2014-2015 University of California - Irvine Application Thread

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I interviewed on 10/20 and haven't heard back either!

This is stressful haha, looks like they started accepting the next group already. Is it common for the 10/20 group without any information yet?
 
just got an II! Dates open in mid March. Complete in july.
Wait, so the only dates available are from March?!

Interviews end at april, so there's hardly any hope for anyone who has not received II as of yet, huh? : /
 
So I was rejected 4 days ago, but today I just got a secondary? Did this… uh… happen to anyone else?
 
So I was rejected 4 days ago, but today I just got a secondary? Did this… uh… happen to anyone else?
Same thing happened to me too. Unfortunately I think it's a glitch. I'm going to call tomorrow to confirm.
 
Same thing happened to me too. Unfortunately I think it's a glitch. I'm going to call tomorrow to confirm.
Yea, that's what I'm thinking. I was planning to call as well, but I'll look out for a post in case you beat me to it!
 
Dang rejected just now. I thought I had a good shot too and was really hoping for this one... :/ Complete 8/12 LizzyM ~76

Edit: Post secondary, pre interview
 
Does anyone here know what UCI emphasizes? For instance, some schools have certain qualities and x-factors of sorts that they look for in determining a good fit. Just curious about it.
 
Does anyone here know what UCI emphasizes? For instance, some schools have certain qualities and x-factors of sorts that they look for in determining a good fit. Just curious about it.
I feel that UCI does a good holistic review of the candidates. I think they emphasize well-roundedness, and judging from the med students' stories, a lot of them are involved in leadership and community service, so I imagine they look for that in their future med students. My interviewers also asked many questions around these topics. I don't feel like they emphasized research as much, but who knows? I guess it depends on your interviewer and the batch of med students that day. The student body seems very diverse, so it's hard to say they emphasize certain factors.
 
I feel that UCI does a good holistic review of the candidates. I think they emphasize well-roundedness, and judging from the med students' stories, a lot of them are involved in leadership and community service, so I imagine they look for that in their future med students. My interviewers also asked many questions around these topics. I don't feel like they emphasized research as much, but who knows? I guess it depends on your interviewer and the batch of med students that day. The student body seems very diverse, so it's hard to say they emphasize certain factors.
Thanks! This is helpful. Now if UCI just finds me as a good fit! Haha
 
Quick q: did anyone here with II/acceptances send an "I love you UCI, please consider me for an II"-type letter before your II?
 
Best of luck! Don't lose hope yet. I think most of the UCs have waves of IIs sent out in January...maybe their last waves, but not least!
Thanks! Do you have any thoughts on how UCI screens for secondary invites? Just out of curiosity... I wasn't even expecting to get a secondary from here. Now if I can just land an interview everything will be just fine and dandy!
 
I feel that UCI does a good holistic review of the candidates. I think they emphasize well-roundedness, and judging from the med students' stories, a lot of them are involved in leadership and community service, so I imagine they look for that in their future med students. My interviewers also asked many questions around these topics. I don't feel like they emphasized research as much, but who knows? I guess it depends on your interviewer and the batch of med students that day. The student body seems very diverse, so it's hard to say they emphasize certain factors.

I think they look for unique characteristics. I based my application on a few ideas: medical realism, community service/humanitarianism, family support, and academic pursuits. My interview was just a conversation, I don't even think they even asked me questions. Both interviewers were impressed with my resume (they said outright), so that helped me have a little control over the direction of the interview. One was strictly about family and humanitarian work. The other only about research and nothing else. I had a 3 week turnaround from II to acceptance so I assume they liked what I had to offer. Hope this helps!
 
Repost sorry!
I think they look for unique characteristics. I based my application on a few ideas: medical realism, community service/humanitarianism, family support, and academic pursuits. My interview was just a conversation, I don't even think they even asked me questions. Both interviewers were impressed with my resume (they said outright), so that helped me have a little control over the direction of the interview. One was strictly about family and humanitarian work. The other only about research and nothing else. I had a 3 week turnaround from II to acceptance so I assume they liked what I had to offer. Hope this helps!
Geez 3 weeks, that's really impressive!
 
I think they look for unique characteristics. I based my application on a few ideas: medical realism, community service/humanitarianism, family support, and academic pursuits. My interview was just a conversation, I don't even think they even asked me questions. Both interviewers were impressed with my resume (they said outright), so that helped me have a little control over the direction of the interview. One was strictly about family and humanitarian work. The other only about research and nothing else. I had a 3 week turnaround from II to acceptance so I assume they liked what I had to offer. Hope this helps!
Thanks for this insight and congrats on your acceptance! Did you send any updates or letters of interest before your II?
 
Thanks for this insight and congrats on your acceptance! Did you send any updates or letters of interest before your II?

I read that some guy was rejected and then got an interview after his letter of interest. I would do it at this point as it dwindles down to the last few dates for interviews. Be blunt about why UCI and mention why the school uniquely suits your needs. Any updates should also be sent as well (ie. Spring 2014 grades). Good luck!

EDIT: To answer your question: No updates just turned in my 2' and got an II a month later.
 
I'm still waiting on the call. I also felt like my interviews were more like conversations, so fingers crossed! I loved UCI.
Does it mean anything that I can make a UCInetID now? 😵

As for updates/LOIs, I did not send one before my II.
 
I have not heard anything back since I was complete (I was complete mid-July). Do you guys think there's anything I can do to find out where I stand?
 
I have not heard anything back since I was complete (I was complete mid-July). Do you guys think there's anything I can do to find out where I stand?

Would it be good to send an update including my Spring, Summer, and Fall 14 grades? If so, PDF via email?

It's Hail Mary time. As you can see, more students are getting accepted while the last few interview dates are dwindling down. Right now I would put in my best sales pitch on why UCI would be the perfect school.

My best advice is that your statement should be so specific that you would not be able to send it to any other school except for UCI. Of course send in all grades and updates that would help make your case.

Not sure if you can inquire much by calling if they haven't interviewed you.
 
It's Hail Mary time. As you can see, more students are getting accepted while the last few interview dates are dwindling down. Right now I would put in my best sales pitch on why UCI would be the perfect school.

My best advice is that your statement should be so specific that you would not be able to send it to any other school except for UCI. Of course send in all grades and updates that would help make your case.

Not sure if you can inquire much by calling if they haven't interviewed you.
I've already sent them 2 updates, so I don't think they're keen on getting another one yeh?
 
I've already sent them 2 updates, so I don't think they're keen on getting another one yeh?
Hi,
I'm not sure if this has been answered before, but how did you send in your update? Is it just through the body of an email to admissions? Thanks!
 
Hi,
I'm not sure if this has been answered before, but how did you send in your update? Is it just through the body of an email to admissions? Thanks!
Yup. You need to attach the letter as a pdf. There are templates for update letters online.
 
Does anyone know if UCI is receptive to "in the area" emails?
 
Does anyone know if UCI is receptive to "in the area" emails?
what does that mean? like you're local to the school and hope they'd factor that when considering you for admission?
 
Does anyone know if UCI is receptive to "in the area" emails?
from last year:
I received an email back about my in the area request pretty promptly. It just said that my request for an expedited review has been forwarded to the committee. I know this doesn't guarantee anything, but I hope I hear one way or another soon.
 
They haven't made any decision yet since complete 09/08. Do I just e-mail my updates and Letter of Intent to the medadmit email along with the assoc dean?

Also, do they tell us if they're done reviewing the application or not?

1. Yes! I emailed the office to ask if they took updates, and they told me to send them to the medadmit email. 🙂 I didn't ask about LOI though.
2. I didn't get a status change or email notification between "Under Review" and receiving an II.

Hope this helps!
 
really? no email for the II?

I got an email for the II, but no status change or email saying a review of my application had been completed prior to that. (This was over the course of the 4 months between submitting the secondary and receiving the II, so I figure I was on some sort of silent hold)
 
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is UCI receptive to letters of interest?

interviewed early sept and have been put on the alt list.

have had some major achievements and an upcoming opportunity to work on a big medically related project with a very well respected uci physician.
 
is UCI receptive to letters of interest?

interviewed early sept and have been put on the alt list.

have had some major achievements and an upcoming opportunity to work on a big medically related project with a very well respected uci physician.

From what I remember she said "winning the nobel prize" would require an update. So I think it has to be something big like a grand award (Rhodes scholar, MacAuthor Grant, etc.), a major publication in a high impact journal, or something of that sort. If you feel strongly about it, go for it. Best of luck!
 
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