Rush GEM applicants

Hi Chicagochiklett,

I too am in somewhat of a similar boat, although I am looking to apply for the June 2009 start. I am very nervous as I am seeing many of the applicants posting high GPA's >3.5 and several years in the medical field in different capacities. However, it is best to remeber we are all individuals and have had unique experiences which have allowed us to gain experience or focus in one area or another. My undergrad is in business, and my gpa is slightly less- It is my intent to do the absolute best I can in my pre-req work, application essays and interviews demonstrating my passion and ability to pursue this avenue.

Best of luck to you!

Hi,

I share your sentiments. I'm considering applying for the June 2009 class, and am curious to know how competitive it is. This would be a career change for me, as I graduated from undergrad 9 years ago. I'm planning on going to the informational session next Wednesday (May 14). If I learn any information regarding average GPAs, work experience, etc., I'll pass it along.

Hi guys, I'll be starting the GEM program next month. I haven't met anyone else in the program yet so I can only speak of my background. My undergrad GPA was 3.8 (2002) and my pre-nursing prereq GPA was 4.0 (2008). I have close to zero experience in the medical field. This is a career change for me from education, but the program is designed to attract those who have degrees in other fields. I know this doesn't give you a whole lot, but I hope this helps in some way.

Corraggio!

Has anyone who applied for Rush's GEM program for June 2009 heard anything yet? I applied 3 months ago and haven't heard a peep from Rush.

So I was accepted back in June and am starting in January. I'm soooo excited!

Don't get intimidated by high GPAs. I went to Northwestern University and graduated this past June with a 3.4. In fact, the sciences were my worst grades (C's in chem, one in orgo, and physics). I did get A's/A- in my anatomy and physiology, microbio, human growth, and other prereqs. But the chem and physics brought down my science GPA considerably but I still got accepted! I majored in Communication sciences and disorders and minored in global health (which may have helped).

I'm a new college graduate, so no career change for me and i have no real experience in the health field. But something that may have helped is that I started volunteering at Rush about 8 months before I applied and then in March started volunteering in the NICU (where i want to work).

I am kind of a weird case because I just graduated from college, whereas I think many GEM students are doing a career change. Academics and study abroad were fresh in my mind and recent so I'm not sure how that played into my application adn interview.

3chicago3 - I would not be concerned that you applied for June 2009 and haven't heard a peep. In fact, they may even still be accepting people for the Winter 2009 start, so of course, getting Winter 2009 class filled is a priority over June 2009.

What I've learned is that Rush handles things as they come, rather than in advance. Like financial aid? I just got mine for January. When I asked back in August about it, they said they were still finishing the FALL financial aid! And I still haven't received any info about a schedule or orientation or getting my email address or anything yet.

Thank you for your response. That's good to hear and congratulations on your acceptance :) Like everyone, I would like to know sooner than later. Plus we need a larger house and my acceptance will partially determine what neighborhood we choose. I guess I'll just bide my time and wait to hear. By the way- do they send a letter, call on the phone, email you when you get an interview? I've heard varying things about their communication.

We actually sound almost identical in terms of NU, GPA prerequisites and volunteering. I'm a few years though, have been in the workforce and have kids. You are smart to do the program before you have children because you will be able to focus 100% on studies just like college. Best of luck to you and again, thank you for your reply.

I received a call from the admissions office for my interview. They called and told me a specific date and time for my interview. Looking back, I had applied maybe 2 weeks before the early decision deadline, and my interview was a month after I applied.

They said the admissions committee meets twice a month (probably beginning and middle) to go over applicants who have had interviews and make decisions. I think I received my acceptance 2 and a half or 3 weeks after my interview. I received a large envelope in the mail with all kinds of forms and stuff. They had told me if you don't hear a month after your interview, to give them a call.

Good luck!

That helps a lot. Thank you. I applied at the end of July based on an early admission deadline of Sept 1. It looks like they've moved the rolling application review back to October 1 and early decision to November 15th, so hopefully I'll hear soon. I'm getting anxious that having not heard from them is a bad sign :)

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I have applied for the summer 09 program and still have not heard anything...

Where are the prereqs on the RUSH website?

here are the pre-reqs and the url is listed below

Required Prerequisite Courses

Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry (with lab)

Human Anatomy

Human Physiology

Microbiology

Normal Nutrition

Statistics

Introductory or General Psychology

Human Growth and Development, Developmental Psychology or Child Psychology

http://www.rushu.rush.edu/servlet/Satellite?MetaAttrName=meta_university&ParentId=1211209855659&ParentType=RushUnivLevel3Page&c=content_block&cid=1211209856100&level1-p=3&level1-pp=1221491470093&level1-ppp=1221491470093&pagename=Rush%2Fcontent_block%2FContentBlockDetail