2009-2010 University of Illinois (UIC) Application Thread

[Pri84]

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I'm doing the program, too, Pri! are you definately going to uic? It'll be great to have another Bay Area person there!

Oh I am glad to know I won't be the only one!!!! 😀 specially not the only Bay Area representative there!!! Cool!

So have you contacted the office for more information of when the program is starting and more details about it?! I am going to call them on Monday to ask for more info.

Like you I am still in 3 waitlists (one which is UCLA)... so my plan is to accepts my spot at UIC and even begin the program AND if by some MIRACLE I get accepted into a CA school I'd go there. I am VERY thankful to be accepted at UIC and I am sure it will be a wonderful experience, BUT for me things are a little more complicated because I already have a family (a daughter and a husband)... so these are HUGE changes!

 

[Pri84]

Where are you all living for the summer program? Are you getting an apartment starting in June and just keeping it for the whole year? I'm doing the program too, and I haven't decided what I'm doing about housing yet.

So I am actually going to start looking for a temporary place for the summer. LIke I mentioned I have a 16 months old daughter, who would stay behind for the 6 weeks program with my husband (I DON'T KNOW how I am going to survive this time without her but... good things in life come with sacrifices 🙁

So I am just looking for a temporary place... if any of you (specially those in the area) hear of anything PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!!

 

[QuinnWatson]

Hey Pri84,

you probably were not at second look day, so I wanted to see if you had heard about the "decompressed" program. It basically allows you to do your M1 year in two years total, so that you finish your MD in five, rather than four, years. It is geared toward students with families or students that need extra time to take care of a family member, etc. Thought you might be interested ... 🙂

 

[EvaSwitchBox20]

So I'm going to turn in all my confirmation forms in person this upcoming Monday. Besides that, what should I be doing now? I read that some people got a UIC pin and email address and whatnot, but I'm not sure where to go, what to read, and all that jazz. I'm so psyched about all of this, I just want to be uber-prepared now, and do anything/everything I can at this point.......uh-oh, I now have a massive case of senioritis, hah

 

[Pri84]

Hey Pri84,

you probably were not at second look day, so I wanted to see if you had heard about the "decompressed" program. It basically allows you to do your M1 year in two years total, so that you finish your MD in five, rather than four, years. It is geared toward students with families or students that need extra time to take care of a family member, etc. Thought you might be interested ... 🙂

aawww... thanks Quinn... that was really nice of you to bring that up! My interviewer actually brought that up and explained it to me during my interview. It's something that I might look into but I think I will be able to hold a full load if I find good childcare when I move there. We will see!
🙂

But THanks for bringing that up!!

How was second look day btw?! What did you guys learn that you didn't know from your interview day??!!! Please share guys!!!

 

[DecisionPending]

Does anyone know how the summer prematric program works? I was told it lasted 14 months, but I was also told that it was for the summer and then you take medical school courses at the college. Is the financial aid? What courses do we take? How often are classes? Sorry for all the questions, but I can't find answers on the website and no one in the office could provide me with any answers.

Also, Congrats to all that made it!!! I will see you soon.

 

[MckAttk]

The summer course I am required to take is 6 weeks long. Starts at the beginning of June and goes til mid July. Its med school classes like anatomy, biochem, etc, and you pretty much start at 9 AM and have class until around 3. I found last year's schedule on the website, and I assume it will be the same. I will post the link the next time I get on my computer.

 

[Snoopy2006]

How was second look day btw?! What did you guys learn that you didn't know from your interview day??!!! Please share guys!!!

I second that! A bunch of us just got accepted and couldn't make it to the second look day. Would people who went mind sharing what they learned and saw, both pros and cons?

Like Visionary I was on hold for a long time (5-6 months) so it's been so long I don't remember details about the school.

 

[QuinnWatson]

I second that! A bunch of us just got accepted and couldn't make it to the second look day. Would people who went mind sharing what they learned and saw, both pros and cons?

Like Visionary I was on hold for a long time (5-6 months) so it's been so long I don't remember details about the school.

Second look day was pretty good ... it was REALLY short, though, so that was probably the only con. That, and the lack of dessert at lunch. 😛

The incoming students there seemed really nice, and the med students also seemed to really enjoy the school. We got a tour that was similar to the one we got during our interview, but this was better since there wasn't any pressure. The best part of the tour was when we saw the "dummies" that students practice with ... apparently when you give them a certain drug, their vitals change, and they have a pulse, and everything! haha you can even intubate them!

I also got a better feel for what the curriculum will be like. M1 and M2 are a lot of science classes, but also an ECM (essential of clinical medicine) course, which I am excited about. You work in groups and learn how to diagnose, etc. But also, during your first year, you learn how to take patient histories, which is great, because it gives you great practice and will help develop communication skills. The M3/M4 years are more clinical, and you also get a few weeks built in to take electives of your choosing, which I was excited to hear about! And they also have sub-specialties that you can explore.

We also heard more about research and the MSTP or MD/PhD program (for which they only choose 6 students). Doing research not only would be a good experience, but it also might give you some cash flow. 👍

I also felt better because we were told how helpful the upperclassmen were to the incoming M1 students; they will tell which books are good books to buy, and will even offer tutoring sessions. 🙂

Also, lectures are all video recorded ... in case you miss a class.

Oh, and my favorite part - there were quite a few med students that I met/saw who were already married. 😀

Hmm ... I wasn't too much help there, was I? Hopefully some other students can chime in?

And the best part? I came out of second look day even more excited to attend UIC. 🙂

 

[yoman786]

Second look day was pretty good ... it was REALLY short, though, so that was probably the only con. That, and the lack of dessert at lunch. 😛

The incoming students there seemed really nice, and the med students also seemed to really enjoy the school. We got a tour that was similar to the one we got during our interview, but this was better since there wasn't any pressure. The best part of the tour was when we saw the "dummies" that students practice with ... apparently when you give them a certain drug, their vitals change, and they have a pulse, and everything! haha you can even intubate them!

I also got a better feel for what the curriculum will be like. M1 and M2 are a lot of science classes, but also an ECM (essential of clinical medicine) course, which I am excited about. You work in groups and learn how to diagnose, etc. But also, during your first year, you learn how to take patient histories, which is great, because it gives you great practice and will help develop communication skills. The M3/M4 years are more clinical, and you also get a few weeks built in to take electives of your choosing, which I was excited to hear about! And they also have sub-specialties that you can explore.

We also heard more about research and the MSTP or MD/PhD program (for which they only choose 6 students). Doing research not only would be a good experience, but it also might give you some cash flow. 👍

I also felt better because we were told how helpful the upperclassmen were to the incoming M1 students; they will tell which books are good books to buy, and will even offer tutoring sessions. 🙂

Also, lectures are all video recorded ... in case you miss a class.

Oh, and my favorite part - there were quite a few med students that I met/saw who were already married. 😀

Hmm ... I wasn't too much help there, was I? Hopefully some other students can chime in?

And the best part? I came out of second look day even more excited to attend UIC. 🙂

Aww no dessert? BOO!

lol joking, it sounds awesome, I really hope I get chicago placement, I really want to stay close to home and I'd like to be able to continue one of my current ECs, which would mean being able to come into the suburbs once a week.

All the support and the dummies sound really cool and fun to play with(the dummies, not the upperclassmen.)

As for your favorite part Quinn, come on, am I the only single dude going to med school? :cry: I mean I'm not exactly looking to be picking up ladies in my classes or anything but come on is that like a pre-req now? to have a stable long term relationship? lol

 

[nemo10]

yea, glad to hear that there are married students at uic i can hang out with as well! by married, i'm assuming nontraditional, career changing, 'older (but wiser)' students???

was there additional info about on campus housing? for grad students, is there only one building - the one located right next to the gym?

thanks for the relayed info from second day look~

 

[kai35]

Does anyone know how the summer prematric program works? I was told it lasted 14 months, but I was also told that it was for the summer and then you take medical school courses at the college. Is the financial aid? What courses do we take? How often are classes? Sorry for all the questions, but I can't find answers on the website and no one in the office could provide me with any answers.

Also, Congrats to all that made it!!! I will see you soon.

The Prematriculation program is about 5 weeks, apparently. It looks relatively low-key. I never did it, but now that I look at it, I really wish I had. They cherry pick out some of the most challenging topics from Anatomy, Physiology, Biochem, and Immuno-Micro (easily the hardest four classes you take during the first semester of M1) and give you a preview of it before it really counts. I can tell you now that you will be really happy you did this. Anatomy will consume so much of your time that it will be nice to have seen some of the more challenging material once before.

Congrats to all the incoming M1s.

https://www.med.illinois.edu/MedCalendar/views/week.php?cal=44&getdate=20100606&sat=0 .. Here's a link to the schedule for the Summer Pre-Matriculation program at Urbana-Champaign, in case anyone's interested.

 

[lizjhu]

The Prematriculation program is about 5 weeks, apparently. It looks relatively low-key. I never did it, but now that I look at it, I really wish I had. They cherry pick out some of the most challenging topics from Anatomy, Physiology, Biochem, and Immuno-Micro (easily the hardest four classes you take during the first semester of M1) and give you a preview of it before it really counts. I can tell you now that you will be really happy you did this. Anatomy will consume so much of your time that it will be nice to have seen some of the more challenging material once before.

Congrats to all the incoming M1s.

https://www.med.illinois.edu/MedCalendar/views/week.php?cal=44&getdate=20100606&sat=0 .. Here's a link to the schedule for the Summer Pre-Matriculation program at Urbana-Champaign, in case anyone's interested.

Hi Kai,
I'm an incoming M1, and I have to do the summer prematric. The info that was sent to me said the program was free, but what about housing? Do they arrange housing for participants, or do we have to find our own? Also, the official dates for the program are June 3 - July 16 at both tracks (Chicago and Urbana)

 

[lizjhu]

Oh I am glad to know I won't be the only one!!!! 😀 specially not the only Bay Area representative there!!! Cool!

So have you contacted the office for more information of when the program is starting and more details about it?! I am going to call them on Monday to ask for more info.

Like you I am still in 3 waitlists (one which is UCLA)... so my plan is to accepts my spot at UIC and even begin the program AND if by some MIRACLE I get accepted into a CA school I'd go there. I am VERY thankful to be accepted at UIC and I am sure it will be a wonderful experience, BUT for me things are a little more complicated because I already have a family (a daughter and a husband)... so these are HUGE changes!

Wow, that will be tricky for you! I can't imagine, I have a little niece here that I'm already starting to miss! I called the office Friday, and they sent me general information about the program, incl. the dates (June 3 - July 16). Both Urbana and Chicago have programs, and the classes taught are Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, Micro/Immuno and biochem (fun, right, ha ha). No info on housing, I really hope they provide housing or have a program where we can get campus housing for the session.

 

[DecisionPending]

For everyone in the prematric program, how do you know which campus you are assigned to?

 

[MDHopeful14]

Is there a way for me to sign up for this pre-matric program or is it by invitation only?

 

[Sweetpea MD]

So from what I understand, all URM students are invited to do the prematriculation program, but only conditional acceptance students are required to do it? I hadn't heard about the program until the 2nd look day. I'm considering it, but not sure if I want to give up 6 weeks of my summer 😛

 

[kai35]

Hi Kai,
I'm an incoming M1, and I have to do the summer prematric. The info that was sent to me said the program was free, but what about housing? Do they arrange housing for participants, or do we have to find our own? Also, the official dates for the program are June 3 - July 16 at both tracks (Chicago and Urbana)

I'm not sure whether housing is provided or not. Like I said, I never did it, so I can't speak from experience. My inclination is that the College of Medicine will help you out with that somehow.. probably finding something on campus. I'm really not sure though. Contact Student Affairs for your particular site...

 

[secretlife]

I received general info about the Pre-Matriculation Program a couple weeks ago. I am currently assigned to Urbana-Rockford site.

Program runs from June 7- July 16. A stipend is provided for living expenses and in the letter there were a couple resources to find help you find housing in the Urbana-Champaign area.

 

[OasisFTW]

Just wanted to know whether the orientation week before classes start is mandatory/beneficial as I was planning on attending the PGA championship that week. I attended second look which I thought was a waste of time, so I am thinking it won't really matter if I go to orientation or not. Any thoughts about this from the current medical students?

 

[yoman786]

Just wanted to know whether the orientation week before classes start is mandatory/beneficial as I was planning on attending the PGA championship that week. I attended second look which I thought was a waste of time, so I am thinking it won't really matter if I go to orientation or not. Any thoughts about this from the current medical students?

Weren't you the one who thought UIC was a waste of time?

 

[BBender716]

Just wanted to know whether the orientation week before classes start is mandatory/beneficial as I was planning on attending the PGA championship that week. I attended second look which I thought was a waste of time, so I am thinking it won't really matter if I go to orientation or not. Any thoughts about this from the current medical students?

well that's a rather dismissive way of asking...

 

[Chili Con Carne]

well that's a rather dismissive way of asking...

+1

 

[EvaSwitchBox20]

Well c'mon, let's be honest, is that really a legit question? It's orientation for the next four years of your life......versus a few hours to take a quick snippet of 4 hours to check the campus out again and make sure that it's where you'll be happy.

Now think about this again, they don't want to freak you out and scare you away during the "Waste of time 2nd look day," whereas during orientation, well, they're probably going to freak you out a bit. Legitimately though, because hey, it's med school, nothing live we've experienced (presumably so) before. Plus, it's a great week to get acquainted with the area, meet your classmates, settle in, and relax a bit before they turn the fire up below you.

Besides, I'm sure orientation is required anyways. PGA is good and all, I just can't imagine why you would want to skip something that will give you great perspective about the next 4 huge years of your life......

just my 2 cents, is all...😎

 

[yoman786]

Well c'mon, let's be honest, is that really a legit question? It's orientation for the next four years of your life......versus a few hours to take a quick snippet of 4 hours to check the campus out again and make sure that it's where you'll be happy.

Now think about this again, they don't want to freak you out and scare you away during the "Waste of time 2nd look day," whereas during orientation, well, they're probably going to freak you out a bit. Legitimately though, because hey, it's med school, nothing live we've experienced (presumably so) before. Plus, it's a great week to get acquainted with the area, meet your classmates, settle in, and relax a bit before they turn the fire up below you.

Besides, I'm sure orientation is required anyways. PGA is good and all, I just can't imagine why you would want to skip something that will give you great perspective about the next 4 huge years of your life......

just my 2 cents, is all...😎

Hes been trolling this thread for a while man, don't think too much of OasisFTW

 

[BRO2007]

How long does it take to hear back from the financial aid office? I've been accepted since december, but I just got my fafsa in last week...

Thanks for the help!

 

[BBender716]

Well c'mon, let's be honest, is that really a legit question? It's orientation for the next four years of your life......versus a few hours to take a quick snippet of 4 hours to check the campus out again and make sure that it's where you'll be happy.

Now think about this again, they don't want to freak you out and scare you away during the "Waste of time 2nd look day," whereas during orientation, well, they're probably going to freak you out a bit. Legitimately though, because hey, it's med school, nothing live we've experienced (presumably so) before. Plus, it's a great week to get acquainted with the area, meet your classmates, settle in, and relax a bit before they turn the fire up below you.

Besides, I'm sure orientation is required anyways. PGA is good and all, I just can't imagine why you would want to skip something that will give you great perspective about the next 4 huge years of your life......

just my 2 cents, is all...😎

Well PGA tickets cost a lot of money, and medical education costs... well, I'll let you do the math

 

[benicar]

How long does it take to hear back from the financial aid office? I've been accepted since december, but I just got my fafsa in last week...

Thanks for the help!

I did not include UIC on my initial Fafsa submitted in Jan and did so a few weeks ago. I received my award in about 1 week from UIC.

 

[lietuvaite]

I'm so dissapointed but I got Rockford for my site placement. I live in Chicago and really don't want to move!! I wrote a letter with my site preference card explaining why I want Chicago, but still got Rockford 🙁

 

[womp]

Is anyone else a little bit bitter about the Illinois budget situation? It's not like our tax burden is low.

Look at states like Texas: $12k in-state med school tuition plus need-based grants. They don't even have a state income tax.

Vote all the bums out.

 

[Giffhorn6]

They have oil (and all the subsidies that go with it) we have.....soybeans

 

[herewego]

Anyone who was accepted last week get site placement yet?

 

[deleted273248]

The Prematriculation program is about 5 weeks, apparently. It looks relatively low-key. I never did it, but now that I look at it, I really wish I had. They cherry pick out some of the most challenging topics from Anatomy, Physiology, Biochem, and Immuno-Micro (easily the hardest four classes you take during the first semester of M1) and give you a preview of it before it really counts. I can tell you now that you will be really happy you did this. Anatomy will consume so much of your time that it will be nice to have seen some of the more challenging material once before.

Congrats to all the incoming M1s.

https://www.med.illinois.edu/MedCalendar/views/week.php?cal=44&getdate=20100606&sat=0 .. Here's a link to the schedule for the Summer Pre-Matriculation program at Urbana-Champaign, in case anyone's interested.

Wow, I won't even have graduated by then. I'm not planning on taking part in this so I can enjoy my really short summer.😎

 

[Amdavadi]

Anyone who was accepted last week get site placement yet?

No nothing yet.

 

[yoman786]

No nothing yet.

Same here, nothing yet

 

[benicar]

Anyone who was accepted last week get site placement yet?

A co-worker of mine who was accepted this month received their placement in the mail today. They were placed in Chicago.

 

[Pri84]

So has anyone that is doing the Summer pre-matriculation program been placed in Chicago?

 

[benicar]

I was wondering if anyone knows the graduation rate at the UIC COM...? I'm trying to work through my school choice and am wondering if the "support" often mentioned when comparing medical schools actually translates into any meaningful difference in the success of the students when it's all said and hopefully done.

 

[TickTock719]

That's an interesting thought. Anyone know about UIC's deferment policy? Are you allowed to request a year off? Do you already have to have a mission trip or job lined up before petitioning?

I plan on matriculating next year, but I was just curious if anyone knew how the process works.

A family friend took a year off to go teach English abroad (current M3)- he just couldn't apply to any other schools during that year. I would think as long as you don't say 'I'm going to spend the year getting wasted', they'll consider it. 🙂

 

[EvaSwitchBox20]

A co-worker of mine who was accepted this month received their placement in the mail today. They were placed in Chicago.

Chicago, really?!?! Wow, I dropped off my card yesterday and received my response the day after (they wasted no time) placing me in Peoria. That's the site I dreaded, the absolute last place I had hoped to be placed at, and I'm freaking out at what I can/can't do. I would absolutely love to stay in Chicago for a number of legitimate reasons. I would've still not minded Rockford as much, but Peoria? I thought it was just because they were full, but I'm curious how your co-worker got Chicago. How do they base all that stuff, by some criteria? I'm just super concerned about all of this...

 

[Amdavadi]

Chicago, really?!?! Wow, I dropped off my card yesterday and received my response the day after (they wasted no time) placing me in Peoria. That's the site I dreaded, the absolute last place I had hoped to be placed at, and I'm freaking out at what I can/can't do. I would absolutely love to stay in Chicago for a number of legitimate reasons. I would've still not minded Rockford as much, but Peoria? I thought it was just because they were full, but I'm curious how your co-worker got Chicago. How do they base all that stuff, by some criteria? I'm just super concerned about all of this...

I don't know about you guys but at chicago interview site, I was asked by two interviewers which campus I was hoping to get placed into (and why) if I got accepted. So maybe they base their decision on how well you answered that question. I don't think it's random at all. It's just all at the interviewer's discretion and their perception of you from the interview day.

 

[benicar]

Chicago, really?!?! Wow, I dropped off my card yesterday and received my response the day after (they wasted no time) placing me in Peoria. That's the site I dreaded, the absolute last place I had hoped to be placed at, and I'm freaking out at what I can/can't do. I would absolutely love to stay in Chicago for a number of legitimate reasons. I would've still not minded Rockford as much, but Peoria? I thought it was just because they were full, but I'm curious how your co-worker got Chicago. ...

They have a spouse and child and currently live in chicago but I dont know if they mentioned it to staff at UIC. Also I know they did not interview in Chicago. Cant remember what site.

 

[hugitout]

has anyone that applied to the umed program heard back? have they already conducted interviews for it?

when will they get back to us with a final decision?

thanks

 

[BRO2007]

I did not include UIC on my initial Fafsa submitted in Jan and did so a few weeks ago. I received my award in about 1 week from UIC.

Thanks! Do they send it through e-mail or snail mail?

 

[benicar]

Thanks! Do they send it through e-mail or snail mail?

I received it via email on a Sunday night. I did set up a university email/account after looking through some previous posts so I dont know if or how that effected or expedited the process.

 

[Redno5]

has anyone that applied to the umed program heard back? have they already conducted interviews for it?

when will they get back to us with a final decision?

thanks

The UMED interviews were held during second look day this past Friday. They said they would let us know by the end of this week regarding a final decision.

 

[LuvinIt]

Chicago, really?!?! Wow, I dropped off my card yesterday and received my response the day after (they wasted no time) placing me in Peoria. That's the site I dreaded, the absolute last place I had hoped to be placed at, and I'm freaking out at what I can/can't do. I would absolutely love to stay in Chicago for a number of legitimate reasons. I would've still not minded Rockford as much, but Peoria? I thought it was just because they were full, but I'm curious how your co-worker got Chicago. How do they base all that stuff, by some criteria? I'm just super concerned about all of this...

I can understand why you would not want to move when you already live in Chicago. I just got my site placement in Peoria today too, and I wanted Chicago. However, I think that Peoria is the best track after Chicago as far as the education goes. Rockford is a rural medicine track. Therefore, you do most (or all?) of you clinical expereince in tiny clinics in the middle of corn fields. As far as the program and life in general, Peoria is more comparable to Chiacgo than Rockford. Peoria has the biggest medical center in downstate Illinois, so you still get to do clinicals in big hospitals.

Anyhow, sorry you didn't get Chicago. I am a little sad about it too. Like my bf said to me, you got in to medical school. You are gonna be an MD!!! Be happy 🙂

 

[Amdavadi]

I can understand why you would not want to move when you already live in Chicago. I just got my site placement in Peoria today too, and I wanted Chicago. However, I think that Peoria is the best track after Chicago as far as the education goes. Rockford is a rural medicine track. Therefore, you do most (or all?) of you clinical expereince in tiny clinics in the middle of corn fields. As far as the program and life in general, Peoria is more comparable to Chiacgo than Rockford. Peoria has the biggest medical center in downstate Illinois, so you still get to do clinicals in big hospitals.

Good Info. Thanks!

 

[BRO2007]

I received it via email on a Sunday night. I did set up a university email/account after looking through some previous posts so I dont know if or how that effected or expedited the process.

I actually called the Financial Aid office to ask them a couple questions last week, and she said you didn't have to have a university e-mail set up... that they'd just send it to your e-mail listed on AMCAS. Just curious, how do you set up a university e-mail?

 

[Pri84]

I actually called the Financial Aid office to ask them a couple questions last week, and she said you didn't have to have a university e-mail set up... that they'd just send it to your e-mail listed on AMCAS. Just curious, how do you set up a university e-mail?

I just received my Financial AID award letter a few hours ago... YYEEEYYY!!! no scholarships... only loans! The OOS tuition is out of this world though!!!! ouch....

Still.. gotta pay the price! I have not received my campus placement yet though. Hopefully I will get it this week.

In regards to your question of how to set up a university e-mail, I received an e-mail last week (even before I actually received my acceptance package) with the information of how to set up the account. If you haven't received that yet I would call the office and ask for more information. Good luCk!