2010-2011 Rosalind Franklin Application Thread

[MIAmedica]

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Thanks for the reply mattng! It's good to hear from current students on these threads 🙂

Where do most students live?

A majority of the students live either on the school's campus apartments or the residential property just immediately south of the school, the Woodlands. Rent is comparable. In the school's housing, you can either live by yourself or with a roommate. Same thing with the Woodlands. There are options for family housing if you fit into that category. You're looking at about $1000/month at both for a single and about $500-700/month for a double, depending on where you live. Other housing that students go for are places around the school, such as Waukegan (up north) and Lake Bluff (south). Others live downtown in the city and take the Metra rail to campus. There is a shuttle that takes you from the school to the station.

If living away from campus, how is the commute?

Depending on where you are coming from, the commute varies. If you're living close by, say those two cities I mentioned above, the commute isn't bad at all. If you're coming from the city (about 40 minutes away with NO traffic), you'll probably run into a lot of traffic getting out, but once you're out it's not too bad. However, getting back to the city in the evening sucks. In terms of snow, the city is pretty good about plowing, so that isn't an issue really with commuting in the winter.

What are the campus facilities like? (I know I'll get this at the interview but any personal impressions would be useful)

As a first year, you'll basically spend your life in these three places: Rhoades Auditorium, anatomy lab, library. I'll break them down.

Rhoades Auditorium - it's old, it's a little dark, it can be cold at times. There aren't much outlets, but the school tries to help by providing extension cords and power outlets. You'll basically attend all your first year lectures here and take exams. However, it's not ancient. Powerpoint is always projected and it is recorded (video and audio).

Anatomy lab - it's big, doesn't smell that bad and each station has its own computer station. It's pretty nice for a cadaver lab.

Library - not much to say. Cubicles for studying. A few 24 hour computer labs.

The rest - the school has two buildings (with a pharmacy school being built as we speak). The newer building is a lot nicer. The classrooms are nicer as well. While the older (main building) is not as up-to-date as you can put it. Granted though, the school isn't ancient and falling apart. You can be the judge of that from your interview. I don't want to make the tour guides job that easy.

What board prep is offered, if any?

Along the way, separate courses will offer reviews or "of special interest to M2s" sessions. Some courses will have review sessions later in the spring quarter (like physiology). That's all I've heard of so far, I guess I'll see in a few months. Keep in mind, your first two years regardless of where you go is broad prep 😀.

 

[mhshah]

contacted admissions for a status update and I am STILL under screening! since 9/23! 👎 I guess I should be happy I haven't been rejected...yet :/

 

[KeyzerSoze]

If you have the extra money to blow, then go ahead and submit it, because realistically, you never know until you try...but at the same time, it is pretty late in the game (generally speaking).

I would just do it if I were you, and if they invite you to interview, then great..otherwise, pursue other options at other schools and whatnot.

I was accepted 2 cycles ago after submitting my application in mid-December. CMS has interviews through April. It's probably a bit harder to get in with such a late application, but I don't think he'd be throwing his money away.

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

I'm not sure I entirely understand your and mattng's point of view on this. If you look at the MSAR, the average GPA and MCAT for CMS students is about the same as those at other non-prestigious Chicago schools like Rush, Loyola, and UIC.

I'm aware that many people consider CMS to be less prestigious than other schools and therefore only attend if they have no choice. I just find it odd that people consider CMS a "safety school" when in fact they are no more likely to be accepted there than at Rush or Loyola. Illinoisans with average or slightly below average stats in particular are far more likely to be accepted by UIC than CMS.

For some reason, I did not see this until now. Keyzer, I completely agree with you! I was just saying, in my experience, most people I knew who were applying here saw this as a "safety" school. I don't think it is and would love to interview here. I was just saying that it was unfortunate that people seem to consider RFU as a safety school based on my experience, is all.

 

[mattng]

It isn't illinoisans that are considering this a safety school so much as out of staters. I can expand in PM if you want.

I do believe that at least a few years ago when CMS was on probation, that really used to shape people's views of the school as I saw it did with one former classmate that has since graduated from another school. I also know that location in the middle of nowhere suburb turns off a lot of people. Lastly, most people who consider CMS a safety do not compare it to Loyola, UIC, Rush, etc. These are kids who are either comparing to their own state schools or mid to top ranked schools like the guy who was going to a BU interview but turned down his RFU interview. Why did he choose to go to BUSM's interview but turn down RFU if he had an acceptance? Bu has reputation, rank, and proximity to the most highly ranked school in the nation. A lot of premeds believe that rank plays a role in terms of matching in residency and other things, even if it is a misconceived notion. It is something that happens every year. People consider RFU as a school with no name compared to top and mid ranked schools and not worth spending several thousands of dollars on vs. their own state schools unless it is highly ranked. Just a realistic point of view and observation based on those I've talked to.


Also just to clarify, I am not saying these views are right. In fact, i believe RFU is one of the most underrated schools out there. People do not give enough credit to how well these students match coming out of RFU. But this is just the observation I made. Like I said, I can expand with more specific details in PM if you want to really know.

I agree with you gujuDoc. If you look at the medical school class, let's say a majority are from Illinois. Now, if I was an Illinois resident (which I'm not), I would have applied to Rush, Loyola, UIC, Northwestern, SIU, UofC, and of course CMS. Of these, only UIC and SIU are public. So, considering tuition is cheaper for the state resident, if accepted, I'd probably go UIC over CMS. SIU vs. CMS, I'm not sure. I don't really know much about that school. The thing with state schools is that everyone will be applying to them, so stat wise, it might be a little lower, because it is a public school, with preferential treatment to residents. Out of state residents would either not be accepted because they are out of state, or need really great stats to get in, because there are only probably a limited number of seats for out of state as compared to a private school. The probably of getting into UIC would be a lot tougher for the person with the "average stats" because that's the thing, you're average. So tons of people with the same stats as you are applying to that school.

Considering the private schools (Rush, Loyola, Northwestern, UofC, CMS), of these 5, CMS is most likely the "easier" one to get into. There are many attractions for attending the other private schools over CMS. Such as in the city, university hospital, more prestige, higher rank, etc, etc... So as an applicant, I'd probably pick any other over CMS. Tuition is essentially the same between all schools. I'm sure every Illinoian at CMS has applied to these other schools in the state but probably did not get accepted. Private schools are harder to get into.

For the out of staters like myself, I of course applied to my own state school and would have loved to go there. Next to the Illinois residents are the California residents. We all know how difficult it is to get into a UC school and for those students, they need to apply broadly as they are applying as out of staters. CMS is known to be out of state friendly (California friendly). So, ask yourself this question, if you got into your own state school, even a UC school, would you go there over CMS?

Like I said before, I am happy that I am here at CMS. I have no regrets. I just want to clarify what I mean by this not being my top choice. Like others and I have said, this school isn't well known. There probably is some stigma attached to it because of its past (and that's unfortunate), and not having the ranking, a university hospital, a location outside the city, etc., does make the school go lower down on the list. However, just look at our stats. We score consistently above the average on the boards, we have a great match list for being a mid-teir school, and we have the variability to do our rotations at different hospitals. With that being said, people don't really get to know the school until they are accepted...

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

I agree with you gujuDoc. If you look at the medical school class, let's say a majority are from Illinois. Now, if I was an Illinois resident (which I'm not), I would have applied to Rush, Loyola, UIC, Northwestern, SIU, UofC, and of course CMS. Of these, only UIC and SIU are public. So, considering tuition is cheaper for the state resident, if accepted, I'd probably go UIC over CMS. SIU vs. CMS, I'm not sure. I don't really know much about that school. The thing with state schools is that everyone will be applying to them, so stat wise, it might be a little lower, because it is a public school, with preferential treatment to residents. Out of state residents would either not be accepted because they are out of state, or need really great stats to get in, because there are only probably a limited number of seats for out of state as compared to a private school. The probably of getting into UIC would be a lot tougher for the person with the "average stats" because that's the thing, you're average. So tons of people with the same stats as you are applying to that school.

Considering the private schools (Rush, Loyola, Northwestern, UofC, CMS), of these 5, CMS is most likely the "easier" one to get into. There are many attractions for attending the other private schools over CMS. Such as in the city, university hospital, more prestige, higher rank, etc, etc... So as an applicant, I'd probably pick any other over CMS. Tuition is essentially the same between all schools. I'm sure every Illinoian at CMS has applied to these other schools in the state but probably did not get accepted. Private schools are harder to get into.

For the out of staters like myself, I of course applied to my own state school and would have loved to go there. Next to the Illinois residents are the California residents. We all know how difficult it is to get into a UC school and for those students, they need to apply broadly as they are applying as out of staters. CMS is known to be out of state friendly (California friendly). So, ask yourself this question, if you got into your own state school, even a UC school, would you go there over CMS?

Like I said before, I am happy that I am here at CMS. I have no regrets. I just want to clarify what I mean by this not being my top choice. Like others and I have said, this school isn't well known. There probably is some stigma attached to it because of its past (and that's unfortunate), and not having the ranking, a university hospital, a location outside the city, etc., does make the school go lower down on the list. However, just look at our stats. We score consistently above the average on the boards, we have a great match list for being a mid-teir school, and we have the variability to do our rotations at different hospitals. With that being said, people don't really get to know the school until they are accepted...

Mattng, thanks a lot for your input! It's much appreciated that you took the time to explain/give your perspective about how CMS is viewed by other students. It definitely makes me re-think how I feel about being accepted to both UIC/CMS....hmmph *tough decisions lingering* lol.

to anyone on the forum waiting to hear from CMS!

 

[tomh98]

finally passed primary screening and into the pool.

So... what are the chances of getting interviewed from the pool, and what's the timeline of getting an invite?

🙂

edit: complete 9/21
entered primary screening 11/5

 

[PinkNoise]

finally passed primary screening and into the pool.

So... what are the chances of getting interviewed from the pool, and what's the timeline of getting an invite?

🙂

I haven't been small pooled yet (complete 10/3). When you were complete?

 

[tomh98]

I haven't been small pooled yet (complete 10/3). When you were complete?

complete 9/21
entered primary screening 11/5
passed primary screening/small pooled 12/3

 

[MIAmedica]

Overall, very relaxing and informative. Good student ambassadors and helpful staff. Any current students, please feel free to correct anything I said wrong or add to the review of how you like it thus far (esp you M3/M4 people!)

Curriculum: So I didn't know this coming here, but they've changed their curriculum around a bit. What used to be traditional is now more of a traditional-leaning-towards-systems-based style. This only occurred 2 years ago so it looks like they're still working out the kinks, but both students and profs seem happy with the change overall. The biggest change is that instead of the usual mid-term and finals exams, they now have an exam every 2-3 weeks. This apparently helps retain the info better since they're learning it in smaller chunks - which I agree with. Also, some classes are with only med students; others, like anatomy, are with the other grad students.

Facilities: Not the most up-to-date, but I didn't see anything that would in any way hinder my learning experience. The big lecture hall looked fine, except for those weird desks... Almost all lectures are recorded, and they're working on ensuring this for every one. Library was big and full of stressed out students haha no, but really, it looked great. And part of it is open 24 hours for those late-night studiers (though that's not me at all). Anatomy lab looked great too - at each station you've got a computer to pull up the objectives, figures, etc. with cameras to show the rest of the class by the prof. They've also got two rooms that look like a hospital and doctors office. You practice taking history, doing physicals, etc which is recorded and reviewed by peers, yourself, and profs. The've got those patient simulators too, but we didn't get to see that in the tour. On-campus gym, which looked a little run-down, but not horrible. I would definitely use it on a daily basis. A couple of cafeterias/cafe-like places inside. But if you don't want to buy your lunch there is a fridge to put your food in and a microwave for heating.

Clinicals: To me, this is the most important part of the education (aside from the boards obviously). They've got 6 locations around the Chicago area which allows for a wide variety of experiences (seems like all students move towards the city for these years, which I was happy to hear since I'm a city girl 🙂) However, you get these by going through a lottery system, which obviously wouldn't be 100% guaranteed for every rotation, but it seems to work out fine for the students nonetheless. They've got some impressive match placements and in competitive areas all around the country.

I think that's the important stuff... overall, I felt at home there. Hoping to hear back soon for good news!!!! 😀

 

[Tippyboat]

It is very important to me to make good friends in medical school and be a part of a cohesive class, which is why I'm kind of concerned about choosing RFU because I did not get a good social vibe while I was there (compared to other schools). I realize I was only there for a few hours on one day, so I'm hoping current students can shed some light on the situation.

One of the factors seem to be where everyone lives. If I were to go there, it would be for family reasons and I will probably choose to live far from campus (more toward the city). Since I will be commuting, will that make it hard to make friends? I am a perfectly social person and have no problem building relationships, I'm just wondering if the people who commute to school are still well integrated into the community.

I understand RFU offers a great education, but as discussed previously, there's stigma associated with it and I can't help but think it must dampen the atmosphere to have a place be everyone's last choice. I'm not going to lie, I will probably go to my other choices if family situations are willing, but if I were to go to RFU, I would be all for it and would hope everyone else were too. I went to an undergrad with no school spirit and I just want to be somewhere where peopel are EXCITED to be.

Are there social events regularly organized for the class?

When people move downtown in the last 2 years, do they still stay in close touch/hang out with people in their class? That seems like a test for friendships. If they still do, that's great.



Lastly and this is really off topic, RFU is LCME certified for the next 8 years right?

Thank you so much for any relevant information!

 

[Dont worry]

I haven't been small pooled yet (complete 10/3). When you were complete?

I was complete in August, entered primary screening 9/3 and just got small pooled 12/5.
I almost lost hope regarding this school when I was surprised to receive the small pool email.

 

[Quiznos Oven]

Complete 11/5 small pooled 12/5

 

[Prateek]

Complete 11/5 small pooled 12/5

Wow, I've been complete since 10/13 and still haven't heard anything 😕

 

[PinkNoise]

Thanks everyone for providing your small-pool status. Looks like I'm just going to have to wait a little longer 🙂

 

[xgalaxy00]

so, any interview invites yet? does anyone know when they meet to hand out invites? it seems like its been a while..

 

[aliblack]

Complete 11/5 small pooled 12/5

What do you mean by small-pooled? I got an email on 12/3 that said I passed the primary stage of screening and I am in a pool where I *might* be invited to interview. The letter went on to say that I could still be rejected at any point. They didn't use the phrase "small-pool" ... is this the same thing or different?

 

[tomh98]

What do you mean by small-pooled? I got an email on 12/3 that said I passed the primary stage of screening and I am in a pool where I *might* be invited to interview. The letter went on to say that I could still be rejected at any point. They didn't use the phrase "small-pool" ... is this the same thing or different?

Same thing. In reality, it's not "small."

 

[PinkNoise]

The admission lady just returned my call and told me that I entered primary screening on 10/20 (Whoohoo!) and that I would hear back soooooon!

She also said that they will be bogged down for the next few weeks because the secondary deadline is approaching. So for those who are waiting, sit tight!

Good luck everyone!!

 

[NHBPFA5]

Pooled July 27th. This pool is getting reallllly reallly cold. I am pruning. And I have to pee.

 

[MB333999]

has anyone sent them an update letter??
i was thinking of sending one. i was small pooled sept 6th

 

[2050vlsb]

pooled july 27th. This pool is getting reallllly reallly cold. I am pruning. And i have to pee.

+++++++1

hahaha

 

[concernedP]

has anyone sent them an update letter??
i was thinking of sending one. i was small pooled sept 6th

Yes !, but they do not accept update pre-interview at all. The reply email suggests that the value of post-interview update letters was questionable since no one ensures that the letter is presented to the adcom.

 

[bosscientist]

I just received a pretty vague letter (copied below) and I was hoping you guys could provide some insight about what, if anything it means. I completed my application on 9/27 and entered 'primary screening' on 11/5. Is this email sent to everyone that 'passes the primary screening' before they either do, or do not, get an interview, or is this email the same as being put 'on hold'.

Thanks a lot!

Dear Applicant,
Your file is complete and has passed a primary screening. This means you are in the pool of applicants who may be invited to interview with CMS. However, this does not guarantee an invitation and you may be invited to interview or declined an interview at anytime during the admissions process.
CMS is interviewing from September- April, with invitations being sent out via email. Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Thank you,
CMS Admissions

 

[PinkNoise]

Called my list of schools today to see who accepts updates, Rosalind does not accept pre-interview updates.

 

[bosscientist]

thanks for the information!

 

[MB333999]

Yes !, but they do not accept update pre-interview at all. The reply email suggests that the value of post-interview update letters was questionable since no one ensures that the letter is presented to the adcom.

okay thanks

 

[deidra8989]

my first SDN post... Yay!
got the same e-mail today about the small-pool stuff. Hoping for an interview as well.

I just received a pretty vague letter (copied below) and I was hoping you guys could provide some insight about what, if anything it means. I completed my application on 9/27 and entered 'primary screening' on 11/5. Is this email sent to everyone that 'passes the primary screening' before they either do, or do not, get an interview, or is this email the same as being put 'on hold'.

Thanks a lot!

Dear Applicant,
Your file is complete and has passed a primary screening. This means you are in the pool of applicants who may be invited to interview with CMS. However, this does not guarantee an invitation and you may be invited to interview or declined an interview at anytime during the admissions process.
CMS is interviewing from September- April, with invitations being sent out via email. Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Thank you,
CMS Admissions

 

[glasshalfMD]

Pooled July 27th. This pool is getting reallllly reallly cold. I am pruning. And I have to pee.

+2. small-pooled on 8/6 👍 woooo!

 

[aw42]

hey guys,

small pooled 8/4 (although I don't think it's very "small")
Do you guys
1. think it is a crap shoot at this time?
2. think an LOI would help bring about an interview invite?

*edit*
--> Nevermind. Thanks for answering above. Looks like I'm going to tread water until I die. 😛

 

[Natasha1989]

Any new interview invites given out recently?

 

[heartofsmiles]

for all those that have interviewed,

I think tomorrow and tuesday are big days for them to let us know! (i'm calling it! any bets?)

 

[dragon529]

LOL. Love the randomness

for all those that have interviewed,

I think tomorrow and tuesday are big days for them to let us know! (i'm calling it! any bets?)

 

[PinkNoise]

--> Nevermind. Thanks for answering above. Looks like I'm going to tread water until I die. 😛

Melodrammmaaatic!!! 😛

 

[nwmd22]

Accepted today! Interviewed 11/8 🙂

 

[MIAmedica]

for all those that have interviewed,

I think tomorrow and tuesday are big days for them to let us know! (i'm calling it! any bets?)

You were right... but I was placed on hold 🙁 Next month acceptance?

 

[nwmd22]

You were right... but I was placed on hold 🙁 Next month acceptance?

That's what happened to me! My first notification after my interview was that I was on hold, but one month later I was accepted! Good luck!

 

[2chance]

That's what happened to me! My first notification after my interview was that I was on hold, but one month later I was accepted! Good luck!

I was put on hold as well this month. nwmd22, did you send any updates while you waited?

 

[dragon529]

Accepted via email today! 😀 😀

 

[nwmd22]

I was put on hold as well this month. nwmd22, did you send any updates while you waited?

Yeah, I sent in a short update letter. Who knows if it helps or not, I know they say that they don't promise the committee will see it before your file is reviewed, but I sent one anyway!

 

[MedSchools]

Accepted!

 

[adrmille]

Accepted via email today -- 29Q; OOS; complete mid Aug; interview 11/15 -- most likely passing this invite along to one of you put on hold -- good luck!

 

[Tippyboat]

Three questions:

- Is RFU's accreditation safe for the next 8 years?

- How is the new integrated curriculum going for current first years? By the time of my interview, there hasn't been a feel for it yet.

- Any planned or forseeable changes to the second part of the curriculum, i.e. the awesome clinical rotations around Chicago?

Thanks!

 

[abean23]

interviewed on 11/10. put on hold 11/17 and put on hold today again. ahhh if you dont want to accept me, just reject me already!

 

[newnimproved]

has anyone received an interview invite recently? Congrats on everyone's acceptances!

 

[MalteseGirl]

Accepted today! Interviewed 11/5 and placed on hold 11/17. I didn't send any letters in between being place on hold and my acceptance, although I did send thank you notes after my interviews specifically to those I interviewed with. This proves that being placed on hold is not a bad thing, it just means they haven't got to you yet! It also looks like if you are on hold you hear within a month, so keep those fingers crossed!

 

[MIAmedica]

Still need to send those thank you notes to my interviewers (12/6). They were great, so there's no reason why I shouldn't - just been all over the country these past few weeks: Chi town, Miami, Phoenix, Las Vegas. Maybe a postcard from Vegas saying hi and thanks would be appreciated... or not 😛

 

[NHBPFA5]

Accepted via email today -- 29Q; OOS; complete mid Aug; interview 11/15 -- most likely passing this invite along to one of you put on hold -- good luck!

Congrats! mind saying your GPA?

 

[KeyzerSoze]

Three questions:

- Is RFU's accreditation safe for the next 8 years?

The maximum time between LCME surveys is 8 years, so the answer to that is no for almost any school. CMS' next LCME review is 2011-2012.

- How is the new integrated curriculum going for current first years? By the time of my interview, there hasn't been a feel for it yet.

To clarify, they started the integrated curriculum last year. AFAIK, there were only minor changes from last year to this year.

- Any planned or forseeable changes to the second part of the curriculum, i.e. the awesome clinical rotations around Chicago?

Thanks!

Not to my knowledge.

 

[adrmille]

Congrats! mind saying your GPA?

Thanks! Yeah, no problem (I knew I was forgetting something in that jumble): 4.0