2010-2011 University of Chicago (Pritzker) Application Thread

[Tippyboat]

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Wow I just got rejected already.

Is it too early to call and ask for reasons?

 

[mdeast]

Wow I just got rejected already.

Is it too early to call and ask for reasons?

I think the rejection status asks you wait until April? or something before calling to set up an appointment for reasons why. It's a small school that interviews only 600 or so candidates. So, I wouldn't feel too bad about it. Can't win them all. It doesn't necessarily mean you're a bad candidate by any measure.

Edit: Yup. It's April. Here's my status from last year:

The Admissions Committee will not be continuing your application further in our admissions process. We are anticipating close to 8,000 applications this year, and are unfortunately having to make tough decisions regarding who we will be able to bring on campus for one of our 600 interview slots. In April, interested applicants may call our office to set up an appointment to talk with one of our Directors of Admissions to discuss the reasons for this decision and possible suggestions for improvement.

 

[rjsmit2]

Wow I just got rejected already.

Is it too early to call and ask for reasons?

Sorry to hear that! 🙁 Email or status update? And if you don't mind me asking, when were you complete? Best of luck to you! It's still early!

 

[NHBPFA5]

Wow I just got rejected already.

Is it too early to call and ask for reasons?

didn't know rolling admissions meant rolling rejections... eek.

Best of luck on your other apps 😉

 

[Tippyboat]

Thanks for the support guys (so fast!)

It was via status update, and I have been complete less than a week. The status thing must be different this year, because all it says is they're not pursuing my application any further and wishing me luck. So...I kinda want to bug them and ask 🙂

 

[windupbird]

This may be a more general question...but for Essay #2, I'm really worried about restating my personal statement. The whole reason I got interested in medicene was because I've dealt with glaucoma my entire life.

I'd like to talk about this more in essay #2. I'd say that's def. overcoming adversity, because I've never let it limit or stop me. However, I don't want to restate anything or come off as "boo hoo me".

Any advice?

Personally since this really is something important to you, I think that it would be fine to elaborate on it, as long as you take it in a different direction and not completely regurgitate your personal statement. Perhaps focus on a more particular event or moment related to your struggle, or instead of shaping it in a "Why medicine" direction, zero in on your personal growth and development as a person.

At the same time, since this is a longer essay, if you feel it would be particularly difficult to really discuss this in depth without stepping on the toes of your personal statement, you might want to consider another topic altogether.

Hope that helps!

 

[windupbird]

So is the screening for a secondary strictly by MCAT score? I submitted July second and got the secondary notification within a day. Should I wait for AMCAS verification before submitting the secondary so they can get my comittee letter, since they respond so quick?

As far as I can recall they don't even look at the application until the secondary (essays, letters and all) is in and your package is complete; then they consider the entire package together at once. There is no screening for secondary based on your MCAT, GPA or any other part of your primary.

 

[BrainBuff]

Wow I just got rejected already.

Is it too early to call and ask for reasons?

Wow is right. Were you complete, LORs and all?. If you were not, then they definitely screen on the basis of "something". UCSF is another one for quick rejections after secondary submitted..

I asked earlier about the North East, because I have gotten most of my seondaries from NE schools, nothing instate, nor Midwest..

 

[CougarMD]

I had the same issue and I just called. I guess the administrator who processes the payments is out today, but she will be back tomorrow to do all of that. If it still hasn't changed by tomorrow afternoon, give them a call!

Thanks so much dude!!! Really appreciate it🙂

 

[Adventuring]

Yeah, that rejection was definitely speedy... completed 7/1, rejected 7/6.

Wasn't expecting that in my inbox... 🙁

Makes me a little nervous about my applications...

 

[Mr Karatepants]

Hmm, verified over a week ago, still no invite. Do you require a code to access the secondary, or is it just up at a certain site?

 

[windupbird]

Yeah, that rejection was definitely speedy... completed 7/1, rejected 7/6.

Wasn't expecting that in my inbox... 🙁

Makes me a little nervous about my applications...

I'm so sorry to hear that. Please don't let this get you down though. It is an extremely competitive year, and with only 600 interview slots they're being particularly selective. Good luck with all your other applications. I'm sure you'll do well!

 

[BrainBuff]

Hey guys,

Chicago sends an automatic secondary email to everyone after AMCAS is submitted. I submitted on 6/8 and was verified on the 6/14 and had received nothing. I found their link and entered my information as if i "had received an email invite". To my surprise, it recognized me and when I looked under the section My History, it was recorded that they had sent my invite on 6/30 !! I never got it, because I just discovered it in my spam folder ...grrrrr...

Anyway, since Chicago has rolling admissions, we need to be on top of them. I am posting the link and I would suggest for everyone to enter the info as if they had received the invite....(as long as you had submitted AMCAS) ... glitches do happen!!

http://ucpsom.poweredbyve.com/applicant_portal/login

 

[NHBPFA5]

Rejected...

lawd that was fast.. I was surely complete.

 

[Mr Karatepants]

Hey guys,

Chicago sends an automatic secondary email to everyone after AMCAS is submitted. I submitted on 6/8 and was verified on the 6/14 and had received nothing. I found their link and entered my information as if i "had received an email invite". To my surprise, it recognized me and when I looked under the section My History, it was recorded that they had sent my invite on 6/30 !! I never got it, because I just discovered it in my spam folder ...grrrrr...

Anyway, since Chicago has rolling admissions, we need to be on top of them. I am posting the link and I would suggest for everyone to enter the info as if they had received the invite....(as long as you had submitted AMCAS) ... glitches do happen!!

http://ucpsom.poweredbyve.com/applicant_portal/login

Thanks. Made my account and looked at my history - allegedly notice was sent on June 30th, except I've been checking my spam constantly and I never received anything. Oh well, it's all good now!

 

[lambukuwar]

Rejected...

lawd that was fast.. I was surely complete.

same here....

 

[BigEast55]

same here....

yeah a quick turn around

 

[NHBPFA5]

Me=Denied.

 

[PritzkerGuy]

Hi all,

Long-time Pritzker poster here. Finally introducing myself on this year's app thread.

If you have any questions whatsoever please don't hesitate to PM me or ask me directly on here.

Pritzker is an AMAZING school with unimaginable resources.

First thing I would like to say. Chances of getting an interview if you submit your application early June: 1/10. Chances of getting an interview if you submit your application end of September/beginning of October: 1/100-1/200

DON'T play those odds!!!!!!

 

[lambukuwar]

Me=Denied.

3.25/34P
lot's of EC's+research
But Drinking ticket fresh year....

Thought I'd throw my stats up so people can see roughly what they're rejecting

Deleted Post.

 

[CougarMD]

Rejected as well. Won't post my stats but I am happy to share them via PM.

 

[AriGoldForPres]

In your secondaries, do you guys have a "recs received" check mark? I submitted my recs a long time ago but for whatever reason it's not updating on the secondary.

 

[FlowRate]

My payment still hasn't been updated and I'm a little worried about it--anyone else in the same situation?

 

[whimsical]

My payment still hasn't been updated and I'm a little worried about it--anyone else in the same situation?

I think we submitted around the same time and my payment has definitely been processed. If significantly more time passes, you may consider calling?

 

[FlowRate]

I think we submitted around the same time and my payment has definitely been processed. If significantly more time passes, you may consider calling?

Good idea whimsy. I guess I'll give 'em until I get a chance to check tomorrow night or maybe friday. =)

 

[The Mull]

Good idea whimsy. I guess I'll give 'em until I get a chance to check tomorrow night or maybe friday. =)

I'm in the same boat. Payment submitted on 5/5 night, app still says payment wasn't received. Did anybody who submitted after 5/5 get their payment status confirmed?

 

[rjsmit2]

interview invite this morning! Complete on Tuesday...craziness. they must not sleep up in Chicago

 

[The Mull]

Good idea whimsy. I guess I'll give 'em until I get a chance to check tomorrow night or maybe friday. =)

By the way, I just emailed them at [email protected] and they got back to me in an hour telling me they fixed it. If your status still hasnt been updated, you might want to consider emailing or calling them.

 

[Hemichordate]

For those of you who got rejected, would you mind posting if your stats if you don't mind?

 

[BrainBuff]

interview invite this morning! Complete on Tuesday...craziness. they must not sleep up in Chicago

Congrats!! Best of luck!!

 

[whimsical]

Interview invite! Complete Tuesday.
🙂

 

[marshmallow]

Congratulations on the invites already!

U of C is a complete longshot for me- but hey, you only apply once (hopefully!), right? 🙂

 

[FlowRate]

I'm in the same boat. Payment submitted on 5/5 night, app still says payment wasn't received. Did anybody who submitted after 5/5 get their payment status confirmed?

By the way, I just emailed them at [email protected] and they got back to me in an hour telling me they fixed it. If your status still hasnt been updated, you might want to consider emailing or calling them.

Thanks; I did the same thing and they just got back to me this morning =)

interview invite this morning! Complete on Tuesday...craziness. they must not sleep up in Chicago

Interview invite! Complete Tuesday.
🙂

Congrats! Maybe they'll end up being interested in me too =)

 

[tonypiggy]

Interview invite! Complete Tuesday.
🙂

Congratulations, whimsical, your profile looks really amazing!

 

[BrainBuff]

Interview invite! Complete Tuesday.
🙂

Yeahh!! Congrats!. I guess it is a good thing that Chicago moves this fast. My school doesn't send the Committee Letter until late july, so hopefully I will find out before august!

 

[washupremedSV]

finally complete, top choice school, hoping for the best!

 

[cm4433]

The shot is up!........................




Rejected!!!!! 🙁

 

[thebillsfan]

For the "difficult situation" question...

I'm writing about an ethical dilemma--I'm a tutor and one of my students had some emotional/personal problems that she told me about at a tutoring session. I wanted to help, but didn't think it was professional for me to do so, and I "sought out" the help of others by directing her to an academic advisor and professional counselor. Do you think this fits the question enough? I'm worried that it's not a difficult situaiton that IVE been in, although I was, kind of...

 

[BrainBuff]

For the "difficult situation" question...

I'm writing about an ethical dilemma--I'm a tutor and one of my students had some emotional/personal problems that she told me about at a tutoring session. I wanted to help, but didn't think it was professional for me to do so, and I "sought out" the help of others by directing her to an academic advisor and professional counselor. Do you think this fits the question enough? I'm worried that it's not a difficult situaiton that IVE been in, although I was, kind of...

You are right. That may be have been a "difficult situation" for your student, but i did not buy it as something that could have been too tough for anyone to handle. Think death, illness, loss of a job, being a minority in a specific activity, moving to a new city, losing friends.. etc. I think it should be something that would qualify as a "major life stressor" by DSM-IV criteria. 😀

 

[windupbird]

For the "difficult situation" question...

I'm writing about an ethical dilemma--I'm a tutor and one of my students had some emotional/personal problems that she told me about at a tutoring session. I wanted to help, but didn't think it was professional for me to do so, and I "sought out" the help of others by directing her to an academic advisor and professional counselor. Do you think this fits the question enough? I'm worried that it's not a difficult situaiton that IVE been in, although I was, kind of...

The dilemma itself I think is fair game, but I'm more concerned about how you resolved it. The main purpose of this question is to see how you cope with stressors and deal with difficulties in life. Though seeing the help of others, particularly those more experienced, is a good thing I wonder if only doing so might come off as too passive.

Ideally you would describe something more personal to you. It doesn't have to be a specific situation, even something more general like starting a new job, or learning a language would work. Anything that you really worked through and feel had an impact on your development would work beautifully.

Hope that helps.

 

[thebillsfan]

do people recommend leaving the essays all as one paragraph, or can we space as we see fit?

 

[neilb20289]

d

 

[mdeast]

Literally the only reason i made registered for this website was to complain about the university of chicago!
I got a 4.0 and a 40 on the MCAT and i don't get a freakin interview to Pritzker. This school isn't harvard, what the heck is wrong with these people...

I hate to sound rude....but maybe some of that attitude showed through in your application? Stats really aren't everything in this game.

 

[JohnnyBravo]

I hate to sound rude....but maybe some of that attitude showed through in your application? Stats really aren't everything in this game.

I concur. People need to realize that once you reach a threshold, your capacity to become a physician is achieved. After that, they want to see if you're compassionate and a "fit" for their school. You weren't rejected due to a lack of ability man. It sucks, but pritzker is a small school and knows what they want. You didn't fit, don't take it personally. It happens to all of us.

 

[Crisco]

Literally the only reason i made registered for this website was to complain about the university of chicago!
I got a 4.0 and a 40 on the MCAT and i don't get a freakin interview to Pritzker. This school isn't harvard, what the heck is wrong with these people...

with an attitude like that it's no surprise really.

 

[AriGoldForPres]

Hi!

 

[chrisoc13]

Well guys I mean before you rush to judge here, think about it. The guy has a 4.0 and a 40. This is ridiculous, and it's kind of scary. If he didn't get an interview, WHO IS?????!!!!

Well since we know absoultey nothing about him I would guess there are several options to explain this:
1. He is full of crap about his stats. Most likely option. But not necessarily true.
2. His ego displayed here showed in his essays as it seems he believes he is God's gift to Chicago, clearly they feel otherwise.
3. Perhaps he has absolutely no research and Chicago is very interested in research, or maybe his other ecs were extremely weak.
4. Maybe they simply don't see him as a good fit for the school for other reasons. They know what they want and perhaps he just didn't fit their mold.

Regardless of the reason I am not letting it affect my thoughts about the school. I finished my application 2 days ago and would love to get an interview but only time will tell. If they turn me down then clearly I was not who they were looking for. It's not just gpa/mcat. Those play a huge role but there is so much else to it.

 

[neilb20289]

thanks a lot for all of the information guys, i really appreciate all of your help.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

wow, well guys i apologize if i came off as a cocky ass hole. i was just venting a little. I just assumed there would be someone on here with a similar situation with some kind of feedback. But honestly, all of you guys are so rude, judgmental, and critical that you need to consider whether you guys should even become doctors. If you guys are so quick to pass judgment on someone and mean enough to talk like that then you guys don't even belong in a profession that involves servicing patients. You guys act like you've never over reacted or gotten mad before. "Arigoldforpres" is literally the only nice, practical, smart person on this blog and is the only one that is deserving of going to a school like Pritzker.

SDN BINGO!! woohoo!

 

[BrainBuff]

wow, well guys i apologize if i came off as a cocky ass hole. i was just venting a little. I just assumed there would be someone on here with a similar situation with some kind of feedback. But honestly, all of you guys are so rude, judgmental, and critical that you need to consider whether you guys should even become doctors. If you guys are so quick to pass judgment on someone and mean enough to talk like that then you guys don't even belong in a profession that involves servicing patients. You guys act like you've never over reacted or gotten mad before. "Arigoldforpres" is literally the only nice, practical, smart person on this blog and is the only one that is deserving of going to a school like Pritzker.

That is exactly why I did not even bother to reply to your post. I am getting extremely impressed by my intuition and judgement. Now, call me arrogant and cocky ass hole. Love it.