What about Northwestern?

[DrRads101]

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Well gotassay PM'ed me and he decided on Northwestern over Sinai... so that settles that. Gotassay if you read this thread I'd be interested to hear your thought process and what made you come to the decision...

Anyways, on a different note, I noticed a thread from way back that Northwestern has a lot of things under construction. We all know about the new research building and women's hospital, but the thread also mentioned "new state-of-the-art classrooms for 2004."

Did anyone else notice on the 2nd look weekends and during the interviews that we didn't get to see the classrooms? I remember that sticking out in my mind since every other school I interviewed at showed me the classrooms, and I would think this would be a pretty basic thing that the medical school should show prospective students. Are these "new classrooms" those medical observation rooms with the cameras? Those were very nice, but I am wondering if these "new classrooms" mean "new lecture halls," because I didn't get to see any lecture halls besides that crappy one during 2nd look weekend, but I don't see how that one can be used for teaching because it didn't have enough room for large scale displays, etc.

Just wondering if anyone can shed any light as to what these "new classrooms" are, and/or what the lecture halls will be like when we move in this Fall. I specifically remember a thread from not too far back (within the last year) stating that new, state-of-the-art classrooms were under construction, and would be ready for 2004. Just wondering what these are, and if anyone has any information.

Thanks!

 

[DrRads101]

I found the post (dated 2/10/04):

by nuclearrabbit77

"FYI: @NU
brand new clinical training facilities opened this year
brand new research center will be completed this year
brand new lecture halls will be completed this year"

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Anyone have any information on these new lecture halls, and whether or not they will be open by the time we start this Fall? Any links on the med school web site for information on these?

 

[CalBeE]

i think in my interview, they told us that the 2 people who got in off the waitlist last year didn't get in until late summer. but my memory is fuzzy.

The waitlist did barely move last year...but I wonder if it'll be the same this year too...🙁

 

[DrRads101]

Well, I dug up some information about the new lecture halls. I remember during the interview they showed us some of the renovations, but I guess the new lecture halls were not complete at the time....

So to me this is exciting and unexpected news. I was expecting crappy lecture halls, but I guess what we are getting will be absolutely state-of-the-art and brand new. Here's a link to more information:

http://www.northwestern.edu/observer/issues/2004-04-29/mcgaw.html

BTW am I the only one who is pleasantly surprised by this (the new lecture halls), or did they do a good job of explaining this at your interview date? Maybe that day was a blur to me, but I know other students were also questioning "Where the heck are the lecture halls?" 🙂

 

[Auricae]

The waitlist did barely move last year...but I wonder if it'll be the same this year too...🙁

There are new classrooms. They showed us pictures of the unfinished classrooms during the presentation on 2nd look weekend, but I recently saw pictures of the finished ones. They look really nice.

Also, the waitlist seems to be moving. My friend just got in off of it!!

 

[04DukeBio]

Had no clue about the new rooms.

Hopefully we won't be having classes in that pea-soup + orange square art deco patterned curtains lecture hall we had the fourth year panel in 😛 My eyes! They burn! In a sort of retro-60s way!

The only classroom I remember from my Chicago visits was the one post-interview where we spoke with an admissions officer (???) about financial aid and watched an overview video. [I believe it was a Kellogg room, though...] Fairly modern.

Can't wait to see these new ones though 😀

 

[CalBeE]

There are new classrooms. They showed us pictures of the unfinished classrooms during the presentation on 2nd look weekend, but I recently saw pictures of the finished ones. They look really nice.

Also, the waitlist seems to be moving. My friend just got in off of it!!

That's good news, but after so many rejections...I don't wanna "hope" for anything...my way of anticipating disappointments I guess.

 

[nuclearrabbit77]

i recently replied to an email asking about northwestern and i thought that some other prospective students might be interested, so i'm going to paste the email on this forum.
feel free to contact me if you have any specific questions-

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the tour guides tend to vary. often times when i lead a tour guide i'll skip the library and lecture halls due to time constraints, but understandably i can see why prospective students would want to see those as well. next years entering class of 2008 will be reaping the benefits of the recent 100+million dollar donation by feinberg. i've already mentioned as you pointed out that there will be brand new clinical training facilities, a new research building, and lecture halls beginning for your year. they really put some money and quality design into these, and i was really impressed when i checked them out. currently there is another building under construction. the new prentice women's hospital will be completed in fall 2007. the clinical training facilites are already completed, as are the new 2nd year lecture halls. The lurie research facilities (which where the new 1st year classes are to be held), is scheduled for completion in fall 2004. If it happens that the lecture halls aren't done by the time classes start, i imagine that they will be available shortly thereafter that fall.

if you have any specific questions about northwestern, please feel free to contact me. if you are in the chicago area, i'm sure it would be easy to get a tour and another look of the facilities.
other things that you may be interested in, is that it has been recently approved that a research thesis option for M.D. students should be available for your entering year. also, there has been approval for a change in clerkship grading from honors/pass/fail to honors/high pass/pass/fail. this was done because many other institutions are using this method.

links to the new lurie research center. there's also a link for a live webcam of construction. http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/about/lurie_building.htm

although the research thesis program hasn't been officially released by the admissions office, other departments have gotten word. here is a link to the department of radiology that mentions the new program. http://www.radiology.northwestern.edu/research/student.cfm

links to northwestern match lists. http://www.infoplex.northwestern.edu/class/alumni/
(if you want to know how to interpret these feel free to ask)

good luck and enjoy your summer!

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[amini23]

I just got off the waitlist at Northwestern. Gonna take it. It was my number one school. They let me know by mail. Just thought Id let you know.

 

[Jalby]

also, there has been approval for a change in clerkship grading from honors/pass/fail to honors/high pass/pass/fail.

That's very good news. Rewards the people who are close to honors.

 

[Nike]

I just got off the waitlist at Northwestern. Gonna take it. It was my number one school. They let me know by mail. Just thought Id let you know.

Congrats! Maybe I'll see ya there next year! 😉

 

[CalBeE]

I just got off the waitlist at Northwestern. Gonna take it. It was my number one school. They let me know by mail. Just thought Id let you know.

Hey I sent you a PM, but I'll post here as well. Did you get any phone calls/emails on top of the letter? How much time do they give you to make a decision?

 

[wannabeadoc]

I'm deciding between USC and Northwestern-- any opinions?

 

[Jalby]

I'm deciding between USC and Northwestern-- any opinions?

Yes. Do you like Los Angeles or Chicago????? Would you rather have a hands on experience with mostly Latino patients who don't have any health care or mostly middle to upper class patients??? Outside of that the schools are extremely similar.

 

[StrngoutAS]

I'm deciding between USC and Northwestern-- any opinions?

I'm gonna throw in my incredibly biased opinion and say southern California blows. Went to the school there for 3.5 years and couldn't wait to get out.

It's all personal opinion... think about the curriculum, grading style, location and you'll have an idea of where you should be.

Good luck

 

[Jalby]

I'm gonna throw in my incredibly biased opinion and say southern California blows. Went to the school there for 3.5 years and couldn't wait to get out.

It's all personal opinion... think about the curriculum, grading style, location and you'll have an idea of where you should be.

Good luck

As a biased opinon, I love SoCal. But I also really like Chicago.

Curriculum and grading are somewhat similar between the two. Northwestern has more PBL than us, but the hours are about the same. Grading is pretty similar, too. That's why I think it would come down to location and what type of clinical experience you would want to have. USC would give you more of a hands on doing stuff and you would also see more interesting cases. Northwestern would provide you with more english speakers but more hands off.

 

[CalBeE]

*sigh* Any more waitlist movement after the initial few? 🙁

 

[gary5]

I just got off the waitlist at Northwestern. Gonna take it. It was my number one school. They let me know by mail. Just thought Id let you know.

CONGRATULATIONS! It's great to hear that they're using their waitlist now.

Exciting! 😀 🙂 😀

 

[DrRads101]

I went to visit the school yesterday. Those of you who interviewed a few months ago or more will be pleased to see that the Lurie Research building is pretty much complete. It looks like they just have to finish the top floor, and whalla, it looks complete. They have a few months to polish up the first and 2nd floors, where I assume the lecture halls will be, so I have a feeling that the incoming class this Fall will get brand new lecture halls and teaching space upon arrival.

Also I have to say I am quite excited about these new developments (the new lecture halls and teaching space in McGaw Pavilion and the new Lurie Building). Basically as I looked around I got the feeling the the entire medical school learning environment, as far as the students are concerned, will be brand spanking new. It's like they built an entirely new medical school from scratch, and the Fall incoming class will get to be the first class to use all of it!

 

[DrRads101]

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Ground Floor:
Dining for 120 people
Auditorium for 250 people
Auditorium for 120 people
Seminar Room for 70 people
Seminar Room for 50 people

 

[Nike]

CTWickman, thanks for the update and pictures! Are you starting this Fall? Were you at Second look?

 

[CalBeE]

Really pretty buildings! More incentive for me to write those letters of interest! 😀

 

[wends]

Wow, this is an awesome thread. I've been wanting to go to Northwestern since I was a freshman. what are their mcat and gpa required for admission? whats the pbl like?

 

[UCLAMAN]

I have a feeling that the incoming class this Fall will get brand new lecture halls and teaching space upon arrival.

ha!....its certainly a possibility but i wouldnt count on it. the second year lecture hall was supposed to be ready this past fall when i started. well, the year is essentially over and my class will be the first class to use it....

....next fall.

the new 2nd year lecture halls are pretty damn nice though. i'd imagine that the first year lecture halls will be even better.

 

[UCLAMAN]

Wow, this is an awesome thread. I've been wanting to go to Northwestern since I was a freshman. what are their mcat and gpa required for admission? whats the pbl like?

there is no "required" gpa or mcat. our mcats range anywhere from mid 20's to high 30's....i'd imagine there may be a 40+ or two in the class(prolly the scholarship kids). gpa's run the gamut as well.

pbl puts a real life spin to the basic science you learn during first year. personally i like it. i think it helps to reinforce the concepts taught in lecture.

 

[UCLAMAN]

the waitlist seems to be moving a lot earlier than it has been in recent years. so there is potential for a lot of waitlist movement this year. get your letters in if you really want to come here.

 

[DrRads101]

ha!....its certainly a possibility but i wouldnt count on it. the second year lecture hall was supposed to be ready this past fall when i started. well, the year is essentially over and my class will be the first class to use it....

....next fall.

Yeah your right, but doesn't the Lurie building look pretty much 90% finished? I wonder if they would allow students to use the first floor teaching space (new lecture halls) while the other floors are being completed. Right now the structure seriously looks like it will be complete in about one month, and the following months will be clean up and getting the insides ready. I assume the first floor is the first order of business, and that's where the lecture halls are. I want to be cautiously optimistic, but if they wanted to, they certainly have enough time to finish the first floor by August. Though I'm not going to bet on it...

 

[DrRads101]

Well I just read an article dated in January that said it won't be completed until December. Oh well, looks like we won't get to move in until early 2005. I still think it is possible for them to finish the first floor lecture halls before the rest of the building is completed, since we are talking about the ground floor, which looks pretty much complete already. But I won't hold my breath.

 

[UCLAMAN]

Yeah your right, but doesn't the Lurie building look pretty much 90% finished? I wonder if they would allow students to use the first floor teaching space (new lecture halls) while the other floors are being completed. Right now the structure seriously looks like it will be complete in about one month, and the following months will be clean up and getting the insides ready. I assume the first floor is the first order of business, and that's where the lecture halls are. I want to be cautiously optimistic, but if they wanted to, they certainly have enough time to finish the first floor by August. Though I'm not going to bet on it...

what you say makes sense and is ideal. if i have learned anything from constant construction at ucla and northwestern, its that one needs to add 6 months to a year to any target date.

 

[jasmina]

Anyone have any idea what the average cost of a health club/gym is in the Chicago downtown area? I'd like to see how much I'll be paying (out the nose) for the ability to work out. The dorm had a pretty good place, but I forgot to ask how much it cost, and how one pays (annually vs. monthly).

~2.5 months to go...
http://bally.know-where.com/BallyFitness2/cgi/selection?option=&place=60608&state=

oftern they give free for one month so you can try it out. 🙂

when are you moving to Chi ? A friend of mine has a 3bd , 1 bath, 2 living rooms, 375/mo ? i think... he wants to share w. one other person. u can pm me. i think about 4miles from campus and half a block from blue line.

 

[kweenkong]

I got in off of the Waitlist today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAYYYYYYY! I'm so happy. I got a call from the admissions office today but I was away and got a voicemail telling me to call them back! They were kind of teasing me too because they didnt' tell me right away and just asked "so what do you think about northwestern? would you ever want to go there?, etc. etc." So I hope to see ya'll soon!!

 

[DrRads101]

^

Tell us more! That's so funny that they teased you. What was the conversation, or did you get it right away what they were driving at? Was NU one of your 1st choices to begin with?

Congrats!

 

[kweenkong]

^

Tell us more! That's so funny that they teased you. What was the conversation, or did you get it right away what they were driving at? Was NU one of your 1st choices to begin with?

Congrats!

I was actually away at a meeting with my PI and left my phone in the lab. When i came back, my coworkers told me that my phone was ringing off the hook and someone had called me 15 times. So I was jokingly thinking "wow...maybe I got off a waitlist!" But it was seriously just wishful thinking. Then I checked my voicemail and it was the admissions office basically just saying "Hi this is Northwestern, please call us back". So I called pretty sure that it was an accepted off the waitlist call but also not wanting to get my hopes up, and they transfered me and this lady picked up and said "Hi Kweenkong. So what do you think about Northwestern as a medical school? Could you ever see yourself going there? What would you do if we offered you a spot? Would you accept it?" And just questions like that. So I was a bit scared after the first question or two because I thought that they were giving me a second interview and they were gonna decide to accept me or not based on those questions...but after a few more I figured she was teasing me. So I kept saying thank you thank you thank you thank you. blahblah. They basically said that they had authorized everything on Friday or something and that they're jus calling me today and i should get stuff in the mail tomorrow. And yes, NW was one of my top choices. It was the only school i could really see myself at (besides UCLA ... which is still my TOP top choice but i'm on the HOLD list....so I'm kind of wishfully hoping but knowing that my chances aren't that good). But i'm DEFINITELY excited about NW. Chicago is BEAUTIFUL! I can't wait to start!

 

[DrRads101]

^

Cool, so are you allowed to keep 2 holds at this point, or are you officially going to Northwestern? I'm not sure how the waitlist works--I withdrew everything a while ago....

 

[kweenkong]

^

Cool, so are you allowed to keep 2 holds at this point, or are you officially going to Northwestern? I'm not sure how the waitlist works--I withdrew everything a while ago....

You're allowed to keep as many waitlists as you want, but you can only hold one acceptance at a time. So I need to go and withdraw from Tufts now. I think before a school accepts you off the waitlist, they're supposed to notify the school that you're presently holding a spot at during that time also.

 

[OldLady]

congrats kweenkong- I got a call today too. Just when I thought I had it all figured out...

 

[CalBeE]

Those are wonderful news...I'm happy for you guys 😉

 

[UCLAMAN]

Those are wonderful news...I'm happy for you guys 😉

theres still hope for u yet calbee.

 

[UCLAMAN]

congrats to everyone who has gotten in off the waitlist...hopefully u all are a little more excited about northwestern than some of the schmucks who were here for second look weekend.

northwestern is a great place to be.

 

[kweenkong]

Those are wonderful news...I'm happy for you guys 😉

I'll trade u for ucla!

 

[CalBeE]

I'll trade u for ucla!

Let's trade! I'll throw in a few bottles of Corona too 😀

I'm not holding my hopes high anymore...there was a long delay between my submission of the secondary (August) and my interview offer (Decemeber?)...so maybe they didn't think my paper app was as strong to begin with. I'm making all my plans to stay in L.A. next year.

 

[DrRads101]

^

Have you considered writing NU a letter of intent? You seem very enthusiastic to go there, and if I was sitting on the admissions committee I would definetly admit you based on your enthusiasm---you just have to get the word out to them about this since they can't read minds. If you got an interview, you are definetly qualified to be accepted, so you have a "really good chance" IMO if you call them, maybe email Dean Brown, and more importantly, send a couple letters of intent to a few people there that may hold your decision in their hands.

 

[UCLAMAN]

^

Have you considered writing NU a letter of intent? You seem very enthusiastic to go there, and if I was sitting on the admissions committee I would definetly admit you based on your enthusiasm---you just have to get the word out to them about this since they can't read minds. If you got an interview, you are definetly qualified to be accepted, so you have a "really good chance" IMO if you call them, maybe email Dean Brown, and more importantly, send a couple letters of intent to a few people there that may hold your decision in their hands.

hehe...calbee has been there and done that...calbee just has to bring thadmissions office krispy kremes and coffee in the morning and then wash their cars for them.

 

[CalBeE]

hehe...calbee has been there and done that...calbee just has to bring thadmissions office krispy kremes and coffee in the morning and then wash their cars for them.

Haha....Yea, well 2 letters to Dean Brown this month already. Tried to see if I can talk to her on the phone but the secretary said it was not possible b/c my app is still under active considertation.

 

[DrWuStar]

my fingers are crossed for you calbee. i hope you get in. you sound like you want it as much as i did. 👍

 

[StrngoutAS]

CalBee.. I hope you get in man... we need more people w/ ur enthusiasm in the next coming class.

 

[kweenkong]

Let's trade! I'll throw in a few bottles of Corona too 😀

I'm not holding my hopes high anymore...there was a long delay between my submission of the secondary (August) and my interview offer (Decemeber?)...so maybe they didn't think my paper app was as strong to begin with. I'm making all my plans to stay in L.A. next year.

Keep holding your hopes high!! I bet you your app is in there right now inches away from being pulled off the waitlist. I sent in my secondary either in late August or early September and got interviewed on Jan 15th. I sent in 2 LOI's. I heard from students when I interviewed there that if you show NU that they're ur first choice, they'll more likely pick you off of the waitlist. And I read in the Princeton Review Med Schools book that ultimately 50% of the people who interview get accepted. So I think you're chances of getting in are pretty high (a lot higher than me getting pulled off the stupid HOLD list at UCLA 🙁 ). Don't lose hope!

 

[CalBeE]

😳 Thanks all...I think my visit to Northwestern and what I heard from UCLAMAN (Whom I know from a few years back) gave me a better vibe than at Geffen. Both schools are now getting pretty similar in terms of curriculum, but the school atmosphere just didn't feel the same. And if given the chance, Chicago will be a nice change from Cali (Now everyone's warning me of the snow 😛 )

 

[UCLAMAN]

And if given the chance, Chicago will be a nice change from Cali (Now everyone's warning me of the snow 😛 )

oh man the snow isnt the problem...people here wished it snowed more!!!...there are many times when it is tooo cold to snow! the best part of having it be too cold to snow is when you walk outside and its like negative 30 with the windchill and you have thermals underneath and the cold still cuts you like a knife when the wind blows...can't wait for next winter!!!!! 😀 when nature's knife cuts into you during the winter we'll see how much you like chicago over sunny Santa Monica Pier. 😉

 

[CalBeE]

oh man the snow isnt the problem...people here wished it snowed more!!!...there are many times when it is tooo cold to snow! the best part of having it be too cold to snow is when you walk outside and its like negative 30 with the windchill and you have thermals underneath and the cold still cuts you like a knife when the wind blows...can't wait for next winter!!!!! 😀 when nature's knife cuts into you during the winter we'll see how much you like chicago over sunny Santa Monica Pier. 😉

ONLY negative 30? I was hoping it'll drop even lower to negative 60. And strong wind with no snow? I prefer snowstorm instead!

Maybe I should move to Alaska instead 😀