2009-2010 University of Illinois (UIC) Application Thread

[felipe23]

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Thanks Zip! i'm going to call today and let you guys know how it works out for me

 

[Appless]

omg i dont think i meet that Behavioral/Social Sciences requirement. DAMNIT!

edit - actually, going through my verified amcas app, i have 3+ "BESS" courses. none are psych or those traditional ones though... am i good??

Remember that its not enough to just have 3...2 of them need to be in the same department...meaning 2 psych, or 2 polysci classes.

 

[Caesar]

Zippy, quick question. Are ALL of the textbooks available online at UIC or just some? I know an anatomy one is, I used it last year.

 

[Lukkie]

Possibly. The admissions office accepts some non-traditional BESS courses - you should call today (Thursdays are the normal walk-in/phone call days). A counselor will be able to tell you if the 3+ courses you have will satisfy the requirement. 🙂

Remember that its not enough to just have 3...2 of them need to be in the same department...meaning 2 psych, or 2 polysci classes.

thanks, ill give em a call tomorrow. i checked my transcript and two of them are actually part of a series (i would guess they are sociology), they actually have the same course title (just different number). however, my stats class was counted as my third BESS 🙁

 

[RecyclingBinh]

I called and they said secondaries will be sent out mid July.

question...what is this BESS requirement that yall are speaking of?

 

[Appless]

I called and they said secondaries will be sent out mid July.

question...what is this BESS requirement that yall are speaking of?

They require 3 behavorial science classes, of which 2 have to be in the same department.

i have ten, in two departments. i figure i'll be ok with that req.

its hard for those of us who are sci majors and didnt take a lot of non-sci classes 🙁

 

[CielloStelatto]

i have ten, in two departments. i figure i'll be ok with that req.

 

[146233]

Zippy, quick question. Are ALL of the textbooks available online at UIC or just some? I know an anatomy one is, I used it last year.

Just a few. You'll want a print copy of the anatomy textbook.

 

[RecyclingBinh]

They require 3 behavorial science classes, of which 2 have to be in the same department.

cool! i have 2 psyc course and being a poli sci major...i have all the BESS needed.

 

[felipe23]

I called thursday and they told me ethics won't count for anyone that was banking on that besides me... He also said you just need to have it before you get to the school, even the summer before...it doesn't matter.

 

[dancingdoc1]

As far as BESS requirements go, I have taken two psych classes, but they are listed as HRS, honors classes, not PSY. They were taught by psych professors, just offered through the honors program. Also, I'm planning on taking anthro next semester (first sem. senior year) but applying this cycle. I'm okay, right??

 

[ziggyd0c]

so i already have 2 psych classes listed as BESS on my app, what other subject areas would count for the third? i have a women's studies class, a ton of philosophy classes, and some american culture classes... think those will be enough?

 

[146233]

As far as BESS requirements go, I have taken two psych classes, but they are listed as HRS, honors classes, not PSY. They were taught by psych professors, just offered through the honors program. Also, I'm planning on taking anthro next semester (first sem. senior year) but applying this cycle. I'm okay, right??

You should be fine as long as the course titles are obviously psychology-related (Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psych, Abnormal Psych, etc.).

so i already have 2 psych classes listed as BESS on my app, what other subject areas would count for the third? i have a women's studies class, a ton of philosophy classes, and some american culture classes... think those will be enough?

I'd think the Women's Studies class, depending on the specific title, may count. If not, American Culture is somewhat akin to Political Science, which often is counted. I'd recommend you contact the admissions office on Thursday to be safe. Once you find out, please let the rest of us know! 🙂

 

[dancingdoc1]

Thanks zipmedic!

 

[Lukkie]

I called thursday and they told me ethics won't count for anyone that was banking on that besides me... He also said you just need to have it before you get to the school, even the summer before...it doesn't matter.

awesome. if it comes to that, i might just take a class during spring quarter or something.

 

[FML]

do econ classes count for this requirement?

 

[Appless]

do econ classes count for this requirement?

heres what the admin office told me.

courses that are considered Behavioral/Social Science are Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics and Political Science.

thought that might be helpful. Remember you need 2 in one of these areas.

 

[FML]

heres what the admin office told me.

courses that are considered Behavioral/Social Science are Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics and Political Science.

thought that might be helpful. Remember you need 2 in one of these areas.

thanks!

yup I have like 4 econ courses, a soc, a women's studies (don't even know if that counts) and a psych so I should be good.... if econ didn't count though I would have been in big trouble lol

 

[146233]

thanks!

yup I have like 4 econ courses, a soc, a women's studies (don't even know if that counts) and a psych so I should be good.... if econ didn't count though I would have been in big trouble lol

Haha, yeah, you should be in good shape. 🙂

 

[FML]

Haha, yeah, you should be in good shape. 🙂

phew! here's hoping they like the rest of my app....

 

[BBender716]

One of the adcoms spoke at our school and pretty much said you just need two humanities courses in the same subject area with an additional humanities course in anything. I got the feeling they aren't super strict about it.

anthropology, sociology, econ, any psych, classics, etc. you name it.

 

[146233]

One of the adcoms spoke at our school and pretty much said you just need two humanities courses in the same subject area with an additional humanities course in anything. I got the feeling they aren't super strict about it.

anthropology, sociology, econ, any psych, classics, etc. you name it.

They are super strict that you meet the requirement. How you do that, though, definitely has a lot of flexibility. 🙂

 

[DocDrakeRamoray]

can someone expain how U of IL application works?

so if I apply to U of IL, do I then ,in the secondary, choose a campus?

There is only one U of IL in AMCAS, but there are a few campuses as I understand.

 

[Proctodoc]

can someone expain how U of IL application works?

so if I apply to U of IL, do I then ,in the secondary, choose a campus?

There is only one U of IL in AMCAS, but there are a few campuses as I understand.

Apply, interview, get accepted, then pick your campus and hope you get your first choice, if not you'll be in one of the other 3 campuses. You don't choose your campus until after acceptance.

 

[JJMrK]

heres what the admin office told me.

courses that are considered Behavioral/Social Science are Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics and Political Science.

thought that might be helpful. Remember you need 2 in one of these areas.

Lame to the max. Maybe linguistics will count.

 

[FML]

Forgive me for my laziness, but does UIC screen for secondaries?

 

[hal9000]

Forgive me for my laziness, but does UIC screen for secondaries?

Yes they do an initial screen for really low numbers. (I think the cutoff is 3.0/25, though it might be even lower)

And your laziness will be forgiven, but only this once.

 

[FML]

Yes they do an initial screen for really low numbers. (I think the cutoff is 3.0/25, though it might be even lower)

And your laziness will be forgiven, but only this once.

thanks!

promise it won't happen again 😀

 

[Appless]

Yay secondary 🙂. I kinda would like to move back to IL again 🙂. I know UIC screens but how tough is it? Is it just a really low numbers one like above 3.0 and 25 mcat or something? Or a more stringent one?

 

[FML]

Yay secondary 🙂. I kinda would like to move back to IL again 🙂. I know UIC screens but how tough is it? Is it just a really low numbers one like above 3.0 and 25 mcat or something? Or a more stringent one?

you already got a secondary? no fair 😡

 

[Appless]

for those who got it, im trying to fill it out now but everytime i hit continue...it takes a while to load then goes to a blank page😕. Am i the only one?

 

[ziggyd0c]

philosophy, women's studies, and american culture all didn't count. looks like i'll be taking intro to sociology this fall 😳

 

[womp]

Damn, I don't have a secondary from them yet... Wasn't last year's secondary on paper?

 

[Appless]

heres the prompts since it seems not everyone got it.

. Describe a situation in which you were really stressed. Tell us how you dealt with it. Please detail your reaction(s), and how it affected you. If this situation, or a similar one, were to happen again, how would you handle it?
(Do not exceed 250 words)
2. Describe a hobby or activity other than something in medicine, in which you have a keen interest. Why?
(Do not exceed 250 words)

Describe any advantages and/or complications you encountered during your progression in education. Please include any noteworthy achievements and/or obstacles. (Examples: Acute or chronic illnesses, employment, financial difficulty, managerial role in household, etc.) (Don't exceed 150 words)

 

[ziggyd0c]

i haven't gotten the secondary yet but those prompts look good. much easier to write about than hardships i've faced or why i'm a diverse candidate... i am a white girl who has had a pretty nice life, i have nothing to write about!!

 

[Appless]

i haven't gotten the secondary yet but those prompts look good. much easier to write about than hardships i've faced or why i'm a diverse candidate... i am a white girl who has had a pretty nice life, i have nothing to write about!!

lol i forgot one prompt...and judging from your response i dont think you will liek it 🙁

 

[FML]

heres the prompts since it seems not everyone got it.

. Describe a situation in which you were really stressed. Tell us how you dealt with it. Please detail your reaction(s), and how it affected you. If this situation, or a similar one, were to happen again, how would you handle it?
(Do not exceed 250 words)
2. Describe a hobby or activity other than something in medicine, in which you have a keen interest. Why?
(Do not exceed 250 words)

Describe any advantages and/or complications you encountered during your progression in education. Please include any noteworthy achievements and/or obstacles. (Examples: Acute or chronic illnesses, employment, financial difficulty, managerial role in household, etc.) (Don't exceed 150 words)

that last one isn't optional??

 

[Appless]

that last one isn't optional??

it didnt say optional...also it says either advantadges or disadvantages...everyone falls under at least one of those categories. Even if you are middle class you still have significant advantages that many others do not have.

 

[hal9000]

that last one isn't optional??

it didnt say optional...also it says either advantadges or disadvantages...everyone falls under at least one of those categories. Even if you are middle class you still have significant advantages that many others do not have.

I had the same confusion last year, and found out it is indeed "optional". I filled mine out anyway though. I put down the "advantage" I had with my parents supporting me through college, and how I took it for granted until I saw a friend of mine who didn't have the same opportunity. (not that it's a big deal anyways since I'm Indian... every desi kid and their pet chihuahas can have everything paid for)

To further put your mind at ease, I know of at least one person who did NOT fill out that question and is matriculating to UIC in the fall.

 

[Confused2626]

So how did you all get the secondary? I got an email that said it was the secondary, but the email was completely blank. Also, on the status page they sent earlier, it says that I was sent the secondary today.

So I guess I have "received" it, but am either too stupid to figure out how to get to it or they sent me a blank one.

 

[n618ft]

Somehow I met my requirements w/ a business law class, psychology, and organizational behavior... whew. Filled out the secondary today and helped the IT department iron out a few bugs in the app... said mine was the first one in 😀

 

[n618ft]

So how did you all get the secondary? I got an email that said it was the secondary, but the email was completely blank. Also, on the status page they sent earlier, it says that I was sent the secondary today.

So I guess I have "received" it, but am either too stupid to figure out how to get to it or they sent me a blank one.

Could have been a bug... just go in there and try to log in w/ your AAMC ID.

https://applications.comd.uic.edu/suppapp

 

[FML]

I had the same confusion last year, and found out it is indeed "optional". I filled mine out anyway though. I put down the "advantage" I had with my parents supporting me through college, and how I took it for granted until I saw a friend of mine who didn't have the same opportunity. (not that it's a big deal anyways since I'm Indian... every desi kid and their pet chihuahas can have everything paid for)

To further put your mind at ease, I know of at least one person who did NOT fill out that question and is matriculating to UIC in the fall.

hmm... well I guess I could throw together 150 words about my middle class life

 

[Surgeon44]

has anyone else gotten the secondary? i'm just being paranoid at this point obviously...

number one choice and fingers crossed.

 

[ziggyd0c]

i still haven't gotten the secondary 🙁

 

[Sleight]

me either...

 

[FML]

I have not received one

 

[Caesar]

I didn't get the email but entered my AMCAS ID, said I forgot my password, and they emailed me a password and told me they wanted me to fill out a secondary. Sounds like they had issues with the emails since some people got blank ones.

 

[146233]

Patience, everyone. And fill out the last question.

 

[Caesar]

Zip, Does a letter packet from my UG count as individual letters or a committee letter for UIC? I only ask because it has 5 letters and they don't ask for that many.