2015-2016 University of Illinois Application Thread

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II just now, complete since 9/9, and changed from progress to process about 2 weeks ago.

Has anyone that put chicago as their first choice gotten put somewhere else? Trying to figure out if Chicago is all filled up

I had chicago as my first choice and got placed in urbana/rockford
at this point i think its safe to assume chicago is full
 
I had chicago as my first choice and got placed in urbana/rockford
at this point i think its safe to assume chicago is full

Do you know how UMed factors into available seats on the Chicago campus? I feel like I'm asking tons of UMed questions when everyone's probably just as in the dark about it as I am.
 
"Chicago is filled" (something went wrong in trying to quote you...)

Not that I doubt you because it is getting late in the cycle, but do you have proof? Thanks for the info!
 
"Chicago is filled" (something went wrong in trying to quote you...)

Not that I doubt you because it is getting late in the cycle, but do you have proof? Thanks for the info!

I had chicago as my first choice, as did anther person, and I submitted my preference card in person to the admissions office last week of January, and I still didn't get chicago.

I'm assuming that as people find out from other schools (likely from all those schools that release their dates 3/15) and start dropping out, there will be a few chicago spots opening, but it'll be random if you get assigned or not.
 
Did a little delving into previous years' SDN threads and saw a trend in being invited to UMed/GMed interviews around mid-March and hearing back from those interviews on May 1st. I also saw that quite a few people made it to the Chicago campus from the waitlist and in the later spring months as well, which, I guess, is to be expected seeing as people assigned to Chicago can back out altogether at any time.

I'm gonna go ahead and put a little faith in trends.
 
Anyone know if innovative med students are guaranteed Chicago spots?
 
So, I just received my II and looks like I am attending the one on 3/25. I just wanted to know if Chicago campus is still open, and if not how does the placement work if I get accepted? My preferences are Chicago or Urbana. I have already been accepted to MCW and if Chicago or Urbana are not open then I'd rather skip the interview. I have personal reasons to remain preferably in Chicago. Please suggest! Also, I am an IS applicant and was wondering if these interviews are for wait lists or not?

Thank you!
 
So, I just received my II and looks like I am attending the one on 3/25. I just wanted to know if Chicago campus is still open, and if not how does the placement work if I get accepted? My preferences are Chicago or Urbana. I have already been accepted to MCW and if Chicago or Urbana are not open then I'd rather skip the interview. I have personal reasons to remain preferably in Chicago. Please suggest! Also, I am an IS applicant and was wondering if these interviews are for wait lists or not?

Thank you!

I don't think that there is placement in Urbana, only Rockford and Peoria. It's just that Rockford and Peoria students do their first year at Urbana before all heading to their respective sites. Someone correct me if I'm wrong?
 
So, I just received my II and looks like I am attending the one on 3/25. I just wanted to know if Chicago campus is still open, and if not how does the placement work if I get accepted? My preferences are Chicago or Urbana. I have already been accepted to MCW and if Chicago or Urbana are not open then I'd rather skip the interview. I have personal reasons to remain preferably in Chicago. Please suggest! Also, I am an IS applicant and was wondering if these interviews are for wait lists or not?

Thank you!
I have been following the thread for a while, Chicago has been full for at least a month.
 
So, I just received my II and looks like I am attending the one on 3/25. I just wanted to know if Chicago campus is still open, and if not how does the placement work if I get accepted? My preferences are Chicago or Urbana. I have already been accepted to MCW and if Chicago or Urbana are not open then I'd rather skip the interview. I have personal reasons to remain preferably in Chicago. Please suggest! Also, I am an IS applicant and was wondering if these interviews are for wait lists or not?

Thank you!
If you get placed in Chicago, you do all four years there. If you get placed in Urbana you do one year there, then the rest in Peoria or Rockford.

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I have been following the thread for a while, Chicago has been full for at least a month.
Thanks for the quick replies fellas! So, I just scheduled my interview and asked the lady on the phone if Chicago spots were open and she said YES! 😀 Do they allow students to be in Chicago with genuine reasons? I have personal reasons due to which I need to be close to Chicago. Please let me know guys! Thank you!
 
Thanks for the quick replies fellas! So, I just scheduled my interview and asked the lady on the phone if Chicago spots were open and she said YES! 😀 Do they allow students to be in Chicago with genuine reasons? I have personal reasons due to which I need to be close to Chicago. Please let me know guys! Thank you!
From what I've seen in this thread they have not been granting Chicago placement for over a month. Maybe if your personal reason is that you are on house arrest and are not legally allowed to leave the city of Chicago then maybe they will make some exceptions to the rule 😉.

However, in your case, by the time they get to a decision they may have others who have withdrawn their acceptance, opening up some spots in Chicago.
 
Thanks for the quick replies fellas! So, I just scheduled my interview and asked the lady on the phone if Chicago spots were open and she said YES! 😀 Do they allow students to be in Chicago with genuine reasons? I have personal reasons due to which I need to be close to Chicago. Please let me know guys! Thank you!
You can appeal your placement after receiving it but I am not sure how often those appeals are successful.

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I just got an email about Second Look day for Peoria; it's on Friday 15th April.
 
Does anyone have a rough idea of the probability of being admitted from the "Decision Pending" limbo, where the committee re-reviews your app each month? Looking through a few pages of this thread, I've seen a few people get accepted, but that only says it's possible. I feel like the number of people in limbo has grown, and given the time of year, I'm really doubting my chances at being accepted.
 
Hello fellow members. So last week I made a post (top of page 35), about how I called into admissions and someone in admissions told me a "final decision" was made and I would hear what that is soon. Well, guess what?!?! That final decision was an INTERVIEW!!!! lol Sorry for the excitement but as someone on this thread said, NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!
Anyways, my interview is coming up in Peoria. I know there is a panel interview in Peoria vs the 3 one on one interviews in Chicago. I was hoping someone could fill me in on any interview day tips for the Peoria location along with questions they were asked. I would greatly appreciate your help!
 
I just got an email about Second Look day for Peoria; it's on Friday 15th April.
Sorry to ask this, but what is the "second look day"? I've heard this said a few times and don't know what they mean!!
 
Sorry to ask this, but what is the "second look day"? I've heard this said a few times and don't know what they mean!!
Second look day is an informational event session that most medical schools hold for accepted students. It gives students the opportunity to visit again and get their questions answered about the school outside of the stressful interview setting, and is especially useful for students with multiple acceptances who may not have decided which school is their best "fit".
 
Hello fellow members. So last week I made a post (top of page 35), about how I called into admissions and someone in admissions told me a "final decision" was made and I would hear what that is soon. Well, guess what?!?! That final decision was an INTERVIEW!!!! lol Sorry for the excitement but as someone on this thread said, NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!
Anyways, my interview is coming up in Peoria. I know there is a panel interview in Peoria vs the 3 one on one interviews in Chicago. I was hoping someone could fill me in on any interview day tips for the Peoria location along with questions they were asked. I would greatly appreciate your help!

Congrats, gdoc!! So happy for you! When did your secondary go through? Do recall how long you were in process for?
 
Congrats, gdoc!! So happy for you! When did your secondary go through? Do recall how long you were in process for?
Thanks! My secondary went through first week of November. I took my MCAT in September so pretty much waited till I got my results back to submit the secondary. I knew it was a long shot but took the chance. I went "in process" early January and then got interview early March. I'm continuing to keep my hopes up high that I get accepted and not waitlisted or denied. Always keep dreaming!
 
Thanks! My secondary went through first week of November. I took my MCAT in September so pretty much waited till I got my results back to submit the secondary. I knew it was a long shot but took the chance. I went "in process" early January and then got interview early March. I'm continuing to keep my hopes up high that I get accepted and not waitlisted or denied. Always keep dreaming!

Wow, that's an incredible turn over! Do you have a strong LizzyM? Most folks who submitted after September (myself included) are still in a holding pattern. Keeping fingers crossed for you!
 
Wow, that's an incredible turn over! Do you have a strong LizzyM? Most folks who submitted after September (myself included) are still in a holding pattern. Keeping fingers crossed for you!
Yeah that is a crazy turnover. I submitted August and only heard back for ii now

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Wow, that's an incredible turn over! Do you have a strong LizzyM? Most folks who submitted after September (myself included) are still in a holding pattern. Keeping fingers crossed for you!
My LizzyM isn't super strong, but I guess it's not too bad (about a 69-70). I took the new MCAT and scored equivalent to a 32-33 on the old one. So MCAT is decent as well I assume. I am a non traditional applicant with a very strong background in healthcare. This may have played somewhat of a role. Honestly, I thought I was waiting forever. I know someone who submitted in November and got an interview within a month at UIC. But they had a 36 MCAT. The admissions process at all medical schools is very arbitrary to a certain degree. Just must remain positive. I hope you hear good news soon. They are interviewing into April I was told.
 
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My LizzyM isn't super strong, but I guess it's not too bad (about a 69-70). I took the new MCAT and scored equivalent to a 32-33 on the old one. So MCAT is decent as well I assume. I am a non traditional applicant with a very strong background in healthcare. This may have played somewhat of a role. Honestly, I thought I was waiting forever. I know someone who submitted in November and got an interview within a month at UIC. But they had a 36 MCAT. The admissions process at all medical schools is very arbitrary to a certain degree. Just must remain positive. I hope you hear good news soon. They are interviewing into April I was told.


From what I've noticed there is a strong correlation between mcat score and how long it takes UIC to process an application. (Those with 34 and above seem to be fast tracked.) Beyond that, I totally agree that the process can have an emotionally crippling degree of arbitrariness. I'm a non-trad with an excellent GPA, ordinary mcat, and a slew of experience both in and out of healthcare. Have not lost faith yet!

Thanks for the info and well wishes!! Right back atcha! 🙂
 
From what I've noticed there is a strong correlation between mcat score and how long it takes UIC to process an application. (Those with 34 and above seem to be fast tracked.) Beyond that, I totally agree that the process can have an emotionally crippling degree of arbitrariness. I'm a non-trad with an excellent GPA, ordinary mcat, and a slew of experience both in and out of healthcare. Have not lost faith yet!

Thanks for the info and well wishes!! Right back atcha! 🙂
I have a 3.6 GPA and 32 MCAT (non-URM) and interviewed back in September so who knows what they look for when processing applications....But then again I'm still at decision pending so even though I interviewed early, they've probably put me in the low priority pile for decisions 😛
 
Does anyone have a rough idea of the probability of being admitted from the "Decision Pending" limbo, where the committee re-reviews your app each month? Looking through a few pages of this thread, I've seen a few people get accepted, but that only says it's possible. I feel like the number of people in limbo has grown, and given the time of year, I'm really doubting my chances at being accepted.
It means that at the last committee meeting, assuming they didn't just run out of time or something, they deemed us not good enough to be accepted outright in comparison to the other applicants they were reviewing, but not bad enough to be waitlisted or rejected. I think it makes sense that they would do this more and more as it gets later into the season, especially now that they know where their accepted students have also been admitted, and they have a better idea of what the class is going to look like.

As for the probability, it is almost certainly lower. That being said, Illinois still has among the highest post-interview acceptance rates I've ever seen, especially for in-state students at roughly 80% assuming a 2:1 acceptance:matriculation ratio. I have not yet lost hope.
 
I have a 3.6 GPA and 32 MCAT (non-URM) and interviewed back in September so who knows what they look for when processing applications....But then again I'm still at decision pending so even though I interviewed early, they've probably put me in the low priority pile for decisions 😛
I have absolutely no explanation for why they would do that. How did you feel the interview went?
 
I have absolutely no explanation for why they would do that. How did you feel the interview went?
I personally felt that my interviews went well; I really clicked with the interviewers and the only thing I can think of is that since it was my first interview, I was too nervous...there were some questions that I could've answered better (but that's going to be the case for every interview) but I didn't think I was terrible.

If I end up getting rejected I'm gonna be really mad because one of my interviewers literally asked for a free on-the-spot portrait drawing commission after finding out that I was an artist--not only did that distract me from giving more well-thought out answers, but one of the biggest insults you can give to an artist is to ask them to draw you something for free because you are essentially saying that their skills are not worth paying for.
 
I personally felt that my interviews went well; I really clicked with the interviewers and the only thing I can think of is that since it was my first interview, I was too nervous...there were some questions that I could've answered better (but that's going to be the case for every interview) but I didn't think I was terrible.

If I end up getting rejected I'm gonna be really mad because one of my interviewers literally asked for a free on-the-spot portrait drawing commission after finding out that I was an artist--not only did that distract me from giving more well-thought out answers, but one of the biggest insults you can give to an artist is to ask them to draw you something for free because you are essentially saying that their skills are not worth paying for.
If you drew a portrait for your interviewer, I'm sure your interview went well. I don't know why you have been pushed back so long, but after reading this thread, there have been people who received a post-interview hold rather than a delayed decision--so it is not the worst situation.

Also, does anyone know if they accept post-interview updates? I have some pretty substantial updates that I would love to send them if possible.
 
If you drew a portrait for your interviewer, I'm sure your interview went well. I don't know why you have been pushed back so long, but after reading this thread, there have been people who received a post-interview hold rather than a delayed decision--so it is not the worst situation.

Also, does anyone know if they accept post-interview updates? I have some pretty substantial updates that I would love to send them if possible.
I had called about sending post-interview updates and unfortunately they don't accept them 🙁
 
If you drew a portrait for your interviewer, I'm sure your interview went well. I don't know why you have been pushed back so long, but after reading this thread, there have been people who received a post-interview hold rather than a delayed decision--so it is not the worst situation.

Also, does anyone know if they accept post-interview updates? I have some pretty substantial updates that I would love to send them if possible.
I'm pretty sure UIC doesn't accept any kind of update. 🙁
 
That's highly unfortunate. I guess there's nothing to do but wait, then.
I tried sending updates as well and was told they don't accept any. For some people that can be a big hit seeing that applicants can have substantial updates during their application year (like me 🙂)
 
By the way, did any of you guys send thank you emails/cards to your interviewers?
 
Does anyone know how the committee evaluates all the applicants from all the interview sites? In other words, applicants who interview at Peoria and Rockford, do their applications along with their interview feedback get sent back to the main location in Chicago where the committee then votes to accept, deny, or waitlist? Or does each site have their own committee who votes?
I don't know how accurate this is, but it seems more applicants who interviewed at Peoria, are still "decision pending." Trying to figure out if there's any correlation here.
 
Does anyone know how the committee evaluates all the applicants from all the interview sites? In other words, applicants who interview at Peoria and Rockford, do their applications along with their interview feedback get sent back to the main location in Chicago where the committee then votes to accept, deny, or waitlist? Or does each site have their own committee who votes?
I don't know how accurate this is, but it seems more applicants who interviewed at Peoria, are still "decision pending." Trying to figure out if there's any correlation here.
I assume it's one committee that votes...otherwise that wouldn't seem to make much sense. I suppose it's possible that your interviewers have to be at the committee meeting for them to make a decision on your application, and it's not outside the realm of possibility that some faculty interviewers from Peoria couldn't drive down to Chicago last committee meeting for whatever reason.
 
I assume it's one committee that votes...otherwise that wouldn't seem to make much sense. I suppose it's possible that your interviewers have to be at the committee meeting for them to make a decision on your application, and it's not outside the realm of possibility that some faculty interviewers from Peoria couldn't drive down to Chicago last committee meeting for whatever reason.
If anyone interviewed at Peoria and can state what their outcome was, it would greatly be appreciated.
 
If anyone interviewed at Peoria and can state what their outcome was, it would greatly be appreciated.
I sincerely doubt it makes a difference. There are people from each location who got in and who are still pending.


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Does anyone know how the committee evaluates all the applicants from all the interview sites? In other words, applicants who interview at Peoria and Rockford, do their applications along with their interview feedback get sent back to the main location in Chicago where the committee then votes to accept, deny, or waitlist? Or does each site have their own committee who votes?
I don't know how accurate this is, but it seems more applicants who interviewed at Peoria, are still "decision pending." Trying to figure out if there's any correlation here.
At my interview, they mentioned sending all the files back to Chicago. I believe the committee meets there, and just reviews the files that your interviewers have contributed to.
 
If anyone interviewed at Peoria and can state what their outcome was, it would greatly be appreciated.

New to this thread, but I figured it's time to join in on the discussion.

I also doubt it makes a difference where you interview, but if it makes you feel better, I interviewed at Peoria and I was accepted after the first admissions meeting. The interview was non-stressful, so enjoy yourself, ask lots of questions, and do your best to connect with the interviewers.
 
New to this thread, but I figured it's time to join in on the discussion.

I also doubt it makes a difference where you interview, but if it makes you feel better, I interviewed at Peoria and I was accepted after the first admissions meeting. The interview was non-stressful, so enjoy yourself, ask lots of questions, and do your best to connect with the interviewers.
When did you interview?


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