Western Updates

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kootz said:
I'm just flying into LA... my hotel's in Pomona with a FREE shuttle to Western... just trying to finagle a way to the hotel. Anyone ever heard of Super Shuttle?
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If you don't want to pay the high price for the shuttle you could take the metrolink (train) to Pomona/Claremont area. A round trip ticket is probably half the cost of the shuttle, and I hear there is a free or cheap shuttle that will take you from LAX to union station. Your hotel will probably be willing to pick you up from the local metrolink stop. The riverside line will drop you right off at the school and the San bernardino line will drop you off in Claremont. The metrolink is very clean and safe. I take it to work almost everyday.
 
Hey guys,
I am avoiding studying neurology and thought I would check in at SDN to see how you are all doing!

We are getting ready for interviews here, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year students are all volunteering to show you all around, do Q & A's and talk you through how we do PBL.

When I interviewed last year it was only the Professors who explained PBL and I didn't get to talk to any students about it... I will tell you I was totally freaked out by it.

But now I love it and can't imagine having to sit through lectures all day! We get to all discuss ideas around the table for a few hours and then go home or to the library, or a coffee shop to read up on the issues we identified. It is a great way to learn, but I also will tell you, it is hard.

So I hope you all get interview invites soon (don't worry you never have anything to do with the admissions staff again!) and if you have any questions beforehand let me know :luck:
 
sbrook said:
Hey guys,
I am avoiding studying neurology and thought I would check in at SDN to see how you are all doing!

We are getting ready for interviews here, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year students are all volunteering to show you all around, do Q & A's and talk you through how we do PBL.

When I interviewed last year it was only the Professors who explained PBL and I didn't get to talk to any students about it... I will tell you I was totally freaked out by it.

But now I love it and can't imagine having to sit through lectures all day! We get to all discuss ideas around the table for a few hours and then go home or to the library, or a coffee shop to read up on the issues we identified. It is a great way to learn, but I also will tell you, it is hard.

So I hope you all get interview invites soon (don't worry you never have anything to do with the admissions staff again!) and if you have any questions beforehand let me know :luck:
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I have a question on the itinerary for the day. With my interview confirmation date, it had a general outline of things that will happen (tour, interview, etc.). It says to expect to be on campus all day, but it also says you'll be on campus from 8am-12:30pm. I booked a flight home for 8pm that day. This won't be a problem right? All the schools so far had given me a set interview time, and Western U has not (which I find really strange).
 
Hey guys, soOoOo excited to finally jump onboard! Just recieved my interview invite a few hours ago!

So, just curious, does anyone know where to find a good list of possible interview questions for Western? Couldn't find anything on their website, and I just want to start trying to think about specific events, etc. in my life that I can use to start formulating answers.

Good luck to everyone and hope to see some of you @ Western!
 
Just got the invite too 🙂. Got the application complete email only last week so, those who just got those emails, rest assured that Western is still looking at you.
 
Man I think I'm going to have to end up canceling. Southwest keeps raising the fares on me after I schedule (and re-schedule) interview times. There's one more day that I can afford and I asked Mrs. Lopez to re-re-schedule my interview but if that goes up, then I'm out. So there may be one additional interview offer in the pool soon!


I'm just flying into LA... my hotel's in Pomona with a FREE shuttle to Western... just trying to finagle a way to the hotel. Anyone ever heard of Super Shuttle?
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Ooooh....mind sharing which hotel that is?
 
chii chan said:
I have a question on the itinerary for the day. With my interview confirmation date, it had a general outline of things that will happen (tour, interview, etc.). It says to expect to be on campus all day, but it also says you'll be on campus from 8am-12:30pm. I booked a flight home for 8pm that day. This won't be a problem right? All the schools so far had given me a set interview time, and Western U has not (which I find really strange).
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I am not sure how they are going to do it exactly this year, but last year everyone was split up into 4 different groups. There are 4 activities throughout the 4 or so hours that you are there. These activities are
1. Slideshow
2. Q and A with CVM students
3. A tour
4. Interview
All 4 groups rotate and do these 4 activities in different orders. I am assuming that around 12 or something they may herd us all back into one room and talk to us/give us information about the school and financial aid and feed us 🙂 (It was subway last year)

Hope that helps...
 
JKIM02 said:
I am not sure how they are going to do it exactly this year, but last year everyone was split up into 4 different groups. There are 4 activities throughout the 4 or so hours that you are there. These activities are
1. Slideshow
2. Q and A with CVM students
3. A tour
4. Interview
All 4 groups rotate and do these 4 activities in different orders. I am assuming that around 12 or something they may herd us all back into one room and talk to us/give us information about the school and financial aid and feed us 🙂 (It was subway last year)

Hope that helps...
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It does thank you!!! I hope they feed us! 🙂 My hotel gives a complementary buffet breakfast so I may not need to spend any money to feed myself!


HopefulAg said:
Man I think I'm going to have to end up canceling. Southwest keeps raising the fares on me after I schedule (and re-schedule) interview times. There's one more day that I can afford and I asked Mrs. Lopez to re-re-schedule my interview but if that goes up, then I'm out. So there may be one additional interview offer in the pool soon!


Ooooh....mind sharing which hotel that is?
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http://www.westernu.edu/bin/pomona/local-hotels.pdf
This was posted earlier in the thread and gives the hotels that are local and offer some sort of service. If you're trying to fly into ONT, Shilo Inn offers a free shuttle to and from the airport as well as to and from Western U. Most of the hotels listed on there offer something, but I think a few do not. The prices of these places are not what is on there (but gives a good estimate).

Also, check Southwest daily. Their fares change everyday. 2 days ago, it was $90/$90 for a round-trip ticket down there. I bought my tickets yesterday and i paid $49/$65.
 
Alright, so last night Western sent out a few more invites for the first week. My heart stopped, luckily it has started beating again. I am really hoping those of you, including myself, hear some good news from Western. I wonder when the second wave will go out?:xf:
 
radio2020 said:
Alright, so last night Western sent out a few more invites for the first week. My heart stopped, luckily it has started beating again. I am really hoping those of you, including myself, hear some good news from Western. I wonder when the second wave will go out?:xf:
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Good luck to you too! Keep breathing, please! 😛
A friend of mine here at school got an interview today!
:luck:
 
I am still anxiously awaiting too! I called them today and they said the were still reviewing apps. I am concerned b/c I got an e-mail from Jeneane on 12/15 stating my app was complete and was getting send to the committee for review. I fear I am already in the "perhaps not" category. 🙁 I keep praying every night that I will get an invite...I don't care if I am first (obviously not now) or last on the list I just want to be on that list. I'll pray for you and the others still awaitin' as well. I applied to AVC as well and have not been invited (yet). I just have my Glasgow interview so far which I am of course happy about. 🙂 It would be nice to have options though should I be worthy enough to be interviewed and subsequently accepted!
 
Tambotie said:
I am still anxiously awaiting too! I called them today and they said the were still reviewing apps. I am concerned b/c I got an e-mail from Jeneane on 12/15 stating my app was complete and was getting send to the committee for review. I fear I am already in the "perhaps not" category. 🙁
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Don't worry. I received that email around that time as well and thought I was also rejected. However I received a surprise invite email yesterday, so I'm sure that it doesn't mean you're out. 🙂
 
Thanks PennyPup! That is good to hear! I still remain very hopeful!!!
 
chii chan said:
I have a question on the itinerary for the day. With my interview confirmation date, it had a general outline of things that will happen (tour, interview, etc.). It says to expect to be on campus all day, but it also says you'll be on campus from 8am-12:30pm. I booked a flight home for 8pm that day. This won't be a problem right? All the schools so far had given me a set interview time, and Western U has not (which I find really strange).
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So If it is like last year, when you get to campus in the morning you will be put into a small group. You will recieve the schedual for the day with the group. One group will go to their interviews, another the tour, another to the PBL video, etc.

I think I was there for about 4 hours last year, and I think there is a morning group and an afternoon group. Either way, you should be OK to fly out at 8.

For everyone who have not bought tickets yet, I suggest you fly in the Ontario airport vs LA.

I can't remember for sure, but I do think they gave us sandwiches or a snack at some point.
 
Looks like i might be the first SDNer to interview... i am scheduled to be there at 7:45 am, Monday morning (feb first). Hopefully i can come up with some good insight for you guys.

And maybe get in for a quick haircut before the big day? That way i am presentable.

Good luck to all those still waiting!
 
Looks like i might be the first SDNer to interview... i am scheduled to be there at 7:45 am, Monday morning (feb first). Hopefully i can come up with some good insight for you guys.

And maybe get in for a quick haircut before the big day? That way i am presentable.

Good luck to all those still waiting!
 
Llama Slug said:
Looks like i might be the first SDNer to interview... i am scheduled to be there at 7:45 am, Monday morning (feb first). Hopefully i can come up with some good insight for you guys.

And maybe get in for a quick haircut before the big day? That way i am presentable.

Good luck to all those still waiting!
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That would be awesome!! Thank you!! I'm scheduled for 7:45am Friday February 5th! 🙂
 
Llama Slug said:
Looks like i might be the first SDNer to interview... i am scheduled to be there at 7:45 am, Monday morning (feb first). Hopefully i can come up with some good insight for you guys.

And maybe get in for a quick haircut before the big day? That way i am presentable.

Good luck to all those still waiting!
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Hey I will be there at the same time as you!! I was hoping somebody else from SDN would join me. Now I do not feel so lonely. 🙂
 
DVMDream said:
Hey I will be there at the same time as you!! I was hoping somebody else from SDN would join me. Now I do not feel so lonely. 🙂
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Hooray! I figured no one else would be quite crazy enough to go on the first day... where are you coming from?
 
Well unless I get a hold of her tomorrow and can schedule a new interview in real time, I can't go because the correspondence via e-mail is too slow to keep pace with how fast Southwest is changing their fares.

But hey, I've got 4 other interviews so I don't have too much to complain about. I will make the suggestion that they give us more heads up next year however. Two weeks is just too short notice.
 
Llama Slug said:
Hooray! I figured no one else would be quite crazy enough to go on the first day... where are you coming from?
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I am coming from AZ I will be driving in the day before. I am going to meet up with my little sister who is stationed in San Diego on Sunday. My mom is coming with for the ride but she will stay at the hotel during the day. Where are you coming from and what hotel are you staying in? We should try to meet up at some point. Hopefully, we will be in the same group if they split everyone up into 4 groups. Good Luck to you!:luck:
 
So is anyone bringing along any family for the day?

I know in the original "your app is complete and ready for review" email they mentioned that our families were welcome to attend, but I didn't see anything about that in the later emails I recieved.

My mom would love to come with me for the day (obviously not the interview) and I love the fact that she wants to be there with me, I havent been home in a long while, and Pomona is near my hometown, so I'd love to spend the time with her, but now I'm debating...am I going to be the only one there with my mom? 😕
 
BluEyedCowgirl said:
So is anyone bringing along any family for the day?

I know in the original "your app is complete and ready for review" email they mentioned that our families were welcome to attend, but I didn't see anything about that in the later emails I recieved.

My mom would love to come with me for the day (obviously not the interview) and I love the fact that she wants to be there with me, I havent been home in a long while, and Pomona is near my hometown, so I'd love to spend the time with her, but now I'm debating...am I going to be the only one there with my mom? 😕
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My Husband is coming with me. They did say family was invited in the application is complete email. Maybe they have a room where they can hang out while we do our own thing?
 
At every interview I've been to so far several people have brought their parents. I think it's a good idea not only for encouragement or what have you, but also because they think of things that we (or I, at least) tend not to in Financial aid discussions and what not.
 
HopefulAg said:
At every interview I've been to so far several people have brought their parents. I think it's a good idea not only for encouragement or what have you, but also because they think of things that we (or I, at least) tend not to in Financial aid discussions and what not.
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HopefulAg and Cattycat...thanks so much, you made me feel worlds better!🙂
 
HopefulAg said:
At every interview I've been to so far several people have brought their parents. I think it's a good idea not only for encouragement or what have you, but also because they think of things that we (or I, at least) tend not to in Financial aid discussions and what not.
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Yes, at my ISU interview, they told us "If any of you have traveled to Ames with someone else, please call them and tell them to come up here. We will feed them and take care of them. They are important to you and to us." quoted from Dr. Howard (aka one of the nicest ladies I've ever met). If my mom hadn't of come up there, I would have completely missed the Fin Aid talk. I have to go to Western alone though because of $$$...hopefully I don't miss out on much.
 
My husband's coming to Pomona with me, but not to the school. His sister lives in CA, and I guess they're talking about going to Universal Studios while I interview.
 
DVMDream said:
I am coming from AZ I will be driving in the day before. I am going to meet up with my little sister who is stationed in San Diego on Sunday. My mom is coming with for the ride but she will stay at the hotel during the day. Where are you coming from and what hotel are you staying in? We should try to meet up at some point. Hopefully, we will be in the same group if they split everyone up into 4 groups. Good Luck to you!:luck:
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Im actually from Arizona too! I live in Costa Mesa now so i will be driving out the morning of the interview rather than paying for a hotel.. i suspect with monday morning traffic the drive will take me an hour so i will be up bright and early and will probably leave an obsessive amount of extra time to get there. If there is a starbucks or coffee shop within walking distance of the lot they told us to park in i will probably be there prior to heading over for the interview if you wanted to meet up. At the interview I will be the girl in the pinstriped suit acting peeved at her already run nylons (you have to wear nylons with a skirt suit for an interview, right?) while drinking an enormous cup of something caffeinated.
 
Anyone receive an interview invite today???
....losing hope by the hour here 🙁
 
Llama Slug said:
Im actually from Arizona too! I live in Costa Mesa now so i will be driving out the morning of the interview rather than paying for a hotel.. i suspect with monday morning traffic the drive will take me an hour so i will be up bright and early and will probably leave an obsessive amount of extra time to get there. If there is a starbucks or coffee shop within walking distance of the lot they told us to park in i will probably be there prior to heading over for the interview if you wanted to meet up. At the interview I will be the girl in the pinstriped suit acting peeved at her already run nylons (you have to wear nylons with a skirt suit for an interview, right?) while drinking an enormous cup of something caffeinated.
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Meeting up at a Starbucks or something sounds like a good idea to me...if you would like. I will have to find out what is close so we can meet up. Or if you would rather meet at the interview that is fine too. I will also be wearing a pinstriped suit except I have decieded to forego the skirt for the pant suit...I am not comfortable in skirts.
 
no interview yet, but my friend got one today. Im losing hope too.
 
Llama Slug said:
Im actually from Arizona too! I live in Costa Mesa now so i will be driving out the morning of the interview rather than paying for a hotel.. i suspect with monday morning traffic the drive will take me an hour so i will be up bright and early and will probably leave an obsessive amount of extra time to get there. If there is a starbucks or coffee shop within walking distance of the lot they told us to park in i will probably be there prior to heading over for the interview if you wanted to meet up. At the interview I will be the girl in the pinstriped suit acting peeved at her already run nylons (you have to wear nylons with a skirt suit for an interview, right?) while drinking an enormous cup of something caffeinated.
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There is a starbucks a couple blocks away on Garey ave between mission blvd and 4th st. Or, the new building on the east side of campus (a block away from the building you are meeting at) has a cafe that sells starbucks coffee. Good luck!
 
So I got an interview invite last week and sent them an email to decline and never heard anything back. I just got another interview invite email. Do I send another declining interview?
 
dlf said:
So I got an interview invite last week and sent them an email to decline and never heard anything back. I just got another interview invite email. Do I send another declining interview?
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I would, because if you want to make sure you didn't slip through the cracks and they are "holding" a place for you. Still lots of people waiting for Western to send them an invite. Maybe, let them know that you have previously declined as well so they can be sure to take you off the list.
 
I called today to ask about my application status. They said, " the committee hasn't made a decision on your application yet. You'll be hearing from us by next Friday."

Was that just a nice way of saying, "you didn't get an interview, and you should receive your rejection letter in the mail by next Friday" ?

Great...another week of waiting!!!

Congrats and good luck to those with interviews next week. Keep us posted here on how it went🙂
 
HopefulAg said:
Well unless I get a hold of her tomorrow and can schedule a new interview in real time, I can't go because the correspondence via e-mail is too slow to keep pace with how fast Southwest is changing their fares.

But hey, I've got 4 other interviews so I don't have too much to complain about. I will make the suggestion that they give us more heads up next year however. Two weeks is just too short notice.
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Blah, I agree. I ended up canceling my interview because I just couldn't afford it. 🙁
 
I just got the "app review complete, going to ad com next!" email. Jeeze, people are already set to interview. Did mine get stuck under the secretaries desk or something?! Whats the hold up!? :laugh:
 
I just dont understand what there problem is either. they told me last week that we should hear by today. and i know a bunch of us still haven't heard. if they are behind they shouldnt give us false hope that we are going to hear from them soon. i think they are trying to torture us. I'm def calling Mon, and try and see whats going on. I'm still hoping for good news but the stress is killing me
 
Hey everyone, I just wanted to wish you all luck before interviews begin! I will be seeing some of you then next two weeks. Western got double the applicants as they did last year and that was the delay. Everything is done via volunteer...i.e. students volunteer to show you around etc. and facilitators volunteer to review applications. Most facilitators take the application process very seriously and really take their time and read everything throughly. Just remember to be yourself! They are looking for character traits not content. Just an FYI... be nice to your tour guides and the other students volunteering to show you all around... not only does it take time for us out of studying but it will negatively impact you as an applicant. Students are able to make suggestions if we feel an applicant is not acceptable character wise. This happened to one of the students that I showed around last year. The applicant in question was very disrespectful to myself and another student. Let's just say that didn't end well for that applicant. Another student feel asleep during the presentations...we are told to keep our eye on things like that... So any way I just wanted to give everyone a heads up! Be nice to everyone and pay attention and you will all do fine!!!

Another FYI there is a new starbucks that just opened on campus. It is ini the HEC building.

Someone mentioned about an interview time and why western doesn't give you a set time.... when you are broken down into groups... group 1 heads to the interview first.. then group two etc. while the other groups are interviewing your group will be doing the other activities. They don't know what group you will be in until all of the scheduling for the day has been done, and people stop changing etc. Otherwise they have like three people in a group and seven in another. There is a method to the madness I promise.

sorry for the long post.... :luck:
 
mdnghtdnc said:
Hey everyone, I just wanted to wish you all luck before interviews begin! I will be seeing some of you then next two weeks. Western got double the applicants as they did last year and that was the delay. Everything is done via volunteer...i.e. students volunteer to show you around etc. and facilitators volunteer to review applications. Most facilitators take the application process very seriously and really take their time and read everything throughly. Just remember to be yourself! They are looking for character traits not content. Just an FYI... be nice to your tour guides and the other students volunteering to show you all around... not only does it take time for us out of studying but it will negatively impact you as an applicant. Students are able to make suggestions if we feel an applicant is not acceptable character wise. This happened to one of the students that I showed around last year. The applicant in question was very disrespectful to myself and another student. Let's just say that didn't end well for that applicant. Another student feel asleep during the presentations...we are told to keep our eye on things like that... So any way I just wanted to give everyone a heads up! Be nice to everyone and pay attention and you will all do fine!!!

Another FYI there is a new starbucks that just opened on campus. It is ini the HEC building.

Someone mentioned about an interview time and why western doesn't give you a set time.... when you are broken down into groups... group 1 heads to the interview first.. then group two etc. while the other groups are interviewing your group will be doing the other activities. They don't know what group you will be in until all of the scheduling for the day has been done, and people stop changing etc. Otherwise they have like three people in a group and seven in another. There is a method to the madness I promise.

sorry for the long post.... :luck:
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Good to know! Thanks! (Not that I had planned on being rude or falling asleep during presentations at all.) 😉

Thanks for telling us there is a Starbucks nearby! I can have morning coffee now! YAY! I just hope anxiety and caffeine don't mix together improperly.

Does the groups thing mean that we have group interviews? Or is it 2-3 interviewers you meet with "one-on-one" for some amount of time during a certain part of the day depending on what group number you're in? (Sorry if that was confusing..)
 
The cafe called "outtakes" that serves starbucks is behind the banfield. I'm not sure of their hours on the weekends though, you guys interview on weekends right? Ill try to remember to find out!

The groups are just how you travel around for the day - do your tour, watch the pbl process, etc. But your interview is just you! I believe everyone has 2 interviewerers. Hope that helps
 
THanks so much for the info LLIPPY! Do you know if they are interviewing the same number of people as last year, which was about 300?
 
I don't know but I can try to find out, I'm curious myself. All I know is they have added and extra day of interviews, whether that meand more people or less people per day not sure. Sorry! And they will feed you, last year it was subway 🙂 . Good luck!! All I can say is, I've never worked so hard, but never had so much fun working this hard. Its the best way to learn.
 
They are interviewing more students this year and that is why they added the two Saturday interviews.
... and yes you will be on your own for the interview.... then there will be two interviewers sometimes three depending if they are training a new interveiwer, but most of the time just two.
MOST IMPORTANT THING.... is not to worry about how many students are interviewing, where they are from, their credentials etc. BUT worry about yourself and how you are presenting yourself. BE YOURSELF!!! They are very good at picking out the people who are exaggerating the truth etc. A behavioral interview simply means they are evaluating your behavior. You can talk about anything! They actually rec. that you show a personal side and not all about vet med and how you got to this point. I talked about my family, my trip to Africa etc. I did throw a little in about my job as a LVT.
I am not sure of the hours of the new cafe because it just opened the begining of the block and I ususally do not go there on the weekends.
 
Thanks for clearing that up! I started to get freaked out thinking that we had group interviews. (Though I still think it's strange that it's a closed application interview.) Can't wait for next Friday!!! 🙂
 
How early does the coffee shop in HEC open? Would we SDNers be able to meet up before we are supposed to report (ie before 7:45 am).
 
Really excited about the interview! Going on the 12th. Does anyone have any advice on how to prepare?
 
Llama Slug said:
How early does the coffee shop in HEC open? Would we SDNers be able to meet up before we are supposed to report (ie before 7:45 am).
Click to expand...

It opens at 7 and closes at 4. If you go on the western website you can find a link to the cafe.
 
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