2011-2012 University of Illinois Application Thread

[western1]

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And just to add one more thing... for anyone who want's to argue that the quality of students at UIC is above par.... I got called a "typical all American white boy" during my interview. My interviewer laughed she thought she had made such a good joke. (this was at Peoria).

 

[VisionaryTics]

I'm not debating that the state of Illinois massively effed UIC...that is a fact no one can reasonably argue against. What I'm saying is that given this fact, UIC is just not a reasonable deal...unless it is your sole option. This was not the case even 2-3 years ago.

That's true. Personally, I was not in the position to choose.

Still, I still have some faith in the ability of the administration to get the school on the right track. I just hope this tuition hike won't dilute the quality of applicant enough that my degree will be looked on with disdain in 10 or 20 years.

 

[edge of desire]

is this really causing UIC to have a "deteriorating reputation"? I mean...I guess among applicants, but what about the opinion of UIC among other med schools?

 

[VisionaryTics]

is this really causing UIC to have a "deteriorating reputation"? I mean...I guess among applicants, but what about the opinion of UIC among other med schools?

Check out our match lists. PDs from some great programs have no problem taking UIC grads.

 

[AlexMorph]

That's true. Personally, I was not in the position to choose.

Still, I still have some faith in the ability of the administration to get the school on the right track. I just hope this tuition hike won't dilute the quality of applicant enough that my degree will be looked on with disdain in 10 or 20 years.

I'm not as optimistic about the reputation not tanking...currently uic enjoys the same company as rush and loyola...i dread the day uic gets categorized with cms

 

[AlexMorph]

Check out our match lists. PDs from some great programs have no problem taking UIC grads.

this much is true...and i hope it stays this way

 

[AlexMorph]

is this really causing UIC to have a "deteriorating reputation"? I mean...I guess among applicants, but what about the opinion of UIC among other med schools?

the school's response to this was, "we dont think it will happen but only time will tell!"
way to hedge your bet...

 

[phnerd1105]

I'm not as optimistic about the reputation not tanking...currently uic enjoys the same company as rush and loyola...i dread the day uic gets categorized with cms

Man, I would say you're not helping any prospective students either. Your negative attitude is personally putting more of a damper on my view of the school than the tuition hike itself. Honestly, I'm excited to go check out the school and see what it has to offer, and am extremely grateful to receive an interview.

Thank you to Visionary Tics, Snoopy, and other students who have remained positive and encouraging about the school

 

[AlexMorph]

Man, I would say you're not helping any prospective students either. Your negative attitude is personally putting more of a damper on my view of the school than the tuition hike itself. Honestly, I'm excited to go check out the school and see what it has to offer, and am extremely grateful to receive an interview.

Thank you to Visionary Tics, Snoopy, and other students who have remained positive and encouraging about the school

go for it. check it out for yourself. if you like it, then choose to matriculate. im just relating what ive personally found to be true. if you dont see it the same way, feel free to do as you wish.

 

[purpleGiraffe]

did anyone get the acceptance packet in the mail that received the Additional Correspondence (Jan 26) status and the Missing in Admit Email?

I'm out in CA and have not yet received it, but just wondering when everyone else got theres

 

[GraMaire]

did anyone get the acceptance packet in the mail that received the Additional Correspondence (Jan 26) status and the Missing in Admit Email?

I'm out in CA and have not yet received it, but just wondering when everyone else got theres

I got it last week, but I live less than 20 miles away....

 

[wizbiz86]

did anyone get the acceptance packet in the mail that received the Additional Correspondence (Jan 26) status and the Missing in Admit Email?

I'm out in CA and have not yet received it, but just wondering when everyone else got theres

I got the Jan 30th Additional Correspondence and received my acceptance packet here in Florida on the 4th.

 

[oldbones]

did anyone get the acceptance packet in the mail that received the Additional Correspondence (Jan 26) status and the Missing in Admit Email?

I'm out in CA and have not yet received it, but just wondering when everyone else got theres

I got mine in the mail on Saturday 2/4. I live in New England, which is roughly the same distance away from Chicago as most of CA. If you haven't received anything by now, I would think about contacting the office. It has been 2 weeks as of today.

 

[ahutni3]

is this really causing UIC to have a "deteriorating reputation"? I mean...I guess among applicants, but what about the opinion of UIC among other med schools?

This can be put into perspective with the classic joke "What do you call the doctor that graduated bottom of his/her class? Doctor." If you pass your boards, you're a doctor. Whether or not you get into a specific specialty depends more on how bad you want to get into it, and where you're willing to go to get into it (as long as you do well at whatever school you attend). It's just like undergrad, whether or not you went to an IV league school or a state school matters a hell of a lot less than HOW WELL you did there (how much work you put into it).

 

[TwoBits]

Man, I would say you're not helping any prospective students either. Your negative attitude is personally putting more of a damper on my view of the school than the tuition hike itself. Honestly, I'm excited to go check out the school and see what it has to offer, and am extremely grateful to receive an interview.

Thank you to Visionary Tics, Snoopy, and other students who have remained positive and encouraging about the school

👍👍👍

 

[tomatosauce]

Going off of ahutni3's point, so far I haven't gotten the impression that attending UIC will somehow limit my options later (based on match lists and whatnot). One of my high school mates is an M2 there now, and she couldn't be happier. Great location, great city, big class (pros and cons, to be sure), and plenty of clinical opportunities are what I gathered from my interview there. Plus, it's got a pretty stellar School of Public Health, which collaborates with the COM on global projects abroad.

I'm still excited about the school, but then again, what do I know? This whole application process is slowly challenging my sanity.

 

[TwoBits]

did anyone get the acceptance packet in the mail that received the Additional Correspondence (Jan 26) status and the Missing in Admit Email?

I'm out in CA and have not yet received it, but just wondering when everyone else got theres

Received additional correspondence on 1/26, packet on 2/4, and CBC email today. GL!

 

[VisionaryTics]

Going off of ahutni3's point, so far I haven't gotten the impression that attending UIC will somehow limit my options later (based on match lists and whatnot). One of my high school mates is an M2 there now, and she couldn't be happier. Great location, great city, big class (pros and cons, to be sure), and plenty of clinical opportunities are what I gathered from my interview there. Plus, it's got a pretty stellar School of Public Health, which collaborates with the COM on global projects abroad.

I'm still excited about the school, but then again, what do I know? This whole application process is slowly challenging my sanity.

Those strong points are all true. Also true is the 21% tuition hike. Weigh both in making your decision.

I'm happy here, despite some dysfunction.

 

[dhaider]

hmm... does anyone know if the admissions committee is meeting this Thursday (2/16) or next Thursday (2/23)? I thought they usually met on the third Thursday of every month?

 

[WaryWildcat]

Question to all the admits, from a current M2, about the tuition hike: Did the administration send you any information about the hike, or did you hear about it on these forums/from friends? Some of us were wondering and wanted to see what the deal was!

 

[TwoBits]

Question to all the admits, from a current M2, about the tuition hike: Did the administration send you any information about the hike, or did you hear about it on these forums/from friends? Some of us were wondering and wanted to see what the deal was!

Found out here, on SDN. Was accepted on 1/26.

 

[kduck]

Found out here, on SDN. Was accepted on 1/26.

+1. The administration hasn't sent us any information about the new tuition, as far as I know; maybe they're planning to announce it with financial aid stuff.

 

[GraMaire]

Found out here, on SDN. Was accepted on 1/26.

Same

 

[tomatosauce]

Question to all the admits, from a current M2, about the tuition hike: Did the administration send you any information about the hike, or did you hear about it on these forums/from friends? Some of us were wondering and wanted to see what the deal was!

From friends.

 

[edge of desire]

heard about it on sdn.

to VisionaryTics and Snoopy, when UIC asked you to prove your residency (I"m assuming they ask you to do this), what info did they ask you for? Did they want current tax forms?

 

[VisionaryTics]

heard about it on sdn.

to VisionaryTics and Snoopy, when UIC asked you to prove your residency (I"m assuming they ask you to do this), what info did they ask you for? Did they want current tax forms?

I don't remember ever doing this, but your first week at UIC is basically a blizzard of forms to fill out. I think they tell you to bring multiple forms of ID one of the days because you have a bunch of "Prove who are you" things to do like background checks, VA clearances, etc.

 

[poohbear12345]

does UIC have a second look weekend?

 

[MonicaMelquiade]

Just got an interview invite - I was complete in August and switched to applicant in process some time around October.

 

[Clev]

Interview Invite!! Complete since August 15th with no word. When I called they had 3 dates left, 1 in Rockford and 2 in Chicago.

 

[FutureOncDoc]

Just received and interview invite as well. IS and complete since August. They had 3 dates open in Chicago. Does anyone know if the there are still spots open for acceptances at the Chicago campus?

 

[Snoopy2006]

heard about it on sdn.

to VisionaryTics and Snoopy, when UIC asked you to prove your residency (I"m assuming they ask you to do this), what info did they ask you for? Did they want current tax forms?

Sorry, I don't remember either. Don't remember any tax forms, but that whole summer was a blur. Congrats to the people who just got interview invites.

 

[WaryWildcat]

heard about it on sdn.

to VisionaryTics and Snoopy, when UIC asked you to prove your residency (I"m assuming they ask you to do this), what info did they ask you for? Did they want current tax forms?

I guess I'm not surprised that they didn't let you guys know about the increase - they didn't let us know either until it was too late.

I asked because I'm with a student group, Students for Affordable Medical Education, that is trying to get the increase repealed. We just released a petition earlier this afternoon; as prospective students, it would mean a lot to our cause if you signed the petition. The administration seems convinced that this will have no averse effect on the future composition of the student body, and we know otherwise; your voice will help hammer home how wrong they are. The link is below:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-the-tuition-increase-ui-same/signatures

Thanks in advance to all who sign!

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

Another M1 at UIC here and what the other students have been saying so far regarding the tuition hike, hit-or-miss classes/professors (what school doesn't have this issue though?), etc, is pretty accurate. It really sucks that the state of Illinois has put the school in this position.

Please consider the financial ramifications this will have when choosing where to attend next year since the brunt of this tuition increase affects incoming students more than it does current students, especially since it's very likely that tuition will continue to increase over the next several years (though it's unlikely to be as big of an increase as this 21%).

With that being said, I agree with VisionaryTics that the deans do appear to care a lot for the students and about wanting to improve the school and the education it provides. However, due to lack of funds from the state, they're pretty much between a rock and hard place. If the tuition increase isn't repealed (check out the petition above), we've been told that the money the increased tuition generates will be going entirely toward medical education. So, if that's the case, I can only imagine that the school will improve over the next several years.

 

[spiderpete]

I'm also an M1 and working with Students for Affordable Medical Education. I'll echo what Kaushik said. There is a lot to like here at Illinois: deans and faculty that genuinely care and are working towards improvement, some excellent faculty, great opportunities to find and work in whatever you are interested in. I've been pleasantly surprised with the many clinical opportunities as an M1.

What needs to improve? Old facilities, getting rid of some awful teachers, continue to refine/improve the curriculum.

The tuition increase is egregious. It was forced through the Board of Trustees with absolutely no transparency, no plan on how to spend the money, and no consideration for the ramifications. Heavier debt on the students means fewer, less-talented candidates, and fewer students choosing primary care, which only exacerbates our chronic PCP shortage.

Please help us out and sign the petition. Tell everyone you know!! We believe we can reverse this decision if we can get enough people to speak out. We are taking this story to the media, alumni, other students,etc. We want to meet the Board of Trustees and get this changed.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-the-tuition-increase-ui-same/

We are on Facebook too. Groups/SFAME

Thanks,
Pete - Class President, 2015

 

[SquawBear]

With the people posting above that there are only 3 intervenes dates left, does that mean everyone else is not going to receive an II or will more dates open?

 

[Rippy087]

Does anyone have cost projections for the incoming class of 2016, for cost of M2, M3, and M4? I remember someone saying that M2 and M3 are something around 70k??? This would make it cheaper for me, as an Illinois resident, to attend BU (cost of tuition is 50-55k for all four years).

 

[oldbones]

Does anyone have cost projections for the incoming class of 2016, for cost of M2, M3, and M4? I remember someone saying that M2 and M3 are something around 70k??? This would make it cheaper for me, as an Illinois resident, to attend BU (cost of tuition is 50-55k for all four years).

I don't think they've released anything official yet. They probably wont until the financial aid goes out next month. You'd probably end up even in tuition, given that the UI tuition will be $40k x 5, versus $50k x 4 at BU. But realize that living in Boston is expensive (even more than Chicago). If you're in the UPR track at UI, you'd be saving a lot of money in living expenses (likely several hundred to a thousand dollars a month depending if you are bringing along a significant other or family).

At the end of the day, it's about personal preference. Where do you want to live, what kind of medicine are you interested in, what kind of lifestyle do you want in the future?

 

[GraMaire]

I don't think they've released anything official yet. They probably wont until the financial aid goes out next month. You'd probably end up even in tuition, given that the UI tuition will be $40k x 5, versus $50k x 4 at BU. But realize that living in Boston is expensive (even more than Chicago). If you're in the UPR track at UI, you'd be saving a lot of money in living expenses (likely several hundred to a thousand dollars a month depending if you are bringing along a significant other or family).

At the end of the day, it's about personal preference. Where do you want to live, what kind of medicine are you interested in, what kind of lifestyle do you want in the future?

The interviewer I had blatantly criticized the Rockford city and campus as a whole. That was a major turnoff actually.

My student interview his medical class, another big turn off.

 

[Rippy087]

I don't think they've released anything official yet. They probably wont until the financial aid goes out next month. You'd probably end up even in tuition, given that the UI tuition will be $40k x 5, versus $50k x 4 at BU. But realize that living in Boston is expensive (even more than Chicago). If you're in the UPR track at UI, you'd be saving a lot of money in living expenses (likely several hundred to a thousand dollars a month depending if you are bringing along a significant other or family).

At the end of the day, it's about personal preference. Where do you want to live, what kind of medicine are you interested in, what kind of lifestyle do you want in the future?

I'm interviewing at the Chicago campus of UIC in the first week of March, so there is no guarantee I will even be accepted. I've lived in Boston for the past 6 years, so I'm well aware of the insane cost of living. Truthfully, that is one of the things that scares me the most about this entire process, I'm already about 100k in debt.

I live about 5 minutes away from the Chicago campus, so living in the area would be much cheaper. I've heard from a lot of people that it is NOT a good idea to live with your parents during medical school, but cost of living in Chicago would still be considerably less than that in Boston.

In terms of where I want to end up in the future, I'm definitely say the Chicagoland area or at least the Midwest. I can't say that I am in love with the East.

 

[Snoopy2006]

Does anyone have cost projections for the incoming class of 2016, for cost of M2, M3, and M4? I remember someone saying that M2 and M3 are something around 70k??? This would make it cheaper for me, as an Illinois resident, to attend BU (cost of tuition is 50-55k for all four years).

M4 tuition will be the same as M1. M2 and M3 are going to be higher. But the difference isn't 30k as your post indicates (if you're talking about tuition only). It's more in the neighborhood of a $13-15,000 increase for M2 and M3 tuition. Don't remember the exact numbers off the top of my head, but I think someone mentioned it a few pages back. (The # will probably change with the new tuition hike, I haven't heard any final numbers though).

Edit - I noticed on your MDApps you interviewed at SLU. Just curious - do you know what their current tuition is? I remember how awful their tuition seemed when I interviewed there (early in the season) and wanted to compare it to UIC's new tuition.

 

[Rippy087]

M4 tuition will be the same as M1. M2 and M3 are going to be higher. But the difference isn't 30k as your post indicates (if you're talking about tuition only). It's more in the neighborhood of a $13-15,000 increase for M2 and M3 tuition. Don't remember the exact numbers off the top of my head, but I think someone mentioned it a few pages back. (The # will probably change with the new tuition hike, I haven't heard any final numbers though).

Edit - I noticed on your MDApps you interviewed at SLU. Just curious - do you know what their current tuition is? I remember how awful their tuition seemed when I interviewed there (early in the season) and wanted to compare it to UIC's new tuition.

Thank you, I actually just found a website for the COA at UIC. I think the website was posted in another thread here on SDN: http://www.medicine.uic.edu/finaid/cost/COA/. Looks like you were right, the tuition for M2 and M3 is about $13-14,000 higher than M1 and M4 due to the summer months.

I have my folder from the SLU interview in front of me, and there is no tuition information in the packet (I thought there was). I think the tuition alone was around $48,000, but their total COA projections were in the $70,000 range.

 

[Snoopy2006]

Thank you, I actually just found a website for the COA at UIC. I think the website was posted in another thread here on SDN: http://www.medicine.uic.edu/finaid/cost/COA/. Looks like you were right, the tuition for M2 and M3 is about $13-14,000 higher than M1 and M4 due to the summer months.

I have my folder from the SLU interview in front of me, and there is no tuition information in the packet (I thought there was). I think the tuition alone was around $48,000, but their total COA projections were in the $70,000 range.

Thanks - yeah all I remember was that I liked SLU when I interviewed, but literally every student I talked to (tour guides, random med students who came to our lunch for free food) talked about the awful cost when we asked about negatives about the school. It scared me off a bit. Fast-forward 2 years later, and tuition-wise, UIC just became comparable when you average it out over 4 years.

 

[FutureOncDoc]

Have they announced when orientation starts this August? Thanks!

 

[thenewyorker]

+1 bump this please

I'm also an M1 and working with Students for Affordable Medical Education. I'll echo what Kaushik said. There is a lot to like here at Illinois: deans and faculty that genuinely care and are working towards improvement, some excellent faculty, great opportunities to find and work in whatever you are interested in. I've been pleasantly surprised with the many clinical opportunities as an M1.

What needs to improve? Old facilities, getting rid of some awful teachers, continue to refine/improve the curriculum.

The tuition increase is egregious. It was forced through the Board of Trustees with absolutely no transparency, no plan on how to spend the money, and no consideration for the ramifications. Heavier debt on the students means fewer, less-talented candidates, and fewer students choosing primary care, which only exacerbates our chronic PCP shortage.

Please help us out and sign the petition. Tell everyone you know!! We believe we can reverse this decision if we can get enough people to speak out. We are taking this story to the media, alumni, other students,etc. We want to meet the Board of Trustees and get this changed.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-the-tuition-increase-ui-same/

We are on Facebook too. Groups/SFAME

Thanks,
Pete - Class President, 2015

 

[TwoBits]

Anyone know where I can find recent match lists from Peoria? Link on the website just takes me to Peoria's main page. Thank you

 

[IrishCalini]

Man, I would say you're not helping any prospective students either. Your negative attitude is personally putting more of a damper on my view of the school than the tuition hike itself. Honestly, I'm excited to go check out the school and see what it has to offer, and am extremely grateful to receive an interview.

Thank you to Visionary Tics, Snoopy, and other students who have remained positive and encouraging about the school

Personally, I'm sorry to hear this negativity has impacted your feelings. Unfortunately, many people see this situation as frustrating, and they cope with it via this mechanism.

Speaking as an M1 IS student, UIC was the only school I wanted to go to. I had heard across the board from my doctor friends and family friends that bar none, this was the best school to prepare you to become a clinically competent and empathetic doctor IF (and it's a big if potentially) you were willing to be independent. I was told nothing is handed to you here; you have to find it yourself (ask and ye shall receive basically).

I can say that this is ABSOLUTELY true. I've enjoyed a plethora of experiences inside and outside the classroom that I feel will go miles for me in the future. Everyone (professors, doctors, residents, upperclassmen) is willing to help you if you seek them out. I truly do feel that this is the school that will help me meet the expectations I set for myself before I started med school. That being said, I don't sit on my butt! I went after everything I wanted, emailing professors and doctors, applying for leadership positions, applying for specialty programs within UIC, etc. You have to WORK. The classes are no exception either. You have to WORK, really hard and be responsible.

I'll be honest, not all of my experiences have been good. I think you'd find that pretty much anywhere. But I think what kills me the most about this whole situation, tuition increase and all, is that it may keep people, some of which I KNOW would make amazing, compassionate, empathetic doctors (the kind of docs I'd want to be treating my family and I) from experiencing the opportunities (especially the clinical ones) that this school has to offer.

Anyway that's my 2 cents...

Any incoming M1s or any people with questions, feel free to PM me 🙂

 

[Avoidthetiger]

Kaushik - I returned to SDN only for you... that, and I can study anymore :/

I'm also an M1 and working with Students for Affordable Medical Education. I'll echo what Kaushik said. There is a lot to like here at Illinois: deans and faculty that genuinely care and are working towards improvement, some excellent faculty, great opportunities to find and work in whatever you are interested in. I've been pleasantly surprised with the many clinical opportunities as an M1.

What needs to improve? Old facilities, getting rid of some awful teachers, continue to refine/improve the curriculum.

The tuition increase is egregious. It was forced through the Board of Trustees with absolutely no transparency, no plan on how to spend the money, and no consideration for the ramifications. Heavier debt on the students means fewer, less-talented candidates, and fewer students choosing primary care, which only exacerbates our chronic PCP shortage.

Please help us out and sign the petition. Tell everyone you know!! We believe we can reverse this decision if we can get enough people to speak out. We are taking this story to the media, alumni, other students,etc. We want to meet the Board of Trustees and get this changed.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-the-tuition-increase-ui-same/

We are on Facebook too. Groups/SFAME

Thanks,
Pete - Class President, 2015

Sayyy what!? Pete is a SDN user. wo0t wo0t. but seriously, SIGN THIS PETITION!

I can say that this is ABSOLUTELY true. I've enjoyed a plethora of experiences inside and outside the classroom that I feel will go miles for me in the future. Everyone (professors, doctors, residents, upperclassmen) is willing to help you if you seek them out. I truly do feel that this is the school that will help me meet the expectations I set for myself before I started med school. That being said, I don't sit on my butt! I went after everything I wanted, emailing professors and doctors, applying for leadership positions, applying for specialty programs within UIC, etc. You have to WORK. The classes are no exception either. You have to WORK, really hard and be responsible.

I'll be honest, not all of my experiences have been good. I think you'd find that pretty much anywhere. But I think what kills me the most about this whole situation, tuition increase and all, is that it may keep people, some of which I KNOW would make amazing, compassionate, empathetic doctors (the kind of docs I'd want to be treating my family and I) from experiencing the opportunities (especially the clinical ones) that this school has to offer.

I pretty much +1 this. Though I would say that our professors have been super-below par for me (minus physiology - love that course!). Our school needs a lot of curriculum update and lecturer improvements. But, eh, I still think I made the right choice. I love my peers here.

 

[Phoenix88]

"Though I would say that our professors have been super-below par for me (minus physiology - love that course!). Our school needs a lot of curriculum update and lecturer improvements."

Didn't they just update the curriculum? I remember a student telling me that this year's curriculum/work load/etc was better than last year's, for M1's especially.

 

[TwoBits]

Anyone know where I can find recent match lists from Peoria? Link on the website just takes me to Peoria's main page. Thank you

bump

 

[Echo716]

Man, I would say you're not helping any prospective students either. Your negative attitude is personally putting more of a damper on my view of the school than the tuition hike itself. Honestly, I'm excited to go check out the school and see what it has to offer, and am extremely grateful to receive an interview.

Thank you to Visionary Tics, Snoopy, and other students who have remained positive and encouraging about the school

I don't see UIC's rep tanking because of the tuition hike. I feel with the size, diversity, and location in the Med District, UIC will keep on training respected Illinois physicians (albeit with fewer PCPs thanks to $$$). I definitely see how poorly Illinois' public funds have been managed and do hope the hike is reduced/eliminated at tuition is frozen at M1 (SIGN the petition, y'all!). UIC is one of the two schools I've been blessed enough to gain acceptances, and this will certainly not eliminate it from contention, but I am a bit nervous about future tuition if this hike doesn't freeze in place for the coming year. What if they decide to tack on another 11% next year? Hope that fear is not applicable to the next few years. I'm still hoping I get accepted to UIC's Urban Medicine program (huge selling point to me for the school) and I can start to forget this overly-opaque tuition hike in my choice of med schools. Good luck, all...and hope my first SDN post was decent!