2015-2016 University of Illinois Application Thread

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HawksWin said:
Also how does the campus assignment work? How many people end up in Chicago vs the more off the grid locations? I just assumed the school was in Chicago, didn't realize I could get stuck somewhere else if I were to get in and enroll.
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You get to select your preferred school, but ultimately if you don't have family/other ties to the city, it is likely you could be placed in another campus.
 
2015istheYear said:
You get to select your preferred school, but ultimately if you don't have family/other ties to the city, it is likely you could be placed in another campus.
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It's only for M1 and M2 though, right? I mean, I have ties to the city anyway, but I wouldn't mind spending only two years somewhere else.
 
chocoholicsoxfan said:
It's only for M1 and M2 though, right? I mean, I have ties to the city anyway, but I wouldn't mind spending only two years somewhere else.
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Good question. I would think the other campuses have ties to other hospital programs in their area, especially since those programs focus on rural medicine.
 
HawksWin said:
What do they mean by advantages? Did they mean to write disadvantages?
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They definitely use the word "advantages," yet all of their following examples really fall under the disadvantages category. I ended up modifying my diversity essay and interpreted the question to be asking about any factors in general that may have affected my educational progression, be they positive or negative.
 
2015istheYear said:
Good question. I would think the other campuses have ties to other hospital programs in their area, especially since those programs focus on rural medicine.
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Ah ok. When I applied to GPPA, they told us we could all spend the last two years in Chicago, so that's where my info is from. I guess it might be different for regular admissions though.
 
2015istheYear said:
Good question. I would think the other campuses have ties to other hospital programs in their area, especially since those programs focus on rural medicine.
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According to their website:

"First-year students are assigned to either the Chicago campus or the Urbana campus. Chicago students continue at the Chicago campus until graduation.

Urbana 1st year students (M1s) either remain at Urbana until graduation , or move to Peoria or Rockford as M2s and remain at these campuses until graduation."
 
andyrayy said:
According to their website:

"First-year students are assigned to either the Chicago campus or the Urbana campus. Chicago students continue at the Chicago campus until graduation.

Urbana 1st year students (M1s) either remain at Urbana until graduation , or move to Peoria or Rockford as M2s and remain at these campuses until graduation."
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I just saw that too. I'm trying to find numbers for how many are assigned to each campus, but I don't think they publish anything. Maybe a current student could chime in?
 
I called the admission office to ask about the LOR requirements. They said that 3 faculty LOR are required, but you can still submit a MD letter as an extra (4 LOR total). Just in case if someone else is wondering.:barefoot:
 
andyrayy said:
According to their website:

"First-year students are assigned to either the Chicago campus or the Urbana campus. Chicago students continue at the Chicago campus until graduation.

Urbana 1st year students (M1s) either remain at Urbana until graduation , or move to Peoria or Rockford as M2s and remain at these campuses until graduation."
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Does it say anything about how many people get their preferred campus for Chicago vs Urbana? I'm from the North Shore and I'd prefer to go to the Chicago campus to be close to my family. Urbana is pretty far from home, especially for someone who doesn't have a driver's license lol. I know someone said having ties to the city helps, but I don't actually have ties to the city, just the suburbs near the city. I wonder if that counts.
 
chocoholicsoxfan said:
I just saw that too. I'm trying to find numbers for how many are assigned to each campus, but I don't think they publish anything. Maybe a current student could chime in?
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Classes are usually a little over 300 - but to use simple numbers, the breakdown hovers around:

Chicago: 175
Urbana M1: 125
-> Urbana M2-M4: 25
-> Rockford M2-M4: 50
-> Peoria M2-M4: 50

There is no switching between Chicago and UPR once you've started; you can do away elective rotations in your clinical years to the other areas, but it's not going to be the majority of your time.
 
2015istheYear said:
You get to select your preferred school, but ultimately if you don't have family/other ties to the city, it is likely you could be placed in another campus.
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It really doesn't follow this pattern - a lot of Chicago students have no ties to the city, and a lot of UPR students have never left Chicago before (or at least spent the majority of their lives there); keep in mind also that the majority of true OOS students will want Chicago, so you'll have most OOS, Chicago, and suburban etc-wanting-to-get-into-the-city students all trying for that campus. Remember also that anyone in the Urban or Global Health track programs automatically gets Chicago, so if you're not in that - and the commitment is not worth it if you're not interested, please don't use it as a way to get Chicago - so that means even fewer spaces.

The best bet of getting Chicago honestly seems to be to interview early-mid cycle when there are still spaces open, or be waitlisted and taken off in the middle of the summer. But, it's still really not that predictable. And seriously, where you interview does NOT indicate where you'll be assigned. My significant other and I both interviewed in January of our cycles (he early Jan 2014, me late Jan 2015), he in Peoria and I in Chicago; he was accepted in late January and assigned to Chicago, I was accepted in March and assigned to Rockford. Yes, the school knew we were together and put us in separate campuses, but oh well - I spent the year on the East Coast so a couple hours' drive really isn't anything 😛 Both of us grew up our entire lives in the city of Chicago and have made every indication of practicing here when we're done with medical school. Interestingly, I got changed to OOS status this past year because my parents moved and I needed a permanent address while on the coast, so I became OOS and got UPR (same happened to a classmate of mine).

That being said, a lot of people on the UPR track really love it - Urbana is a really fun town with fantastic research opportunities, Rockford has a unique longitudinal program where you have your own patients already as an M2 (this is so beyond cool and I honestly don't think I could get a better clinical experience for what I want to do, so I'm elated to be at Rockford even if Chicago would have been "logistically easier"...the SO is a little mopey though 😛 ), and Peoria has a new simulation center and leads in neurology and other specialties. Peoria was personally my last choice, but the friends I have going to Peoria (also city people) seem to be very happy. Chicago is fun, but you'll have time to explore it even if you're at other campuses (a lot of UPR students do research in the city in M1 summer, and visit on the weekends etc) - you don't need to be there alllll the time because honestly it's better to be less distracted with medical school anyway. Most importantly, the people at every campus are exceptional because they all come through the same interview process and decision, so if you love the people at your interview and think that it's the environment that works best for you, give it a good look regardless of campus. That's why I chose UICOM. 🙂

Sorry for the long post, but the admissions process (especially for UICOM) can be confusing so I'd like to help where I can!
 
FriendOfTheCupcake said:
It really doesn't follow this pattern - a lot of Chicago students have no ties to the city, and a lot of UPR students have never left Chicago before (or at least spent the majority of their lives there); keep in mind also that the majority of true OOS students will want Chicago, so you'll have most OOS, Chicago, and suburban etc-wanting-to-get-into-the-city students all trying for that campus. Remember also that anyone in the Urban or Global Health track programs automatically gets Chicago, so if you're not in that - and the commitment is not worth it if you're not interested, please don't use it as a way to get Chicago - so that means even fewer spaces.

The best bet of getting Chicago honestly seems to be to interview early-mid cycle when there are still spaces open, or be waitlisted and taken off in the middle of the summer. But, it's still really not that predictable. And seriously, where you interview does NOT indicate where you'll be assigned. My significant other and I both interviewed in January of our cycles (he early Jan 2014, me late Jan 2015), he in Peoria and I in Chicago; he was accepted in late January and assigned to Chicago, I was accepted in March and assigned to Rockford. Yes, the school knew we were together and put us in separate campuses, but oh well - I spent the year on the East Coast so a couple hours' drive really isn't anything 😛 Both of us grew up our entire lives in the city of Chicago and have made every indication of practicing here when we're done with medical school. Interestingly, I got changed to OOS status this past year because my parents moved and I needed a permanent address while on the coast, so I became OOS and got UPR (same happened to a classmate of mine).

That being said, a lot of people on the UPR track really love it - Urbana is a really fun town with fantastic research opportunities, Rockford has a unique longitudinal program where you have your own patients already as an M2 (this is so beyond cool and I honestly don't think I could get a better clinical experience for what I want to do, so I'm elated to be at Rockford even if Chicago would have been "logistically easier"...the SO is a little mopey though 😛 ), and Peoria has a new simulation center and leads in neurology and other specialties. Peoria was personally my last choice, but the friends I have going to Peoria (also city people) seem to be very happy. Chicago is fun, but you'll have time to explore it even if you're at other campuses (a lot of UPR students do research in the city in M1 summer, and visit on the weekends etc) - you don't need to be there alllll the time because honestly it's better to be less distracted with medical school anyway. Most importantly, the people at every campus are exceptional because they all come through the same interview process and decision, so if you love the people at your interview and think that it's the environment that works best for you, give it a good look regardless of campus. That's why I chose UICOM. 🙂

Sorry for the long post, but the admissions process (especially for UICOM) can be confusing so I'd like to help where I can!
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Thanks for speaking about your situation and the various campuses. So, do you have to indicate what location you are interested in during the interview process or is this something you indicate if you are given an offer? My wife and I live in Chicago and I would hope this would give at least some preference toward the Chicago campus. We've done long distance before, but I plan on not having to do that twice if at all possible 🙂.
 
Anyone else having an issue with the fact that the first essay has like 6 prompts in one question but only allows 250 words :bored:+pissed+
 
FriendOfTheCupcake said:
"Applicant in progress" generally means your requirements are in line but admissions is not currently looking at your app for interview. It will usually switch to "Applicant in process" when you are under consideration, but this can come and go as the committee reviews and re-reviews over the year.
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How do you know what "applicant in progress" versus "applicant in process" means? Thanks!
 
candielike said:
Did you find out your assigned campus before or after you matriculated? (PS thanks in advance!!)
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Before! I was set on UofI regardless of campus anyways, though I preferred Chicago or Rockford - my fellow interviewees for UICOM were really standout against my other interviews and other experiences with med students, so I knew I wanted to be a part of the community. Just saw one of my co-interviewees today at our post-orientation social, actually. Pretty awesome 🙂
 
Non-trad student said:
How do you know what "applicant in progress" versus "applicant in process" means? Thanks!
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I'm not sure I understand your question - do you mean how did I get that knowledge? There was a branching tree of actions (If X then Z) describing UICOM's process in previous threads, supplemented by students noting that they had seen their status turn to "applicant in process" before receiving interview invites or not (that's what happened to me too).
 
Bromine89 said:
Thanks for speaking about your situation and the various campuses. So, do you have to indicate what location you are interested in during the interview process or is this something you indicate if you are given an offer? My wife and I live in Chicago and I would hope this would give at least some preference toward the Chicago campus. We've done long distance before, but I plan on not having to do that twice if at all possible 🙂.
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Yeah, my SO isn't really looking forward to more years of long-distance, so I can understand why you and your wife wouldn't want to do that 🙂 Rockford isn't as bad being only 1 1/2 hours away, but it's definitely not perfect for a marriage situation. You don't have to indicate during the interview process, though you can make note of it if you'd like in the "Why UofI?" question. If you end up interviewing at a campus other than Chicago, I suggest knowing what you like about UICOM aside from Chicago...the other campuses don't like being treated like a side component. You put your campus preference in only after you get accepted - if you are assigned elsewhere, you can definitely petition to get switched to Chicago. Based on people who switched this year, they are more lenient if the reason involves a spouse and/or kids.
 
iluvmedicine2 said:
Thanks for all the info @FriendOfTheCupcake !

Could you speak about what percentage of interviewees are ultimately offered acceptance?
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No problem, iluvmedicine2 🙂 Those numbers will actually vary greatly as the year goes on, and the same will go for any rolling admissions school (as most are). You'll get higher percentages (more around 50-75%) at the beginning interviews of pre-waitlist acceptances, and that will dwindle as time goes on. The likelihood is lower the later you interview, but not impossibly so. Then, some get pulled off the waitlist in the summer.

I think a good estimate is that UofI interviews approximately 900 students, and has space for just over 300; it tends to do about twice its number in acceptances so around 600 or so. 75/77% seems a bit high but the estimate gives around a 66% average, so the US news numbers may be right.
 
Submitting my geography/economics course as the third "social sciences" course... technically it is a social science. The worst they can do is say no, and I'll have to take one if I'm accepted. Which is a big IF anyway. 🙂
 
FriendOfTheCupcake said:
I'm not sure I understand your question - do you mean how did I get that knowledge? There was a branching tree of actions (If X then Z) describing UICOM's process in previous threads, supplemented by students noting that they had seen their status turn to "applicant in process" before receiving interview invites or not (that's what happened to me too).
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Thanks for the info!
 
This thread has been relatively quite lately. Applying here IS hoping for some love.
 
OOS, Received secondary this week but Amcas app sent in June. I hope that's not a bad sign.
 
Has anyone's status changed from "Applicant in Progress"? I have been complete at this school since July, which I gather from this thread is relatively early, and I'm still "in progress." From what I understand you have to move from "progress" to "process" before they even start considering you for an II.
 
. edit, I just found the answer of my question reading previous threads.
 
Lord Humongus said:
Has anyone's status changed from "Applicant in Progress"? I have been complete at this school since July, which I gather from this thread is relatively early, and I'm still "in progress." From what I understand you have to move from "progress" to "process" before they even start considering you for an II.
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I'm "in process" at this point.
 
Apparently after "in progress," according to this post:
FriendOfTheCupcake said:
"Applicant in progress" generally means your requirements are in line but admissions is not currently looking at your app for interview. It will usually switch to "Applicant in process" when you are under consideration, but this can come and go as the committee reviews and re-reviews over the year.
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Bromine89 said:
So that's after or before "in progress"? Seems like a very non-descriptive way of explaining it. "Under Review" or "Application Complete" would be a lot easier to understand.
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I'm currently 'In Process' but I don't think I was ever 'In Progress'...I usually only check my app statuses about once a week so if I was ever at the 'In Progress' stage, it was very brief.
 
DaenerysTargaryen said:
I'm "in process" at this point.
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rukia013 said:
I'm currently 'In Process' but I don't think I was ever 'In Progress'...I usually only check my app statuses about once a week so if I was ever at the 'In Progress' stage, it was very brief.
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Interesting. Now I'm starting to worry that there is somethign wrong with my app, especially since I've been complete for over a month.

Let's try this a different way: is there anyone who has been complete for a while that is NOT in process? lol
 
Lord Humongus said:
Interesting. Now I'm starting to worry that there is somethign wrong with my app, especially since I've been complete for over a month.

Let's try this a different way: is there anyone who has been complete for a while that is NOT in process? lol
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+1. Complete since 7/27, still in progress.
 
I feel like I'm missing something. Where am I supposed to see my status ? Mine just says "your application has been successfully submitted" and then states my transaction number
 
Hi everyone. I'm a re-applicant who is applying to most DOs this year but UIC as well because I'm in state. Anyone know how they look at re-applicants? I know some schools compare the two applications line by line where others view you as a completely new applicant. Any ideas?
 
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