a thank you letter is completely inappropriate. People on admissions committees know this. If you send one, it will absolutely look like a bribe. Don't do it!

 

[christine121]

Just got home from vacation and found my acceptance letter! Interviewed 10/30 but going to be declining the offer....hope this helps someone on the alternate list!😀

 

[MNBred]

ACCEPTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀😀😀😀😀😀

BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!!!!😍

Good luck to all of those still waiting to hear back!!!

 

[wolverinepwns]

does anyone know when the final interview invites will be? as in the last interview date of the season?

 

[drctother]

wholly crap, it took 6 weeks for some of you guys to get your letters in the mail?!?!?!

Ok heres my situation. I was accepted to Touro-NY today. I have TWO weeks to give an acceptance deposit ($2000). I was supposed to call Western today (I interviewed Dec 11th) to see if they could give me an answer over the phone (explaining my situation with Touro). However, I got caught up with other stuff and JUST realized that Western closed today for the holiday!!!

Does anyone know if there is some way to contact them regardless?!

Thanks🙂

 

[drctother]

does anyone know when the final interview invites will be? as in the last interview date of the season?

The med students who gave me the tour said something in March or April. I know this isnt specific, but I hope it gives you an idea🙂

 

[wolverinepwns]

The med students who gave me the tour said something in March or April. I know this isnt specific, but I hope it gives you an idea🙂

yeah thats what I thought too. thnx.

 

[Antibodies]

Just wanted to put in my two cent on the thank you notes.
I agree they are polite, but at the same time why are they needed. They are looking to fill the class and just because you send them letter saying thanks it's not going to change their mind. They interview you because they think you are good enough, so talking to them and being polite right then and there is what decides if you get in, sending some letter later doesn't make sense. Also it's part of their job to interview people, it's not like they are doing it to you as a favor, they have to interview people one way or another.
Let me give an example. I was interviewed at NOVA, some student talked to us and said you have to absolutely send thank you notes if you want in. I didn't. Guess what, i got in.
I see why people think it's nice to do and i am not arguing that. What i am saying is that they can't change their mind based on the thank you note, if they did it would be unfair to everyone.

Send a thank you note to people who wrote you rec letters, they are the ones that did you a favor!!!

Good Luck!!!

As a med student who interviews applicants, I will tell you that you are wrong. Faculty and students volunteer to interview applicants, it is not our "job". Don't you want to thank someone for volunteering their time?
Will you get into med school without sending a thank you letter? Sure. Will sending one help? It may.
It sure lightens up my day when I get a thank-you letter.

 

[heartofsmiles]

I agree that it's polite. But interview is not a privilege by any means in my view. There are certain things you have to do to get an interview and that's it. You are going to pay money for the education it's not free. Also if those people didn't want to interview you they dont have to. It's there choice to work at a school and being part of selecting new students. Most of them enjoy it and want to do it, because they care about the future doctors. And yes recidency is very different, you are getting hired pretty much to do work and learn (you are getting paid). School is different (you are paying). And here is my biggest problem with thank you notes, in my view it tempering with the admissions process, people could be putting gift cards into the thank you notes and many other things. You should have no way of communicating to the adcom besides interview, otherwise it's not fair and not transparent (this is why you talk to admission adviser).
And by the way if all 600 people they interviewed send thank you notes, do you really think it would be nice to open you mail box everyday and see 2 or 3 cards in there, they are going to put them in trash without opening them. Do you really think they will open each one and be "oh this person is so polite we should take them".
I also say this because i have family that participates in admissions at an X school and he told me that it is nice, but nobody cares, and some people are just annoyed.
THIS IS MY PERSONAL VIEW ON IT. (I also understand why people do send thank you notes)

I'm happy sending my thank you letter to interviewers that I really connected with. It's my way of saying thanks and whether or not they throw it away or read is their choice.

And just because we pay money for something doesn't mean we can't say thank you. Yeah, even if it was someone's job, wouldn't you want to be thanked. Wouldn't you like patients to thank you for seeing them (btw their insurance pays you)? Of course. We are humans, we like feeling good.

We can debate for as long as we want, but in the end, do what you feel is right.

 

[DocDJ]

For those who got letters (accepted or rejected): How long did it take for you to get the letters in the mail after your interview? I interviewed Dec 11th and I leave the continent for 4 months on Dec 29th. Do you guys think I will know my status by then?

Thanks🙂

PS I love this school. Its my absolute top choice for 100 reasons (I wont list them and spam the thread😛)

I spoke with admissions on Friday night, I got a phone call letting me know I was ACCEPTED!!!! woo hoo!!! 😀 So excited, but to help you, they stayed until about 730 pm to finalize the decisions before they went on Christmas break...I was told that the letters were sent out yesterday, and we should have them on Monday...I also interviewed on Dec 11th, so hopefully they were able to get through everyone's file and we'll all have a decision on Monday...GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[DocDJ]

wholly crap, it took 6 weeks for some of you guys to get your letters in the mail?!?!?!

Ok heres my situation. I was accepted to Touro-NY today. I have TWO weeks to give an acceptance deposit ($2000). I was supposed to call Western today (I interviewed Dec 11th) to see if they could give me an answer over the phone (explaining my situation with Touro). However, I got caught up with other stuff and JUST realized that Western closed today for the holiday!!!

Does anyone know if there is some way to contact them regardless?!

Thanks🙂

I also interviewed on the 11th, and I talked to Western on Friday, they were able to tell me over the phone that I was ACCEPTED!!! woo hoo!!! they said they were mailing out the decisions on Saturday, and we should have them by Monday...hope that helps!

 

[Honze55]

just withdrew an interview spot.

hopefully someone on SDN can snatch it up!

Good luck everyone

 

[drctother]

I also interviewed on the 11th, and I talked to Western on Friday, they were able to tell me over the phone that I was ACCEPTED!!! woo hoo!!! they said they were mailing out the decisions on Saturday, and we should have them by Monday...hope that helps!

First off congrats!!! I dont think I will hear by monday haha I live in Vancouver, Canada. Thats just north of Seattle, Washington. I dont think the letter will reach me that soon...although that would be amazing if it did!!!

Where are you from in the US? I wonder if they mail by express or w.e its called?

 

[drctother]

Wow so after talking to several people... I apologize for being a noob and rookin' out. Apparently mail gets from Cali to BC in a few days?! I had no idea haha I dunno I never mail things ever. I still thought mail was like it was 50 years ago lol

 

[mes415]

Also interviewed on the 11th and anxiously awaiting the mail! I called friday and they said that they weren't finished yet but I forgot to call back later 🙁 boo. Also drctother since there were only 2 canadians there I'm pretty sure I know who you are haha.. we were friends 🙂 I'm from UCSD.

 

[drctother]

Also interviewed on the 11th and anxiously awaiting the mail! I called friday and they said that they weren't finished yet but I forgot to call back later 🙁 boo. Also drctother since there were only 2 canadians there I'm pretty sure I know who you are haha.. we were friends 🙂 I'm from UCSD.

haha oh ya! I think I know who you are too. I hope you get in🙂

Someone above said they were in the office until 7:30PM (im impressed they would work that late) to make sure our letters were ready to be sent today

 

[mes415]

haha oh ya! I think I know who you are too. I hope you get in🙂

Someone above said they were in the office until 7:30PM (im impressed they would work that late) to make sure our letters were ready to be sent today

I hope you do too! Good luck 🙂 I was one of the forgotten ones, blonde girl gray suit haha.

But after almost attacking the mail lady today, no news for me in San Diego. 🙁 Guess ill have to wait till tomorrow or wednesday. Hopefully this doesnt mean I was "forgotten" again lol

 

[drctother]

I hope you do too! Good luck 🙂 I was one of the forgotten ones, blonde girl gray suit haha.

But after almost attacking the mail lady today, no news for me in San Diego. 🙁 Guess ill have to wait till tomorrow or wednesday. Hopefully this doesnt mean I was "forgotten" again lol

haha well now you have confused me😛, were you the Theta or the DG by any chance?

I dont think you told me you were forgotten at the interview, thats unfortunate though🙁. Im sure Western will make up for it with a nice acceptance letter dont worry. It sucks because most likely when the letter gets to my house, I will be 5 hours away in another city writing a final exam for my OChem II retake. All I will be thinking about is the letter and not my final lol

 

[mes415]

haha well now you have confused me😛, were you the Theta or the DG by any chance?

I dont think you told me you were forgotten at the interview, thats unfortunate though🙁. Im sure Western will make up for it with a nice acceptance letter dont worry. It sucks because most likely when the letter gets to my house, I will be 5 hours away in another city writing a final exam for my OChem II retake. All I will be thinking about is the letter and not my final lol

DG 🙂 I wrote you a PM but for some reason it tells me I have 0 sent messages... im not sure how that makes any sense. SDN confuses me lol Good luck!

 

[SFO-IST]

I hope both of you get in!😀

 

[drctother]

I hope both of you get in!😀

Thanks! im getting super nervous cuz Im away from home and the letter should be getting to my house tomorrow or the day after. I wont be there to open it😱

 

[Remie]

Interviewed on 12/11. Haven't received anything in the mail as of yet. I figured if they sent it out on Saturday, I would have it by today considering I'm in CA. Hopefully tomorrow!