2012-2013 University of Illinois Application Thread

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For those accepted: have you gotten the CBC e-mail yet? Also--did your Additional Correspondence tab show a date before/after you got a track assigned?

Pretty hopeful that I'll get my number one choice, but the waiting is making me a little nervous:xf:
 
swimmer1017 said:
For those accepted: have you gotten the CBC e-mail yet? Also--did your Additional Correspondence tab show a date before/after you got a track assigned?

Pretty hopeful that I'll get my number one choice, but the waiting is making me a little nervous:xf:
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Haven't gotten a CBC email yet. I don't have my site assignment yet (or a date next to my "Additional Correspondence"), but my status did change to have a "Pre-Enrollment Requirements" box and to tell me that my acceptance of the offer and deposit were received.
 
to any current student or students that will be attending next fall:

What about the curriculum makes UIC stand out? I have interviewed at some schools with very specific and special aspects to their curriculum (PBLs, self directed learning etc) but as I have researched into UofI's program nothing seems to jump out.
 
swimmer1017 said:
For those accepted: have you gotten the CBC e-mail yet? Also--did your Additional Correspondence tab show a date before/after you got a track assigned?

Pretty hopeful that I'll get my number one choice, but the waiting is making me a little nervous:xf:
Click to expand...

Got my acceptance back in October (and assignment in November) and I have neither received a CBC email nor is there a date next to the Additional Correspondence tab. I've heard CBCs start in January so we should be getting those soon.
 
BadgerFan2012 said:
to any current student or students that will be attending next fall:

What about the curriculum makes UIC stand out? I have interviewed at some schools with very specific and special aspects to their curriculum (PBLs, self directed learning etc) but as I have researched into UofI's program nothing seems to jump out.
Click to expand...

This might be a tougher question to answer especially since there doesn't seem to be too much cross-talk between the Chicago track and the UPR track. I interviewed at in Peoria and got accepted to Chicago.

One thing which seemed to be known was the diversity of the programs. There were several different specific tracks you could follow if you applied and were accepted ie Global medicine, Urban medicine, rural medicine, and they also had several dual degree programs for those that were interested. Top this off with UIC being the only CEPH accredited school of public health in Illinois can be useful as well.

More than anything UIC seemed, to me at least, more interested in giving opportunities to students over describing the curriculum. My understanding based of scrounging these forums about the chicago track and my interview at my Peoria interview is that the experiences and style can be pretty different.

It might be why you can't find as much
 
BadgerFan2012 said:
to any current student or students that will be attending next fall:

What about the curriculum makes UIC stand out? I have interviewed at some schools with very specific and special aspects to their curriculum (PBLs, self directed learning etc) but as I have researched into UofI's program nothing seems to jump out.
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Here: http://www.medicine.uic.edu/curriculummaps, and the Practicum that Kaushik mentioned is what "stood out" for me.


Kaushik said:
4) Clinical training -- of all the things at UIC, this was the primary reason why I decided to attend here. The hospitals here (UIH, the VA, Stroger, and countless others) and the patient population we see provide an absolutely incredible opportunity to get a diverse clinical education. Even as an M1 last year, I saw things ranging from bread-and-butter stuff to conditions that have only been documented a few times ever. Still remember the clinical presentation of that to this day.

There's a strong emphasis on early clinical training here at UIC. I know that every school says this (and I can't comment on other schools), but we get really good opportunities here. Last year, with my preceptor, I was given around 30 minutes to get an H&P from every patient by myself first, then I'd come out and present/discuss my findings with the attending, then she would have some teaching points (asking me what I think is going on, explaining reasoning, what findings to look for and why, etc), and finally, we'd both go in together to see the patient. Even got to occasionally write my notes in the EMR for the attending to sign off on. It was amazing and I cannot quantify how much I learned! And that's just from M1 year! As an M2, my preceptor currently expects me to function as an M3 when I'm in the clinic -- doing H&Ps, writing SOAP notes, reading up on patients, etc. We also have this thing, called Practicum, during M2 year -- they're basically mini-rotations where we get an entire week at a time (3 times total, over the course of the year) to practice seeing patients in the hospital. No classes or anything during this. It's entirely clinical. It's a wonderful opportunity to improve taking H&Ps, presenting your findings, etc. And all the attendings I've had so far have been very good teachers who spend a surprising amount of time (at least, I was surprised -- I thought they would be too busy!) helping you develop your clinical reasoning, forming differentials, etc.

All my current M3 friends are absolutely loving their rotations and raving about the amount of autonomy they get and how much they're learning. When I was deciding on medical schools, the most important thing to me was that I get really, really good clinical training. Pre-clinical education is pretty much the same at every medical school in the US. No matter where you attend, you'll learn the same basic science material. It's really the clinical years (and research opportunities) that set schools apart. UIC has a well-known reputation for producing excellent clinicians and it has a lot to do with our hospital system and the patient population we treat. So, it was the biggest reason why I decided to attend here and I absolutely love it here so far!
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Got my track placement in the mail-- Chicago track!! Super excited 🙂
 
Thanks for copy-pasting what I posted earlier, goodkarma. Saves me some time! 🙂

BadgerFan2012 said:
to any current student or students that will be attending next fall:

What about the curriculum makes UIC stand out? I have interviewed at some schools with very specific and special aspects to their curriculum (PBLs, self directed learning etc) but as I have researched into UofI's program nothing seems to jump out.
Click to expand...

UIC (Chicago campus) is slowly moving away from a lecture-heavy curriculum to one that has more self-directed learning, team-based learning, etc.

With that being said, you really shouldn't decide on a med school based on the pre-clinical curriculum (IMHO). No matter what type of curriculum your school follows, you'll end up spending the vast majority of the time teaching yourself the material. It's just how med school works. There's way too much material for you to be spoon-fed every bit of information in a lecture or a PBL session. They'll highlight the high-yield stuff and then, it's up to you to spend hours on your own memorizing the material and making sure you understand everything. I know that a lot of schools discuss what type of curriculum they have, how it's so awesome, etc. Personally, I think it's just a marketing strategy for attracting students, with no significant impact on your medical education. No matter where you attend med school in the US, you'll come out of M2 year on a pretty even footing as the rest of the nation's students. Everyone's going to be using the same well-established material: Costanzo, Pathoma, Goljan, etc. It's really the clinical year stuff that matters.

The only thing I'd (personally) keep an eye out for during the pre-clinical years: mandatory classes. There are only a few mandatory classes at UIC. All the ECM classes (teaching you ethics, clinical stuff, biostats, etc) are mandatory and they're maybe once or twice a week (not every week either). Then, there's labs (anatomy, histology, neuroanatomy, and pathology) that are mandatory -- they're generally once or twice a week (or less). Everything else can be skipped, without any repercussions.

Hope that helps.
 
Wanted to clarify some things regarding Practicum (since you, and others, have shown interest in it). I actually didn't even know that it existed or what it was until the beginning of M2 year (when VisionaryTics was giving me some advice on how to approach M2 year)!

I was actually wrong when I originally said it's one week at a time for a total of 3 times. The first time around, which was a couple of months ago, it was around 8 or 9 days. We have it starting again this Monday and we have it for the next 2 weeks (so, classes don't actually start till the 22nd -- we're in the hospital till then). And the last one, which is in April, is around 9 days (IIRC). So, it's actually more than just 3 weeks.

Also, the kind of experience you have depends on what hospital site you're assigned. Since the main hospitals right next to campus can't accommodate all the students (we're assigned to the IM or EM services), some students will have to commute to get to their sites. Some only have a 15-20 minute commute, others have commutes that are an hour long or more (unfortunately). And you're at the same hospital and service for all 3 times you have Practicum.

The experience you get also varies a bit, depending on your hospital assignment. For example, at some sites, I've got classmates who are basically there from 8-5 while at other sites, I know people who are basically there for half the day and may not even need to show up unless they have to meet with their attending (we meet with 3 different attendings -- those days are mandatory). You really do get out of Practicum what you put into it. If you're there everyday, practicing H&Ps, reading up on patients, rounding with the team, etc, you'll get a better clinical experience (even though it's more work) than if you showed up on only the 3 mandatory times you have to be there. Keep in mind that this depends on the hospital and service. At some hospitals, you have to be there from 8-5 or 8-12 or whatever everyday.

I'll give you my experience. Luckily, I got assigned to the IM service at UIH, which is right next to the med school and is just a 10-15 minute walk from my apartment. Here, they are not as strict about you coming in every single day for a certain number of hours. However, most of us went in almost every day. My day would start off with me getting to the hospital at 8am for morning report (where a case is presented to an attending and he/she tries to figure out what the diagnosis is -- it's fairly educational, especially with certain attendings who are awesome teachers!) or grand rounds (depending on the day). Free coffee and breakfast! That lasts about an hour or so. Then, from 9 till 12ish, we would ask M4s, residents, and/or nurses to point us toward friendly patients who wouldn't mind being worked up by an M2. So, that time is spent doing H&Ps, practicing presenting them to residents who were willing to listen and give us tips, etc. At noon, if I'm remembering correctly, there would be noon conference. Afterwards, depending on how much I felt I got done earlier on, I'd either stay for another hour or two to practice doing H&Ps on more patients or I went home (or to the computer lab in the med school building) to read up on some patients, review stuff, etc. Evenings were pretty much spent hanging out with friends and enjoying life.

You meet with 3 different attendings/fellows during the course of Practicum -- they observe you doing H&Ps, they'll listen to your presentation, give you feedback on what you need to work on, etc. We work in groups of 3 or 4 (ie. all 3 or 4 of you will meet with the same 3 attendings at the same time and will get feedback from them). My attendings were pretty awesome! Not only did I get pretty good feedback from them, but they spent a lot of time going over clinical reasoning, how to form good differentials, walking us through how we should be thinking as doctors, etc. And these discussions are based on the patients you just worked up and presented. So, it was really cool and I feel like I learned a lot from it and got to synthesize things I've learned in class and get some idea of how they fit into the real world of medicine. We'd just sit in front of the white board in the resident's lounge and after one of us presented a case, they'd ask us what we have on our differential, why, what led us to rule-in/rule-out certain conditions, etc. Also got gently pimped (yea, that sounded weird). One attending, in particular, spent like 3 hours with us going over all this stuff and it was a lot of fun/educational! You also meet once during the course of Practicum with your normal ECM group (where you learn ethics, biostats, clinical stuff, etc) and give a presentation (as a group of 3 or 4) on a patient you've worked up, a clinical question you investigated (using UpToDate, PubMed, the Cochrane database, etc), and lead an evidence-based discussion of your findings.

I'm expecting that I'll probably spend more time in the hospital this time around because we're being tested on the full head-to-toe physical exam later on in the month. My exam date is the first week of February, so I'll probably be spending a good chunk of time practicing the different physical exams to make sure I've got them down well.

Anyways, I hope that provides a little bit more insight into what Practicum is like. Like I said though, depending on what site/service you're assigned to, your experience will be a bit different. Most of my classmates (and myself) enjoyed it. As mentioned earlier, you probably do get more out of it if you spend more time practicing H&Ps, etc -- I definitely feel more comfortable in approaching and talking to patients after that (you'd be surprised how scary it can be at first, when you're an M1 or just barely into M2 year!). Though I'd probably be singing a different tune if I had to be there from 8-5, with a long commute, every single day (which, unfortunately, happened to a few of my friends who were assigned to hospitals way out in the suburbs).

TL;DR -- practicum was a pretty cool experience! 🙂
 
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Can anyone comment on the likelyhood of finding out positive news from "no decision made" post interview? I've seen a few people in this thread and previous years commenting that they waited 1,2,...,6 months and eventually recieved acceptances, but I'm trying to acertain if these experiences are common occurances or outliers.


Thank you!
 
Kaushik said:
TL;DR -- practicum was a pretty cool experience! 🙂
Click to expand...

Thanks for writing about your experience! This is definitely something unique about UIC that I didn't see anywhere else I applied!

Random question, I'm thinking about potentially getting an iPad. Do any UIC students use tablets? Is the technology used for lectures compatible with iPads? Thanks!
 
goodkarma said:
Thanks for writing about your experience! This is definitely something unique about UIC that I didn't see anywhere else I applied!

Random question, I'm thinking about potentially getting an iPad. Do any UIC students use tablets? Is the technology used for lectures compatible with iPads? Thanks!
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Ok, my input might not be that important seeing that I'm not a student yet but my comment is based on having had a tablet and general consensus.

Tablets, for the most part, are absolutely worthless. If you're going to get one, just get one because you want it, not because you think it'll be useful. My undergrad gave Ipads to all incoming freshman and for the most part they rarely used them. This is also in part because professors didn't want to use them.

The only thing that is making me consider buying another tablet is the option of torrenting textbooks and being able to read them "in a book like" fashion. This would potentially save me hundreds of dollars in books, and realistically in the weight of carrying them.

Thats my 2 cents.
 
Woot! Got assigned to Chicago Track! I'm Pumped! 😀
 
Just changed from "Applicant in Process" to "Application is in Process."
 
I am so grateful. UIC is my top choice and now I truly pray that this will work out. Rush, GW, Loyola, etc. would all be fine, but I hope UIC can still show some love this late in the cycle.

One thing that I came to realize, if you truly know that your soul requires you to be a physician, you would be willing to attend medical school anywhere on the planet. If it came down to it, I would be willing to go to the Caribbean.

To anyone who is not accepted, please remember: There is always the Caribbean medical schools. If you have the will, you will find the way.
 
Sodium22 said:
Ok, my input might not be that important seeing that I'm not a student yet but my comment is based on having had a tablet and general consensus.

Tablets, for the most part, are absolutely worthless. If you're going to get one, just get one because you want it, not because you think it'll be useful. My undergrad gave Ipads to all incoming freshman and for the most part they rarely used them. This is also in part because professors didn't want to use them.

The only thing that is making me consider buying another tablet is the option of torrenting textbooks and being able to read them "in a book like" fashion. This would potentially save me hundreds of dollars in books, and realistically in the weight of carrying them.

Thats my 2 cents.
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Thanks for the input. I do want one, but really only willing to put out the money if current students find them useful. I hear you about the weight thing, it's def. a perk.
 
Thanks for the info guys 🙂

Placed in Chicago track! So psyched to be there--does anyone have recommendations for the best/cheapest/safest place to live?
 
Seems like there is some status changes/II today, I'm still applicant in progress, 5 weeks now. I keep hoping I'll log in and something will change but since the meanings are so obscure I'd probably just be more stressed! 🙁
 
Hmm status change today.

I went from application in process --> applicant in process --> applicant in progress --> and applicant in process.

According to some people it's good news, but I'll believe it when I see it.
 
fumeighan said:
Hmm status change today.

I went from application in process --> applicant in process --> applicant in progress --> and applicant in process.

According to some people it's good news, but I'll believe it when I see it.
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Obviously this is pure speculation, but... it looks like you passed the first reviewer/screener, and are now under review by the second one.
 
IrishCogs said:
UIC2017 posted today about an II (read subject) today? Maybe you missed it, maybe I'm wrong.
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Woops, you're right. I missed the post title, don't usually read those.

fumeighan said:
Hmm status change today.

I went from application in process --> applicant in process --> applicant in progress --> and applicant in process.

According to some people it's good news, but I'll believe it when I see it.
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Don't want to open up this can of worms again, but I had the same sequence as you and then today I went to "application is in process." I have no idea what to make of any of it.
 
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Is there a difference between "applicant in process" and "applicant in progress"? I see a lot of people saying process but mine says progress. I read back through and didn't see anyone address this.
 
animalhouse1 said:
Is there a difference between "applicant in process" and "applicant in progress"? I see a lot of people saying process but mine says progress. I read back through and didn't see anyone address this.
Click to expand...

This has been theorized by neworleans8

application is in process --> applicant in process = application is under review by reviewer #1
applicant in process ---> application is in process = failed review #1 (however still passed to reviewer #2)
applicant in process ---> applicant in progress = passed review #1 (passed to reviewer #2)
applicant in progress ---> applicant in process = passed reviewer #2 (should get an ii in near future)
applicant in progress ---> application is in progress = failed reviewer #2
 
Marshm68 said:
This has been theorized by neworleans8

application is in process --> applicant in process = application is under review by reviewer #1
applicant in process ---> application is in process = failed review #1 (however still passed to reviewer #2)
applicant in process ---> applicant in progress = passed review #1 (passed to reviewer #2)
applicant in progress ---> applicant in process = passed reviewer #2 (should get an ii in near future)
applicant in progress ---> application is in progress = failed reviewer #2
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Thanks!! I guess that is a good thing 🙂 I am applying to MD/PhD so I am hoping there is still a spot open...glad they didn't just toss me right away 🙂
 
Man, seems like I'm the only one who requested the Chicago track and got the UPR track. Guess I'll headed for the petitioning process. Does anyone know anything about it? When does it happen? How likely is it for someone with extremely strong Chicago connections, zero UPR connections, and an interest in urban medicine to be successfully switched? Thanks in advance.
 
ilikevegetables said:
Man, seems like I'm the only one who requested the Chicago track and got the UPR track. Guess I'll headed for the petitioning process. Does anyone know anything about it? When does it happen? How likely is it for someone with extremely strong Chicago connections, zero UPR connections, and an interest in urban medicine to be successfully switched? Thanks in advance.
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you could apply Umed. If you get into Umed that's a chicago-only track 🙂
 
imcanadaian said:
you could apply Umed. If you get into Umed that's a chicago-only track 🙂
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Lol, I was actually planning on applying for UMed either way, but I thought you had to already have a Chicago placement. ... sounds to me like a call to the Admissions office is in order for me! 😳
 
ilikevegetables said:
Lol, I was actually planning on applying for UMed either way, but I thought you had to already have a Chicago placement. ... sounds to me like a call to the Admissions office is in order for me! 😳
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nah. you dont necessarily have to have the chicago placement. my interviewer told me umed was one way you could "guarantee" a chicago track placement (if you get in to the program!) It's a straightforward app so doesn't hurt to send it in! 🙂

as for appeals...i talked to a few students who had success appealing--it sounded like they waited until later in the season (april-ish) because thats when they got in.
 
Happened to me too, ilikevegetables. I'm pretty bummed about it, since I talked about wanting to work with Asian Americans and non-English speakers in my application and during the interview. I'll probably petition as well, but I'm not sure how much good it'll do - when I called, I was told that they won't even look at the petitions until after May 15th.
 
imcanadaian said:
nah. you dont necessarily have to have the chicago placement. my interviewer told me umed was one way you could "guarantee" a chicago track placement (if you get in to the program!) It's a straightforward app so doesn't hurt to send it in! 🙂

as for appeals...i talked to a few students who had success appealing--it sounded like they waited until later in the season (april-ish) because thats when they got in.
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I see... well I will definitely be checking that out. Thanks canadian!!
 
Got the UPR track as well :-( I definitely want to go to Chicago, really sad about this.
 
IrishCogs said:
Seems like there is some status changes/II today, I'm still applicant in progress, 5 weeks now. I keep hoping I'll log in and something will change but since the meanings are so obscure I'd probably just be more stressed! 🙁
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Hang in there IrishCogs and Irish Football! I've been s l o w l y transitioning from another profession to medicine over a period of several years! It may be hard to appreciate now (depending on where you are in your life), but in the grand scheme of things, a one-year delay to reach your true calling is a drop in the bucket.

If your concerns persist, you might start prepping to take the MCAT again (they are basic concepts you need for medical school anyways, so learn them well). Private message me if you would like study tips (I scored quite highly). You also might look into some post-bac programs (there are numerous ones across the country).

In a yoga class recently the instructor said "sometimes there are roadblocks in life just to make sure you want something enough." Please remember that there is only one thing that would stop either of you from getting into medical school: giving up.
 
Does anyone know if GMED is specific to Chicago or not?
 
MrZ said:
Does anyone know if GMED is specific to Chicago or not?
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haha did you just get an email about it? I think only UMed is specific to chicago...but you might want to call to confirm
 
Yes I did, and it seems interesting. I would also like to go to the Chicago campus and hopefully it is specific to Chicago.
 
Haha got that GMED e-mail too. Man August is really far away.... has anyone gotten the CBC e-mail yet? (UIC goes through it right?)
 
Blaughable said:
Haha got that GMED e-mail too. Man August is really far away.... has anyone gotten the CBC e-mail yet? (UIC goes through it right?)
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Seriously, I'd like to get the CBC email through so I can go back to doing illicit things.
 
Sodium22 said:
Seriously, I'd like to get the CBC email through so I can go back to doing illicit things.
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Lol. I just got it today and filled it out, but I know some people got it yesterday, so it must come in waves. I'm sure you guys will get your CBC email soon 🙂
 
does anyone know how the school decides to send you to Chicago or not? seems like a handful of people had their first choice as chi-town and did not get assigned that. did they any reason why?
 
BadgerFan2012 said:
does anyone know how the school decides to send you to Chicago or not? seems like a handful of people had their first choice as chi-town and did not get assigned that. did they any reason why?
Click to expand...

it's supposed to be first come first serve...however I can imagine they're trying to equally fill the UPR and Chicago tracks as the cycle goes along
 
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