2011-2012 University of Illinois Application Thread

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BenzylAcetate said:
Same here. From what I've seen on the other boards this is basically a rejection...oh well🙁
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I called the admissions office earlier today and the lady said that 'applicant or application in process' both mean that either you are 'under review' or 'ready for review.'
 
purpleGiraffe said:
anyone get any "additional correspondence" updates yet?
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Nothing here. Looking at last year's thread they pushed the meeting back to the 4th Thursday of January. So it looks like we might have to wait until next Thurs.
 
Interview invite today! This is definitely my top choice!

I changed to "applicant in progress" on December 6. I was starting to lose hope since Chicago is my hometown, so I am extremely grateful! Interviewing on March 6, kind of late. We'll see what happens. :luck:
 
II today scheduled for 2/10, anyone know if the Chicago campus is full already?
 
Stil applicant in process, since about 1/10. Hope something good comes of it :xf:
 
Hey guys. I'm taking Orgo II this semester, along with A&P1. I'm also planning on taking the MCAT in May. Yesterday, I got the syllabus for A&P1 and it was, as expected, a lot, but I don't think I was prepared for that much. I've been preparing for the MCAT, and I think it's going relatively well, but I don't want A&P1 prep to interfere too much. Now, however, I'm considering dropping A&P1 before it can show up as a W on my transcript.

Here's the problem, while my science GPA is currently a 4.0, I only have the basic prerequisites completed (unless you count Calc as a science class) (with Orgo II being the last one). I also would like to apply to UIC's medical school, but they require that I have at least one upper level Bio course. Now, I could just put on my AMCAS that I'm planning on taking A&P1 in the Fall, but I'm worried that it would lead to a bunch of schools waitlisting me to see how I do (or is that just a silly fear of mine?). Another thing is that I've taken Orgo I, Physics II, and now Orgo II and A&P1 at a CC (but UIC says on their website that this won't hurt me).

So, what do you guys think? Should I just tough it out? Or should I drop A&P1, so as to focus more on the MCAT and ensure that my science GPA stays a 4.0 (my cum GPA is a 3.96)? Or should I just take A&P1 now, instead of later, and hope for the best? Thanks!
 
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I do not expect you will have much trouble getting an interview/acceptance at UIC, as long as you get a decent MCAT and your ECs are good. Your undergrad GPA speaks to your academic ability, time management skills, and working habits. I don't think taking A and P 1 now will make much of a difference in those aspects. But as of now, you have not proven your ability to do well on standardized tests, which is obviously important for Step 1/2. An MCAT score of 25 vs 30 will have much more of an impact on your chances of an acceptance, in my opinion. I would focus on the MCAT, and work your schedule around it, as your GPA is strong and doesn't need any more reinforcement.

Best of luck...
 
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ChiCity said:
Interview invite today! This is definitely my top choice!

I changed to "applicant in progress" on December 6. I was starting to lose hope since Chicago is my hometown, so I am extremely grateful! Interviewing on March 6, kind of late. We'll see what happens. :luck:
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I'm interviewing March 6th in Chicago as well. See you there!
 
TwoBits said:
I do not expect you will have much trouble getting an interview/acceptance at UIC, as long as you get a decent MCAT and your ECs are good. Your undergrad GPA speaks to your academic ability, time management skills, and working habits. I don't think taking A and P 1 now will make much of a difference in those aspects. But as of now, you have not proven your ability to do well on standardized tests, which is obviously important for Step 1/2. An MCAT score of 25 vs 30 will have much more of an impact on your chances of an acceptance, in my opinion. I would focus on the MCAT, and work your schedule around it, as your GPA is strong and doesn't need any more reinforcement.

Best of luck...
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Yeah, it's a tricky situation. I don't feel like the class is TOO difficult, but I worry that if I don't need to take it now (and since it's not really a part of the MCAT), then I would be better served spending that time preparing for the MCAT. I don't know, though, considering that I already don't have any upper level science classes, which may prove to be a problem on my application. Plus, a few of my prereqs are at a CC (Orgo I & II, Physics II, and now A&P1), due to me having graduated from my university last year (with a non-science degree).
 
SoulinNeed said:
Yeah, it's a tricky situation. I don't feel like the class is TOO difficult, but I worry that if I don't need to take it now (and since it's not really a part of the MCAT), then I would be better served spending that time preparing for the MCAT. I don't know, though, considering that I already don't have any upper level science classes, which may prove to be a problem on my application. Plus, a few of my prereqs are at a CC (Orgo I & II, Physics II, and now A&P1), due to me having graduated from my university last year (with a non-science degree).
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Not sure this is the place for this discussion, but hey, I'm no mod 😀 Easiest thing to do: pick up the phone and call an admissions counselor at UICCOM. They'll be able to give you a better idea on how they view prereqs not completed at the time of application, much better than anyone on here can tell you. IMO, being enrolled in a pre-req class during the fall 2012 semester shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't put off pre-req classes until spring 2013, but a lot of students take important classes 1st sem. senior year and then mail a transcript update in January.

The issue with not taking any upper-level science courses is trickier. Some people will tell you that med schools like to see a rigorous courseload (and diversified interests). On the other hand, there are plenty of non-science majors who apply with just the minimum MCAT classes. The truth probably lies somewhere in between, and I think that's where an admissions counselor (or your own advisor) could help you a lot more. As none of us have sat on an admissions committee, our insight will be limited to our own narrow experiences.

(The one thing I will say - you don't want to just think about getting into med school, but doing well there. I would NOT recommend going to med school without at least some upper-level science classes. There's a greater chance of struggling when you have to learn it all in such a condensed, intense atmosphere).

The main thing is a high GPA and high MCAT. Do what you think will net you the highest MCAT score and worry about the rest later.

One thing to keep in mind: when I was a sophomore in college, a senior medical student told me I shouldn't take the MCAT without taking an advanced physiology course first (we didn't have A&P in our major). I took a 300-level pure physio class and between that and my genetics class, I barely had to study for the biological questions on my MCAT. I found his advice to be very helpful.

So just keep in mind that dumping classes just to create extra study time may not be the best way to get a high MCAT. I have no idea what they teach in your A&P class; if it's mostly anatomy and only basic physio, then it might not be worth your time. But upper-level science classes can do more than pad your application; they can also help with the MCAT itself. You'll have to look at your own areas of weakness, the material of the A&P class, and make the judgment call as to how much it'll help you. But as far as worrying about the lack of upper-level science classes, I think talking the admissions office would be the best way to go.
 
Snoopy2006 said:
Not sure this is the place for this discussion, but hey, I'm no mod 😀 Easiest thing to do: pick up the phone and call an admissions counselor at UICCOM. They'll be able to give you a better idea on how they view prereqs not completed at the time of application, much better than anyone on here can tell you. IMO, being enrolled in a pre-req class during the fall 2012 semester shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't put off pre-req classes until spring 2013, but a lot of students take important classes 1st sem. senior year and then mail a transcript update in January.

The issue with not taking any upper-level science courses is trickier. Some people will tell you that med schools like to see a rigorous courseload (and diversified interests). On the other hand, there are plenty of non-science majors who apply with just the minimum MCAT classes. The truth probably lies somewhere in between, and I think that's where an admissions counselor (or your own advisor) could help you a lot more. As none of us have sat on an admissions committee, our insight will be limited to our own narrow experiences.

(The one thing I will say - you don't want to just think about getting into med school, but doing well there. I would NOT recommend going to med school without at least some upper-level science classes. There's a greater chance of struggling when you have to learn it all in such a condensed, intense atmosphere).

The main thing is a high GPA and high MCAT. Do what you think will net you the highest MCAT score and worry about the rest later.

One thing to keep in mind: when I was a sophomore in college, a senior medical student told me I shouldn't take the MCAT without taking an advanced physiology course first (we didn't have A&P in our major). I took a 300-level pure physio class and between that and my genetics class, I barely had to study for the biological questions on my MCAT. I found his advice to be very helpful.

So just keep in mind that dumping classes just to create extra study time may not be the best way to get a high MCAT. I have no idea what they teach in your A&P class; if it's mostly anatomy and only basic physio, then it might not be worth your time. But upper-level science classes can do more than pad your application; they can also help with the MCAT itself. You'll have to look at your own areas of weakness, the material of the A&P class, and make the judgment call as to how much it'll help you. But as far as worrying about the lack of upper-level science classes, I think talking the admissions office would be the best way to go.
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I actually have called. They were a bit vague, and just told me that I should focus on the MCAT, and that I didn't have to have all my prereqs done when I applied. My A&P class is great, but it goes a bit too deep for the MCAT, and much of what I would need to know for the MCAT is covered in A&P2, not one. I understand that this is just part of the struggle when you're a non-trad applicant, but it can be so frustrating. It's better to have upper level science classes, but your GPA and MCAT matter most. I wonder if having one upper level class would even make that much difference? It's such a crap shoot, you know?
 
What sort of questions can I expect?

Will I be asked about the current state of healthcare politics?

OR why UIC?

What are some reasons people want to go here? I'm just curious (For me, the Chicago campus is close to home so that's a major part)
 
I've interviewed in three different places and none of them have been overly stressful, however Illinois was by far the most laid back interview I have had. The caveat is that I interviewed in Peoria so I can only speak for that process. The student interviewers there have a list of questions that they have to pick from so you will get more typical interview questions from them, but my two MD interviewers basically had a conversation with me. They don't have your primary application to look at, only your secondary essays and I believe your personal statement. I didn't get asked anything resembling an ethical question. Didn't get asked about my reasons for choosing Illinois. We spent almost half the time talking about things not even related to med school.

Honestly, though, I think it's all about luck of the draw on your interviewers. The two guys that interviewed me were both nontraditional med school applicants (like I am) and so they could really relate to me and we talked about the challenges of approaching school that way. At another school I didn't click with my interviewers at all. So generally I would expect to answer the typical interview questions, except that at Illinois your interviewers will not know anything about your primary application.
 
Wolverine2116 said:
I've interviewed in three different places and none of them have been overly stressful, however Illinois was by far the most laid back interview I have had. The caveat is that I interviewed in Peoria so I can only speak for that process. The student interviewers there have a list of questions that they have to pick from so you will get more typical interview questions from them, but my two MD interviewers basically had a conversation with me. They don't have your primary application to look at, only your secondary essays and I believe your personal statement. I didn't get asked anything resembling an ethical question. Didn't get asked about my reasons for choosing Illinois. We spent almost half the time talking about things not even related to med school.

Honestly, though, I think it's all about luck of the draw on your interviewers. The two guys that interviewed me were both nontraditional med school applicants (like I am) and so they could really relate to me and we talked about the challenges of approaching school that way. At another school I didn't click with my interviewers at all. So generally I would expect to answer the typical interview questions, except that at Illinois your interviewers will not know anything about your primary application.
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Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. 🙂

This is definitely one of my top choices, especially Chicago campus because it's so close to my home.
 
Has anyone been accepted post the Decision Pending email?? Scouring through the posts last year, it didn't seem like anyone was accepted from the Decision Pending pool until after June... Definitely nervous (interview was 12/8) :scared:
 
Mackhouse said:
Has anyone been accepted post the Decision Pending email?? Scouring through the posts last year, it didn't seem like anyone was accepted from the Decision Pending pool until after June... Definitely nervous (interview was 12/8) :scared:
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I saw someone get accepted a month after they were put in the decision pending pool which was sometime in February I think. When did you get the e-mail?
 
GraMaire said:
What sort of questions can I expect?

Will I be asked about the current state of healthcare politics?

OR why UIC?

What are some reasons people want to go here? I'm just curious (For me, the Chicago campus is close to home so that's a major part)
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The interview is three random people not directly part of the admissions committee, so you can have anything thrown at you depending on the whims of the interviewer.

Why does everyone freak out about healthcare reform questions? You're not getting a political science degree. Form an opinion and be able to talk about the forces guiding the future of your profession.

YES, you will be asked "Why UIC?" NO, proximity to home is not the right answer.
 
Haha thanks.I definitely wasnt planning on saying I want to go there because its close to home. Its just a nice bonus.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mackhouse
Has anyone been accepted post the Decision Pending email?? Scouring through the posts last year, it didn't seem like anyone was accepted from the Decision Pending pool until after June... Definitely nervous (interview was 12/8) :scared:

I saw someone get accepted a month after they were put in the decision pending pool which was sometime in February I think. When did you get the e-mail?


___________________________________________________
I got the "still under consideration" email on 12/17.
 
How does UIC decide who to accept? I know some schools utilize a more holistic process, where they take into account all aspects of your application and your personality and how well you displayed yourself during your interview before making a final decision. However, I also heard that UIC uses more of a point based system, where basically you get points for different components of your application (,ie GPA, MCAT, interview scores, etc) and once you reach a certain point threshold you will be accepted. As the 3 interviewers are basically detached from the admissions committee, they can't really advocate you personally, so from what I know its really hard for the adcom to get a feeling regarding the true holistic quality of the applicant, so that's why a point system is fairer and more effective. Can anybody speak to the accuracy of my post or add to how the admissions process works? Thanks
 
I got the additional correspondence tab! Good luck everyone!
 
hey has anyone recently gotten accepted after getting the "still under consideration" email in december?
 
Additional correspondence... I think. haha
 
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still decision pending... ahhh i'm losing hope! anyone know if the "we reviewed you but you're not yet accepted" (however they put that nicely) email gets sent out today as well?
 
Avoidthetiger said:
I decided to post this time line (posted on the 2009 and 2010 threads) that was of great service to me this past cycle. I hope that it finds you well.

START

I. Submit Primary.

II. Wait for the email from UIC giving you your login information for the Applicant Status Check site (usually arrives within 2 weeks of submitting your primary): https://mercury.comd.uic.edu/appstat

III. Login, and check your status in the second page. (hit NEXT button)

---

A. "Application Not Complete" = Secondary not yet complete.

B. "Application in Process" = You are complete. --> Goto C.

C. "Applicant in Process" = Your file is being reviewed, 3 Possible Status Changes:
1. "Select Interview Date" = You are good enough for an interview. --> Goto D.
2. "Application in Process" = You are not good enough to grant an interview yet, but might be later on in the cycle. Check back periodically. --> Go back to B.
3. "Final Decision Made ..." = You are not good enough. --> Goto X.
D. "Select Interview Date" (A grid of dates shows up) = Call and schedule an interview date, after which "Interview Scheduled on ... " shows up. After the interview, Goto F.

F. "Decision Pending" = File pending review at the next adcom meeting (every 3rd Thursday of the month). There are 2 options from here, depending on the month:
1. Before May. --> Goto M.
2. On or After May. --> Goto N.
M. Before May, 2 Possible Status Changes:
1. "Final Decision Made ... " --> Goto S.
2. "Decision Pending" (No Status Change) + "We'll keep reviewing you" Email (a few days later) = You are a good candidate, but not good enough to grant an acceptance yet. UIC will keep reviewing you at every adcom meeting. --> Go back to F.
N. On or After May, 2 Possible Status Changes:
1. "Final Decision Made ... " You are (very likely) rejected. --> Goto X.
2. "Applicant is Waitlisted" = Waitlisted. --> Goto Y.
S. There are 2 additional conditions from here:
1. There is an "Additional Correspondences" Tab in the upper-right corner on your status page AND you get a CBC Email (a few days later) = You are (very likely) accepted. --> Goto Z.
2. There is no "Additional Correspondences" Tab and/or you don't get the CBC Email = Rejection. [Note: This is tricky. The CBC email usually comes a few days after (1-4 is the consensus) the status change. Be patient. Sometimes, the email never comes, which might be because you already had a CBC done due to an acceptance at another school. In some instances, the CBC Email even comes after the snail-mail. If after a week, neither the tab nor the CBC email shows up, it's very likely a rejection. You've probably already received snail-mail by now alerting you to it.] --> Goto X.
X. "Final Decision Made ..." = Rejection ... Wait for a "Thin Letter" via snail-mail.

Y. "Applicant is Waitlisted" = Waitlisted. ... The CBC Email no longer acts as an indicator of an acceptance. If you get accepted off of the waitlist, then Goto Z, else Goto X.

Z. "Final Decision Made ..." + "Additional Correspondences" Tab + CBC Email = (very likely) Acceptance ... Wait for a "Fat Packet" via snail-mail. [Note: Sometimes CBC emails come after the packet. CBC emails also might never arrive if you got an acceptance to another school that also does CBC through AMCAS.]

FINISH

---

*** PLEASE BEAR IN MIND that this info came from 2009. Therefore, the whole process may have changed since then, and there is no guarantee to this information. But it worked for me (even though I was given the same warning) and the time line was accurate.

Good look to all of you class of 2016 applicants!!
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I felt this might be due a more recent reposting haha
 
Does anyone else have trouble accessing the website?
 
soccrwon said:
Sorry to hear that. When were you complete?
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*Shrug* Thanks, luckily I'm in at a place that's a great fit for me. I was complete back in July, but I'm also a reapplicant, which they do hold against you here I believe.
 
astanley said:
My status changed to "A final decision has been made..." pre-interview 🙁
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Same here,
"A final decision was made on your application on . Please allow two-weeks to receive the correspondence in the mail. If you do not receive this correspondence in two-weeks, please contact the Admissions Office. No decision will be given over the telephone."

🙁
 
100301 said:
hey has anyone recently gotten accepted after getting the "still under consideration" email in december?
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In the 2009-2010 cycle, I interviewed on the very first day (mid-September) and then got that e-mail October, November, December, January, February, and March.

Accepted late April.
 
so if the application status page displays an "Additional Corresondance" tab and you have your status read as "A final decision was made on your application on 01-26-12", does that basically mean an acceptance?
 
Anyone else have any advice for me and my situation? Should I keep A&P1, and not take it in the Fall, so as to have at least one upper level Bio class now, or should I focus all of my effort into the MCAT, and not try to put too much onto my plate? Thanks.
 
averagesuperher said:
so if the application status page displays an "Additional Corresondance" tab and you have your status read as "A final decision was made on your application on 01-26-12", does that basically mean an acceptance?
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So far, it looks like it does, so it's probably good news 🙂
(But I didn't celebrate until I had the acceptance letter in my hand.)
 
9/12/11 supp app invitation
10/18/11 supp app "complete"
11/9/11 interview invitation
12/16/11 interview (Chicago campus with about 15 other extraordinarily pleasant ladies and gentlemen)

Recent status checks have me looking at "Decision Pending".

Have been reading SDN for years, this is my first post.
I enjoy hearing what you intelligent men and women have to say on our common headaches.

Cheers
 
call911 said:
9/12/11 supp app invitation
10/18/11 supp app "complete"
11/9/11 interview invitation
12/16/11 interview (Chicago campus with about 15 other extraordinarily pleasant ladies and gentlemen)

Recent status checks have me looking at "Decision Pending".

Have been reading SDN for years, this is my first post.
I enjoy hearing what you intelligent men and women have to say on our common headaches.

Cheers
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Just wondering, have you gotten an e-mail saying your application's been looked at yet?
 
In a nutshell, the only correspondence I've received acknowledges the payment of my II application fee thus rendering it "complete," and stuff regarding the interview.

Seems like from what I've been reading on the forum, the longer one is in the 'decision process' stage, the better their chances of getting accepted... but I still haven't gotten any more correspondence so my confidence is waning...

Anyone else who interviewed around 12/16 get anything?
 
call911 said:
In a nutshell, the only correspondence I've received acknowledges the payment of my II application fee thus rendering it "complete," and stuff regarding the interview.

Seems like from what I've been reading on the forum, the longer one is in the 'decision process' stage, the better their chances of getting accepted... but I still haven't gotten any more correspondence so my confidence is waning...

Anyone else who interviewed around 12/16 get anything?
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I interviewed around then, and my status just changed yesterday to "additional correspondence." Those of us interviewing in late December missed the December committee meeting and had to wait for the January one, which was late in the month. I don't think we are supposed to have gotten anything yet.
 
Does it really matter which campus you interview at? It seems like the Chicago one is pretty booked and you can get an earlier one at a different campus.
 
I interviewed at Peoria and got placed on the Peoria track, although I did have Peoria listed second behind Chicago. I don't think my interview location affected which campus I ended up at, but I suppose you never know. I'm not complaining though, I liked Peoria when I visited.
 
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