2009-2010 University of Chicago (Pritzker) Application Thread

[amph119]

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I think that applicants are continually accepted off of the "continued candidate" list, until May. At that point, people who still haven't been accepted are then put onto the waiting list.

That's almost correct. People that remain on the continued list in May are then reviewed one more time. If you are favorably reviewed, you are placed on the wait list; if not, you are rejected. Moving from the continued list to the wait list is a BIG accomplishment, as the wait list here is pretty small (I believe), with offers coming from it all the way until June.

Interview --> Accept = yay
Interview --> Continued --> Accept between October and May sometime = yay
Interview --> Reject = 🙁
Interview --> Continued --> Wait list in May --> Accept = yay
Interview --> Continued --> Reject in May = 🙁

That should sum it up.

 

[SteinUmStein]

If we haven't heard about financial aid yet, when can we expect to hear from Pritzker? Is there a single date that they award all their scholarships by, or is it sort of one-by-one?

 

[nosugrefneb]

If we haven't heard about financial aid yet, when can we expect to hear from Pritzker? Is there a single date that they award all their scholarships by, or is it sort of one-by-one?

It's a rolling process. See Episode 10 around 25:15 (under the "When To Apply" section).

 

[bfaria]

Continued candidate! That's flattering. Looks like I'll have to start harassing people ASAP.

 

[friendlybear]

I called today and talked to Joni. She recommends that we write a letter of interest, and also submit in any additional updates/accomplishments.

Another thing I learned was that being "continued" is in large part due to Pritzker wanting to pace out their admissions.

 

[etky101]

So...if I interviewed in late Sept and haven't heard anything yet, is that a bad sign? Like maybe they just haven't sent out the rejection letters yet or something?

 

[PritzkerGuy]

Claifications on my last post.

When I said hold I meant continued candidates. If you interviewed and were continued, let the admissions office know why you really want to come here! Pritzker does not interview that many people! If you show that you really want to come here then you will have a good shot even if you are continued.

If you are on hold (haven't gotten an interview) your chances aren't great, but you can still try for that interview by letting Joni and David know that you really really love Pritzker.

If you interview at Pritzker, most people don't get rejected (you have to do soemthing horrible to get rejected after an interview invite). The most common thing is to continue people. If you interviewed a while ago (more than 4 or 5 weeks) it prolly means 1 of 2 things - either one of your interviewers is being really lame and is taking way too long to write your evaluation (remember you had 3 people so they have to wait till all 3 are in) or it means that you are continued and are waiting for your continued letter in the mail.

Come May, they will form a waitlist. This will be selected from the continued pile. Basically if you've shown interest in Pritzker or were close to being accepted you will make the continued list. After that, as spaces open in the class they begin to draw from the waitlist.

Pritzker CAN pull from the continued list at any time (which is why they call it the continued list and not waitlist) but in previous years, they usually pulled people off the list in May when the waitlist was formed. This may be different this year because they are doing things way ahead of schedule (ie they interviewed way earlier this year than in pervious years).

Hope this cleared some stuff up!

 

[mdquestion]

Claifications on my last post.

When I said hold I meant continued candidates. If you interviewed and were continued, let the admissions office know why you really want to come here! Pritzker does not interview that many people! If you show that you really want to come here then you will have a good shot even if you are continued.

If you are on hold (haven't gotten an interview) your chances aren't great, but you can still try for that interview by letting Joni and David know that you really really love Pritzker.

If you interview at Pritzker, most people don't get rejected (you have to do soemthing horrible to get rejected after an interview invite). The most common thing is to continue people. If you interviewed a while ago (more than 4 or 5 weeks) it prolly means 1 of 2 things - either one of your interviewers is being really lame and is taking way too long to write your evaluation (remember you had 3 people so they have to wait till all 3 are in) or it means that you are continued and are waiting for your continued letter in the mail.

Come May, they will form a waitlist. This will be selected from the continued pile. Basically if you've shown interest in Pritzker or were close to being accepted you will make the continued list. After that, as spaces open in the class they begin to draw from the waitlist.

Pritzker CAN pull from the continued list at any time (which is why they call it the continued list and not waitlist) but in previous years, they usually pulled people off the list in May when the waitlist was formed. This may be different this year because they are doing things way ahead of schedule (ie they interviewed way earlier this year than in pervious years).

Hope this cleared some stuff up!

Hey, so I'm on the pre-interview hold list. I sent an update letter to the admissions office last week. Should I try and contact the deans directly though? Should this be via email or phone call or what? I don't know what to say exactly that I haven't already put in my update letter.

 

[WaryWildcat]

Hey,

I am continued at U of C. This was my first interview, and thus was extremely raw and unpolished. I regret this greatly, as I have done 6 interviews, and Pritzker is clearly my top choice. I really want to come here. Do you guys have any advice on how to go about writing the update letter? I was planning on waiting until the end of my academic quarter so that I can update them on my grades and such. Is this necessary, or will a simple indication of interest suffice? Also, do you think it would be prudent for me to secure extra letters of recommendation?

 

[Snurping]

Hey,

I am continued at U of C. This was my first interview, and thus was extremely raw and unpolished. I regret this greatly, as I have done 6 interviews, and Pritzker is clearly my top choice. I really want to come here. Do you guys have any advice on how to go about writing the update letter? I was planning on waiting until the end of my academic quarter so that I can update them on my grades and such. Is this necessary, or will a simple indication of interest suffice? Also, do you think it would be prudent for me to secure extra letters of recommendation?

I can't answer all of your questions, but I remember in the podcast they mention that they value letters of interest more if an applicant has been to interviews at a lot of other schools (as you have). In writing this letter, I would definitely cite specific reasons why Pritzker impressed you and is your top choice and point out your observations from your interviews at different schools. You could always write the letter now and talk about based on your interview experience, you think this is the right school for you, and then give them your semester grades once they come out. I don't think it's a bad idea to stay on their radar like that.

 

[PritzkerGuy]

No, send a letter now. Tell them you are interested and will send another letter when you have your new quarter's grades. It gives you an excuse to write another letter in the coming weeks.

As I have stressed previously. Keep Pritzker admissions people knowing that you love Pritzker! Let them know by email, letter, phone.

 

[deleted294708]

Has anyone else heard of Pritzker or the UChicago-affiliated hospitals having serious financial issues? I've been told this by my PI and my Pitt interviewer. But then again, it seems like every med school's suffering: my friend told me that UCSF (and all the UC schools, for that matter) are suffering because they're publicly funded.

I was accepted to Pritzker in November, and I was so excited to get the call. But after I was told about their potentially serious financial problems, I've been less excited about the school - an attitude that I definitely want to change.

 

[PritzkerGuy]

Has anyone else heard of Pritzker or the UChicago-affiliated hospitals having serious financial issues? I've been told this by my PI and my Pitt interviewer. But then again, it seems like every med school's suffering: my friend told me that UCSF (and all the UC schools, for that matter) are suffering because they're publicly funded.

I was accepted to Pritzker in November, and I was so excited to get the call. But after I was told about their potentially serious financial problems, I've been less excited about the school - an attitude that I definitely want to change.

Yea everyone's hurting and it's showing .... ummm wait a minute ... not at the University of Chicago!

Haha, I have been amazed at how Pritzker has come through this economy. First, when the economy went south, about a year ago, Dr. Humphry, Pritzker's Dean, spoke to the med school at the yearly "State of the School" Address. The first thing she told us "You're scholarships are safe." They will not be touched. In fact they are increasing the amount they give to each class. Second, the New Hospital Pavillion project is going full steam ahead. If you haven't heard, we are getting a brand new hospital opening in early 2012! If you interviewed in Sep/Oct you may have only seen a hole in the ground. Well they are moving rapidly and the structure is being errected. They have already said that this $700 million dollar hospital will be built to completion and on time. That means a brand spanking new hospital open early 2012 (what that means for you is your year will be the first class to rotate through the new hospital).

So we have to be hurting somewhere right? Well yes and no. Some of you may have heard of the Urban Health Initiative. Part of that is try and free up some space/money in our overburdend ER. That's one way they are shifting around costs. They are also laying off some of the administrative staff and middle-man peops. And finally, some departments got trimmed in terms of their staffing.

But the U of C is a powerhouse when it comes to securring funding and now is no different. Especially as students, we still have a crazy amount of funding. Heck we all just emails saying "want to take a year off to do research??" then apply for a $20,000 stipend through the school.

I guess bottom line ... yes the economy is hurting .... yes the University is having to make cuts ... but WE, the medical students, have been perfectly protected by the amazingness that is Pritzker. Just one more way that shows that Pritzker truly cares about it's students!

Here's a link to the new hospital project

http://facilities.uchicago.edu/campusconstruction/projects/w-hosppavilion.shtml

 

[ballin]

I love you PritzkerGuy!!!! I'm so excited about Pritzker 🙂

Yea everyone's hurting and it's showing .... ummm wait a minute ... not at the University of Chicago!

Haha, I have been amazed at how Pritzker has come through this economy. First, when the economy went south, about a year ago, Dr. Humphry, Pritzker's Dean, spoke to the med school at the yearly "State of the School" Address. The first thing she told us "You're scholarships are safe." They will not be touched. In fact they are increasing the amount they give to each class. Second, the New Hospital Pavillion project is going full steam ahead. If you haven't heard, we are getting a brand new hospital opening in early 2012! If you interviewed in Sep/Oct you may have only seen a hole in the ground. Well they are moving rapidly and the structure is being errected. They have already said that this $700 million dollar hospital will be built to completion and on time. That means a brand spanking new hospital open early 2012 (what that means for you is your year will be the first class to rotate through the new hospital).

So we have to be hurting somewhere right? Well yes and no. Some of you may have heard of the Urban Health Initiative. Part of that is try and free up some space/money in our overburdend ER. That's one way they are shifting around costs. They are also laying off some of the administrative staff and middle-man peops. And finally, some departments got trimmed in terms of their staffing.

But the U of C is a powerhouse when it comes to securring funding and now is no different. Especially as students, we still have a crazy amount of funding. Heck we all just emails saying "want to take a year off to do research??" then apply for a $20,000 stipend through the school.

I guess bottom line ... yes the economy is hurting .... yes the University is having to make cuts ... but WE, the medical students, have been perfectly protected by the amazingness that is Pritzker. Just one more way that shows that Pritzker truly cares about it's students!

Here's a link to the new hospital project

http://facilities.uchicago.edu/campusconstruction/projects/w-hosppavilion.shtml

 

[PritzkerGuy]

haha thanks for the love ballin ...

must be a California connection

to those of you from Cali/warmer climates ... winter here is not the end of the world ... in fact you actually get to experience seasons (gasp!) .... i actually enjoy the weather here almost more than living in Cali ... yes I know that sounds crazy ... and when it does go below 0 (only a few days I promise!) ... thank goodness for north face!

 

[smmypnts]

If you are on hold (haven't gotten an interview) your chances aren't great, but you can still try for that interview by letting Joni and David know that you really really love Pritzker.

How bad are our chances after being on hold?

Also, do you know what the typical reasons someone is put on hold are? That way I can maybe try to target those reasons in my follow up letter.

 

[cramlie]

So...if I interviewed in late Sept and haven't heard anything yet, is that a bad sign? Like maybe they just haven't sent out the rejection letters yet or something?

ekty,
i am right there with ya. I interviewed over 8 weeks ago and haven't heard anything yet... I figured this may have been the result of snail mail failure, so i called last friday but they said that they just haven't made a decision yet. sooo ,yeah....dont know what to make of it

 

[etky101]

ekty,
i am right there with ya. I interviewed over 8 weeks ago and haven't heard anything yet... I figured this may have been the result of snail mail failure, so i called last friday but they said that they just haven't made a decision yet. sooo ,yeah....dont know what to make of it

I finally called too yesterday, and they told me that they were reviewing my application right then, and I would hear in a few days. They said they were aware of the delay, and were sorry about it, etc. But now I almost wish I didn't know that they were looking at it - I'm going to be pretty nervous the next few days!

 

[jturkel]

just found out today that UC interviews 600 (which i've posted about before) BUT i just found out they offer 200 acceptances (yes, i am aware there are 88 spots). obviously not everyone accepts the invitation to matriculate.

just thought i'd share that with you guys

 

[PritzkerGuy]

they've reduced the number they interview to more like 500 now ... in the end they accept abotu 50% of those they interview. so if you got an interview ... you have a great shot!

 

[mdeast]

Anyone have the Dean's email addresses? I'm on pre-interview hold and was thinking about writing them a personal email. Already sent a regular update to the general admissions contact about 2 weeks ago. I assume they'll start re-reviewing held files in the next couple of weeks, so I thought it might be a good idea to contact the Deans directly with my thoughts.

 

[jturkel]

they've reduced the number they interview to more like 500 now ... in the end they accept abotu 50% of those they interview. so if you got an interview ... you have a great shot!

the 200 acceptances out of 600 interviewed is straight from the dean of admission's mouth yesterday

 

[cramlie]

Anyone have the Dean's email addresses? I'm on pre-interview hold and was thinking about writing them a personal email. Already sent a regular update to the general admissions contact about 2 weeks ago. I assume they'll start re-reviewing held files in the next couple of weeks, so I thought it might be a good idea to contact the Deans directly with my thoughts.

which dean are you looking for. Abelson is on this page under "Student Life."
http://pritzker.uchicago.edu/about/staff.shtml

They obscure the other admissions people, but i think if you google the specific person you should be able to find their address.

 

[mdeast]

which dean are you looking for. Abelson is on this page under "Student Life."
http://pritzker.uchicago.edu/about/staff.shtml

They obscure the other admissions people, but i think if you google the specific person you should be able to find their address.

Is that a sign they don't want us emailing them directly?

 

[cramlie]

Is that a sign they don't want us emailing them directly?

perhaps...that would seem to be the point. But at the same time, when you go there for an interviwe they are pretty liberal with passing out their business cards, which have all their contact info - so they aren't too secret about it. My geuss is that you should write a really good email and target one person.

 

[cramlie]

interviewed 9/22, found out I was Continued today (I called). man, this sucks....

 

[BBender716]

Anyone else eagerly awaiting a December review to get off the hold list??

 

[mdeast]

Anyone else eagerly awaiting a December review to get off the hold list??

Yes! What have you done in terms of updates? I just sent an email and they confirmed it was added to my file.

 

[BBender716]

Yes! What have you done in terms of updates? I just sent an email and they confirmed it was added to my file.

Sent them an update letter via email and got a special LOR sent by a Pritzker alumn professor that knows me well saying I'd be a good fit. I need all the help I can get, lol

 

[mdeast]

Sent them an update letter via email and got a special LOR sent by a Pritzker alumn professor that knows me well saying I'd be a good fit. I need all the help I can get, lol

Wow very nice. Don't have that connection so I'm at a loss as to what else I can do. You're probably in someplace else by now if you're on hold at Pritzker so I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck! I just really want the opportunity to interview here.

 

[BBender716]

Wow very nice. Don't have that connection so I'm at a loss as to what else I can do. You're probably in someplace else by now if you're on hold at Pritzker so I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck! I just really want the opportunity to interview here.

I'm in somewhere else, but really loving Pritzker! So let's both get interviews and then get straight up accepted 😀

 

[mdeast]

I'm in somewhere else, but really loving Pritzker! So let's both get interviews and then get straight up accepted 😀

Yes. Lets.

According to the podcast from what I remember they put about 150-200 people on hold and eventually interview about 15 of them. I'd assume a fair amount of those people don't send update letters or withdraw, so I think we at least have some chance. Good luck!

 

[BBender716]

Yes. Lets.

According to the podcast from what I remember they put about 150-200 people on hold and eventually interview about 15 of them. I'd assume a fair amount of those people don't send update letters or withdraw, so I think we at least have some chance. Good luck!

Holy moly. That is llooowww. Hopefully we're just too awesome 😎

 

[mdeast]

Holy moly. That is llooowww. Hopefully we're just too awesome 😎

Re-checked it. It's 200-250 on hold. 15-30 interviews. It's about the same chance at getting an interview overall (1 in 10) without being deferred. I'd assume again that many of those people don't send letters or have withdrawn due to other acceptances. So maybe the rate is slightly higher than 10%.

 

[Amadelphous]

I thought a bunch more people were placed on hold...I kind of feel better about that status now.

 

[mdeast]

I thought a bunch more people were placed on hold...I kind of feel better about that status now.

Well if you think about, only early applicants can be placed on hold (and probably less than 1/2 of applicants apply early). After a certain point, candidates are just either rejected or invited for interview immediately. The hold status possibility disappears, because it's too late in the game to consider re-evaluating a candidate only a month or so later. Considering how many people UChicago rejects outright you should at least be proud you got this far. Good luck!

 

[PinkIvy08]

Well if you think about, only early applicants can be placed on hold (and probably less than 1/2 of applicants apply early). After a certain point, candidates are just either rejected or invited for interview immediately. The hold status possibility disappears, because it's too late in the game to consider re-evaluating a candidate only a month or so later. Considering how many people UChicago rejects outright you should at least be proud you got this far. Good luck!

That's exactly how I see it. I feel blessed to not have received a flat-out rejection, as I know many others did. I think it proves that this committee takes time to actually read through the full application.

 

[GDiDDY]

when do you all think they'll start responding to the on-holders?

 

[jturkel]

when do you all think they'll start responding to the on-holders?

probably once those accepted have declined matriculation and/or they have completed all interviews to those not put on-hold

 

[BBender716]

when do you all think they'll start responding to the on-holders?

December. They re-review in December for invites for those on hold. I called to see when letters should be sent by in order to be considered when they reexamine my app and Joni said they must be received by December 1st.

 

[avo]

I am about to submit my secondary here (yes, late, I know, but I feel my essay turned out the better for it)

I don't have the ability to specify the letters that I am going to be sending in, contrary to most schools that have you specify who is sending in letters for you.

However, the MSTP portion of the application DOES ask me to specify researchers who will be writing on my behalf. Am I missing something on the standard part of the secondary?

 

[ChocolateShogun]

Any word on accpetances lately? It's been 7 weeks since the interview for me 😕

 

[mdeast]

when do you all think they'll start responding to the on-holders?

The email said January 5th at the latest. I'd imagine we'll hear before then, especially if you're offered an interview.

 

[Jolt21]

Any word on accpetances lately? It's been 7 weeks since the interview for me 😕

5 weeks here. and i thought i was waiting long. dang, seems i have a ways to go.

 

[psss]

I interviewed in October and received the call just over five weeks later.

 

[CielloStelatto]

avo - no, i don't remember the md part of the secondary asking for LOR names. I think they forward the research letters you specify on the MSTP part of the secondary to the MSTP office (would be my guess). Just go ahead and write the researchers names and they'll figure it out.

 

[paloma5892]

has anyone who got a call last thursday received a letter confirming it? i'm afraid it got lost in the mail or sent to the wrong address (the postal service changed mine recently...). but maybe they just haven't sent them yet. thanks!

 

[Snurping]

has anyone who got a call last thursday received a letter confirming it? i'm afraid it got lost in the mail or sent to the wrong address (the postal service changed mine recently...). but maybe they just haven't sent them yet. thanks!

Don't worry too much yet! I was called on a Thursday and didn't receive the letter until about a week later. They probably called Thursday, prepared the letters on Friday, mayybee put them in the ongoing mail on Friday afternoon, etc, etc. You can see how it's possible that it's not to your address yet. I'm sure it's probably fine 🙂

 

[mdquestion]

Hey All-
So I was placed on hold in august when I applied. I know my chances are relatively grim, but just wanted any advice on what to do next. I sent a long update email, about 4 paragraphs (1 long paragraph about why I still wanted to go to Pritzker, and 3 shorter paragraphs about volunteer work, research updates, and general life updates since August). I'm out of school, so no additional grades to send. I was thinking about sending a "Top 10 Reasons I Want to Go to Pritzker" email or something psuedo-creative like that. Good idea? Bad idea? Or should I just wait it out and leave it at that one email. Also....any current Pritzker students have any idea of when hold applicants will hear about decisions?

 

[LSU Gladiator]

PritzkerGuy,

About what time do students get out of class ever day? The online schedule for the fall semester makes it look like everyone is done pretty late (http://pritzker.uchicago.edu/md/curriculum/schedules/Summer_MS1_Schedule.pdf).