2011-2012 University of California - Irvine Application Thread

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hiyaman said:
I got this status today...
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hey guys, so according to admissions the "interview alternate list" is exactly what it sounds like. your application has been reviewed and put on an alternate list for interviews. they will finish the initial review of all other applications before they come back to yours. they have a ton of applications to review, so you might not get a status change for a couple months.

the "initial review is complete" status means that some members of the admissions committee have looked over and considered your application, but it hasn't completed the process which determines if you'll get an interview invite, hold, or rejection. you just need to hold tight.

the adcom is working REALLY hard to make sure all your applications get a careful review, and they really care about the applicants. i've got my fingers crossed for all you SDNers!! :xf:
 
hi-

i am still waiting for a secondary at UCI, UCSD, and UCLA. I got the UCD and UCSF secondaries the same time I got the 'your application was received' emails (which as also right at the same time that i my AMCAS was verified).

i was verfied 8/25. did anyone have to wait 4 weeks for their secondary invite or does this mean im doomed

was really hoping for UCI 🙁
 
coloredcrayons said:
the "initial review is complete" status means that some members of the admissions committee have looked over and considered your application, but it hasn't completed the process which determines if you'll get an interview invite, hold, or rejection. you just need to hold tight.
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So does this mean that everyone passed a certain date is getting this status? If not, how is it different from a hold?
 
yay interview!

I got an email yesterday about it. I have 3 dates to choose from nov7, 14, 29th
Ahhh. Is it better to interview earlier?

I was a weird case because I submitted my application around july 14th but i called last week because i JUST noticed my app wasn't complete online! and they said they didn't get a copy of my green card. i thought for sure i was never going to get an interview (is a reapplicant). but i did!
yay!

so do you guys think I should take the first date? can't really take 14th. too many exams then. 29th... sounds a little late :\
 
rika13 said:
So does this mean that everyone passed a certain date is getting this status? If not, how is it different from a hold?
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If you've gotten the alternate list notification, your application has completed its "first pass".

If you got the other notifcation, your app still needs to see some reviewers' hands before it completes that first pass. Because it hasn't completed its first pass it's not on an alternate list
 
coloredcrayons said:
If you've gotten the alternate list notification, your application has completed its "first pass".

If you got the other notifcation, your app still needs to see some reviewers' hands before it completes that first pass. Because it hasn't completed its first pass it's not on an alternate list
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Ohhhh, I get it now. I got the "initial review is complete" notification so it means it needs more people to look at it. Thanks for the info crayon, its nice to have a better understanding of whats going on. 👍
 
Nvm! I went ahead and scheduled the beginning of nov.
I was wondering if anyone last year could give me an insight of how the interview was like.

Hopefully really chill!
I'm so excited about irvine. #1 choice! AHHH
 
yupitsmabel said:
Nvm! I went ahead and scheduled the beginning of nov.
I was wondering if anyone last year could give me an insight of how the interview was like.

Hopefully really chill!
I'm so excited about irvine. #1 choice! AHHH
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The earlier, the better 👍.

Last year, there was a one-hour interview with a medical student and a one-hour interview with a faculty member (one-on-one). Both were pretty relaxed/laid back, especially the student interview (very conversational). It's semi-open file, meaning they have access to your primary and secondary apps, but don't know your MCAT/GPA.

I saw a bunch of applicants walking around campus today... It's weird being on the other side...

GL!
 
Hey SDN'ers,
Some of MS1 and MS2s at UCI are going to be putting on an interview workshop at the med school on Oct. 10. We'll be going over how to prepare for an interview, giving one-on-one mock interviews (MS1s and 2s have volunteered to interview, so it should be pretty realistic), demonstrating how an interview should go, etc..

If you're going to be in the area, send me an email and I'll put you down on our RSVP list. If you'd like a mock interview during the workshop, include that in your message and I'll get in touch with you via school email so we can confirm you're not a troll. We're prioritizing the UCI undergrads who are applying this season, then the UCI undergrads, and after that it'll be a first come first serve basis, so let me know!!
 
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yupitsmabel said:
Nvm! I went ahead and scheduled the beginning of nov.
I was wondering if anyone last year could give me an insight of how the interview was like.

Hopefully really chill!
I'm so excited about irvine. #1 choice! AHHH
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sooooo jealous... >< but congrats!! hoping to get an interview invite myself :xf:
 
I finally scheduled my interview for Nov 14th! I am very excited about this opportunity. I know that others got different interview date options, but I was only offered the 14th. It may have to do with the fact that I am a PRIME applicant.

Info for others:

IS, 3.88 postbac GPA, 3.2 cum, 31Q (11VS 11PS 09BS)
Secondary Received: 8/11/11
Returned Secondary: 9/3/11
Complete at UCI: 9/7/11
Interview Notification: 9/13/11


Is anyone else applying for the PRIME program with dates in December or October?


Good luck to everyone!
 
Person X said:
I finally scheduled my interview for Nov 14th! I am very excited about this opportunity. I know that others got different interview date options, but I was only offered the 14th. It may have to do with the fact that I am a PRIME applicant.

Info for others:

IS, 3.88 postbac GPA, 3.2 cum, 31Q (11VS 11PS 09BS)
Secondary Received: 8/11/11
Returned Secondary: 9/3/11
Complete at UCI: 9/7/11
Interview Notification: 9/13/11


Is anyone else applying for the PRIME program with dates in December or October?


Good luck to everyone!
Click to expand...


Congrats on your interview! I will also be interviewing for the 11/14 PRIME interview, so I'll see you there! I was offered the 10/3 date, but due to scheduling conflicts, had to reschedule for the 11/14 date instead.

good luck to us both! :luck:
 
Person X said:
I finally scheduled my interview for Nov 14th! I am very excited about this opportunity. I know that others got different interview date options, but I was only offered the 14th. It may have to do with the fact that I am a PRIME applicant.

Info for others:

IS, 3.88 postbac GPA, 3.2 cum, 31Q (11VS 11PS 09BS)
Secondary Received: 8/11/11
Returned Secondary: 9/3/11
Complete at UCI: 9/7/11
Interview Notification: 9/13/11


Is anyone else applying for the PRIME program with dates in December or October?


Good luck to everyone!
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Yay congrats! I still have a month until interview but I'm stoked/happy/nervous/anxious. That's a lot to stomach :\

I was wondering if there was a student host thing before the day of the interview. So I don't have to drive through the awful traffic from LA. blehh the worst kind of traffic.
Although I don't want to bombard med students before their exams either >.<, I promise I'll be a low maintenance hostee!
 
My status just updated from "*Your initial review is complete. We ask for your continued patience as we proceed with the interview status decision process, which will conclude by March 1st." to interview awarded! This change came about 4 business days after I first saw the "initial review is complete" status.
 
"Yay congrats! I still have a month until interview but I'm stoked/happy/nervous/anxious. That's a lot to stomach :\

I was wondering if there was a student host thing before the day of the interview. So I don't have to drive through the awful traffic from LA. blehh the worst kind of traffic.
Although I don't want to bombard med students before their exams either >.<, I promise I'll be a low maintenance hostee! "

I believe there is a document in the update status website that lists four people that are willing to host: two males and two females. I believe it is called "Interview instructions." It is the one before schedule interview.

Thank you all for the congratulatory posts! Keep up the good work!
 
yupitsmabel said:
Yay congrats! I still have a month until interview but I'm stoked/happy/nervous/anxious. That's a lot to stomach :\

I was wondering if there was a student host thing before the day of the interview. So I don't have to drive through the awful traffic from LA. blehh the worst kind of traffic.
Although I don't want to bombard med students before their exams either >.<, I promise I'll be a low maintenance hostee!
Click to expand...

Yes, UCI has a student host program. The people in your contact list are its organizers; they'll match you with a med student who you can stay with.
 
Complete 8/8 and just got *Your initial review is complete. Update
 
I have been under review since 7/15 and still no status update about whether I am on hold, rejected, or awarded interview. I am wondering if they forgot about my application or not...
Is anyone in the same/similar situation as me? should I give the office a call? I called a few weeks ago, but the lady said she knew nothing and that I should just check the status...

Edit: completed on 7/15 as well..
 
Complete 8/8
Rejected 9/25

I just saw it on the status page, but no email yet.

So sad 🙁
 
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Hey SDN'ers,
Here's the formal event invitation with event details. Sign up!!!! 🙂🙂👍
I don't know how to include the parking and map portion of the invitation.. Just go on UCI's website for that info.

Welcome back to school!

Please join UCI School of Medicine's Students for a*Medical School Interview Workshop*on*Monday, October 10th at 4:00 pm*in*Tamkin Lecture Hall*(Bldg 831 on the School of Medicine campus)!

Are you applying to medical school this year and preparing for an interview? Are you not applying this year, but still want to hear about the interview process and practice your skills? Do you have questions about the interview process? Want advice from medical students who have experienced it all?

If so, then please come to the Interview Workshop where first and second year medical students will provide insight about the Medical School Interview process. Topics to be discussed include:*
- Interviews: proper attire/etiquette, common questions, online question banks, travel hints
- Post-interview "responsibilities": thank you letters/emails, letters of interest/intent, wait lists, and the May 15th deadline

We will also feature an on-stage interview demonstration for you to learn from and critique. Additionally, we will be offering (optional)*one-on-one mock interviews*with a medical student following the presentation. This is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity for you to practice your interview skills and receive feedback from medical students who have recently gone through the process AND regularly conduct interviews for admission to UCI SOM.*

Event Details:
When: Monday, October 10th at 4:00pm
Where: Tamkin Student Lecture Hall (Bldg 831 on the UCI SOM campus)
Appropriate*interview attire*is*optional. If you'd like to wear your planned "interview outfit", we encourage you to do so since this gives you the chance to receive feedback on its appropriateness.

RSVP by Friday, October 7th! RSVP here:*https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEY1QjF1UmhxTHZTR0JqdlhLbkRkcWc6MQ

For those of you who belong to organizations with many pre-med undergrads, please spread the word about this event to friends, classmates and colleagues who may also benefit from it.

If you have any questions regarding this event, please private message my coloredcrayons account. <-- that part was edited for SDN 🙂
 
So how long can we expect the "Your initial review is complete" status before a decision is made? Thanks guys.
 
mika2234 said:
hi-

i am still waiting for a secondary at UCI, UCSD, and UCLA. I got the UCD and UCSF secondaries the same time I got the 'your application was received' emails (which as also right at the same time that i my AMCAS was verified).

i was verfied 8/25. did anyone have to wait 4 weeks for their secondary invite or does this mean im doomed

was really hoping for UCI 🙁
Click to expand...

Same, was verified even earlier, but my UCI secondary is still pending.
 
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Does anybody have any information on the pre-interview dinner? (Night of Sunday, Oct 2). I got an email but not sure what the event is like.

Thanks
 
Nymphicus said:
Does anybody have any information on the pre-interview dinner? (Night of Sunday, Oct 2). I got an email but not sure what the event is like.

Thanks
Click to expand...

It's just an informal, casual dinner at Gina's pizza where you can meet and talk with UCI med students and other applicants. They're not there to evaluate you, just to answer your questions about the school. I went to mine last year, it was fun, good food, and very informative!
 
coloredcrayons said:
If you've gotten the alternate list notification, your application has completed its "first pass".

If you got the other notifcation, your app still needs to see some reviewers' hands before it completes that first pass. Because it hasn't completed its first pass it's not on an alternate list
Click to expand...

Do some people get an interview (or rejection) without going through the "initial review complete" status? My hypothesis is that this particular status means that the first reviewer wasn't sure whether to interview or reject, so it goes to another reviewer...unless everyone gets this status.
 
coffeekid15 said:
Do some people get an interview (or rejection) without going through the "initial review complete" status? My hypothesis is that this particular status means that the first reviewer wasn't sure whether to interview or reject, so it goes to another reviewer...unless everyone gets this status.
Click to expand...

No. Receiving this status does not mean your reviewer was indecisive about your file. It simply hasn't been looked over by everyone that needs to see it. The update message does not have a positive or a negative meaning to it.

Hahah, it's easy to try to interpret and extrapolate, but the adcom is trying to be clear with their updates. Take them at face value, they don't mean anything more than that.
 
Bza said:
It's just an informal, casual dinner at Gina's pizza where you can meet and talk with UCI med students and other applicants. They're not there to evaluate you, just to answer your questions about the school. I went to mine last year, it was fun, good food, and very informative!
Click to expand...

informal, so business casual attire?
 
The student that replied to me (Class of 2014) said "It's informal, so you do not have to come in a business casual attire. Jeans, tee shirt, however you are comfortable is fine"
 
Bza said:
It's just an informal, casual dinner at Gina's pizza where you can meet and talk with UCI med students and other applicants. They're not there to evaluate you, just to answer your questions about the school. I went to mine last year, it was fun, good food, and very informative!
Click to expand...

Troll!! It was not a pizza place! :meanie:
 
to those that have interviewed here already, how was interview day and what were your impressions of the school?

Thanks, and best of luck to everyone 🙂
 
just got the "Your initial review is complete" status...

kinda bummed... but i guess that means i'm still in the running
 
bluewater4 said:
to those that have interviewed here already, how was interview day and what were your impressions of the school?

Thanks, and best of luck to everyone 🙂
Click to expand...


Interview day was 8:30 to 4pm. Relaxed. Solid school in a great area. 90% of graduates place into CA residencies. Large focus on Latino and community health and outreach. Research was barely mentioned at all during the interview day.
 
Nymphicus said:
Does anybody have any information on the pre-interview dinner? (Night of Sunday, Oct 2). I got an email but not sure what the event is like.

Thanks
Click to expand...

g a m b 1 t said:
informal, so business casual attire?
Click to expand...

Nymphicus said:
Apparently there was more than one dinner...

All good though 👍
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yes, there are two dinners. One is for the general application pool, which is held at Gina's pizza. The other is targets more of the underrepresented track. Both are casual, as in where whatever you'd where if you were going to go hang out with a buddy on a saturday.

nymphicus4 said:
Interview day was 8:30 to 4pm. Relaxed. Solid school in a great area. 90% of graduates place into CA residencies. Large focus on Latino and community health and outreach. Research was barely mentioned at all during the interview day.
Click to expand...

Research isn't a focus of the interview day b/c most people aren't interested in doing research. Most of the time there is an applicant who will ask about research opportunities, etc and it is discussed during the student panel. There are more opportunities to do research than you will know what to with. If you want to do reserach in something, you can do it (note: i dont think this is unique to UCI. This is a standard for any medical institutiion). Most people do it over the summer between first and 2nd year if they choose to do so. A lot of people take a year off after 3rd year to do research. Some people even doing it during the school year (not common tho). There is also an MD/PhD program if you are really dedicated to research.
 
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II ! complete 8/8 Reapp from last cycle. Please take me this time UCI!!!!!! :/
 
Got that initial review is complete thing just today. It seems to me if they really wanted to interview me they would have just offered one...kinda confused on what this means.

Edit: nvm, read up there that it just means they haven't completed the process of reading my app (but will they be doing this to everyone from now on?) or will some people still get interview invites directly
 
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EvilSponge said:
Got that initial review is complete thing just today. It seems to me if they really wanted to interview me they would have just offered one...kinda confused on what this means.

Edit: nvm, read up there that it just means they haven't completed the process of reading my app (but will they be doing this to everyone from now on?) or will some people still get interview invites directly
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who knows what it means, all you can do is just to wait. I've stopped trying to read between the lines and am just content to checking my e-mail for good news lol.
 
Waiting on the UC's is not fun. I've had the "review complete" status for almost 3 weeks and was complete at UCI, UCD, and UCSF in early Aug. This wait is killer.
 
sam500 said:
Anyone else still waiting for a secondary from here?
It's really strange, I thought for sure I'd get at least a secondary.
IS, 35S, 3.82, 10 years research experience, verified 6/1.
Why no love from Irvine?
My state hates me.
The waiting in this process is a killer.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was verified 9/14, still waiting on a secondary...I wondered if it was a silent rejection, but it seems it takes 4-6 weeks? Waiting eagerly here, UCI. Please hear my plea and send me a secondary! 😉
 
Rejected post-secondary...complete 8/1ish 35r 3.5/3.35s oos

best of luck guys!
 
Hey guys : ),
I wanted to encourage you all to give opinions about the interview day here: http://www.studentdoctor.net/schools/school/uci/survey/26. The admin is super receptive to feedback, and if there's something interviewees wished they could change, they'll work to make it happen!! 👍👍 they really want you to leave irvine having felt taken care of.

Note: because of the exam schedule, they really can't change the number of interviewees per day... But since many of you come at once, the med students are able to do things like the Gina's dinner for each interview!!!
 
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