2013-2014 University of California - Irvine Application Thread

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vfom said:
II just now. (so excited to see the "awarded" I nearly jumped out of my chair at work!)
have been complete since 9/14/13...so there's still hope!

The strange thing is, though, that I haven't received an e-mail about it (only status update)...has this happened to anyone else?
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So you didn't get an email notification at all? I've just been assuming that they email you and that you don't have to keep checking the status periodically online.

Congrats btw. Been complete since end of August so not sure where that puts me...haha.
 
II! My first in-state school! Been complete since late August. 3.88 GPA/38 MCAT.

Only options were 1/17 or 1/27. Had to take 1/27 as I'm out of town on 1/17.

How funny I get this interview on an 80º day in So Cal when I'm packing for an east coast interview in the 30ºs ....


Don't know if this means anything, but these dates are available in the "Student Host" form
  • Monday 12/16/13
  • Monday 1/06/14
  • Friday 1/17/14
  • Monday 1/27/14
  • Monday 2/10/14
  • Thursday 2/27/14
  • Monday 3/10/14
  • Monday 3/24/14
  • Tuesday 4/8/14
 
Interviewed here yesterday and had a great time. Feel free to shoot any questions about the interview day my way.
 
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DoctorWhoo said:
Interviewed here yesterday and had a great time. Feel free to shoot any questions about the interview day my way.
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Nice! I am interviewing there in January.

What was the overall layout of the day? Since we are there from about 8am to 4pm, I wanted to get a sense of what activities in addition to the interview to they have scheduled? And just out of curiosity, about how many people interview per day? Also, did you stay with a student, at the hotel they recommended, or elsewhere? (I haven't booked lodging yet and am trying to figure out what's best).

Thanks!
 
Glad to hear you liked the interview day! Even though UCI's interview day is rather long, I think they do it so you can get a good idea of the school and have more opportunities to personally interact with students. If I were you I would definitely take advantage of the student host program! Seriously if you stay with a host, go to the dinner at Gina's, and get your questions answered at the student panel you shouldn't have any problem conveying your excitement about UCI in your interviews! The interview day here was definitely my favorite last year... it really blew me away and made UCI my top choice.

I'm a current MS1 and there's nowhere else I would rather be than UCI. Also, referring to the comment above about putting a smile on for an hour (which is a totally valid concern!): That is truly not the case here. People have their little complaints but we all really do love it here. UCI really has a family atmosphere and I couldn't be happier with my classmates, the faculty, and the opportunities available to me here. Thats why (ok.. along with the free food) so many students line up to come to the preinterview dinner, host interviewees, interview, give campus tours, and participate in the student panel-we want to convey how happy we are here, and help choose future colleagues to join the UCI family.

If anyone has any questions for a current MS1, don't hesitate to ask me!
 
DoctorWhoo said:
Everyone's schedule may be slightly different, but here is the gist of mine:

Check-in at 7:45 (loosely)
Breakfast
Current student panel Q&A (~45 minutes)
Campus tour (~45 minutes)
Discussion with the head of the basic science curriculum (~45 minutes)
Discussion with the dean of admissions (~45 minutes) *I recommend sitting close if possible because the dean of admissions has a speech impediment due to a relatively recent medical condition. She is very upfront about this, and I really respect her for being brave enough to continue speaking in front of groups despite these personal challenges.*
Quick discussion from financial aid (~15 minutes)
Lunch (~30 minutes)
Student Interview (1 hour)
Shuttle to the hospital (~45 minutes) *Some stay on main campus, others go to the medical center... just depends on your faculty interviewer.*
Faculty Interview (1 hour)
Shuttle back to campus (~45 minutes)
Freedom

This was one of the most informative interview days for me (you really can learn A LOT about the school if you are paying attention in all of the info sessions)... but that said it was also one of the most difficult. It is always rough to sit through all of the information sessions and tours when you know you have all of your interviews later in the day. The general vibe I got from all of the other interviewees was that the student interviews were relatively chill and the faculty interviews had much more variability (mine was intense, but I think it went well).

Hope that helps 🙂




This was definitely one of the biggest interview days I was at. From what I can tell UCI has less interview dates than most schools and consequently takes many students at once. I would ballpark that there were about 40 present on my day, but it is really hard to tell haha.

I am local enough to drive to campus here, so I just got up extra early and tried to rush over before traffic. I would recommend staying with a student host since you can save money and also get a better read of if the student is actually happy (and not just putting on a smile for an hour). That said, if you do stay in a hotel I would make sure that you are staying near UC Irvine's campus and not their medical center (common mistake). I've heard horror stories of people starting their day off on the wrong foot because they realized their hotel was right next to the medical center (which is like 25-40 minutes from where you need to check in)!!!


UC Irvine definitely went up on my list after this interview! Best of luck!!
Click to expand...

Thank you! That was very informative. I'm a little bit concerned about having the interview so late in the day, but I guess a different way to look at is that the presentations should make us relax and get more excited about the school?

LAL8 said:
Glad to hear you liked the interview day! Even though UCI's interview day is rather long, I think they do it so you can get a good idea of the school and have more opportunities to personally interact with students. If I were you I would definitely take advantage of the student host program! Seriously if you stay with a host, go to the dinner at Gina's, and get your questions answered at the student panel you shouldn't have any problem conveying your excitement about UCI in your interviews! The interview day here was definitely my favorite last year... it really blew me away and made UCI my top choice.

I'm a current MS1 and there's nowhere else I would rather be than UCI. Also, referring to the comment above about putting a smile on for an hour (which is a totally valid concern!): That is truly not the case here. People have their little complaints but we all really do love it here. UCI really has a family atmosphere and I couldn't be happier with my classmates, the faculty, and the opportunities available to me here. Thats why (ok.. along with the free food) so many students line up to come to the preinterview dinner, host interviewees, interview, give campus tours, and participate in the student panel-we want to convey how happy we are here, and help choose future colleagues to join the UCI family.

If anyone has any questions for a current MS1, don't hesitate to ask me!
Click to expand...

I'm glad you are enjoying your experience at UCI! I am excited for this interview and fingers crossed that it will go well! And thanks, I am definitely going to definitely try to stay with a student. By the way do many students live on campus/in university housing?
 
UCI doesn't send IIs via email right? I'm nervous to check my status every day!
 
Medicalhopeful said:
UCI doesn't send IIs via email right? I'm nervous to check my status every day!
Click to expand...
Incorrect. From the UCI website:

"How will I know if I have been invited to interview?
Interviews are scheduled from September through April. Invitations are sent to the email address you provided to AMCAS. Interview information will be posted on your on-line status page. Applicants invited to interview will schedule their interview date online. Applicants are encouraged to frequently check their on-line status page for any updates in case the email was missed. Please make sure AMCAS and the UC Irvine School of Medicine has your most current contact information"
 
Medicalhopeful said:
UCI doesn't send IIs via email right? I'm nervous to check my status every day!
Click to expand...

UCI eventually sends by email, but some users have reported a lag response between the time the interview status is updated on the status page vs. receiving an e-mail. So you can catch that you've been interviewed via the status page before you receive an e-mail, but you will eventually receive an e-mail 🙂
 
lalalapartay012 said:
UCI eventually sends by email, but some users have reported a lag response between the time the interview status is updated on the status page vs. receiving an e-mail. So you can catch that you've been interviewed via the status page before you receive an e-mail, but you will eventually receive an e-mail 🙂
Click to expand...
This is true. I found out about my interview through a status update. They later, that day sent me an email with the interview invite.
 
lobo12 said:
This is true. I found out about my interview through a status update. They later, that day sent me an email with the interview invite.
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I got my II through a status update too, but never received the II email (maybe because I signed up for an interview date immediately). The only emails I have received included information about the interview (without an "invite").
So that can happen too🙂
I'd recommend checking the page just in case same thing happens to you!
 
rejected pre-interview, status updated yesterday 🙁
 
Rejected just now pre-interview. Complete in mid-sept. This rejection stung a little.
 
alpharez said:
Rejected just now pre-interview. Complete in mid-sept. This rejection stung a little.
Click to expand...
🙁 You have amazing IIs from other schools, don't worry!

I'm still under review. I submitted my app 9/21, not sure when I was complete since it doesn't show. My time might be coming up.
 
Hey! Is anyone who will be interviewing Jan 6th planning to stay at the Ayres Hotel in Costa Mesa (that was recommended to us)?
If so, maybe we can split a cab/carpool to dinner the night before and/or interview?

Alternatively, if you have stayed at the hotel, do you know if the hotel shuttle is able to drop us off/pick us up at UCI? The website vaguely mentions that it can provide transportation for up to 5 miles away...
 
Hi everyone, how helpful was the pre-interview dinner? I'm considering whether I should drive over the night before or if I'll get a good enough impression (and get my questions answered) on interview day.

Thanks!
 
riseNshine said:
Hi everyone, how helpful was the pre-interview dinner? I'm considering whether I should drive over the night before or if I'll get a good enough impression (and get my questions answered) on interview day.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

There is plenty of time to learn about the school and get questions interview day. That said, I enjoyed the pizza dinner as it gave a chance to hang out with the current med students in a more casual setting. If it isn't a very long drive, I would go in the name of free food 🙂.
 
Does anyone else who has not received an interview invite see a link for "interview instructions" above the "schedule interview" link? My interview status is under review (as it has been for a while) and when I click the schedule interview link it does not allow me to do so, but the interview instructions link above it (has it always been here?) says congratulations for getting an interview in the PDF file it opens

Does everyone else see this interview information link? System glitch?
 
pqncof312 said:
Does anyone else who has not received an interview invite see a link for "interview instructions" above the "schedule interview" link? My interview status is under review (as it has been for a while) and when I click the schedule interview link it does not allow me to do so, but the interview instructions link above it (has it always been here?) says congratulations for getting an interview in the PDF file it opens

Does everyone else see this interview information link? System glitch?
Click to expand...

I have the same thing. I have not been invited yet. I would guess it is a glitch 🙁
 
pqncof312 said:
Does anyone else who has not received an interview invite see a link for "interview instructions" above the "schedule interview" link? My interview status is under review (as it has been for a while) and when I click the schedule interview link it does not allow me to do so, but the interview instructions link above it (has it always been here?) says congratulations for getting an interview in the PDF file it opens

Does everyone else see this interview information link? System glitch?
Click to expand...
It's a glitch. I'm in the same situation. I think that the interface is the same and certain links are just unlocked as you progress
 
coldfeet718 said:
I wish it were true... rejected (found out via status check) complete 9/21 3.7/33 IS
Click to expand...
Complete 8/24...3.8/32, iS, still under review....your post prompted me to check my status online. I guess mines coming soon.
 
msquaredb said:
Complete 7/25 OOS, 31, 3.9 and still under review, but I am just thankful I haven't been rejected yet. My SO attends this school and I try to remain hopeful.
Click to expand...
Complete 9/15 IS, 33; 3.9, nontrad, alumni. Keeping the hope alive. Going to email admissions tomorrow to see if there is any rhyme or reason to the order in which we are reviewed. At least were still in the game for now
 
lurkylurky said:
made an account to post this...was complete end of Aug, interview invite out of the blue a couple of days ago. there's still hope! hang in there =)
(in-state)
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Congrats! Would you mind sharing your stats? Let us know how the interview goes, good luck!
 
psswrd said:
I thought Irvine interviewed until April??
Click to expand...
When I interviewed yesterday, they said they just went over the 1/2 way point with interviews...so I'm guessing there are a bunch more to come!
 
msquaredb said:
Its possible they have been filled. I don't know why someone would choose such a late date over an earlier one, but everyone has different schedules they have to accommodate.
Click to expand...

Most schools won't give you all available dates when you sign up if there are earlier dates available (unless you call and specifically ask for one - at least this has been my experience with other schools). When I signed up 2 weeks ago it was all January dates and now it seems to be all February dates, so I wouldn't worry too much.
 
Is it customary or expected that candidates send thank you notes to all interviewers and admissions director after the interview? I felt that using their email addresses may be considered unprofessional.
 
interview invite 1/7/14

completed mid-sept

i found out through a status update on the website.

does anyone know when we receive a confirmation email after scheduling a date?

also, for those who already attended, is it a good idea to attend the pre-interview dinner? my last class ends at 5pm, and ill be driving from LA so i probably wont make it on time.
 
janeeeeeeee said:
interview invite 1/7/14

completed mid-sept

i found out through a status update on the website.

does anyone know when we receive a confirmation email after scheduling a date?

also, for those who already attended, is it a good idea to attend the pre-interview dinner? my last class ends at 5pm, and ill be driving from LA so i probably wont make it on time.
Click to expand...

For me, the email arrived one day after my status updated.
 
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