Interviews

[friendsfanatik]

Thanks Jordan!

I'm a bit nervous about the writing sample, is the topic broad enough to write about? Is it done earlier in the day?

Thanks!

[Spike5002]

From what I remember, the writing sample is one of the first things done in the day. I wouldn't worry too much about it. As I said before, there is no way to prepare for it because you don't know what they'll ask. It won't be a basic sciences question, it will essentially be a question that you need to logically think through and come up with a coherent idea.

 

An example of a question (not the one I got - just in case they use it again...) would be something along the lines of... "If you were given x amount of dollars to implement a local health plan, how would you use it in the most cost-effective manner?" And you could go into detail about educating the public and disease prevention. Your question will most likely not have a right or wrong answer (If you answer B, you won't be accepted into the program). They essentially want to get an idea of your writing style and thinking process.

 

Good luck to all of you interviewing this coming Friday. You'll be sitting in on our Pharm class, and we'll be talking about Viagra (at least partly). Should be a good time...

 

jordan

[mednut83]

my first question is, Jordan...where are you finding all this time to write? :) The applicant pool is up towards 1500 now, to make those of you feel better, I had my application in at a decent time, but didnt get offered an interview until early February.... It's the most stressful thing to sit and wait for months, but be patient. My best advice is don't worry about the 'competition' because it will get in your head and you won't be yourself if you actually get an interview. Instead, just make sure that you definately want to do this and do your research to know what you're getting into. After that, let it take its course and you'll end up at a school that fits you.

[Spike5002]

Hey Teresa, you caught me. haha. When I'm pretending to be studying while on my computer, I usually end up procrastinating and on here - as is obviously the case right now. The Broncos aren't on TV today, so I'm using this as my excuse not to study Pharm...

 

But on to studying!

[mochalyte]

Has anyone from the Sept 17th heard back from MWU? I am surprised the interviewees of Oct 1 have already heard of acceptances. Hope we hear something in the next week or so. Good luck! :)

[mjohnson3604]

Hi all,

 

Has anyone been invited for an interview by Midwestern yet? I submitted my CASPA application a 2 months ago but haven't heard anything yet.

 

thanks!

 

 

I received the invitation to interview last Thursday, chose the November 12th date. CASPA mailed to MWU first week of August. Good Luck!

[Spike5002]

So it looks like the October 29th interview date falls on the same day as our "Halloween Fest" event that our class (and the PT 1st years) sponsors. You get to see a lot of us dressed up in honor of halloween. Not sure what I'm going to be doing for halloween yet but I'm sure I'm going to feel underdressed with you all around me...guess I didn't take that into account when I volunteered to be one of the ones to giving tours to you guys on that day!!

 

Good luck to those of you yet to interview! (and everyone else too...)

 

jordan

[CJKitty]

@Jordan

 

Are you kidding?? That sounds AMAZING! It will only add to the friendly atmosphere, I'm sure. Can't wait to see you all next week!

 

Actually, you could just dress up in the good old black suit and tie... it is pretty horrifying to be an interviewing candidate after all... ;)

[Spike5002]

actually - I was considering being a "PA School Interviewee" for Halloween. Wear a suit, try to get a nametag identical to yours, and carry around a portfolio or something, and walk around nervously all day. May confuse most of you guys when I start doing a tour...hahahaha.

[CJKitty]

LOL. Either that, or just dress up as a PA student. Make sure to use eyeshadow to give you the massive bags under your eyes, slouch, drag around a few 20 pound textbooks... can't decide if that would be more or less terrifying than being an interviewee ;)

[bellajoy]

Good luck to everyone interviewing! Would've been fun to come on that day....but I am definitely glad that is over. :) (now there is just a lot of paperwork and waiting going on)

 

And, Jordan, I like the "PA school interviewee" costume idea. :)

[Spike5002]

Oh I know thats one of the reasons why our president and VP decided to have halloween fest that day - any excuse to wear their costumes with you guys there...haha. They're cool people - I'm sure you'll like them.

 

Oh the waiting part is actually a BLESSING. Remember to enjoy your last bit of freedom (relatively speaking) as much as you can. I found out I had been accepted mid-November, and I remember thinking "i can do whatever I want now until that time comes" - which I obviously couldn't...lol. But enjoy yourself as much as possible. Not to say you won't in PA school, but it's definitely going to be limited!!

 

And thanks, bella. We'll see if I follow through with the costume.

 

later guys.

 

jordan

[lyndsi18]

If I were to decide to live on campus, does anyone have any advice as to which is the best residence hall? And which kind of room would be better?

[CJKitty]

Sooooo.... was anyone else there today?? What did you think? I had a GREAT time. :) I loved all the costumes, especially the daisy and hotdog trio. If anyone knows who they were, tell them they made my day!! All the students that gave us tours or waved at us while walking were incredibly friendly and I can only hope my own class is that outgoing.

 

Sitting in the pharmacology lecture, all I could think of was HOW MUCH I wanted to be back in school. It was a bit like coming home after a long trip... I was relieved when the professor (I forgot his name!) kept saying that the molecular structure and such wasn't as important, just the clinical aspects... I remember having to learn every step in cholesterol conversion, and how "fun" that was. So much knowledge I once had that was only retained until the next exam. Now, finally, I can learn the facts that really matter to me. It was interesting feeling a neuron or two light up in my brain when I saw familiar words from undergrad. P450, anyone?

 

Much less stressed now that I've been through this once already. But I think that in the end (if I am fortunate enough to be offered a seat), I will have to go with Glendale over Downer's Grove. I'm just not a big city girl, and Chicago is... BIG!! Even though the campus itself is in a quiet area I just felt acutely aware of the highways and just millions of people all around me, haha. It is a GREAT campus though and Jordan was right when he said in other threads that the two are almost interchangeable. I will certainly miss the fall colors and trees in Arizona.

[Spike5002]

Hello all, again.

 

CJ - glad to hear your time went well. I was one of the "tour guides" (if you can really call us that...), and we were all leaving to let you guys have your amazingly fun presentation on Financial Aid, we all were talking about how much fun it was. It really was nice to meet you all, and know who our future peers/colleagues may someday be. Most, if not all, of you will be joining the PA world as students SOMEWHERE - and it really is like joining a tight-knit community of providers. I can't wait to be a part of it as a PA. I'm glad to hear that our class was warm and welcoming to you folks, and I wish the best of luck to you. I agree with you that traffic can get on your nerves after a while - but it just depends on what you're used to - or what you're willing to put up with. It doesn't bother me as much as it can others, so its ENTIRELY personal preference.

 

Lyndsi - to answer your question I would say your best bet, if you are wanting to live on campus, is to go for the apartments. I guess it really depends on what you are willing to live with. The dorms are quite small, about the size of my undergraduate freshman-level dorm room was. The apartments are bigger - I want to say about 400 sq. feet, which includes a kitchenette (no dishwasher), living room, and bedroom, and of course bathroom. I've heard mixed feelings about living on campus - some of the girls really like living in the dorms, where they can be close to eachother and have more of a community type feel. But one of my buddies lives in the apartments and wants out of there pronto. What it seems like a lot of people did (not myself), is live in the dorms over the summer quarter while looking for an apartment. The summer quarter is quieter (most of the other schools have summers off), obviously warmer, and a bit more hectic with anatomy. It seems that many people enjoyed living on campus during this period, and gauge whether or not they want to stay. I would recommend this if you are wanting to live on campus.

 

I know another group interviewed today - you all got to enjoy our Pharm class (with Dr. P this time, who I think is a bit more entertaining than Dr. Mayer on the 29th of Oct). I hope everything went smoothly for you all! Take care and good luck!!

 

Jordan

[carolinepilgrim]

Still no word from MW as far as rejection, acceptance, or waitlist. Anyone else in the same boat?

[mochalyte]

CarolinePilgrim,

I am in the same boat! I interviewed in the first group (Sept 17) and it's coming up on 2 months next wednesday so I hope we hear something soon! I know they had an interview group last friday and they will have one this friday. Good luck! Please let us know if you hear from them! :)

[illinoisgirl]

when did you all submit your apps? I submitted mine almost 3 months ago and i haven't heard anything. I wonder if they are missing something from me. is anyone in a similar boat?

[mochalyte]

when did you all submit your apps? I submitted mine almost 3 months ago and i haven't heard anything. I wonder if they are missing something from me. is anyone in a similar boat?

 

Hey Illinoisgirl,

I actually submitted mine Caspa app May 22nd. You can either call. I think we received a link: online.midwestern.edu (once our applications were received under review, not sure though) where you can login in with a login id and password to check on the status of your application. They might have provided the link when we received our interview invitation though. Sorry if I just confused you, but try calling them to check on the status of your application and ask them when the next interview dates are. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

[dmPA]

Submitted CASPA on Aug 29th and interviewed this past Friday, Nov. 5th. I got a notice maybe 10 days before the interview date. Really loved the school and everyone is as warm as this thread suggests. Was told the admissions committee will meet again soon to make some decisions. Really hope to get in, I think this is the school for me! Good luck to everyone.

[bellajoy]

Good luck to everyone! I would love to "meet" some more future classmates! :)

[Spike5002]

To all still waiting. DON'T LOSE HOPE. I'm not trying to give you FALSE hope, but remember - they're going to be doing interviews all the way into January (and MAYBE - just MAYBE one in February...) I can't tell you how many of my classmates didn't know they were accepted until March/April. Even those of you who haven't gotten interviews yet - don't write it off. I'll admit it is incredibly competitive, but have some faith in yourself!

 

Also - to those who may not get in (or get an interview) this round. There are a couple of my classmates that tried multiple times to get in. (I know of quite a few...) So don't assume that if you can't get in this time, that you're not going to be likely to ever get in. Persistence and passion show a lot of character - it shows that you really have a heart for being a PA. Don't lose that passion - keep at it!

 

Good luck all,

 

jordan

[lorena12]

We are informed if we aren't accepted right?

[TraumaAngie]

Thanks for the pep talk Jordan, I've admittedly needed it lately. It's been difficult realizing that I need to adjust my mental timeline of interviews/acceptance. I initially thought I would know what I was going and where I was going by Christmas..but I'm realizing that is often not the case, not just for Midwestern but for many programs. Thanks. :)

[khermann88]

Hi everyone! My name is Kelly and I interviewed at MWU Downers Grove on November 12th. I haven't heard anything yet and when I emailed an admissions advisor, I was told that I would hear early to late December. So I'm not-so-patiently waiting! I'll let you guys know when I hear. I'm hoping for the best!