2010-2011 University of Illinois Application Thread

[Gara]

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Umm I scheduled last Friday for this Thursday. I think I got lucky bc someone withdrew.

Ack! I completely forgot to consider withdrawals. Thanks for the correction.

What did the rest of the calender look like? Were there dates available?

Good luck on your interview also 🙂

 

[fishbait63]

I had my interview invite around thanksgiving but the earliest date i could schedule was in Jan rockford. Hopefully that helps.

I am ORM (E. Asian) but they aren't just looking for URM they are looking for fit in my interview I just tried to show that ex. I like research blah blah You have a fanatistic center in research and big grants... this is a what i'm doing now and i would like to continue it at uic,so basically tie your interests into their programs etc

 

[Sawyertd21]

I have an interview this month at the Rockford campus. Anyone know what the format is like? How was it? What questions do they stress?

Also, once you get an interview what are the chances of being accepted? Since it's kinda in the middle of the application cycle already, how long after it do they usually take to decide after an interview? I am really looking forward to joining UIC, love the area.

 

[pullupthepeople]

So my interview is this Thursday. I hope all the snow is cleared. lol

well i live in old town and they havent even started plowing the side streets. michigan avenue is down to one lane each way, and i had to wade through snow up to my knees to cross it. yikes! at least the trains are running somewhat normal.

good luck @ your interview! id wear boots and change into your nice shoes when you get there.

 

[altoid25]

I have an interview this month at the Rockford campus. Anyone know what the format is like? How was it? What questions do they stress?

Also, once you get an interview what are the chances of being accepted? Since it's kinda in the middle of the application cycle already, how long after it do they usually take to decide after an interview? I am really looking forward to joining UIC, love the area.

I interviewed at Rockford 12/8. Honestly it was the most chill interview I've had this season. It was panel format : 1 interview, 30mins long - 1 M.D., 1 PhD, 1 Student. They all asked questions that catered to their interests ( ie. student asked what I did in my free time, M.D. asked about my clinical experiences etc.). They seemed to actually be interested in getting to know you. It is blind to GPA and MCAT, so most questions are simply based off essays you wrote about.

According to my advisor's med-school book, UIC interviews around 900 and accept 600. So you pretty much have a 2/3 shot at it. However, they are notorious for keeping students "decision pending" for awhile before a decision, so don't get discouraged if that happens. Good luck!

 

[fishsticks2629]

Ack! I completely forgot to consider withdrawals. Thanks for the correction.

What did the rest of the calender look like? Were there dates available?

Good luck on your interview also 🙂

Thanks.. When I talked to them last Friday there were other days that were closer I think mid Feb was the next closest. Good luck to you too..

 

[fishbait63]

Just a note on Rockford interviews they might be just two people sometimes thats what happened with mine I did not get a student interviewer. Remember there is 5 minutes for questions and you should remember that is an important part of the interviewers.

 

[PreMedical1]

I have a few questions about University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago - I was wondering if there is someone I could PM that is a current student in Chicago?

 

[mybubbles14]

I have a few questions about University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago - I was wondering if there is someone I could PM that is a current student in Chicago?

Ask away...

 

[kai35]

75%?? Surely it can't be that high can it? 😱

Well I'm an OOS who lives in a state with a very good medical school. If I got into UIC but not my own state school I'd have to consider whether I should take the higher tuition or wait another year and reapply. OHSU, my state school, has a weird obsession with making applicants reapply.

Haha yeah 2 out of 3 is about right. It changes every year, but it's usually really high. Not so sure about the concept of waiting a year. It may wind up being 2 years, for all you know. Besides, one year of lost income as a physician is like at least $200,000. That's like almost the entire cost of UIC tuition right there...

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Haha yeah 2 out of 3 is about right. It changes every year, but it's usually really high. Not so sure about the concept of waiting a year. It may wind up being 2 years, for all you know. Besides, one year of lost income as a physician is like at least $200,000. That's like almost the entire cost of UIC tuition right there...

Based on this upcoming year's numbers, 200K is about HALF of the UIC tuition for an OOS student over the course of four years. 😛

Assuming 70K tuition for M1/M4 and 90K for M2/M3 and COA of about 15K-20K/year. Yes, it's ungodly expensive at UIC for OOS. *tear*

 

[Rayne]

Based on this upcoming year's numbers, 200K is about HALF of the UIC tuition for an OOS student over the course of four years. 😛

Assuming 70K tuition for M1/M4 and 90K for M2/M3 and COA of about 15K-20K/year. Yes, it's ungodly expensive at UIC for OOS. *tear*

so expensive 🙁

how are accepted oos students set on attending UIC planning to pay for the cost? is there a feasible way that accepted oos students could change their residency status?

 

[fishbait63]

Yes OOS tuition seems very killer...

My plan..... a) Loan forgiveness- PCP underserved communities... basically you deal with taking out huge loans and work for National health corps etc and they repay part of the loans... depending on all the loans

b) specialize... if you specialize though the tuition is a lot it wouldn't be as difficult to pay it all back

 

[Gara]

Yes OOS tuition seems very killer...

My plan..... a) Loan forgiveness- PCP underserved communities... basically you deal with taking out huge loans and work for National health corps etc and they repay part of the loans... depending on all the loans

b) specialize... if you specialize though the tuition is a lot it wouldn't be as difficult to pay it all back

There's military scholarships too. I've been pretty back and forth on those.

 

[pullupthepeople]

There's military scholarships too. I've been pretty back and forth on those.

only thing about those is you run the risk of not matching into a military residency and being denied a request for civilian residency. then you essentially work as a PA until you can match or your service obligation is fulfilled.

well not to mention the obvious drawbacks...

 

[fishbait63]

I wasn't considering the military route just because I'm not willing to make that type of commitment. I respect the people who do but with 6 year commitment to NHSC its complete tuition repayment but thats something I am interested in and want to do.

 

[bagelbird]

Not to beat the dead horse here, but I interviewed recently and when you calculate the OOS tuition including living expenses and everything, its even higher than 400K... it's $435,000. Not that the measly $35,000 makes much of a difference when you're talking about numbers like these. Just wanted to make a note of that on here because I'm still in shock that the price tag is even > $400K. I knew it was bad, but I guess I needed to see their financial handouts for myself before believing it. Alas it is sad but true.

 

[kai35]

Based on this upcoming year's numbers, 200K is about HALF of the UIC tuition for an OOS student over the course of four years. 😛

Assuming 70K tuition for M1/M4 and 90K for M2/M3 and COA of about 15K-20K/year. Yes, it's ungodly expensive at UIC for OOS. *tear*

So what. Then by that estimate it's $320,000. What do you pay on average for a cheap instate school? $140,000 at the low end? That's $180,000 more. I still argue that even that large of a difference is still not worth taking a year off just on the basis of getting cheap tuition. One year of lost salary can be anywhere from $200,000 to $400,000. Totally not worth taking a year off for that reason alone... I mean, if you're truly thinking long term.

Of course, if you really don't want to go to UIC, then that's another reason altogether to wait a year. But then why interview?

 

[kai35]

I think there's a whole lot of hay being made here about tuition costs. Yes, you'd be a fool to not consider it.. but the caveat to that is if you have a choice. If I had to choose to go to an expensive school or a cheap school of similar prestige, I would choose the cheap school. But either way, you should go to medical school as soon as you feel ready, regardless of the price. It's simply not worth losing salary by taking a year or two off just to get into a cheap school... each year is at least $160-180k of lost salary, which is roughly the difference between the cheapest instate tuition and the most expensive out of state tuition.

No matter what you go into, even with $350k debt, you're going to be making enough money to pay back your loans within 15 years ($2500k per month times 180 months is $450k). That's not horrendous. Assuming you aren't taking multiple years off before starting medical school (or doing a very long residency like surgery, etc.) you're going to have a comfortable 6-figure salary before you're out of your 20's. How many people can say that? Jeez people. 😕

Although, I will say, if you go to a more expensive school, there will be more pressure on you to go into a higher paying field like surgery, ED, or anesthesia...

 

[kai35]

so expensive 🙁

how are accepted oos students set on attending UIC planning to pay for the cost? is there a feasible way that accepted oos students could change their residency status?

I'm confused. How do accepted students plan on paying for the cost? You don't pay until after you're out of residency training. All your loans are in deferment until then. After which you pay on your loans like everyone else. A higher cost of tuition just means it's either going to take you longer to pay back your loans or you will make a higher monthly payment.

If you're recently accepted into medical school, paying back your loans is not something you should consume yourself worrying with at the moment. For real.

And no, there is no feasible way to change your residency status.... well.. no.. actually, there is... marry someone from Illinois. Then, I believe you can become a resident for tuition purposes. That may be feasible.. LOL

 

[fishbait63]

if you factor in interest.... most of these loans will be unsub from what I understand meaning an interest of around 5% plus; interest does build during the time you are in residency so technically you will be in more debt the just the cost of tuition alone.

That being said you are one year farther away from being a Dr. which is the goal and after all. In the end, the salary of the doctor or the available programs makes it possible for you to pay it off. Of course there is sticker shock but you get what you pay for, and the degree will pay for itself.

As for the marrying idea... my friends thought about it for undergrad (around 6k vs 20+k) lol not the first time i hear that idea being bounced around remember everyone PRENUP....

 

[fishsticks2629]

So after my interview I calculated the cost of both schools and UIC is only $17,600 less than Rush (all four years). I was a little suprised because of UIC being a state school. Food for thought.

 

[startswithb]

So after my interview I calculated the cost of both schools and UIC is only $17,600 less than Rush (all four years). I was a little suprised because of UIC being a state school. Food for thought.

If you look at last year's thread, a few people found that Rush was actually cheaper once the fin aid package was out. Rush either gave them a grant or some subsidized loans whereas UIC only offered unsubsidized loans. The state of IL is very, very broke, remember.

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

So what. Then by that estimate it's $320,000. What do you pay on average for a cheap instate school? $140,000 at the low end? That's $180,000 more. I still argue that even that large of a difference is still not worth taking a year off just on the basis of getting cheap tuition. One year of lost salary can be anywhere from $200,000 to $400,000. Totally not worth taking a year off for that reason alone... I mean, if you're truly thinking long term.

$180000 more is a ridiculously significant difference. And that's not even taking interest into account.

No matter what you go into, even with $350k debt, you're going to be making enough money to pay back your loans within 15 years ($2500k per month times 180 months is $450k). That's not horrendous. Assuming you aren't taking multiple years off before starting medical school (or doing a very long residency like surgery, etc.) you're going to have a comfortable 6-figure salary before you're out of your 20's. How many people can say that? Jeez people. 😕

Your statement of not "doing a very long residency like surgery" knocks out a lot of fields in medicine. You're pretty much restricted to IM, FM, peds, EM, etc then. Essentially the 3yr long residencies. And that's not taking into account fellowships, etc. That'll increase your debt even further with the accumulating interest.

 

[kai35]

$180000 more is a ridiculously significant difference. And that's not even taking interest into account.

Even with interest, I would contend that it's not worth taking a year off for simply financial concerns. There's also a gamble factor involved... there's always a chance you either won't get into the inexpensive school of choice or you won't get in anywhere and then that year of lost salary turns into two.

Seriously... a six figure salary while in your 20's... a little debt sounds like a lot, but when you're pulling in $200k/yr, those numbers look a lot different.

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

Even with interest, I would contend that it's not worth taking a year off for simply financial concerns. There's also a gamble factor involved... there's always a chance you either won't get into the inexpensive school of choice or you won't get in anywhere and then that year of lost salary turns into two.

Seriously... a six figure salary while in your 20's... a little debt sounds like a lot, but when you're pulling in $200k/yr, those numbers look a lot different.

No, I agree with you there!

I was going off what you quoted in your OP and didn't realize that someone earlier mentioned something about taking a year off. That's my fault for not reading the entirety of the thread before commenting. 😳

 

[Snoopy2006]

To answer the diversity question earlier, I'm an M1 in Urbana and our class is incredibly diverse (ethnically). Off the top of my head, I'd guess 20-30 East Asians, 15-20 South Asians, 10-15 black/Latino students. When you compare that to some private schools that are 90%+ white people, U of I is definitely up there in terms of diversity.

For everyone still getting that annoying "on-hold" email once a month, hang in there. I interviewed in November and didn't get accepted till March/April. It's a bitch of a process, but like kai said, well over half of the people that interview get accepted.

 

[kai35]

To answer the diversity question earlier, I'm an M1 in Urbana and our class is incredibly diverse (ethnically). Off the top of my head, I'd guess 20-30 East Asians, 15-20 South Asians, 10-15 black/Latino students. When you compare that to some private schools that are 90%+ white people, U of I is definitely up there in terms of diversity.

For everyone still getting that annoying "on-hold" email once a month, hang in there. I interviewed in November and didn't get accepted till March/April. It's a bitch of a process, but like kai said, well over half of the people that interview get accepted.

Ha... Well, according to the Urban Health Program, East Asians and South Asians are not minorities. As a matter of fact, when I asked why the UHP doesn't include them, the Peoria UHP Director told me, "Are you serious? Look around! They're everywhere!" .. I have a little beef with the Program, frankly... Here in Peoria the Program provides a special library to Black/Hispanic/Native students and gives them special guidance, etc. I'm not sure why they can't provide such a service to everyone, or at least to all minorities. I may ruffle some feathers here, but I contend that based on the class composition, East Asians and South Asians demonstrate to us that individuals can overcome racism in America to become successful (in medical fields), and it seems the UHP doesn't like to recognize that fact.

 

[SpaceDoc18]

Ha... Well, according to the Urban Health Program, East Asians and South Asians are not minorities. As a matter of fact, when I asked why the UHP doesn't include them, the Peoria UHP Director told me, "Are you serious? Look around! They're everywhere!" .. I have a little beef with the Program, frankly... Here in Peoria the Program provides a special library to Black/Hispanic/Native students and gives them special guidance, etc. I'm not sure why they can't provide such a service to everyone, or at least to all minorities. I may ruffle some feathers here, but I contend that based on the class composition, East Asians and South Asians demonstrate to us that individuals can overcome racism in America to become successful (in medical fields), and it seems the UHP doesn't like to recognize that fact.

I don't think you'll ruffle any feathers with that statement. That sentiment resonates with alot of students throughout the country. However, I do think time/experience with some underserved and under-represesnted minoritiy groups will give you a better understanding as to why the UHP program is set up the way it is. Keep in mind these programs are not set up to be divisive amongst students, rather they provide an avenue for those less fortunate and (in some cases) prepared an "oppurtunity" to excel to which if they don't, they are excused from the medical school just like any other student. Also keep in mind that these programs are brought about based on need and it just may very well be that East and South Asians don't need programs such as UHP.

 

[fishsticks2629]

\

I don't think you'll ruffle any feathers with that statement. That sentiment resonates with alot of students throughout the country. However, I do think time/experience with some underserved and under-represesnted minoritiy groups will give you a better understanding as to why the UHP program is set up the way it is. Keep in mind these programs are not set up to be divisive amongst students, rather they provide an avenue for those less fortunate and (in some cases) prepared an "oppurtunity" to excel to which if they don't, they are excused from the medical school just like any other student. Also keep in mind that these programs are brought about based on need and it just may very well be that East and South Asians don't need programs such as UHP.

This topic has been discussed to death here at SDN, minorities recieving help bc they are typically disadvantged and thus creating a disadvantaged to the undisadvantaged. LOL

I personally dont think RACE(what does that word even mean, my freshman yr Anthropologist professor convinced me that the term is silly) should not be considered into equal opportunity issues. We OF COURSE should provide equal opportunity to the "less fortunate", but how can we determine who that is? Thus ONLY economic status should determine who the "less fortunate" are. Because a black/hispanic/native american/ etc. could come from a wealthy family and is obvioulsy NOT "less fortunate". On the same note, a white or asian person could come from welfare and would most definately be "less fortunate".

Thats my 2 cents, for whatever its worth.

 

[Gara]

\

This topic has been discussed to death here at SDN, minorities recieving help bc they are typically disadvantged and thus creating a disadvantaged to the undisadvantaged. LOL

I personally dont think RACE(what does that word even mean, my freshman yr Anthropologist professor convinced me that the term is silly) should not be considered into equal opportunity issues. We OF COURSE should provide equal opportunity to the "less fortunate", but how can we determine who that is? Thus ONLY economic status should determine who the "less fortunate" are. Because a black/hispanic/native american/ etc. could come from a wealthy family and is obvioulsy NOT "less fortunate". On the same note, a white or asian person could come from welfare and would most definately be "less fortunate".

Thats my 2 cents, for whatever its worth.

I feel like people get away from the point of such programs. I may be mistaken but I've always felt it's less about helping those who are less fortunate as you describe and more about encouraging groups who would have otherwise, for whatever reason, been less represented in medicine. I believe the objective is to include these groups in medicine since inevitably these groups will need medical care themselves. I disagree that it's trying to undo some injustice and instead I believe they're trying to ensure that physicians who understand and identify with these groups are available to provide care for them.

 

[fishsticks2629]

This above and bolded in the quote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the exact reason why race considerations are taken i.e. with the hope they will go back and help serve these communities and people.

Good point but I dont think its the major reason.

What communities do we exactly want to target? Ones that are at a healthcare disadvantaged I suppose..? Because targeting communities with adequate healthcare would be pointless.

I dont have any statistics or anything, so I am just going to base my statements on assumptions.
Those communities are most likely ones that are economically disadvanteged. Because there are some communities that are pretty well off and can be mostly comprised of AA and they prob wouldnt be at a healthcare disadvantage. Granted most communities that are economically disadvantaged are prob mostly minority communities. But I know there are some communities that are at healthcare disadvantage and can be mostly white, i.e. trailer parks in the country.

I don't think a wealthy AA/hispanic/native american that came from the suburbs is more likely to go serve at a healthcare deprived community than a white/asian guy that came from the projects.. So why should give the wealthy AA/hispanic/native american a better shot than the poor asian/white guy from the projects?
But in the end most people that live in these communities are racial minorities so it would inevitably benefit them while not excluding the other poor people in the community and excluding the non poor people in other (non healthcare deprived) communities.

(This logic is based on economic status dictating where people live..

 

[fishsticks2629]

I feel like people get away from the point of such programs. I may be mistaken but I've always felt it's less about helping those who are less fortunate as you describe and more about encouraging groups who would have otherwise, for whatever reason, been less represented in medicine. I believe the objective is to include these groups in medicine since inevitably these groups will need medical care themselves. I disagree that it's trying to undo some injustice and instead I believe they're trying to ensure that physicians who understand and identify with these groups are available to provide care for them.

What a silly assumption that a doctor of the same "race" can best treat a patient. So shall we include this sentiment in the new healthcare reform? Only black doctors can treat black patients? What about the half hispanic half white doctors, would they be able to treat white and hispanic patients?

Im not an expert, but this kinda promotes segregation? Your whole concept of "race" is stupid.

 

[SpaceDoc18]

This above and bolded in the quote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the exact reason why race considerations are taken i.e. with the hope they will go back and help serve these communities and people.

Agreed!! 👍 1000% lol

 

[Gara]

Good point but I dont think its the major reason.

What communities do we exactly want to target? Ones that are at a healthcare disadvantaged I suppose..? Because targeting communities with adequate healthcare would be pointless.

I dont have any statistics or anything, so I am just going to base my statements on assumptions.
Those communities are most likely ones that are economically disadvanteged. Because there are some communities that are pretty well off and can be mostly comprised of AA and they prob wouldnt be at a healthcare disadvantage. Granted most communities that are economically disadvantaged are prob mostly minority communities. But I know there are some communities that are at healthcare disadvantage and can be mostly white, i.e. trailer parks in the country.

I don't think a wealthy AA/hispanic/native american that came from the suburbs is more likely to go serve at a healthcare deprived community than a white/asian guy that came from the projects.. So why should give the wealthy AA/hispanic/native american a better shot than the poor asian/white guy from the projects?
But in the end most people that live in these communities are racial minorities so it would inevitably benefit them while not excluding the other poor people in the community and excluding the non poor people in other (non healthcare deprived) communities.

(This logic is based on economic status dictating where people live..

Fishsticks2629 while I agree that being a racial minority does not necessarily equate to being economically disadvantaged I think the programs are more tuned to paint in broad brushstrokes and won't really be perfect. Also many applications asked about financial hardships and not just racial ones. I think that may be their effort to address the same issues you highlighted.

As for the less affluent predominately white communities I think the pro-rural medicine programs are geared towards those.

Let's face it that medical school acceptances are about more than just our qualifications as future physicians. They're also about the demands of communities and of society as a whole. Does society need more white male doctors? Certainly, we need more doctors in general, but even more so society needs doctors of all colors so that less groups feel alienated by medicine.

 

[SpaceDoc18]

What a silly assumption that a doctor of the same "race" can best treat a patient. So shall we include this sentiment in the new healthcare reform? Only black doctors can treat black patients? What about the half hispanic half white doctors, would they be able to treat white and hispanic patients?

Im not an expert, but this kinda promotes segregation? Your whole concept of "race" is stupid.

Politely: I think this discussion is best suited for another thread or through PM, not on open forum. Race can be a very sensitive issue for all parties involved and I think "UIC Application Thread" is not the proper place to divulge ones opinion of such topics.

Soooooo.........any good news out there anyone IN REGARDS TO UIC ADMISSIONS?

 

[fishsticks2629]

Agreed!! 👍

You are agreeing about increasing people to serve what kind of communities?

 

[fishsticks2629]

Politely: I think this discussion is best suited for another thread or through PM, not on open forum. Race can be a very sensitive issue for all parties involved and I think "UIC Application Thread" is not the proper place to divulge ones opinion of such topics.

Soooooo.........any good news out there anyone IN REGARDS TO UIC ADMISSIONS?

LOL.. not yet just interviewed last week.. what about yourself?

 

[Gara]

What a silly assumption that a doctor of the same "race" can best treat a patient. So shall we include this sentiment in the new healthcare reform? Only black doctors can treat black patients? What about the half hispanic half white doctors, would they be able to treat white and hispanic patients?

Im not an expert, but this kinda promotes segregation? Your whole concept of "race" is stupid.

Whoa whoa whoa Fishstick. First of all I'd appreciate if you don't call anybody else's comments stupid, especially based on your misinterpretations. I never said that a person of the same race is the only person that can effectively treat minorites. I'm simply stating as gujuDoc reiterated that the medical insitution wants to encourage underrepresented groups to join medicine with the hopes that they will serve communities which historically have been ignored by mainstream medicine.

 

[fishsticks2629]

Fishsticks2629 while I agree that being a racial minority does not necessarily equate to being economically disadvantaged I think the programs are more tuned to paint in broad brushstrokes and won't really be perfect. Also many applications asked about financial hardships and not just racial ones. I think that may be their effort to address the same issues you highlighted.

As for the less affluent predominately white communities I think the pro-rural medicine programs are geared towards those.

Let's face it that medical school acceptances are about more than just our qualifications as future physicians. They're also about the demands of communities and of society as a whole. Does society need more white male doctors? Certainly, we need more doctors in general, but even more so society needs doctors of all colors so that less groups feel alienated by medicine.

We need more doctors that will aid in areas that NEED healthcare whether those doctors are white, black, yellow, purple or pink..

Idea of doctors helping healthcare deprived areas >>> making the profession a colorful rainbow

 

[fishsticks2629]

Whoa whoa whoa Fishstick. First of all I'd appreciate if you don't call anybody else's comments stupid, especially based on your misinterpretations. I never said that a person of the same race is the only person that can effectively treat minorites. I'm simply stating as gujuDoc reiterated that the medical insitution wants to encourage underrepresented groups to join medicine with the hopes that they will serve communities which historically have been ignored by mainstream medicine.

I apologize for being harsh.
Im simply stating that for medical schools to do that its not bout underrepresented "racial" minorities, but about underrepresented "financial" minorities.. Which most of the time coincide but not always..

 

[Gara]

I apologize for being harsh.
Im simply stating that for medical schools to do that its not bout underrepresented "racial" minorities, but about underrepresented "financial" minorities.. Which most of the time coincide but not always..

And I agreed with you about regions of financial need and that's why I brought up the rural health care incentives and the applications that ask what financial hardships the applicant has endured in their lives.

However, I believe many people see medicine becoming more culturally diverse as important for reasons other than economic factors. I won't go into it since gujuDoc summed it up very well in the post above.

 

[TickTock719]

Not to beat a dead horse but UIC actually has a few different urban/minority/underprivileged programs.

One is UHP, which is for URM students. They provide extra academic support & counseling. They also try to recruit URM students and generate early exposure from the high school/college level.

The other is the interest-based Urban Medicine program, which is people who are interested in learning about and serving communities that are medically disadvantaged. You have to apply for this one going into med school, so if you're interested check this out:

http://chicago.medicine.uic.edu/departments___programs/programs/doctor_of_medicine_/UMED/

There are also many student groups that focus on providing either medical care for medically underserved patients (free clinic, battered women's shelter), or specific student population/interest affiliation (South Asian student group, LaRama, LGBTQ)

 

[kai35]

I don't think you'll ruffle any feathers with that statement. That sentiment resonates with alot of students throughout the country. However, I do think time/experience with some underserved and under-represesnted minoritiy groups will give you a better understanding as to why the UHP program is set up the way it is. Keep in mind these programs are not set up to be divisive amongst students, rather they provide an avenue for those less fortunate and (in some cases) prepared an "oppurtunity" to excel to which if they don't, they are excused from the medical school just like any other student. Also keep in mind that these programs are brought about based on need and it just may very well be that East and South Asians don't need programs such as UHP.

Well, first, I can say that I have seen plenty of underserved communities in rural and urban Illinois during my time at UICOMP, most of which are white-majority. To assert that there are many underserved AA/Hispanic/Native communities is true, but to assert that the UHP even remotely brings us towards the goal of helping underserved communities is a fallacy.

I am of the belief that all medical students should be afforded the same benefits to succeed, assuming they are paying the same tuition. Equal pay, equal service. A white male student who is failing should be given the exact same assistance that a African American female student in the same position is given.... Especially considering UHPers pay equal or lesser tuition. (OOS UHP students pay in-state tuition)

This program is nothing more than racial discrimination in action. I believe in going out of our way to help underserved communities and advancing our cultural awareness, but not by systematically attempting to place AA/Hispanic/Native students at an advantage solely on the basis of race which, from what I've seen here, is all the program does.

Disgusting.

 

[TickTock719]

Ack browser back button attack.

I ALWAYS tell people to interview at UIC, even if they're OOS. You never know what the finaid will look like or where you'll get accepted.

I say worry about your worst (financial) case scenario when it happens - i.e. getting into UofI but not your state med school. I wouldn't be willing to take on $435k of debt, but I know other people feel differently. There are far too many personal variables to be able to give a catch-all answer. "$200k in your 20's" as an attending doesn't fully take taxes, interest, and wanting the freedom to choose your practice and specialty.

That being said, maybe you'll get lucky and get one of the scholarships they have for reducing OOS tuition down to IS levels 😀

 

[kai35]

Two things:

1. While what u say is true that we need more doctors regardless of race, etc. the fact is you would be lying to yourself if you believe that most whites, asians, etc. will live in the ghetto poor neighborhoods that have more poor blacks. More likely a black american will do that. Or that an Indian will more likely go into rural white america where there's nothing for them.

Wrong. Your argument is clearly based on superficial stereotypes and are not reflected in reality. There are plenty of East Indian physicians in rural Illinois. I have personal experience with this. Doctors are going to go where there are jobs, jobs are going to go where there is money, money is going to go where there are individuals insured by either government programs or private companies. The problem is not that there aren't enough doctors, the problem is that there isn't enough coverage. That's what Washington and State Governments need to address.

2. its also about cultural issues. There will be patients of all sorts of beliefs. a woman will more likely feel more comfortable with a woman doctor. Conservative women especially. A black american may feel more comfort sharing information with another african american with similar upbringing to them. A hindu may feel more comfortable with another hindu who knows their cultural beliefs. A muslim more comfortable with a muslim doctor. A latino with another latino that can speak their language. Etc. etc. etc.

And somehow this is only OK when it is not a white male. If I, as a patient, requested a white male physician, I'd be seen by society as being a racist, chauvinist prick. Getting past racism/bigotry means stepping out of our comfort zones. That means *ALL* of us. I am perfectly comfortable seeing a black female physician. There's no reason a black woman should be uncomfortable seeing a white/hispanic male other than racial stereotypes.

I do understand, however, the need for a woman to see a woman on the basis of religion, or for a patient to see a specific doctor on the basis of language issues.

Point is medicine is more complex then people on these forums make it out to be. If a patient is not comfortable with you they will not share pertinent information with you that may be important to help treat them. they will not consent to procedures that they may need to save them. etc. etc. etc.

Save them? You obviously haven't worked in the ED. I haven't seen a patient yet who has refused to volunteer information to me because I'm a white male. The big problem I have with your argument is that you are legitimizing racial/ethnic stereotypes.

Keep this in mind before judging the reasons why medical schools are trying to even out the playing field.

The job of the medical school is to educate and produce the most competent physicians possible, not to "even out the playing field". If that means a class made up of 90% Asians, so be it. We owe it to ourselves to produce the best doctors, regardless of what they look like.

 

[TickTock719]

Suggest making a separate thread if you want to continue that discussion....

I think my experiences at UIC have been very different and very positive, but there is a wide variation between campuses and among students in such a large school.

 

[Gara]

Suggest making a separate thread if you want to continue that discussion....

I think my experiences at UIC have been very different and very positive, but there is a wide variation between campuses and among students in such a large school.

I agree we should move on. We can all have our opinions about the policies in place but this is a thread for this round of applications. We're not going to change any minds here and we should all focus on learning about the schools and getting accepted.

 

[Gara]

Ack browser back button attack.

I ALWAYS tell people to interview at UIC, even if they're OOS. You never know what the finaid will look like or where you'll get accepted.

I say worry about your worst (financial) case scenario when it happens - i.e. getting into UofI but not your state med school. I wouldn't be willing to take on $435k of debt, but I know other people feel differently. There are far too many personal variables to be able to give a catch-all answer. "$200k in your 20's" as an attending doesn't fully take taxes, interest, and wanting the freedom to choose your practice and specialty.

That being said, maybe you'll get lucky and get one of the scholarships they have for reducing OOS tuition down to IS levels 😀

Statistically my worst case scenario is more likely 0.o

I'm still interviewing at UIC though. I've gone too far to not try.

 

[Snoopy2006]

I'll resist jumping into the UHP debate, tempting as it is...this isn't the place to discuss it.

I've just gotten back on SDN after quite a while, so I haven't kept up with most of the earlier pages - apologies if someone's already talked about this. I saw the questions a couple pages ago about petitioning to switch sites.

From my experiences, you actually have a pretty good chance of switching into the Chicago campus IF you have a legitimate reason. I had 3 friends that all petitioned into Chicago in 1 year. Their reasons were legitimate: wanting to be a part of the UrbanMed program, wanting to work with Hispanic populations (coming from a Spanish major), wanting to be closer to home, etc.

Generally if you have reasons like those, you can build a solid case. I (like everyone else) wanted Chicago but couldn't come up with anything other than wanting to live in the city and work at urban hospitals. I didn't bother petitioning, as I knew that kind of case would have been rejected immediately. Everyone wants to be in Chicago. But as long as you have some legitimate reason, your chances of switching into Chicago aren't as bleak as they seem.