2011-2012 University of Chicago (Pritzker) Application Thread

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Additional Information:
"Please feel free to use this space to convey any additional information that you might wish the Committee to know. We suggest that you limit your text to about 200 words."

So is anyone using this space? Just curious. Would this be a good place to say, "hey, I love Pritzker" or is it just meant for people who need to mention a small change or addendum in their application?

NickNaylor... did you fill this part out?

Thanks.
 
I used that space to talk about my family situation (I came from a divorced home), which was somewhat unique and had a very large impact on who I am today. I wouldn't feel compelled to answer the prompt if you have nothing to add. I'd be careful about shelling out love at this point. It might come across as desperate, which you definitely don't want to be seen as. That said, feel free to do that if you want to - it's YOUR application.

I see it as an opportunity to discuss anything that either isn't on your application at all or isn't explained to the degree you'd like it to be, though you can also treat it as an addendum section if you wish.
 
I used it to explain two activities that took up a sentence each on my AMCAS because I was chosen for them the week of submission, but which will take up a lottt of my time this coming year.
 
daemon14 said:
So we should play hard-to-get? 😛
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Lol, liked this 👍

Play hard to get as long as you can. Pritzker likes update letters, so they'll be a time to show your undying love down the road if necessary.
 
"Applicant moved to MD screen" - 16 days ago. 39S/3.86 applying for MSTP. Anyone else in the same boat?
 
Rirruto said:
"Applicant moved to MD screen" - 16 days ago. 39S/3.86 applying for MSTP. Anyone else in the same boat?
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Me too. I applied MSTP-only, but it went to "MD screen" a few hours after I was complete. Maybe MSTP applications have to go through the med school first?
 
looks like rejecting me once last cycle wasn't enough.. just got an email about how they received my intention to apply at Pritzker and invited me to complete the secondary! I start med school in a month :laugh:.. the real kicker is that Im currently visiting Chicago!
 
NYBills987 said:
looks like rejecting me once last cycle wasn't enough.. just got an email about how they received my intention to apply at Pritzker and invited me to complete the secondary! I start med school in a month :laugh:.. the real kicker is that Im currently visiting Chicago!
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Haha, I just got the e-mail as well. :laugh:
 
NickNaylor said:
Haha, I just got the e-mail as well. :laugh:
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Me too! I withdrew, and I am currently applying to medical schools...just not Pritzker. The date on the secondary days 2009!

In all honesty, I am waiting for my MCAT score, which is going to be released next Tuesday. If it is where I want it to be, I was planning on adding Pritzker to the list. Do you think I might run into problems getting a legit secondary down the line?
 
thestrokes14 said:
Me too! I withdrew, and I am currently applying to medical schools...just not Pritzker. The date on the secondary days 2009!

In all honesty, I am waiting for my MCAT score, which is going to be released next Tuesday. If it is where I want it to be, I was planning on adding Pritzker to the list. Do you think I might run into problems getting a legit secondary down the line?
Click to expand...

They don't screen for secondaries so you should get one regardless as long as you submit your AMCAS on time.
 
Interview Invite! 🙂 I submitted my secondary about a week ago. Scheduled for 9/6!
 
Bleh rejected after being move to MD screen monday.
39R 4.0 Canadian applicant, ecs arent that strong clinically (was a varsity athlete and went more research). I hear US schools comment on why they reject you, is that true so its appropriate to ask.
 
Seems like Pritzker is super fast with decisions. I thought medical schools were slow. 😀

P.S. I just noticed that two people who got rejected very recently here have 39+ MCAT. 😕
 
fizzgig said:
for serious. is this for real? this process makes my eyes cross. and that, ladies and gentlemen, is why i felt the need to apply to almost 20 schools.
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You have a solid MCAT score though, so I think you should be in good shape! I think (I'm more or less telling this to myself) people who receive rejections by having high score get that because some schools sometimes "assume" that they will get in other schools and send off rejection letters right away...giving hopes to people who aren't like that. 🙂
 
What a big ol complainer the rejection made me lol
 
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LJ1000F said:
Ah all too real. I feel like my ps was solid, letter of recs (research Pi very good letter, varsity track coach knew me very well, english prof with very personalized excerpts from TA who wrote me one, and orgo prof (did well in class of 600+ talked to him in office, seemed like he'd write at the very least nothing bad) were in order. My ecs aren't anything special, though I was a varsity athlete so I couldn't participate in a lot of activities due to practices and being away every weekend. I had an Nserc usra for research and am in the harvard stem cell institute internship right now. Volunteered in a hospital for only like 60+ hours, was all i could manage. Was also a resident advisor and worked at ministry of health + typical club ecs.

I apologize, this is mostly me thinking out loud in typing to see where I could have gone wrong but perhaps it offers an idea what they are and are not looking for. Maybe my secondaries were terrible (I thought they were okay lol, i know I type like an idiot now but essays are markedly better....i think...).

This is my first rejection and it certainly does suck a bit so please forgive my random typings. Just went to watch the new harry potter and the pritzker rejection crept into my mind twice lol. I will certainly try to ask as to how I can improve my app and post if they give any response incase it helps people. And for some validity to all my hearsay

blehh.png
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😱 sorry to hear.

but you're going to get in SOMEWHERE. srsly... hahaha
 
LJ1000F said:
Ah all too real. I feel like my ps was solid, letter of recs (research Pi very good letter, varsity track coach knew me very well, english prof with very personalized excerpts from TA who wrote me one, and orgo prof (did well in class of 600+ talked to him in office, seemed like he'd write at the very least nothing bad) were in order. My ecs aren't anything special, though I was a varsity athlete so I couldn't participate in a lot of activities due to practices and being away every weekend. I had an Nserc usra for research and am in the harvard stem cell institute internship right now. Volunteered in a hospital for only like 60+ hours, was all i could manage. Was also a resident advisor and worked at ministry of health + typical club ecs.

I apologize, this is mostly me thinking out loud in typing to see where I could have gone wrong but perhaps it offers an idea what they are and are not looking for. Maybe my secondaries were terrible (I thought they were okay lol, i know I type like an idiot now but essays are markedly better....i think...).

This is my first rejection and it certainly does suck a bit so please forgive my random typings. Just went to watch the new harry potter and the pritzker rejection crept into my mind twice lol. I will certainly try to ask as to how I can improve my app and post if they give any response incase it helps people. And for some validity to all my hearsay

blehh.png
Click to expand...

Maybe they're a bit harsher on international applicants (looks like you're from Canada)? Still, though, you'll definitely get in places with those stats, activities, and LORs. The application process is really random - try not to let one school get you down.
 
could be the international thing. could be you're a ROBOT. lol. i remember the good ole 4.0 in high school but the A- loved me longtime when i was in college. seriously though there's a generous helping of fairy dust in the process. and whatever pritzker considers fit, people have said they put a lot of emphasis on it. i'm sure with your app you'll manage a number of acceptances! i guess we should steel ourselves too because you just never know what you're going to get. or not get. which makes medical school applications like a box of chocolates...
 
Word of advice: don't be bothered by what schools accept/reject you and who is accepted/rejected. There are tons of factors that go into play making a decision, most of which you are unaware of. If you were rejected here, that doesn't mean doom and gloom for you. Look at FlowRate for example: he didn't get an interview at Pritzker but is going to Harvard. Likewise, don't think that you're screwed just because someone with an application you perceive as stronger than yours is rejected.

I know it's tempting took look for trends to predict what might happen to you, but it really is a fruitless adventure that will just make you anxious.
 
NickNaylor said:
Word of advice: don't be bothered by what schools accept/reject you and who is accepted/rejected. There are tons of factors that go into play making a decision, most of which you are unaware of. If you were rejected here, that doesn't mean doom and gloom for you. Look at FlowRate for example: he didn't get an interview at Pritzker but is going to Harvard. Likewise, don't think that you're screwed just because someone with an application you perceive as stronger than yours is rejected.

I know it's tempting took look for trends to predict what might happen to you, but it really is a fruitless adventure that will just make you anxious.
Click to expand...

This is good advice.

Don't jeopardize your current happiness over this process.

One of my former students got zero interviews at every school she applied to except for Harvard, where she was eventually accepted.

When applying for grad school in the USA, 2 of my friends and I had similar credentials. We were all accepted into different schools as if being partitioned out among them. Who knows why an admissions committee picks one student over another. Just do your best and don't stress, the weather is fine. 🙂
 
Lots of truth in what you and nick are saying undoubtedly. Just to have the first school you hear back from be a rejection preinterview makes you lose confidence in the rest of the apps youre sending out, makes you a bit paranoid about what youre writing in secondaries and which Lors youre assigning lol. Hopefully some good news will come in later. Good luck to everyone else and their apps.

sam500 said:
This is good advice.

Don't jeopardize your current happiness over this process.

One of my former students got zero interviews at every school she applied to except for Harvard, where she was eventually accepted.

When applying for grad school in the USA, 2 of my friends and I had similar credentials. We were all accepted into different schools as if being partitioned out among them. Who knows why an admissions committee picks one student over another. Just do your best and don't stress, the weather is fine. 🙂
Click to expand...
 
I got an interview invite this morning :soexcited:. I was completed Tuesday sometime. Guys, do not get down about not getting an interview. I am sure you will get plenty of love from other schools with the stats you have. GREAT job on your academic accolades and MCAT performance.👍
 
I also got an interview invite late on Friday, 7/15. I received the secondary awhile ago but wasn't complete until 7/12.

I don't have stellar stats (3.7/35) but a pretty unique EC. Don't lose hope for anyone who applied with lower stats than Pritzker's "averages"!👍
 
I got an interview invite today as well! :biglove:

Does anyone who interviewed last year know when the later interview dates open up? I'll be really busy at the beginning of the semester, and so far only early September interview dates are open.
 
calvnandhobbs68 said:
It's really to your advantage to interview as early as you can (this goes for all rolling schools). That being said, just call them on Monday and ask if you can get a date in late Sept/Oct if none are available online. You guys really can call and ask them about anything legitimate they're always super helpful.
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Thanks for the advice! I definitely want to interview as soon as possible, but the September dates available so far just don't work with the schedule of the class I'm TAing. 🙁
 
cowsgomuon said:
Thanks for the advice! I definitely want to interview as soon as possible, but the September dates available so far just don't work with the schedule of the class I'm TAing. 🙁
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Considering this is two months in advance, I would really schedule the interview and let the professor know you can't TA due to an interview. As calvin said, it's to your advantage to interview as early as possible, and most professors/supervisors will understand and be willing to work with you.
 
NYBills987 said:
looks like rejecting me once last cycle wasn't enough.. just got an email about how they received my intention to apply at Pritzker and invited me to complete the secondary! I start med school in a month :laugh:.. the real kicker is that Im currently visiting Chicago!
Click to expand...


Haha yeah I got that email too. I was rejected early last cycle and I am starting school at a another school in Chicago in a couple of weeks. lol :laugh:
 
NickNaylor said:
Considering this is two months in advance, I would really schedule the interview and let the professor know you can't TA due to an interview. As calvin said, it's to your advantage to interview as early as possible, and most professors/supervisors will understand and be willing to work with you.
Click to expand...

If the admissions office doesn't have any other mid-September dates available, I'll definitely consider doing this. I'd just prefer not to miss my first week of TAing - I don't want my students' first impression of me to be me not showing up to class 😛
 
LJ1000F said:
Ah all too real. I feel like my ps was solid, letter of recs (research Pi very good letter, varsity track coach knew me very well, english prof with very personalized excerpts from TA who wrote me one, and orgo prof (did well in class of 600+ talked to him in office, seemed like he'd write at the very least nothing bad) were in order. My ecs aren't anything special, though I was a varsity athlete so I couldn't participate in a lot of activities due to practices and being away every weekend. I had an Nserc usra for research and am in the harvard stem cell institute internship right now. Volunteered in a hospital for only like 60+ hours, was all i could manage. Was also a resident advisor and worked at ministry of health + typical club ecs.

I apologize, this is mostly me thinking out loud in typing to see where I could have gone wrong but perhaps it offers an idea what they are and are not looking for. Maybe my secondaries were terrible (I thought they were okay lol, i know I type like an idiot now but essays are markedly better....i think...).

This is my first rejection and it certainly does suck a bit so please forgive my random typings. Just went to watch the new harry potter and the pritzker rejection crept into my mind twice lol. I will certainly try to ask as to how I can improve my app and post if they give any response incase it helps people. And for some validity to all my hearsay

blehh.png
Click to expand...

what's your point in showing us your track record? You're coming off as "OMG they should have totally given me an interview invite". it's not all about numbers. It's a humbling process for us all and schools emphasize fit.
 
ughh i just want them to post my letters so i'll be complete.
 
cowsgomuon said:
If the admissions office doesn't have any other mid-September dates available, I'll definitely consider doing this. I'd just prefer not to miss my first week of TAing - I don't want my students' first impression of me to be me not showing up to class 😛
Click to expand...

They do eventually open up dates as the current ones fill up, so that wont be a problem. If you need to do a later date I would call the admissions office and ask how to schedule a later date.

Again, though, you should take the earliest date possible.
 
Rejected. 3.9/35. International too. Complete on Wed. Can only hope it's not a harbinger... And good luck to all of you! 🙂
 
I was complete Wednesday or Thursday of Last week. Could anyone tell me why I have not heard back from them yet? I know it is still early, but I have seen rejections and invites from people completed after me. Does this mean applications are reviewed by individuals rather than a committee?

My history also says I was moved to MD screen 9 days ago. What does that mean?

Thanks in advance!
 
MMPman said:
I was complete Wednesday or Thursday of Last week. Could anyone tell me why I have not heard back from them yet? I know it is still early, but I have seen rejections and invites from people completed after me. Does this mean applications are reviewed by individuals rather than a committee?

My history also says I was moved to MD screen 9 days ago. What does that mean?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

More than likely they're at least initially reviewed by individuals. I don't know whether or not the final decisions are made by the committee or by the individuals. I wouldn't worry about it. There are a multitude of reasons for why they haven't given you a decision yet.
 
18 days on MD screen. Website says MSTP people get screened by MD and MD/PhD committees, but not sure whether that is in parallel or in series. I'm not going to start worrying yet, as it's still very early. Congrats to interview invitees though!
 
Illinois2012 said:
Since July 8th. Only a week, so it's not terrible, but the waiting is brutal. What about you?
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about the same time. my primary was verified on july 6th, but my secondary was in before then. i hope they update it sometime next week.
 
Hi all,

Sorry you're getting random emails from Pritzker. Word on the street is that there's some bug with their email system that they're still working out (not some terribly misinformed human sending these out), so please disregard anything wonky from them in your inbox. Rest assured, it is not 2009 and/or 2010 (fortunately), Dr. Abelson has retired (unfortunately), and whatever decision Pritzker previously made about your application is still valid (fortunately or unfortunately, depending...).

Sorry for the trouble!
Ben
 
Hey ya'll,

I noticed a couple of people have been put on hold for later review, and I just wanted to offer some encouragement. If you really love Pritzker and you truly believe it's a great fit for you, keep your head up and be persistent!

I submitted my secondary late (September) after submitting my primary in early July (Gmail lost my secondary invite in July, and I didn't realize that everyone was supposed to get a secondary until after my wedding in August...it was a busy summer 😛). Got my hold notification via status update on the portal about 2 weeks later, and submitted a couple of update letters between then and December, when I received an interview invite (yay!). I was continued 5 weeks later, waitlisted in May, and after several update letters and a meeting with one of the kind and awesome folks from admissions to talk about my application, I was accepted in June (yay!). Moral of the story: you aren't doomed by being put on hold.

But yes, the odds are against you if you're held pre-interview and/or continued post-interview, and you may have a very long road ahead of you--there's no denying that. But if you really want to go here, forget the odds and just do what you have to do to beef up your application (update experiences, earn good fall semester grades, ask for additional recommendation letters, etc) and convince the committee on admissions that you are one of the 10-15% they are looking to take off the hold list. It may sound a little stark, but all things being equal between held applicants, they're more likely to give an interview to someone who's been actively showing interest in the school than someone who's only been passively wishing to get an interview.

In the meantime, definitely take NickNaylor's advice and listen to the 😍Pritzker Podcasts😍! They kept me sane through all the waiting and answered a majority of the questions I had about the school and about my own "fit".
 
Just got my email rejection, guess it wasn't the right fit. Good luck to everyone else in the running, it's a great school 🙂
 
Maybe this has already been discussed, but did you guys put anything in the "additional information" section? Could this be the place to update them on what I'll be doing next year? (not on my amcas b/c i had no idea at the time). or is this more for explaining hard life situations? ya know what i mean?
thanks!
 
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