2011-2012 Rush Application Thread

[SteveJMarist]

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I e-mailed Rush asking about copy and pasting our answers from the AMCAS and here is their response:

Thank you for your interest in Rush Medical College. Feel free to repeat your previous answers. We need to ask these questions in our application so that our internal database can "read" and sort through the information you enter.

Sincerely,
Ria Majeske
***********
Office of Admissions
Rush Medical College
Suite 524
600 South Paulina
Chicago, IL 60612

I wonder what words the computer searches for...

This scares me because I had to write in my SS# by hand on that signature form that I sent in. It kept putting commas after every 3rd digit! I elected to just write it in figuring it wouldn't matter much. Hopefully it won't matter.

 

[futuredoc808]

This scares me because I had to write in my SS# by hand on that signature form that I sent in. It kept putting commas after every 3rd digit! I elected to just write it in figuring it wouldn't matter much. Hopefully it won't matter.

I wouldn't worry about that, they probably have to enter hand written information into the computer manually.

I looks like they may use some sort of point system or formula to screen applications for interview?

 

[SteveJMarist]

I wouldn't worry about that, they probably have to enter hand written information into the computer manually.

I looks like they may use some sort of point system or formula to screen applications for interview?

Yea, I'm not worried about it. You may be right about that point system, though!

 

[equinsu ocha]

This scares me because I had to write in my SS# by hand on that signature form that I sent in. It kept putting commas after every 3rd digit! I elected to just write it in figuring it wouldn't matter much. Hopefully it won't matter.

Do you think they scan in your signature form? I highly doubt that. It probably ends up in a folder with a printed application. I also had the SS# problem with the commas and decided to hand write everything. Also, I assume that just about every school has a computer that filters the applications initially.

 

[Schizotypy]

I hand-wrote my SSN. Cannot see that being an issue.

 

[SteveJMarist]

Yea, I don't think it is an issue guys. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[CodeBlu]

What the hell? lol. So a human being doesn't read out app initially? I'm screwed!

that's weird....

 

[by604]

So the rush website says they accept a committee letter or 2 individual letters. Does this mean they do not accept a letter packet compiled by a school or is this the equiv of a committee letter?

 

[mauberley]

So the rush website says they accept a committee letter or 2 individual letters. Does this mean they do not accept a letter packet compiled by a school or is this the equiv of a committee letter?

http://www.rushu.rush.edu/servlet/Satellite?MetaAttrName=meta_university&ParentId=1192572131678&ParentType=RushUnivLevel2Page&c=content_block&cid=1191597747060&level1-p=2&level1-pp=1142960797000&level1-ppp=1142960797000&pagename=Rush%2Fcontent_block%2FContentBlockDetail

Your two (2) individual letters may be sent to AMCAS individually or as part of a packet.

So you'd have to pick two of the letters in your packet. A compilation of letters is not equivalent to a committee letter.

Also note:

Rush Medical College will NOT be able to process Letters of Recommendation:
- sent by any method other than AMCAS Letters Service
- submitted to AMCAS Letters Service after December 15
- other than those listed on the Rush Supplemental Application

 

[by604]

http://www.rushu.rush.edu/servlet/S...agename=Rush/content_block/ContentBlockDetail

So you'd have to pick two of the letters in your packet. A compilation of letters is not equivalent to a committee letter.

Also note:

hmmm thats seems problematic. thanks...

 

[Apark34]

For the leadership role q, I know I not suppose to use high school stuff, but its so tempting and its much better than anything I did related to leadership in college 😳

I was commanding officer of my Marine Corps JROTC unit in high school, but took leadership positions in the program from sophomore year of high school to graduation. We competed in Drill competitions which I was a captain of a team which was very competitive. I coordinated a bunch of volunteering and service events.

The only reason I want to use it is because the program had a HUGE impact on who I am now. If I had to pick one thing that jump started my want to be exceptional, it would be this, hands down. Sorry if beating a dead horse about high school in med apps, but figured I get some opinions!

Thanks

 

[by604]

Does anyone know if the secondary character limits are with spaces?

 

[mauberley]

For the leadership role q, I know I not suppose to use high school stuff, but its so tempting and its much better than anything I did related to leadership in college 😳

I was commanding officer of my Marine Corps JROTC unit in high school, but took leadership positions in the program from sophomore year of high school to graduation. We competed in Drill competitions which I was a captain of a team which was very competitive. I coordinated a bunch of volunteering and service events.

The only reason I want to use it is because the program had a HUGE impact on who I am now. If I had to pick one thing that jump started my want to be exceptional, it would be this, hands down. Sorry if beating a dead horse about high school in med apps, but figured I get some opinions!

Thanks

I think using it is fair. It's only frowned upon if that would be your most recent leadership experience you could point to.

Does anyone know if the secondary character limits are with spaces?

As far as I know, they include spaces.

 

[EricMont]

is anyone's application complete? All I have left is for them to receive my letters of rec from amcas, they received everything (supp app, payment, sig form, etc) on monday, kind of anxious because this is my top choice.

 

[EricMont]

bump

 

[Schizotypy]

is anyone's application complete? All I have left is for them to receive my letters of rec from amcas, they received everything (supp app, payment, sig form, etc) on monday, kind of anxious because this is my top choice.

Same. Everything is complete but my LORs, been that way for awhile.

 

[SteveJMarist]

Same. Everything is complete but my LORs, been that way for awhile.

Yea, I just checked mine and I am on the same boat as well. They are probably just going to do a batch upload of letters at some point.

 

[PeterPesto]

We haven't received an official acknowledgement from them, so I would imagine them downloading the letter once that initial e-mail is sent. Also, can I make a photocopy of my birth certificate or do they want an official paper document? I have a few of them, but I'd rather not give them an official one as they cost money to order.

Plan on turning this secondary in this week...

 

[Schizotypy]

We haven't received an official acknowledgement from them, so I would imagine them downloading the letter once that initial e-mail is sent. Also, can I make a photocopy of my birth certificate or do they want an official paper document? I have a few of them, but I'd rather not give them an official one as they cost money to order.

Plan on turning this secondary in this week...

A. Proof of US Citizenship/Permanent Residency - EVERY APPLICANT must submit one of the following documents:
Photocopy of a U.S. Birth Certificate

 

[PeterPesto]

1. Separate from the previous 2 questions, have you had any experiences in which you
were responsible for the care of others? If yes, please describe.

Did you guys construe this question as asking: (1) care for others if you couldn't fit it in the prior 2 questions; (2) care for others which wasn't volunteer or employment (e.g. caring for a family member).

 

[kautionwirez]

there's so many boxes in this app @@

LET"S DO THIS!

 

[mauberley]

1. Separate from the previous 2 questions, have you had any experiences in which you
were responsible for the care of others? If yes, please describe.

Did you guys construe this question as asking: (1) care for others if you couldn't fit it in the prior 2 questions; (2) care for others which wasn't volunteer or employment (e.g. caring for a family member).

I interpreted it as (2).

 

[Slowpoke]

wow, i just realized from reading this thread that they don't send out secondary invites but want us to login to the website and register?

are there any other schools that have this policy?

 

[kautionwirez]

submitted!!!!! 🙂

 

[Donnie1310]

wow, i just realized from reading this thread that they don't send out secondary invites but want us to login to the website and register?

are there any other schools that have this policy?

I just looked through my emails from last year, and they did send a secondary invite the first week of July, so I don't know why they didn't this year.

To answer your other question, I only know of UTSW if you applied through TMDSAS.

 

[jchap]

wow, i just realized from reading this thread that they don't send out secondary invites but want us to login to the website and register?

are there any other schools that have this policy?

haha, your username is perfect for your question.

 

[jchap]

For Q2 (.Describe your personal and academic preparation for a career as a physician...), do you think I can just focus on my last few years? I decided to pursue medicine in 2008 at age 26. I did a post-bac, research, volunteering, shadowing, MCAT, etc all in the last 2 years, and could easily fill up 1,000 characters writing about this time period.

Or, do I need to revisit my weak freshman and sophomore years of college, before I had any thoughts of entering medicine (this is 10 years ago)?

.My main thought is, the question asks for our personal/academic prep for a career as a physician, so I'd rather not write about what I did before I was preparing for a career as a physician.

Or am I fooling myself?

 

[mauberley]

For Q2 (.Describe your personal and academic preparation for a career as a physician...), do you think I can just focus on my last few years? I decided to pursue medicine in 2008 at age 26. I did a post-bac, research, volunteering, shadowing, MCAT, etc all in the last 2 years, and could easily fill up 1,000 characters writing about this time period.

Or, do I need to revisit my weak freshman and sophomore years of college, before I had any thoughts of entering medicine (this is 10 years ago)?

.My main thought is, the question asks for our personal/academic prep for a career as a physician, so I'd rather not write about what I did before I was preparing for a career as a physician.

Or am I fooling myself?

I would at least include a cursory nod that you weren't always on the path to become a physician. Lead off with "After deciding to pursue a career in medicine..." Generally, though, I agree with you; but perhaps give some thought as to whether there were aspects of your life before deciding to become a doctor that, in retrospect, informed you and prepared you for it.

 

[PeterPesto]

I interpreted it as (2).

Yeah, that's how I'm reading it too. Do you think that it is appropriate to state that I care (i.e. babysit) for my 5-year-old nephew quite often? I know it's not caring for the sick, but it does invoke some measure of responsibility. It's the only thing I can think of at the moment, but I don't want to put something for the sake of putting something.

 

[jchap]

I would at least include a cursory nod

 

[jchap]

Yeah, that's how I'm reading it too. Do you think that it is appropriate to state that I care (i.e. babysit) for my 5-year-old nephew quite often? I know it's not caring for the sick, but it does invoke some measure of responsibility. It's the only thing I can think of at the moment, but I don't want to put something for the sake of putting something.

Yeah, I'm probably going to write about being an overnight camp counselor. Again, my campers weren't sick (per se), but I was responsible, ultimately, for their care and well-being.

The question asks about the care of others, not of sick others.

 

[mauberley]

Yeah, that's how I'm reading it too. Do you think that it is appropriate to state that I care (i.e. babysit) for my 5-year-old nephew quite often? I know it's not caring for the sick, but it does invoke some measure of responsibility. It's the only thing I can think of at the moment, but I don't want to put something for the sake of putting something.

Just my opinion, but I think it's fair game. *shrug* Just don't exaggerate or embellish--then it'll definitely look like you're reaching.

👍

 

[Schizotypy]

Went complete today. No email, but the website is updated.

 

[EricMont]

woohoo! status complete! Next stop interview and acceptance! PLEASE LORD!

 

[SteveJMarist]

Complete here as well! 😀😀😀

 

[jchap]

FWIW, here's what an admissions rep e-mailed back to me, regarding whether or not I can just write about my preparations post-decision-to-pursue-medicine:

"As for Q2, I think you can begin your essay something like. . . at age 26, after a career in _____ (whatever you were doing at the time) I decided to pursue medicine. . .why? describe your path? It's important to indicate you did something before this and realized medicine is where you should be, but don't dwell on this time. It's more important to understand what you've done since – completed pre-med requirements, attended/completed post-bac at NU, volunteered at Children's Memorial, etc..."

 

[einstein1990]

+1!!

"Applications will be reviewed for interview invitations when all required documents and materials have been received in our office and posted to our database."

LIKE!

 

[equinsu ocha]

complete email

 

[Apark34]

Did everyone get this confirmation email?

Dear (My name is Here),

Thank you for adding Rush Medical College to the list of schools you are interested in pursuing for your medical education. Your AMCAS application highlights your academic achievement and your commitment to health care and we are very excited about the possibility of you joining our community for your medical education.

The mission of Rush University Medical Center is to provide the very best care for our patients. Our education and research endeavors, community service programs, and relationships with other hospitals are dedicated to enhancing excellence in patient care for the diverse communities of the Chicago area, now and in the future.

Students at Rush Medical College experience training in a rich variety of clinical settings including our own urban academic medical center, the nearby county hospital - the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital - as well as suburban and rural community hospitals. Rush University Medical Center, located in the Illinois Medical District, is the hub of a network of 10 affiliated and associated hospitals in a system that seeks to deliver complete health care to 1.5 million people representative of all strata of society. Site coordinators and staff physicians at all teaching hospitals are members of the faculty of Rush Medical College.

This is also a very exciting time for Rush University Medical Center as our "Rush Transformation" project is currently underway -- a project that will produce a state of the art medical center. This nine-year venture will thoroughly redefine our buildings and technology, along with many of the processes we use to deliver patient care safely and efficiently. Rush is using this opportunity to completely redesign all patient care processes to put the patient and family at the center of everything we do.

If you have not yet started and/or submitted our Supplemental Application, it is now available at https://www.rushsupp.com. Please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] should you have any questions throughout the application process.

Sincerely,

Dr. Susan Jacob, Associate Dean Medical Student Programs
Dr. Cynthia Boyd, Associate Professor Department of Medicine
Ms. Jill M. Volk, M.S.Ed., Director of Recruitment and Special Programs

Recruitment Team, Rush Medical College
600 South Paulina, Suite 524
Chicago, Il 60612
[email protected]

 

[SteveJMarist]

Yes, I received it.

 

[edge of desire]

wait is that AFTER you submit your 2ndary?

 

[latrala2300]

Did everyone get this confirmation email?

Dear (My name is Here),

Thank you for adding Rush Medical College to the list of schools you are interested in pursuing for your medical education. Your AMCAS application highlights your academic achievement and your commitment to health care and we are very excited about the possibility of you joining our community for your medical education.

The mission of Rush University Medical Center is to provide the very best care for our patients. Our education and research endeavors, community service programs, and relationships with other hospitals are dedicated to enhancing excellence in patient care for the diverse communities of the Chicago area, now and in the future.

Students at Rush Medical College experience training in a rich variety of clinical settings including our own urban academic medical center, the nearby county hospital - the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital - as well as suburban and rural community hospitals. Rush University Medical Center, located in the Illinois Medical District, is the hub of a network of 10 affiliated and associated hospitals in a system that seeks to deliver complete health care to 1.5 million people representative of all strata of society. Site coordinators and staff physicians at all teaching hospitals are members of the faculty of Rush Medical College.

This is also a very exciting time for Rush University Medical Center as our "Rush Transformation" project is currently underway -- a project that will produce a state of the art medical center. This nine-year venture will thoroughly redefine our buildings and technology, along with many of the processes we use to deliver patient care safely and efficiently. Rush is using this opportunity to completely redesign all patient care processes to put the patient and family at the center of everything we do.

If you have not yet started and/or submitted our Supplemental Application, it is now available at https://www.rushsupp.com. Please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] should you have any questions throughout the application process.

Sincerely,

Dr. Susan Jacob, Associate Dean Medical Student Programs
Dr. Cynthia Boyd, Associate Professor Department of Medicine
Ms. Jill M. Volk, M.S.Ed., Director of Recruitment and Special Programs

Recruitment Team, Rush Medical College
600 South Paulina, Suite 524
Chicago, Il 60612
[email protected]

VERY strange, I got a different email.

Dear Rush Medical College Applicant,

Thank you for submitting your AMCAS application to Rush Medical College! We are excited you are considering Rush as a place to pursue your medical education and are anxious for you to learn more about the opportunities at Rush.

The Committee on Admissions’ screening committee is charged with reviewing all application materials to determine which applicants will be invited for an interview. This committee will evaluate only those applications that demonstrate an undergraduate science grade point average (as calculated by AMCAS) of 3.0 or higher, combined with a composite MCAT score (most recent score) of 27 or higher.

In recent years, Rush Medical College has received over 4000 completed applications and interviewed 370 applicants to select our matriculating class of 128. We predict our entering class will have a mean science GPA of 3.5 and mean MCAT scores of 10 or higher in each subject area.

Because of our strong interest in the type and amount of health care experience an applicant possesses, our supplemental application will offer the opportunity to describe in more detail these and other outside-the-classroom experiences.

The next step for you in Rush Medical College’s application process is to complete our secondary application, which is available at https://www.rushsupp.com from July through December 31 to all applicants who have submitted an AMCAS application to Rush. If you have not yet visited this website and begun the supplemental application, this is where you will find detailed instructions for the supplemental application and all required supporting documentation. Please note that once you create a login/password at the website, you will have 30 days in which to complete and submit the online application. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you click on “Sample Application” on the home page to preview the application questions before you create a login/password.

We look forward to receiving your completed application and working with you throughout this process.

Sincerely,



Jill M. Volk, M.S.Ed.
Director of Recruitment and Special Programs
Rush Medical College
600 South Paulina, Suite 524
Chicago, IL 60612
[email protected]



fml....yours is a lot more personalized

 

[Donnie1310]

VERY strange, I got a different email.

Dear Rush Medical College Applicant,

Thank you for submitting your AMCAS application to Rush Medical College! We are excited you are considering Rush as a place to pursue your medical education and are anxious for you to learn more about the opportunities at Rush.

.
.
.
.

We look forward to receiving your completed application and working with you throughout this process.

Sincerely,



Jill M. Volk, M.S.Ed.
Director of Recruitment and Special Programs
Rush Medical College
600 South Paulina, Suite 524
Chicago, IL 60612
[email protected]



fml....yours is a lot more personalized

I got this version as well. I wonder why the different letters??

 

[PeterPesto]

I got both! They must think I'm extra special! I haven't even turned in my application yet! 😛

 

[latrala2300]

I got both! They must think I'm extra special! I haven't even turned in my application yet! 😛

as in, you haven't submitted your AMCAS? or by application do you mean rush secondary?

 

[PeterPesto]

as in, you haven't submitted your AMCAS? or by application do you mean rush secondary?

No I'm verified and all that jazz. I just haven't submitted my secondary nor have I mailed in all the requisite documentation. My essays are already written, I just can't give a logical explanation as to why I haven't submitted yet. I'm nuts like that.

 

[Apark34]

No I'm verified and all that jazz. I just haven't submitted my secondary nor have I mailed in all the requisite documentation. My essays are already written, I just can't give a logical explanation as to why I haven't submitted yet. I'm nuts like that.

Ya I got both letters too. I haven't submitted my secondary in yet either, but I got this email after my new MCAT score was released. It was a decent improvement from the one I verified my AMCAS with, wonder if it means anything =p.

 

[MonicaMelquiade]

have the people receiving the first email registered on the secondary site yet? i only received the second, but haven't open my application yet due to the 30 day thing.

 

[Apark34]

have the people receiving the first email registered on the secondary site yet? i only received the second, but haven't open my application yet due to the 30 day thing.

Ya, Im registered. Maybe that's it. Did anyone not get the first email, who are registered?

 

[edge of desire]

i got the second email only (less personalized version) and i haven't registerd on the site. this is kinda making me nervous. let's get to the bottom of this!