2015-2016 University of Chicago (Pritzker) Application Thread

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If you have the ability to apply to both I would do that. I interviewed at both schools and ultimately chose Pritzker for a few reasons. The smaller class size, I didn't want a PBL curriculum, and Pritzker offered much better financial aid. I also felt that students at Pritzker were ultimately more happy than the ones at Northwestern, but that could just be the day that I went.

It all depends on my MCAT score for me (I get it the 30th) whether its worth applying to another reach school (I've already got Hopkins, one of Pritzker/Northwestern, Pitt) and UVA but I'll give it some thought. Both schools have their merits for sure
 
This is definitely one of my top choices 😍

Throwing my hat in, hoping for the best!

So many awesome schools in Chicago!
 
Trying to pre-write and having difficulty integrating "enhance diversity" and "advance mission" into the same essay. Anyone else having this issue?
 
I just received their secondary... but my AMCAS wasn't even verified yet..

Most schools don't require verification for secondaries to be submitted, although I will admit that I didn't know Pritzker was one of them.
 
@NickNaylor Is it important to get close to the word limit? I am about 100 words short for each prompt but I am satisfied with the quality of my prompts (been working on them for a few weeks now). Thanks
 
How do you see if your AMCAS was sent and where do secondaries go? Email?
 
Received mine this morning - and yes, same prompts!

"At the University of Chicago, in an atmosphere of interdisciplinary scholarship and discovery, the Pritzker School of Medicine is dedicated to inspiring diverse students of exceptional promise to become leaders and innovators in science and medicine for the betterment of humanity."

Essay Question 1. Our Mission Statement above is an expression of our core purpose and educational philosophy. In particular, it highlights the value we place on diversity since we regard the diversity of the entering class as essential for educational excellence. Please write an essay on how you would enhance diversity at Pritzker and advance the Pritzker mission. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 550 words.

Essay Question 2. Tell us about a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 400 words.
 
Received mine this morning - and yes, same prompts!

"At the University of Chicago, in an atmosphere of interdisciplinary scholarship and discovery, the Pritzker School of Medicine is dedicated to inspiring diverse students of exceptional promise to become leaders and innovators in science and medicine for the betterment of humanity."

Essay Question 1. Our Mission Statement above is an expression of our core purpose and educational philosophy. In particular, it highlights the value we place on diversity since we regard the diversity of the entering class as essential for educational excellence. Please write an essay on how you would enhance diversity at Pritzker and advance the Pritzker mission. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 550 words.

Essay Question 2. Tell us about a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 400 words.

+1
 
Secondary just received! OOS/3.91/522, Lizzy M ~ 78
 
Also got mine this morning. My AMCAS isn't verified either.
 
I submitted payment, but unfortunately, it doesn't reflect this in the portal. Anyone else having this trouble?

Also, is there any further action we need once we indicate our letter preference (assuming letters already delivered to AMCAS)?
 
I submitted payment, but unfortunately, it doesn't reflect this in the portal. Anyone else having this trouble?

Also, is there any further action we need once we indicate our letter preference (assuming letters already delivered to AMCAS)?
Pretty sure all you need to do is indicate letters and nothing further.
 
Secondary received and submitted! Verified 6/4.
Pre-writing is a godsend.
 
I submitted payment, but unfortunately, it doesn't reflect this in the portal. Anyone else having this trouble?

Also, is there any further action we need once we indicate our letter preference (assuming letters already delivered to AMCAS)?

Everything in the portal is updated manually by hand, so it may take a few days for everything in the portal to show up accurately when you submit things.
 
@NickNaylor Is it important to get close to the word limit? I am about 100 words short for each prompt but I am satisfied with the quality of my prompts (been working on them for a few weeks now). Thanks

You should just answer the question(s). We don't see the word limit and no one is going to count how long your responses are. If you're satisfied with your response and feel like you completely answer the question, I wouldn't worry about it.
 
I'm not sure if you were joking or not, but FYI Pritzker does not screen for secondaries. Everyone should receive a secondary application.

Haha yea just a little (unfunny) joke because Pritzker is one of my 'super reaches' depending on how my MCAT score turns out
 
"At least 2 letters should be written by individuals who can speak specifically to your potential for success in a rigorous science curriculum"

https://pritzker.uchicago.edu/admissions/recommendation.shtml

Do you have to have 2 science professors who have taught you for the LoRs?

Can one of them be a research mentor instead?


I actually emailed them about this, but I am considered a non-trad. They said for non-trad students you do not have to follow this. I suggest you email them and tell them your situation if you are not able to obtain 2 science LORs. They did tell me that a Psychology professor letter would be considered to fulfill this science requirement.



ALSO: I received secondaries this morning too! 😀 yay!
 
Just got my secondary as well. Verified 6/17.
 
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Anyone know how to report GRE in the secondary? There's only one field that accepts numeric input, but I've never heard of anyone adding all three sections.
 
Secondary received and submitted! Verified 6/4.
Pre-writing is a godsend.
Nice job! You should be among the first to get at invite (hopefully). I just recently submitted my primary and received the secondary, but I'm prewriting to make sure I'm in the first half.
 
Does anyone know how I can change what program I am applying to? As in make it so it says I am applying to MD not MSTP. Thanks!
 
lol after you guys submitted, does the optional section show up when you go to print your application? I only filled out the SAT score but I am now wondering if there was a "check to finalize" for that section too that I didn't notice. In any case, I didn't check to finalize those sections and my print preview on the secondary only shows the required two parts and my signature.

I know SAT scores are old news, but the stress of applying for medical schools is quickly taking my sanity... Any assurances?
 
I'm coming to this process a bit late and haven't prewritten secondaries but am working on them now. I notice that the Pritzker "challenge" question is a little different from the "greatest challenge" or "greatest obstacle" question that a lot of places pose. Specifically, it says: " Tell us about a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 400 words." Does this mean we need to discuss something that involved a dilemma, like a professional ethical quandary? My greatest challenge is a decidedly personal one, and it is difficult to frame as a "dilemma," it is simply something that caused me to change within, if that makes sense. Similarly, it sounds like we need to have turned to someone else for advice ... Perhaps these are dumb questions but I am just wondering what types of "situations" the rest of you think they are inquiring about.
 
I'm coming to this process a bit late and haven't prewritten secondaries but am working on them now. I notice that the Pritzker "challenge" question is a little different from the "greatest challenge" or "greatest obstacle" question that a lot of places pose. Specifically, it says: " Tell us about a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 400 words." Does this mean we need to discuss something that involved a dilemma, like a professional ethical quandary? My greatest challenge is a decidedly personal one, and it is difficult to frame as a "dilemma," it is simply something that caused me to change within, if that makes sense. Similarly, it sounds like we need to have turned to someone else for advice ... Perhaps these are dumb questions but I am just wondering what types of "situations" the rest of you think they are inquiring about.

Yeah, I chose to use a specific challenging experience (professional/research-related) that required problem solving instead of the personal challenge I discussed in the other secondary essays about my "greatest challenge". I think you could make a personal challenge work, though.
 
Submitted secondary last night. Last year it seems like Chicago got back with II extremely quickly so hoping for the best..
 
Submitted secondary last night. Last year it seems like Chicago got back with II extremely quickly so hoping for the best..

Yeah, they were the fastest school that I applied to. They were my first secondary, II, interview, and acceptance. Unfortunately that means they also reject extremely quickly
 
Best of luck to all of us! I'm sure we'll do great! 🙂
 
Not yet, but I'm waiting for Pritzker to waive my fee.
 
I know they update manually, so I wouldn't expect much to get done over the holiday weekend.
 
Received yesterday morning and submitted last night. Good school. Reach, though... Parents used to work here in the 70's and 80's.

Yaaay
 
I'm glad that Prtizker is fast at this process though, even with rejections. Makes the whole experience better IMO.
 
Does anyone know: if rec letters are in AMCAS and have been for a while, when can they be expected to be seen on the secondary portal?
 
Does anyone know: if rec letters are in AMCAS and have been for a while, when can they be expected to be seen on the secondary portal?

Again, they are added manually. It will take at least a few days, maybe longer depending upon the application volume.
 
What kind of information is appropriate for the "additional information" question? I do not have any major updates since submitting the primary. Nor do I have anything in particular to explain. Would a "Why Pritzker" be appropriate?
 
What kind of information is appropriate for the "additional information" question? I do not have any major updates since submitting the primary. Nor do I have anything in particular to explain. Would a "Why Pritzker" be appropriate?

Ideally the "why Pritzker?" question is mentioned in some form in the mission statement question. If there's anything that's not mentioned or otherwise elaborated on elsewhere in your app that you feel is important, that would be the place to include that information.
 
Ideally the "why Pritzker?" question is mentioned in some form in the mission statement question. If there's anything that's not mentioned or otherwise elaborated on elsewhere in your app that you feel is important, that would be the place to include that information.

If I feel that my primary application covers everything that I feel is important, is it appropriate to leave this blank?
 
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