2009-2010 University of Chicago (Pritzker) Application Thread

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I'd like to believe they are sitting in a meeting right now, frantically passing applications back and forth and bemoaning how impressive we all are...

More likely they rejected us weeks ago and were too insensitive to give prompt notification, preferring instead to string us along and nurture the hope and then crush it at the last possible moment
 
It is like a relationship, where you can tell it is over, u just have that feeling...u don't need to hear it... finito....over...oh Chicago, we could have grown old together, lolll
 
bafana said:
It is like a relationship, where you can tell it is over, u just have that feeling...u don't need to hear it... finito....over...oh Chicago, we could have grown old together, lolll
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ha. well said.
 
I've got my :xf: for you guys. Sending positive vibes your way!
 
Anyone considered calling yet?

Maybe the secretaries would be able to tell us if the no-invite-yet means rejection.
 
SwineSue said:
25 brownie points to the first person who calls
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I'm worried they're waiting until closing time to send the rejection emails so they don't get people calling 🙁
Also, I will give someone a big hug if they call.
 
No online updates...strange. Maybe they forgot about all of us
 
The email says:

"Dear Applicant:

Your application has been reviewed by the Committee on Admissions and has been placed on hold for a second review after a greater number of candidates have been screened. The date of this second review cannot be stated with certainty. You will be notified by January 5th if you are to be invited for interviews.

... "

The wording suggests to me that if we are not invited to an interview by the 5th of January then it is as good as a rejection.

Just my two cents...
 
HMAN2009 said:
The email says:

"Dear Applicant:

Your application has been reviewed by the Committee on Admissions and has been placed on hold for a second review after a greater number of candidates have been screened. The date of this second review cannot be stated with certainty. You will be notified by January 5th if you are to be invited for interviews.

... "

The wording suggests to me that if we are not invited to an interview by the 5th of January then it is as good as a rejection.

Just my two cents...
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my two cents = your two cents 🙁
 
Ugh still nothing. Just release me from my misery! Haha.
 
hey sorry i didn't respond right away

to be honest that's a detail you should ask the admissions office. but I will tell you this ... if they have a decision made to reject you they aren't going to sit on it for a long time ... pritzker knows that this is a tough process and they don't want to drag it out for you. the admissions office here really tries their hardest to make it as painless as it can possibly be (yes I know ... it still seems painful)

compared to a lot of other schools pritzker is really ontop of their game and keeps applicants in the loop

sorry i couldn't give you more info. wish you all the best of luck!

🙂
 
For those of you on hold (like myself) who haven't heard. Just emailed the admissions office. Here was the response:

"The Committee is in the process of updating the status information and decisions should be available in a few days. We apologize for this inconvenience."

No idea was that means for any of us.
 
WildcatS11 said:
Ha nice, I just e-mailed and got a similar response too. I'm not expecting that to be positive news anymore.
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Yeah, got a second response: "You should have a decision by the end of the week. Thank you for your interest in the Pritzker School of Medicine." About 99% sure that means rejection. Bummer too. This was definitely one of my top choices...thought I fit in well (but apparently not!).
 
For those of us now interviewing in January after being put on pre-interview hold, do you guys think we actually have a realistic shot at getting accepted (since they do rolling admissions)? Or is it just for a spot on the waitlist?
 
e-mailed them too before I saw the last post. They said that they're have all decisions out by the end of the week, so I think there's still hope!
 
GB159 said:
For those of us now interviewing in January after being put on pre-interview hold, do you guys think we actually have a realistic shot at getting accepted (since they do rolling admissions)? Or is it just for a spot on the waitlist?
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Well I think of it this way:

First, they said in their podcast that they definitely spread the acceptances evenly throughout the season. Also, what I like to think is that they could have very easily taken no one off the hold list. They don't go in with an exact number for how many they plan on taking off (though they have a general idea). It would be a waste of their time to go out of their way to take people off and interview them knowing that they have little chance at eventual matriculation.

Chin up and full speed ahead! When are you interviewing GB?
 
I'm interviewing 1/21 off the hold list. Anyone else gonna be there that thursday?
 
did anyone who had a status update this week hear from them / schedule anything yet? my status just says i'll get an email in the next three days.
 
cdubbz said:
e-mailed them too before I saw the last post. They said that they're have all decisions out by the end of the week, so I think there's still hope!
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I would assume that means the rejection letters are in the mail and will arrive by Friday
 
And......Rejected. Le sigh. I'm pretty happy about staying on the East Coast, but I would have loved the opportunity...especially @ Pritzker.
 
pretentious snobs, obsessed with "fit" as if they have some magical insight into your character that other schools lack.
 
SwineSue said:
pretentious snobs, obsessed with "fit" as if they have some magical insight into your character that other schools lack.
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That's a little harsh. This is med school. 600 interview slots with 8000 applicants. I think there are many in that pool of 7400 rejections that probably were deserving of an interview. I'm gonna chalk it up to my below average GPA and MCAT, but surprising considering I've gotten interviews at higher ranked schools as well. Oh well. Take what you can get. Would have loved to go to Pritzker but the boat has sailed 😳
 
WildcatS11 said:
ha actually that's kind of true, never thought of it like that really.

but anyway..... I GOT AN INTERVIEW!!!








no just kidding, come on guys, I was rejected. but good luck to all of you who made it off the hold list (bbender, lookin at you). represent us on-hold's well!!!!
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Haha. I was momentarily very jealous of you. And good luck with Duke 😉.
To all those rejected: If there's one thing in life I've learned, it's this: It goes on.
 
WildcatS11 said:
Originally Posted by SwineSue
i'll chalk it up to my above-average gpa and mcat, research experience, and clinical exposure. Such a conventional combination, I couldn't possibly be a good "fit."


ha actually that's kind of true, never thought of it like that really.
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Rejected also.

I honestly don't think it could be related to my stats and experience.

At the same time I am almost positive that of the 8K applications only like 5% are truly unique and this concept of fit is BS. I actually think schools use some sort of computer program that weighs out the odds that an applicant will attend if accepted against some score of the strength of their application. That way they get the best applicants without wasting all their interview slots on people who are just going to go to a top 5 school anyways.

Oh well, my second official rejection, and at least I have the honor of being put on hold first. I'm mostly disappointed because based on previous posts Pritzker seems to give out the most scholarships of all the private schools I'm looking at.
 
WildcatS11 said:
ha actually that's kind of true, never thought of it like that really.

but anyway..... I GOT AN INTERVIEW!!!








no just kidding, come on guys, I was rejected. but good luck to all of you who made it off the hold list (bbender, lookin at you). represent us on-hold's well!!!!
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Thanks WildcatS! You're a stand-up guy and have some pretty awesome prospects this cycle. Same to you mdeast! Tomorrow, I will do my best to make the holdees proud!
 
as of yesterday, it has been 6 weeks since my interview (11/30). in the pamphlet of papers we received, it said 6-8 weeks. hopefully they'll show some love soon 🙂
 
jturkel said:
as of yesterday, it has been 6 weeks since my interview (11/30). in the pamphlet of papers we received, it said 6-8 weeks. hopefully they'll show some love soon 🙂
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jturkel, I wouldn't hold my breath of I were you. It took them almost 9 weeks to let me know about my continued status (i called them about every week or so after week 6). especially since part of your 8 week period was over x-mas.
 
BBender716 said:
Thanks WildcatS! You're a stand-up guy and have some pretty awesome prospects this cycle. Same to you mdeast! Tomorrow, I will do my best to make the holdees proud!
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hey thanks for the response, and good luck with the interview!
 
Has anyone heard when they start taking people off the continued list?
 
surrsly, us continued people would like some answers, Pritzker!
 
cramlie said:
jturkel, I wouldn't hold my breath of I were you. It took them almost 9 weeks to let me know about my continued status (i called them about every week or so after week 6). especially since part of your 8 week period was over x-mas.
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dang. didnt think about that. oh well. thanks lol
 
Got done with interview day. Loved the students. Loved the faculty/administration. I think it was the most honest interview day on the part of the administration that I've had at any school, if that makes sense. I didn't feel like they were blowing any smoke at all.

I'm going to leave feedback ASAP! PM me if you were there today! Now I'm just :xf: for 4-6 weeks.

And do you guys recommend waiting for a decision prior to sending a letter of interest or should I send one relatively soon to encourage a favorable outcome? Thank you guys for being awesome and helping me out.
 
I'd suggest sending them a letter now. You now have seen the school first hand and could write a letter saying why, after having visited and interacted with the people at the school, why you truly would be a good fit for Pritzker.




Also, in previous years, the continued list normally gets rolled over to the waitlist around April/Mayish (I think???)

Then people start coming off late May early June ... although some people will come off as late as middle of July.
 
PritzkerGuy said:
I'd suggest sending them a letter now. You now have seen the school first hand and could write a letter saying why, after having visited and interacted with the people at the school, why you truly would be a good fit for Pritzker.




Also, in previous years, the continued list normally gets rolled over to the waitlist around April/Mayish (I think???)

Then people start coming off late May early June ... although some people will come off as late as middle of July.
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Hey Pritzker Guy! I just wanted to thank you for the input. I emailed my student host the same question but he said I should wait. Definitely not to count my chickens before they hatch, but would sending a letter of interest reduce the potential for more merit-based aid because they won't feel they need to "lure me" with scholarship money? 😕

Thanks for the help!
 
I've been thinking the exact same thing!!! (except the part with the computer program)

My stats and app is pretty good, I got into University of Michigan, interviewed at Wash U, and have an upcoming interview at Harvard.

Doctors are smart people and the admissions committee probably doesn't want to waste its time. If I get into Harvard, I'd go there over Pritzker.

I think about it this way. Interview day is expensive. An hour of a doctor's time is extremely valuable, so why interview someone who won't come in the first place??

Pritzker got a ridiculous amount of applications this year probably because word got out on their scholarships.

Just my two cents...

smmypnts said:
Rejected also.

I honestly don't think it could be related to my stats and experience.

At the same time I am almost positive that of the 8K applications only like 5% are truly unique and this concept of fit is BS. I actually think schools use some sort of computer program that weighs out the odds that an applicant will attend if accepted against some score of the strength of their application. That way they get the best applicants without wasting all their interview slots on people who are just going to go to a top 5 school anyways.

Oh well, my second official rejection, and at least I have the honor of being put on hold first. I'm mostly disappointed because based on previous posts Pritzker seems to give out the most scholarships of all the private schools I'm looking at.
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Maybe a medical student can help me with this...

I emailed Sylvia (and cc'd the general admissions email) a LOI/update letter on Friday. I have yet to hear a reply. Should I be worried that maybe they never received my email?

I'm currently a continued applicant who fell in love with Pritzker at the interview day...it's such an amazing school 😍.
 
masturhu said:
I've been thinking the exact same thing!!! (except the part with the computer program)

My stats and app is pretty good, I got into University of Michigan, interviewed at Wash U, and have an upcoming interview at Harvard.

Doctors are smart people and the admissions committee probably doesn't want to waste its time. If I get into Harvard, I'd go there over Pritzker.

I think about it this way. Interview day is expensive. An hour of a doctor's time is extremely valuable, so why interview someone who won't come in the first place??

Pritzker got a ridiculous amount of applications this year probably because word got out on their scholarships.

Just my two cents...
Click to expand...

This whole thing seems really random, and who knowns how they do anything?! But bear in mind that this post implies that those who did get accepted are good, just not as good as people who didn't. I don't think this is the case. I guess I'd be pretty surprised if a computer labeled me as a "second tier" applicant..., or that they figured Chicago was as high as I could go.

The fit thing is an interesting concept I'll admit. Somehow they have to get a huge number down to 88, and this happens all over at all the top schools. However, I think interviews and acceptances at the places you mentioned are pretty-standard for U Chicago accepted students. At least this is my situation.

I have heard through the grapevine that perhaps there is some "we'll take this person over that because they'll show up" happening at some schools. However, it is based on geography. i.e. midwesterners may have a slight edge at midwestern schools. I don't know if this is a factor here or not.
 
Having interviewed at Pritzker and met the students, i can honestly say that their concept of fit is not BS. They know exactly what they are looking for, which is people with a strong interest in interdisciplinary study and have had prior experience working and collaborating in diverse fields. They have quite brilliant medical students, who are yet normal and understated people. I would volunteer to say that they have the most outwardly well-adjusted (and integrated) student body I have encountered in any medical school. It competes with George Washington and Northwestern in this regard. They are actively looking for people who do fit into their school and they know when they find it. My fellow interviewees had all done great things, yet there was a sense of humility about them. Pritzker is no Harvard, but they are trying to recruit would be HMS students. And I dare say that they would succeed. Their financial aid is phenomenal ~ $10 million in scholarship money for a class of 88. It is hard to top that. Every year, they manage to recruit several would be Top-5 students. And I do think that Pritzker is one of those rare schools that would interview only the 5% unique portion of their applicant pool.

Just my two cents.
 
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Post-hold rejection here was heartbreaking. I really was attracted to the school after listening to the podcasts regarding their "fit." I wanted to see it in person. Good luck to all of those who got post-hold invites!
 
naijaboi said:
Having interviewed at Pritzker and met the students, i can honestly say that their concept of fit is not BS. They know exactly what they are looking for, which is people with a strong interest in interdisciplinary study and have had prior experience working and collaborating in diverse fields. They have quite brilliant medical students, who are brilliant, normal and understated people. I would volunteer to say that they have the most outwardly well-adjusted (and integrated) student body I have encountered in any medical school. It competes with George Washington and Northwestern. They are actively looking for people who do fit into their school and they know when they find it. My fellow interviewees had all done great things, yet there was a sense of humility about them. Pritzker is no Harvard, but they are trying to recruit would be HMS students. And I dare say that they would succeed. Their financial aid is phenomenal ~ $10 million in scholarship money for a class of 88. It is hard to top that. Every year, they manage to recruit several would be Top-5 students. And I do think that Pritzker is one of those rare schools that would interview the 5% unique portion of their applicant pool.

Just my two cents.
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Well said. I can definitely second that after my interview day. Absolutely 100% agree. I feel blessed to have even gotten that far.
 
MzzLLX said:
Maybe a medical student can help me with this...

I emailed Sylvia (and cc'd the general admissions email) a LOI/update letter on Friday. I have yet to hear a reply. Should I be worried that maybe they never received my email?

I'm currently a continued applicant who fell in love with Pritzker at the interview day...it's such an amazing school 😍.
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I have the same concerned. Sent in a LOI today, and usually they're good about emailing confirmation, but didn't get anything back yet... anyone? PritzkerGuy/Ben?
 
BBender716 said:
I have the same concerned. Sent in a LOI today, and usually they're good about emailing confirmation, but didn't get anything back yet... anyone? PritzkerGuy/Ben?
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Busy, busy times in the OME. If you want, give them a call or send them a follow-up email in a few days and just confirm they've received it. Can't hurt.
 
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