2014-2015 Loyola University Chicago (Stritch) Application Thread

[ConsultantMD]

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My status just changed about an hour ago, anyone else get this?

"Your file is under review with the Committee on Admissions. Please note: files can be in review until the end of the interview season in April."

You mean when you log in? Mine still says preliminary review.

 

[sahmoc]

My status just changed about an hour ago, anyone else get this?

"Your file is under review with the Committee on Admissions. Please note: files can be in review until the end of the interview season in April."

I have the "Your file is currently going under a preliminary review" status. Was that what you had before?

 

[CarpeCervisiam]

I have the "Your file is currently going under a preliminary review" status. Was that what you had before?

That's what mine said before today. There isn't a time stamp on the post, it just says as of Friday, July 11th. I guess either they loved me or they think I'm garbage.

 

[sahmoc]

That's what mine said before today. There isn't a time stamp on the post, it just says as of Friday, July 11th. I guess either they loved me or they think I'm garbage.

Either way, moving along in the process! So that is good.

 

[beems901]

Incoming MS1 here, happy to answer questions about the application process if you have them. Stritch was my top choice when I applied, so I'm really excited to be attending.

Thanks so much! I've looked at a lot of information but can't tell exactly what the opportunities are for third and fourth year rotations. Are they all done on the LUMC campus or can Stritch students also rotate at Cook County (Stroger)/ do away rotations?

 

[M.MD]

Thanks so much! I've looked at a lot of information but can't tell exactly what the opportunities are for third and fourth year rotations. Are they all done on the LUMC campus or can Stritch students also rotate at Cook County (Stroger)/ do away rotations?

Your clerkship opportunities are not limited to the LUMC campus. A number of students go on to do away rotations, but I don't know the details. An M3/M4 might be able to provide a more in-depth answer.

 

[sahmoc]

That's what mine said before today. There isn't a time stamp on the post, it just says as of Friday, July 11th. I guess either they loved me or they think I'm garbage.

I checked this morning, and I now have the same status. I have a feeling it just means someone has actually looked at our application now and moved it to the giant pool where they pluck out interview candidates.

 

[CarpeCervisiam]

I checked this morning, and I now have the same status. I have a feeling it just means someone has actually looked at our application now and moved it to the giant pool where they pluck out interview candidates.

It looks like last year quite a few people with "Your file is under review with the Committee on Admission" ended up with interviews and "has been reviewed" meant they were put on a hold status. Hopefully that's still the system they're using this year.

 

[sahmoc]

It looks like last year quite a few people with "Your file is under review with the Committee on Admission" ended up with interviews and "has been reviewed" meant they were put on a hold status. Hopefully that's still the system they're using this year.

Oh really? That is exciting! Now I have to go creep on last year's thread some more haha

 

[applestoapples]

Is it all right to submit your secondaries before your letters of rec in? My school still hasn't sent in my letter packet just yet.

 

[sahmoc]

Is it all right to submit your secondaries before your letters of rec in? My school still hasn't sent in my letter packet just yet.

You can submit it, but it won't be marked as complete until all letters are in.

 

[CarpeCervisiam]

Status was updated this morning to "Your file has been reviewed by the Committee on Admissions. The review process is continuous from now until the conclusion of our interview season in April. If you are granted an interview, you will be contacted by phone and/or e-mail."

According to last year's thread this is the "hold" status. I knew having my status updated so quickly was a bad thing.

 

[sahmoc]

Status was updated this morning to "Your file has been reviewed by the Committee on Admissions. The review process is continuous from now until the conclusion of our interview season in April. If you are granted an interview, you will be contacted by phone and/or e-mail."

According to last year's thread this is the "hold" status. I knew having my status updated so quickly was a bad thing.

Some people last year went back to the under review status and received interviews though. So don't lose hope just yet! It is still so early and they are not even close to sending out interview invites.

Side note: I was trying to explain the whole status thing to my husband and how it could mean something or nothing and how it depends on how long I have the status and blah blah blah explaining everything I read in my creeping yesterday. I think he thinks I am one of those neurotic pre-meds now. That couldn't possibly be the case, right? 😉

 

[christinehiki]

Ready to submit supplemental info but the website won't let me upload the photo.

Anyone else having trouble with this???

 

[ccantr10]

Ready to submit supplemental info but the website won't let me upload the photo.

Anyone else having trouble with this???

You may need to compress it. I had that problem on another secondary.

 

[turayza]

Ready to submit supplemental info but the website won't let me upload the photo.

Anyone else having trouble with this???

It doesn't work unless it is a GIF.

 

[BolloX]

Could someone please post the Loyola questions in full? Are they identical to last year's, including character limits?

 

[john3298]

So if I have the "Your file is under review with the Committee on Admissions. Please note: files can be in review until the end of the interview season in April," that's a good thing?

 

[sahmoc]

So if I have the "Your file is under review with the Committee on Admissions. Please note: files can be in review until the end of the interview season in April," that's a good thing?

It seems that way from previous years.

 

[O'Haolain]

Could someone please post the Loyola questions in full? Are they identical to last year's, including character limits?

All of these responses are supposed to be two paragraphs in length, there is no actual character limit.

1) Describe a valuable experience in your personal development? This might be a decision you have made, an achievement of which you are particularly proud of, or a person who has influenced your life.

2) Provide in detail an experience of working with individual(s) from diverse background(s). What was the experience? How did it have an impact on you?

3) Describe how you have dealt with a personal or academic challenge. Focus on what you learned about yourself and how it will help you during the challenges you might face in medical school.

4) Your patient has a rare disease and would be a great candidate for an experimental new treatment. You are the principal investigator for the research project and you and your Chair would like to pursue this experiment with the patient. The parents of your patient are adamant against the treatment. How would you handle this situation?

5) If you will not be enrolled as a full-time student during the current academic year, please explain what you will be doing prior to your planned matriculation into medical school? If you are a re-applicant, please tell us how your application has improved since the last time you applied.

6) Please use this space to bring the information in your AMCAS application up-to-date. Please indicate additional grades earned, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation date, address changes, additions to your list of activities, and anything else you feel we should know.

 

[BolloX]

All of these responses are supposed to be two paragraphs in length, there is no actual character limit.

Thank you!

 

[BolloX]

All of these responses are supposed to be two paragraphs in length, there is no actual character limit.

I think last year they said two paragraphs OR 25 lines. Did they take out the "25 lines" phrase this year?

 

[heylollipop]

All of these responses are supposed to be two paragraphs in length, there is no actual character limit.

1) Describe a valuable experience in your personal development? This might be a decision you have made, an achievement of which you are particularly proud of, or a person who has influenced your life.

2) Provide in detail an experience of working with individual(s) from diverse background(s). What was the experience? How did it have an impact on you?

3) Describe how you have dealt with a personal or academic challenge. Focus on what you learned about yourself and how it will help you during the challenges you might face in medical school.

4) Your patient has a rare disease and would be a great candidate for an experimental new treatment. You are the principal investigator for the research project and you and your Chair would like to pursue this experiment with the patient. The parents of your patient are adamant against the treatment. How would you handle this situation?

5) If you will not be enrolled as a full-time student during the current academic year, please explain what you will be doing prior to your planned matriculation into medical school? If you are a re-applicant, please tell us how your application has improved since the last time you applied.

6) Please use this space to bring the information in your AMCAS application up-to-date. Please indicate additional grades earned, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation date, address changes, additions to your list of activities, and anything else you feel we should know.

Would it be a good idea to bring up why Loyola in the last question?

 

[ridiculysses]

Was wondering how late I am in the process if I'm still awaiting to submit my application to AMCAS? I'm waiting for two rec letters to be received as well, I don't want to submit the application if this one science professor forgot to write me the letter (i've emailed her and no reply twice now).

Also, my stats are on the lower end of applicants IS (3.5 cGPA 3.2sGPA, first MCAT 25, retaking in september). I have about 100+ hours of volunteer work at an outpatient pharmacy in a hospital (and growing), 50+ hours of volunteer work at my parish, 8 hours of volunteer work for Alliance of the Great Lakes, and 5 hours of shadowing an ophthalmologist (the dr. really liked me and seems to be offering me a technician job this week).

On the whole what do some of you think about my application at face value?

I would either apply DO or wait until next cycle. Both, if your MCAT doesn't improve, I'm afraid. Schools aren't taking September MCATs for this cycle.

 

[Shammyguy3]

I would either apply DO or wait until next cycle. Both, if your MCAT doesn't improve, I'm afraid. Schools aren't taking September MCATs for this cycle.

MSAR says for the schools i'll be applying to they all accept september scores (some by a certain date, some just by the end of september, a couple Oct 1st or november even). The ones I wasn't sure on I emailed and 5/6 came back good news (still waiting on Indiana)

 

[1183]

My application STILL says they're missing letters. I assigned letters through AMCAS over a week ago (they've been received by AMCAS since June).

Any advice? I want to call, but the attachment they sent says to call only on "Thursdays 9am-5pm"

How long did it generally take everyone for their letters to be shown as received on the secondary website?

 

[mrh125]

"

• Your file has been reviewed by the Committee on Admissions. The review process is continuous from now until the conclusion of our interview season in April. If you are granted an interview, you will be contacted by phone and/or e-mail."

lame 🙁

 

[IL Pre Med]

"

• Your file has been reviewed by the Committee on Admissions. The review process is continuous from now until the conclusion of our interview season in April. If you are granted an interview, you will be contacted by phone and/or e-mail."

lame 🙁

This is what I have too. Does this mean we're on hold? Or does everyone have this generic status?

 

[jjtheairplane]

This is what I have too. Does this mean we're on hold? Or does everyone have this generic status?

I'm still on "preliminary review".. like every other school.. sigh

 

[CarpeCervisiam]

This is what I have too. Does this mean we're on hold? Or does everyone have this generic status?

That's what mine has said since last Friday. Based on last year's thread I think this means we are on hold but they easily could have changed their system up.

 

[bagelsandcreamcheese]

hey guys I'm joining this thread since Loyola is one of my top choices! my status also says your file has been reviewed by the committee.... really hoping this doesn't mean a smaller chance of interview already 🙁

 

[M.MD]

This is what I have too. Does this mean we're on hold? Or does everyone have this generic status?

That's what mine has said since last Friday. Based on last year's thread I think this means we are on hold but they easily could have changed their system up.

No, the system hasn't changed. If you have this message you are on hold.

 

[Ruby109]

I just submitted so maybe I'm missing something, but how do we know if they've downloaded our letters/if we are complete. My status says "undergoing preliminary review".

 

[MedSchoolBarbie]

So what does it mean to be on hold? Is it a bad thing?

 

[M.MD]

So what does it mean to be on hold? Is it a bad thing?

It means they have decided not to offer you an interview at this time, but that doesn't mean you can't get one a few weeks/months down the road. They'll look over your application again as the cycle progresses and re-evaluate it. You either stay on hold or they'll invite your for an interview.

 

[john3298]

No, the system hasn't changed. If you have this message you are on hold.

I see that you currently go to Loyola for med school. Could you cast some light on what this status means?
Your file is under review with the Committee on Admissions. Please note: files can be in review until the end of the interview season in April.

 

[M.MD]

I see that you currently go to Loyola for med school. Could you cast some light on what this status means?
Your file is under review with the Committee on Admissions. Please note: files can be in review until the end of the interview season in April.

That's the status everyone gets once their application is "complete" (i.e. you turned in your secondary, your letters, paid your fee, etc.). They're currently looking over your application to decide whether they'd like to interview you or place you on hold.

 

[BeancheBlanco]

My status says that they are still missing the necessary letters but it also says my committee letter packet was received by them on 7/15. Do you guys think this is just a delay in status change? Anyone else with this issue?

 

[heylollipop]

Would it be a good idea to bring up why Loyola in the last question?

Can anyone answer my question please?

 

[uvrsol]

how long did it take to get the secondary? I added this school today..

 

[claduva94]

Can anyone answer my question please?

That may be a good idea. The alternative is that you save that for an update letter since they already gave you a few essays to express yourself in.

 

[sahmoc]

Can anyone answer my question please?

I did not use this space for that because it specifically says to bring the AMCAS application up to date, but that is just my opinion.

 

[BeancheBlanco]

Can anyone answer my question please?

I am liberal with including "why school" essays in additional information prompts, but that does not seem to be what this prompt is going for. It specifically asks you to use the space for updates. I would not do it (and did not), but I have no inside information and it probably wouldn't hurt to include one.

 

[john3298]

That's the status everyone gets once their application is "complete" (i.e. you turned in your secondary, your letters, paid your fee, etc.). They're currently looking over your application to decide whether they'd like to interview you or place you on hold.

When my application was complete it first said "Your file is currently going under a preliminary review" and then changed to the other status a few days later.

 

[M.MD]

When my application was complete it first said "Your file is currently going under a preliminary review" and then changed to the other status a few days later.

I'm pretty sure preliminary review means they're just making sure you have all the necessary information submitted.

 

[mrh125]

does "on hold" mean they already assigned a priority number for you? im guessing that's why it changed and everyone's application may automatically go on hold unless theyre autogranted interviews.

 

[heylollipop]

That may be a good idea. The alternative is that you save that for an update letter since they already gave you a few essays to express yourself in.

Thanks! I'll consider that.

I did not use this space for that because it specifically says to bring the AMCAS application up to date, but that is just my opinion.

I am liberal with including "why school" essays in additional information prompts, but that does not seem to be what this prompt is going for. It specifically asks you to use the space for updates. I would not do it (and did not), but I have no inside information and it probably wouldn't hurt to include one.

Thank you guys for being so helpful! 🙂

 

[STLMako91]

Just a heads up: if you are typing your essays within your secondary, save often. I had the awesome experience of getting timed out and having my work unsaved.

 

[sahmoc]

Just a heads up: if you are typing your essays within your secondary, save often. I had the awesome experience of getting timed out and having my work unsaved.

ouch :/ they have a good amount of essays too.

 

[STLMako91]

ouch :/ they have a good amount of essays too.

Yeah, I wasn't aware of the inactivity timing seeing as how I was still "active" on the page when I was typing. Oh well.