2013-2014 Southern Illinois University Application Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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Does anyone know what the AWPA ranking is based on? Is it just how well one does in the interview or do they consider gpa/mcat/ECs etc?
 
saht said:
Does anyone know what the AWPA ranking is based on? Is it just how well one does in the interview or do they consider gpa/mcat/ECs etc?
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Sorry for the delayed response, M1s have exams coming up soon so we've all been pretty busy. From what I understand (none of this is first-hand knowledge), the adcom meets and takes all of your information into account (GPA, interview, MCAT, LOR, etc), and then each committee member gives you a numerical rank for each category (I have no idea IF or HOW these categories are weighted). The individual committee member scores are averaged to give you your final numerical rank, which thereafter is unchanged. The cut-off for AWPA/Alternate is "arbitrary" in that all candidates are ranked on the same scale. The admissions office just gives you their best guess as to whether or not you will be admitted based on statistics from previous years (ex: if you have an average of 0.7/3.0 and the average lowest to receive acceptance in the last 10 years is 1.2, you're probably going to be "ranked alternate").
 
Hi everyone!

I have read through the responses here and first I want to say that all of them are very helpful! I have just received an interview invitation last week and have submitted four dates for January and February. I am excited but also very nervous.

My MCAT and GPA are on the lower end of the spectrum, but my volunteering and service learning experiences are pretty solid. I have volunteered in the state, in other states and even abroad.

How much weight is put on the interview? If I interview well but my stats are lower than average am I at a significant disadvantage than others students that are interviewing? Or at this point is the interview that biggest factor?Also, how does being placed in the second round of interviews affect my application? Any advice is much appreciated! Thanks all!
 
Congrats! 🙂

Don't worry about that, your GPA/MCAT is no longer something you can control.

At this point just enjoy your interview day, ask questions and learn as much as you can, and then pray for AWPA.
 
Thank you for your words of encouragement, Pasmal! 🙂
 
Does anyone know when they will be releasing the first batch of seats? Have they done this already?
 
Small and Weak said:
Does anyone know when they will be releasing the first batch of seats? Have they done this already?
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I have heard that the first batch of acceptances will be sent out this coming week, possibly the next week at the latest. I just received my AWPA, so my fingers are crossed!
 
TheZeppo said:
I have heard that the first batch of acceptances will be sent out this coming week, possibly the next week at the latest. I just received my AWPA, so my fingers are crossed!
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I recall being told that general timeline too, but it's been all quiet since my AWPA in September. Has anyone spoken to Beth or admissions in general?
 
Acceptance via email today! Does anyone know if they have a second look day?
 
Will any acceptances be sent out between batches? That is, if an accepted applicant declines their spot, will SIU send an acceptance to the next person on the AWPA list in order to keep the number of seats held at a certain number, or will they just send more acceptances in the next batch?
 
TheZeppo said:
Will any acceptances be sent out between batches? That is, if an accepted applicant declines their spot, will SIU send an acceptance to the next person on the AWPA list in order to keep the number of seats held at a certain number, or will they just send more acceptances in the next batch?
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The number of seats will be held at a certain number, so between-batch acceptances are possible.
 
Received my acceptance email this past Monday and sent in my letter resigning my seat today. Good luck to the rest of you! I hope my spot goes to one of you!
 
Got an email with the interview invite for February.
Any words of wisdom from those who already interviewed?
 
SamRus said:
Got an email with the interview invite for February.
Any words of wisdom from those who already interviewed?
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I interviewed about a month ago, and the first thing that I'd like to tell you is don't be nervous. It is a very laid back environment, and all of the people I encountered were extremely friendly and kind. That being said, you should still take time to read up on SIU and know what they are looking for in an applicant (i.e., someone who is committed to practicing medicine in Southern/Central Illinois). Also be on board with the PBL, because you might get some questions about that. Also, your interviewers will expect some questions from you in return, so have some stuff in mind that you want to ask. My interviews ended up being short but sweet (20 min and 30 min), but another guy interviewed for well over an hour during one of his, so that can always vary. As long as you are honest and confident, you should be fine. If you have any more questions, I will be happy to try and answer them. Otherwise, good luck and I hope it goes well!
 
Thank you so much, Zeppo!
I did read up on all the questions that people posted in "Interview Feedback" section here on SDN, perused SIU SOM's web-site and the Catalog, and read about PBL online. Any additional specific sources that I missed?

Did they ask you anything about current state of healthcare, politics, or any medical questions (ex - calculating rates/dosage of IV Drip for morbidly obese patients, etc.)?
 
SamRus said:
Thank you so much, Zeppo!
I did read up on all the questions that people posted in "Interview Feedback" section here on SDN, perused SIU SOM's web-site and the Catalog, and read about PBL online. Any additional specific sources that I missed?

Did they ask you anything about current state of healthcare, politics, or any medical questions (ex - calculating rates/dosage of IV Drip for morbidly obese patients, etc.)?
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I was asked to pick a controversial topic ( I picked euthanasia in illinois) and argue both sides of it. Just in case, just read some articles on current hot topics...
Good luck!
 
SamRus said:
Thank you so much, Zeppo!
I did read up on all the questions that people posted in "Interview Feedback" section here on SDN, perused SIU SOM's web-site and the Catalog, and read about PBL online. Any additional specific sources that I missed?

Did they ask you anything about current state of healthcare, politics, or any medical questions (ex - calculating rates/dosage of IV Drip for morbidly obese patients, etc.)?
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As Mmedran said, just do a little bit of reading on current events and healthcare issues. Obviously Obamacare can come up in an interview, along with euthanasia, abortion, etc. There aren't always "right" answers for a lot of these questions because everyone has their own opinion. The interviewers just want to see if you have what it takes to discuss them. I wasn't asked anything of the sort, but I was definitely prepared to talk about all kinds of issues. Also, I think it's unlikely that you'll be asked any difficult medical question such and the IV drip you mentioned.
 
I made the AWPA list about a month ago, but haven't received a final acceptance yet. I'm still hopeful, as this school is one of my top choices.
 
DoctorSmith said:
I made the AWPA list about a month ago, but haven't received a final acceptance yet. I'm still hopeful, as this school is one of my top choices.
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There's still a long way to go. Keep the positive attitude. An AWPA is a very good sign.
 
groves4 said:
There's still a long way to go. Keep the positive attitude. An AWPA is a very good sign.
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Yeah I feel pretty good about it right now. I have had three interviews, and I'm pretty happy with that since I took a late MCAT and just missed my 30 (I got a well-balanced 29). My interviews have been with SIU, Rosalind Franklin University (I know...), and Rush. So far I have really liked SIU and Rush. RFUMS was fine, it's just that their past loss of accreditation as well as their current probationary status is unsettling.
 
DoctorSmith said:
Yeah I feel pretty good about it right now. I have had three interviews, and I'm pretty happy with that since I took a late MCAT and just missed my 30 (I got a well-balanced 29). My interviews have been with SIU, Rosalind Franklin University (I know...), and Rush. So far I have really liked SIU and Rush. RFUMS was fine, it's just that their past loss of accreditation as well as their current probationary status is unsettling.
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I pretty sure they never lost accreditation but they was on probations 10 years ago and they are currently on probations.
 
Accepted on 12/2
Interviewed 11/8
Will be declining my seat.
Good luck to those on the wait list!
 
I just want to say not to feel bad if you didn't get accepted in this batch or even the next. I interviewed in October and got accepted in June O_O!! Keep the faith 🙂
 
Hi guy, I have an interview on January 24th. I wanted to ask if my file would be considered in the February batch or if I have to wait till March. Also, any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
 
Saiteja said:
Hi guy, I have an interview on January 24th. I wanted to ask if my file would be considered in the February batch or if I have to wait till March. Also, any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
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It should be, considering the AdCom meets the last Tuesday of every month so your interview will be in the January meeting, making you eligible for the February batch.
 
I have begun filling out the financial aid forms...am I supposed to come up with arbitrary numbers for the 'Budget Worksheet'? I am otherwise confused as to how to properly fill it out.
 
It should be, considering the AdCom meets the last Tuesday of every month so your interview will be in the January meeting, making you eligible for the February batch.[/quote]

Wait so does that mean the next batch of AWPAs are after the end of January or is that different
 
During my interview, they said next meeting is Tuesday, January 14 and they will mail AWPAs the following day. Im assuming there will be another meeting before sending the second batch of acceptances sometime in February.
 
Interview on 1/28. Anyone else interviewing that date?
 
ncklkrt said:
I have begun filling out the financial aid forms...am I supposed to come up with arbitrary numbers for the 'Budget Worksheet'? I am otherwise confused as to how to properly fill it out.
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Here is a link to the University's approved student budget: http://www.siumed.edu/studentaffairs/forms/2012-2013 StudentBudgets.pdf

You can browse through the rest of their financial aid page here: http://www.siumed.edu/studentaffairs/financialaid.html

If you have any questions after checking out these pages, I suggest that you contact the financial aid office at the school as I am sure they can help you out.
 
Marine to MD said:
Here is a link to the University's approved student budget: http://www.siumed.edu/studentaffairs/forms/2012-2013 StudentBudgets.pdf

You can browse through the rest of their financial aid page here: http://www.siumed.edu/studentaffairs/financialaid.html

If you have any questions after checking out these pages, I suggest that you contact the financial aid office at the school as I am sure they can help you out.
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Thank you so much! I got it all filled out and sent in.
 
Havent gotten my AWPA yet thru snail mail, but I got an emailed acceptance Friday. Kinda strange...
 
DoctorSmith said:
You received an actual final acceptance through email?
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yea, I mean the email said "we would like to be the first to congratulate you on your acceptance...blah blah" I dont think that could be interpreted as an AWPA right? And I got the info for the deposit etc. I guess I dont know what the AWPA letter officially says
 
I have an AWPA letter at home but I'm at work right now so I can't really consult it. But I never received an email like the one you mentioned so maybe your letter just got lost in the mail somewhere along the way.
 
hawkeye88 said:
Havent gotten my AWPA yet thru snail mail, but I got an emailed acceptance Friday. Kinda strange...
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Cool! congrats! I got my letter Saturday, but I was not expecting anyone getting a decision so soon. Good for you!
 
So does anyone know if the February batch has already gone out? Because with someone already saying they received an acceptance, it makes me wonder if they send out single acceptances as people decline their seats in addition to the batches. Does anyone who has knowledge of the process know about this?
 
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