2012-2013 University of Illinois Application Thread

[GugglesClown]

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I second that, make the group!

 

[praranoid614]

Just a note - they mentioned on interview day that the people who got decisions from the December meeting (the ones that came out yesterday) wouldn't actually have anything sent out until Jan 1. When you receive it after that depends on where you live, I assume. I think the packets mail out from Chicago.

darn it. thanks for the info.

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

Now that finals are over (phew!) and we have a break, feel free to ask more questions regarding UIC. I (and others) will do my best to answer them.

Congrats to everyone with the recent invites/acceptances! 🙂

 

[VisionaryTics]

For those wondering about post-interview decision timing, I interviewed in early October and didn't get a final decision until late April. So there's still hope if you don't get accepted at the first adcom meeting.

 

[ikestoys]

For those wondering about post-interview decision timing, I interviewed in early October and didn't get a final decision until late April. So there's still hope if you don't get accepted at the first adcom meeting.

lol thanks, this is essentially the spot I'm in.

 

[dsk89]

When does UIC stop interviewing?

 

[member2017]

Has anyone made a class of 2017 Facebook group? 🙂

 

[doctorwho101]

Just a note - they mentioned on interview day that the people who got decisions from the December meeting (the ones that came out yesterday) wouldn't actually have anything sent out until Jan 1. When you receive it after that depends on where you live, I assume. I think the packets mail out from Chicago.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 😡

I can't wait until NEXT YEAR (which is realistically in like a week, but I am far from rational thought right now). I NEED TO KNOW NOW NOW NOW...please.

UIC AdCom, why you no mail out Christmas presents?

 

[ilikevegetables]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 😡

I can't wait until NEXT YEAR (which is realistically in like a week, but I am far from rational thought right now). I NEED TO KNOW NOW NOW NOW...please.

UIC AdCom, why you no mail out Christmas presents?

Lol 🙂. I know how you feel. It's just that everyone with the "additional correspondence" got accepted last time that's keeping me sane right now.

Hey, at least the world didn't end, amirite?

 

[swimmer1017]

Could any medical students tell me what made them choose their campus and if they are happy/unhappy with their decision? Is there that much difference in terms of teaching style (I think I remember Chicago being lecture based, wasn't sure if that applied to each campus)?

Also: any recommendations on what to do before entering medical school? Or is it more of a relax and enjoy the free time before everything begins?

 

[pomona012]

Hello all,

OOS MSTP applicant reporting in. Primary submitted in June, supplemental app completed in August. Interviewed for UIC MSTP first week of November. Haven't heard back from the office of MD/PhD yet, but got an acceptance packet via snail-mail today for UIC MD. First acceptance for me; officially the greatest Christmas present of all time. It is awesome to get in somewhere.

As far as tuition for MD goes, if any other OOS applicants or current OOS students would care to shed some light on their experience I would be excited to talk about it here or via pm. I understand the OOS tuition is over 70k; is it possible to get in-state residency pricing after the first or second year? Do OOS students have access to any of the financial aid or gift packages at UIC besides loans? Since I interviewed for the MSTP, I missed whatever financial talk they give for regular MD interviewees.

Best of luck to all of the other applicants still waiting!

 

[ilikevegetables]

YESSS I was wrong! I definitely remember them saying they'd send stuff out in the new year, but I had a fat packet waiting for me on my way out if the apartment! Best Christmas present ever. (I live in Chicago btw.) yayyyy!!!

 

[swimmer1017]

YESSS I was wrong! I definitely remember them saying they'd send stuff out in the new year, but I had a fat packet waiting for me on my way out if the apartment! Best Christmas present ever. (I live in Chicago btw.) yayyyy!!!

Does your additional correspondence box have a date in it now? Still waiting for my packet over here in IL

 

[ilikevegetables]

Does your additional correspondence box have a date in it now? Still waiting for my packet over here in IL

Nope. You know, I bet that's for when they receive the site preference card etc that you have to send in. Hope you get your packet soon!

 

[Marshm68]

Nope. You know, I bet that's for when they receive the site preference card etc that you have to send in. Hope you get your packet soon!

That makes sense, hopefully it's true! Congrats on the packet! Still waiting for mine 🙂xf🙂 just northwest of Chicago.

 

[oldbones]

Could any medical students tell me what made them choose their campus and if they are happy/unhappy with their decision? Is there that much difference in terms of teaching style (I think I remember Chicago being lecture based, wasn't sure if that applied to each campus)?

Also: any recommendations on what to do before entering medical school? Or is it more of a relax and enjoy the free time before everything begins?

There are many differences between the campuses in both teaching style and opportunity. You're best off talking to each of the campuses, because they are the only ones with the complete picture. The first year at all the campuses are pretty lecture driven, and it is the second year that starts differing between the campuses. The following is a brief plus/minus from my own understanding and is based mostly on hearsay:

Chicago: Best articulation with a hospital system, largest class size (175+), high cost of living, lots of outside stuff to do (not that you'll have time or money)
Champaign-Urbana: best research opportunity, small class size (~25-30 in M2), nice town, low cost of living
Peoria: very lecture driven, highest average step I scores, hospital based, very demanding, small class size (~50), low cost of living
Rockford: very practical experience driven (hospitals have no residents, so you're it during clinicals), small class size (~50), low cost of living, longitudinal family practice clinical rotation, new building, somewhat dangerous city (plus or minus, depending on your view and what you want to do).

I recommend looking at the match lists for each campus, especially the disciplines and locations people are matching to. Don't look at it as "they produce a lot of x specialty, I don't want to do that", but look at them as " they produce a lot of people who go into specialties that are very difficult to get into". These lists are available on the respective websites. Remember, the match is the ultimate yardstick by which to measure a program because that is the end-game to the 4 years you'll be spending in school.

As an OOS, I can tell you to not count on any additional aid packages from the school unless you are considered economical or socio-culturally disadvantaged. You can thank the wonderful shape the Illinois state government is in for that. Also, it is not possible to convert from an OOS to IS without residing in the state for a period of one year while not pursuing your academic career. If you come to IL to go to school, you will be considered OOS for all 4 years. There are couple of loopholes to this, but to my knowledge they all require being married or doing the MSTP program (which is an 8+ year haul).

That's my two cents, for what it's worth.

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

Could any medical students tell me what made them choose their campus and if they are happy/unhappy with their decision? Is there that much difference in terms of teaching style (I think I remember Chicago being lecture based, wasn't sure if that applied to each campus)?

Also: any recommendations on what to do before entering medical school? Or is it more of a relax and enjoy the free time before everything begins?

One of the biggest reasons I chose the Chicago campus is because, well, it's Chicago! Plus, I think the hospital system here is great and well-known for developing students clinically. I don't know much about the other campuses, to be honest, but the fact that it's Chicago + the great clinical training are what made the Chicago campus #1 for me. I have absolutely no regrets.

Here's a post of mine from a few pages ago regarding the Chicago campus (it's originally from another thread, where the topic was Loyola vs. UIC, so don't be thrown off by the writing style):

Congrats on getting into two excellent schools! Brent did an awesome job discussing Loyola. I'll try to offer some info on UIC (I'm an M2 here, so take what I say regarding the clinical years with a grain of salt).

1) I think Brent was absolutely right regarding surrounding yourself with people you enjoy being around and the impact it has on your development as a physician. I absolutely love all my classmates -- everyone works hard to make sure that everyone is learning/understanding everything. We share study guides, resources we come across, take time to explain things to classmates who might be struggling with a concept, etc. Plus, we have a pretty good social life -- this is more difficult at the moment because of the rate at which material is thrown at us, but a lot of us have become close friends and spend a lot of time together outside of class.

2) Curriculum-wise -- UIC has been working on improving their pre-clinical curriculum over these past couple of years. It's been shifting toward less and less time spent in pure lectures. With that being said, I have to disagree a bit with Brent in that I really don't think the pre-clinical curriculum of the school you attend matters (as long as it's not mandatory attendance!). Most people will have to spend a lot of time outside of class learning and retaining the material, whether they attend class or not. Plus, you'll see in many schools that as time goes by, even the most hardcore class-goers stop going to class and start streaming lectures at ~1.5x. It's just more time-efficient. As long as whichever school you attend records lectures, I don't think you should worry at all about how long an average day of lectures is like.

3) Cost -- both schools are expensive, unfortunately. Nothing else I can really say. It's up to you to decide whether that $30k difference matters to you or not. As with Loyola, the tuition at UIC is likely to increase slightly over your 4 years.

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!

5) Research -- There are quite a few research opportunities here at UIC in practically every specialty. Be proactive and you'll likely find a project you're interested in and in the specialty you're interested in. There are also summer research fellowships offered to medical students here, so you'll be covered for funding, etc. Both basic science and clinical research opportunities are abundant.

6) Residency matching -- I can't really comment on this, since I'm just an M2, but my understanding is that we tend to have very good match lists, with people matching into every specialty and at big name academic centers. Attending UIC won't hold you back.

Anyways, I hope that offers a little bit of insight into UIC. Again, congrats on getting into these schools. Ultimately, go with the place you want to attend. I personally don't think the $30k difference is significant enough. Both are great schools and you can't go wrong with either. Best of luck!

Oldbones offered some good insight in the post above mine. There are only two things that I somewhat disagree with: 1) I don't know if I'd say that Champaign has the best research opportunities. I know that a good number of MSTPers go there, but the Chicago campus also has a large MSTP program. Plus, the clinical research opportunities (not basic science) are incredible in Chicago. I was an undergrad at UIUC and neither of the hospitals over there (Carle and Provena) are teaching hospitals (as far as I know -- I only volunteered at Carle and saw 1 resident and 1 med student during the 2 years I volunteered there). So, if you're a straight-up MD and looking for clinical research opportunities, I think Chicago would be a better option. 2) I'm not sure that looking at match lists should play a role in deciding what school to attend. After 1.5 years of being immersed in medicine, I still have absolutely no clue how to interpret match lists. I don't know what the top programs in each field are or what a "good" match list looks like. Who matches in what field depends entirely on what field someone wants to pursue. For example, if there are no radiation oncology matches this year, it doesn't mean that anyone failed to match into it or weren't competitive enough for it; it might just be that no one this year was interested in it. Plus, what match lists don't show is how far down the ranking list a student matched. That's great that someone matched into derm, but what if that program was their 10th choice? So, my personal opinion is to not put much weight on match lists. If preclinical med students can't interpret them, it's doubtful that premeds can do better.

As far as your last question regarding what to do between now and med school starting, relax and enjoy yourself. There's plenty of time to study your butt off once school starts. It is harder to find a lot of free time once med school starts and you can't really do anything to "prepare" yourself -- pre-studying is pretty useless and is unlikely to help you any (it might give you a few lectures worth' head start over your classmates, but that gap is narrowed pretty quickly). So, do what you've always wanted to do -- go traveling, hang out with friends and family as much as you can, become an expert beer drinker, whatever. Have fun! 🙂

 

[Dick Jones]

Anyone know of any cheap nearby hotels? Is there a student host program?

 

[doctorwho101]

ACCEPTED ACCEPTED ACCEPTED

EDIT: seriously, why no caps?

 

[ilikevegetables]

Anyone know of any cheap nearby hotels? Is there a student host program?

I think there is a student-run hosting program (you'll have to check earlier in the thread, I think someone gave their email or something). Other than that, I know there are some cheap hostels - I'm blanking on the name of the one I'm thinking of, but it's downtown probably with pretty easy access to the pink line.

Accepted accepted accepted

Congrats! Just sent my site preference card in... for Chicago!

 

[doctorwho101]

yesss i was wrong! I definitely remember them saying they'd send stuff out in the new year, but i had a fat packet waiting for me on my way out if the apartment! Best christmas present ever. (i live in chicago btw.) yayyyy!!!

yay congrats!!

 

[Dick Jones]

I think there is a student-run hosting program (you'll have to check earlier in the thread, I think someone gave their email or something). Other than that, I know there are some cheap hostels - I'm blanking on the name of the one I'm thinking of, but it's downtown probably with pretty easy access to the pink line.



Congrats! Just sent my site preference card in... for Chicago!

I don't see any email addresses...I may be overlooking something....

 

[ilikevegetables]

Hey guys, I'm Josh and I'm an M1 at UIC, just wanted to let you all know we are hosting students this year unofficially...if you have any questions shoot me and email at [email protected] or if you're in the city and just want to hang out, you can email me too...here is the link...good luck guys, I know UIC admissions can be frustrating--at least for me though, its been worth it 🙂 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgJfwz1qYwTUdHVXTHJETUdNTkIwcC1pRnRRVXl3elE#gid=0

I don't see any email addresses...I may be overlooking something....

You're lucky I'm bored 😉

 

[Dick Jones]

You're lucky I'm bored 😉

Thanks lol!

 

[ilikevegetables]

Thanks lol!

Np 🙂.

 

[JackSpicer]

Interviewed December 5; got a letter in the mail today. (I live in Peoria.) If you also interviewed that day, and escaping a cave with a dragon guarding the exit, wearing too few buttons, and (not) playing heads-up-seven-up all sound familiar, PM me.

Oh, and to all those who got accepted... CONGRATS! http://dkmg2azsloi0e.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

[Puddlesauce]

YESSS I was wrong! I definitely remember them saying they'd send stuff out in the new year, but I had a fat packet waiting for me on my way out if the apartment! Best Christmas present ever. (I live in Chicago btw.) yayyyy!!!

Woo hoo! I just got mine today, address is in the Chicago suburbs.

Happy dance dance dance! 😀 😍😍😍

 

[swimmer1017]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the info and definitely have a lot to think about--because I got in!! 😀

Got my package today and I feel fantastic.

 

[Puddlesauce]

did anyone ever make a facebook page for class of '17?

 

[Puddlesauce]

Hi! I had a question for current med students,

how possible is it to defer one's admission for a year? do you have classmates that have done this? I know some schools only do this for people who have epic grants to do research abroad or other cool jobs, but I just want to work on an NGO i helped to start in Ghana and some other travel/human rights related stuff, none of which sounds very official.

If I go to UIC, money and debt due to travel or time off won't be an issue because I get the veteran's grant that Illinois offers at public schools.

I know the advice is to apply for the cycle you plan to register in, but I was undecided earlier in the year and I sort of go off the grid during travels which is unhelpful for interviews and secondaries.

Thanks for listening!

 

[Marshm68]

I have a question regarding prerequisites. If we did not receive anything in the acceptance packet regarding completing prerequisites, can we assume that we are safe? I am asking because of the 3 semester behavioral/social science requirement, two of which I have taken at my undergraduate university but one of which I have AP credit for, and I do not know if this AP credit is sufficient.

 

[naixin]

I am sorry if the question is so silly,
if I indicated I SHALL register in the college of medicine for the fall term 2013 on the acceptance form, it does not mean I am bound to the school, I can withdraw anytime later, with deposit back if withdrawing before May 15th, right?

 

[imcanadaian]

I am sorry if the question is so silly,
if I indicated I SHALL register in the college of medicine for the fall term 2013 on the acceptance form, it does not mean I am bound to the school, I can withdraw anytime later, with deposit back if withdrawing before May 15th, right?

The response is not binding. And yes you can withdraw later and get your deposit back 🙂

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using SDN Mobile

 

[member2017]

Does anyone have any info on the SUmmer prematriculation program?

 

[Marshm68]

Can any current students here comment on the studying and living situation? I'm just curious as to how the libraries are for studying, if most people study at the libraries at home, what % of people live in the student housing vs. apartments for the first year, etc. Any responses would be greatly appreciated!

 

[VisionaryTics]

Can any current students here comment on the studying and living situation? I'm just curious as to how the libraries are for studying, if most people study at the libraries at home, what % of people live in the student housing vs. apartments for the first year, etc. Any responses would be greatly appreciated!

People study in library, student center, research building. Don't know the specific breakdown.

Most people live in apartments. I heard uniformly awful things from those who lived in student housing (SSRs).

 

[Blaughable]

Hey guys, so there's a UIC Class of 2017 facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/395521537197726/

 

[colonel23]

Just got my "no decision" decision email, interviewed Nov 30, the email says my application was considered at some point in December. Anyone have insight on how long I can expect for a final decision? I suppose it is better than a rejection, but looks like I'll have to buckle in for the long haul!

 

[hopeful22213]

Just got my "no decision" decision email, interviewed Nov 30, the email says my application was considered at some point in December. Anyone have insight on how long I can expect for a final decision? I suppose it is better than a rejection, but looks like I'll have to buckle in for the long haul!

+1. Curious about this as well, also a late Nov. interview. Do they even send out post-interview rejections at this point, or is everyone either accepted/place on hold?

 

[BadgerFan2012]

Just wondering if anyone knows when the Jan ad com meeting will be. Interviewing on the 18th of jan and that's the day after the third Thursday of the month but I don't know if that has been consistently when they meet. I'd love to be considered this month!

 

[Marshm68]

Just wondering if anyone knows when the Jan ad com meeting will be. Interviewing on the 18th of jan and that's the day after the third Thursday of the month but I don't know if that has been consistently when they meet. I'd love to be considered this month!

Hmm, well I don't think anyone will be able to know when they meet for sure, but from digging around this thread it looks like they met the 25th of October (4th Thursday), the 16th of November (3rd Friday), and the 20th of December (3rd Thursday), so the whole third Thursday of the month thing may not be set in stone. Best of luck!

 

[LPpostbacc]

Just got my "no decision" decision email, interviewed Nov 30, the email says my application was considered at some point in December. Anyone have insight on how long I can expect for a final decision? I suppose it is better than a rejection, but looks like I'll have to buckle in for the long haul!

Anytime between now and May. Take a few deep breaths...and relax.😕

 

[LPpostbacc]

Hmm, well I don't think anyone will be able to know when they meet for sure, but from digging around this thread it looks like they met the 25th of October (4th Thursday), the 16th of November (3rd Friday), and the 20th of December (3rd Thursday), so the whole third Thursday of the month thing may not be set in stone. Best of luck!

They meet the 3rd Thursday of every month; results of the meeting are usually emailed the next day.

 

[me1234]

Got the acceptance packet on New Years Eve. First acceptance, and I'm a re-applicant, so it was a great end to the year!

Interviewed mid November.

 

[elam]

Hey guys, does anyone know when the school starts releasing scholarships to waive oos/is tuition difference? I really want to study here, but the tuition is crazy for oos.

 

[member2017]

Hey guys, does anyone know when the school starts releasing scholarships to waive oos/is tuition difference? I really want to study here, but the tuition is crazy for oos.

I believe they start in January!

 

[jsmith2]

Hey Guys,

I got this email from UIC today. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into how many students get accepted off this psuedo-waitlist? Has anyone ever been accepted earlier than May (or even in May) after receiving this email?

The Committee on Admissions of the University of Illinois College of Medicine reviewed your application for the month of December 2012. We wish to advise you that no final decision has been reached on your candidacy, but that you are still under consideration. Due to the large number of applications we have received, the committee is spending more time reviewing candidates. Please note that the Committee reserves the right to withhold all final decisions until June 1st.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[sector9]

Hey Guys,

I got this email from UIC today. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into how many students get accepted off this psuedo-waitlist? Has anyone ever been accepted earlier than May (or even in May) after receiving this email?

The Committee on Admissions of the University of Illinois College of Medicine reviewed your application for the month of December 2012. We wish to advise you that no final decision has been reached on your candidacy, but that you are still under consideration. Due to the large number of applications we have received, the committee is spending more time reviewing candidates. Please note that the Committee reserves the right to withhold all final decisions until June 1st.

Thanks for all your help!

Merging with school specific thread

 

[IrishCogs]

Who else out there is still applicant in progress? Going on week 4 now after being applicant in process for a few days. I want an II so badly!

 

[kayt09]

Don't feel bad..I'm in the same boat. I've been 'in progress' since september...
No idea when I'll hear back :/