2020-2021 Illinois

[deleted1053887]

Edited: I found the answer to my question lmao.

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[Prosciutlul]

Is the website down for anyone else?

 

[gemini97]

Looks like they added ANOTHER prompt for the UMED program... instead of having two identical questions about structural violence, they changed one of them.
This interface is riddled with errors.

 

[ice cheems]

Looks like they added ANOTHER prompt for the UMED program... instead of having two identical questions about structural violence, they changed one of them.
This interface is riddled with errors.

What's most surprising to me is that... they aren't addressing any of these errors, at all. No emails, no bright bold updates, nothing. For students who submit apps right away, unless they come back to the application and check it often, they won't see any of the changes that have been made to the application. Ridiculous.

 

[ice cheems]

This might be a stupid question but are we supposed to use the 300 words to "describe our interest and how it will impact our learning" or are we supposed to answer the questions under each category? Or just try to answer all of them?

Where is that question located? For one of the concentrations?

 

[Drkiddos]

I submitted my secondary application on the 26th and when I check the status I have green checkmarks for everything expect application complete. It says "your application is incomplete." Is this because I didn't pick a scholarly concentration? Is that necessary?

 

[ice cheems]

I submitted my secondary application on the 26th and when I check the status I have green checkmarks for everything expect application complete. It says "your application is incomplete." Is this because I didn't pick a scholarly concentration? Is that necessary?

They may have just not finished processing your application yet, sometimes it takes schools a while to change a status to complete even when everything has been received. I didn't select a scholarly concentration either; but I did hit save on that page to be sure; once you select save it says the page is completed, so maybe try that.

 

[WindmillChaser92]

I submitted my application 7/16, and I swear I did not see any word count bars at the bottom of my texts boxes. I logged on today, and now there are these word count bars. I guess the stressful situation essay is capped at 500 words, but the one I wrote was 548. I already submitted my application, though. They gonna cut off the last 48 words? My other two essays are well under 500. Anyone else notice this?

 

[premed1139724]

I submitted my application 7/16, and I swear I did not see any word count bars at the bottom of my texts boxes. I logged on today, and now there are these word count bars. I guess the stressful situation essay is capped at 500 words, but the one I wrote was 548. I already submitted my application, though. They gonna cut off the last 48 words? My other two essays are well under 500. Anyone else notice this?
View attachment 314654

Totally didn’t notice. There weren’t any word counts when I submitted mine either

 

[ice cheems]

Totally didn’t notice. There weren’t any word counts when I submitted mine either

Is there any way we can come together and voice our concern over all of these quiet changes to the application? Their admissions email never replies... this is so frustrating.

 

[cheyenne123]

anyone got an interview invite yet? .....nervously hoping/waiting

 

[darwin101]

There is session at 4pm ( est or Cst?) but you can try to join it

 

[premed1139724]

There is session at 4pm ( est or Cst?) but you can try to join it

Anyone emailed a zoom link? I registered but didn’t get any emails about it

 

[PatricktheSponge]

Hello! Do we have to complete the scholarly interests section to be considered for an interview?

 

[gemini97]

Hello! Do we have to complete the scholarly interests section to be considered for an interview?

I have the same question! Please let us know if you find out

 

[dumplings0321]

My app is also still considered incomplete even though I submitted on 7/19. Didn't fill out the scholarly interests section but did save the page.. It didn't even show up until after I submitted my application and went back a week later to check the status.

 

[premed1139724]

My app is also still considered incomplete even though I submitted on 7/19. Didn't fill out the scholarly interests section but did save the page.. It didn't even show up until after I submitted my application and went back a week later to check the status.

My app is marked as complete and I did not select a scholarly concentration

 

[gemini97]

My app is marked as complete and I did not select a scholarly concentration

Are you able to fill out a scholarly concentration after submitting?

 

[premed1139724]

Are you able to fill out a scholarly concentration after submitting?

Yeah seems like I can

 

[ibl210]

Totally didn’t notice. There weren’t any word counts when I submitted mine either

same thing happened to me as well

 

[ibl210]

Bad idea to email admissions office about that 500 character limit change?

 

[yogadoc23]

Has anyone gotten a VITA yet?

 

[kpessi20]

for anyone interested, they are doing a webinar series and here is the link to their next one: UICOM OPEN HOUSE

 

[ice cheems]

Bad idea to email admissions office about that 500 character limit change?

They never replied to me when I asked, but it can’t hurt to try. Please let us know if they respond!

 

[Rapsidy]

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!

I’m sitting here in disbelief and running around my house I can’t believe it I GOT AN INTERVIEW INVITE!!!!!!

Got an email saying I was invited to their virtual interview (even though the interview tab says it’s still in person) and I scheduled for September 10th!!!!

It’s my first interview this cycle!!!

 

[DesignatedSurvivor]

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!

I’m sitting here in disbelief and running around my house I can’t believe it I GOT AN INTERVIEW INVITE!!!!!!

Got an email saying I was invited to their virtual interview (even though the interview tab says it’s still in person) and I scheduled for September 10th!!!!

It’s my first interview this cycle!!!

Congrats!!! IS or OOS, Stats, Complete Date? Haha all the necessary info I suppose

 

[Rapsidy]

Congrats!!! IS or OOS, Stats, Complete Date? Haha all the necessary info I suppose

In state, submitted my application 7/14/2020, complete 7/16/2020.

MCAT 509 (retake from a 498 last year) GPA....well I’m a non traditional student so I had to do extensive cGPA repair but my sGPA was 3.6 and I did a DIY post bac at community college. Also thousands of hours of clinical experience since non trad and have been working in the hospitals all throughout Covid.

Honestly I’m the definition of a wholistic applicant for a MD school I’m not anywhere near the best they can get as far as pure MCAT and GPA so it seems like they really do take a whole picture view of their applicants.

 

[DesignatedSurvivor]

In state, submitted my application 7/14/2020, complete 7/16/2020.

MCAT 509 (retake from a 498 last year) GPA....well I’m a non traditional student so I had to do extensive cGPA repair but my sGPA was 3.6 and I did a DIY post bac at community college. Also thousands of hours of clinical experience since non trad and have been working in the hospitals all throughout Covid.

Honestly I’m the definition of a wholistic applicant for a MD school I’m not anywhere near the best they can get as far as pure MCAT and GPA so it seems like they really do take a whole picture view of their applicants.

Well congrats and you’ll do great on your interview!!!! Also love your pfp hehe! Thanks for the info

 

[Rapsidy]

Well congrats and you’ll do great on your interview!!!! Also love your pfp hehe! Thanks for the info

thank you! Part of me still thinks it was sent by accident so I’m trying to ignore that part. I’m going to call on Wednesday as the email specifically said virtual interview and we have to do the VITA interview first before the actual interview, but on the portal it still lays out the typical day for interviews on their campuses. I think they just haven’t updated it yet TBH on the portal.

 

[DesignatedSurvivor]

thank you! Part of me still thinks it was sent by accident so I’m trying to ignore that part. I’m going to call on Wednesday as the email specifically said virtual interview and we have to do the VITA interview first before the actual interview, but on the portal it still lays out the typical day for interviews on their campuses. I think they just haven’t updated it yet TBH on the portal.

Haha well don’t let the imposter syndrome get the best of you! You earned this!!

 

[PatricktheSponge]

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!

I’m sitting here in disbelief and running around my house I can’t believe it I GOT AN INTERVIEW INVITE!!!!!!

Got an email saying I was invited to their virtual interview (even though the interview tab says it’s still in person) and I scheduled for September 10th!!!!

It’s my first interview this cycle!!!

Congrats!! I hope your interview goes well did you fill out the scholarly concentration portion with your secondary?

 

[ice cheems]

thank you! Part of me still thinks it was sent by accident so I’m trying to ignore that part. I’m going to call on Wednesday as the email specifically said virtual interview and we have to do the VITA interview first before the actual interview, but on the portal it still lays out the typical day for interviews on their campuses. I think they just haven’t updated it yet TBH on the portal.

Congrats, that's awesome! Doesn't seem like a mistake, non-trads with high hours usually bring great perspectives to the table. UIC seems to be having... issues... with their portal, haha, but you're right in that you'll have to complete VITA and a virtual interview.

 

[Rapsidy]

Congrats!! I hope your interview goes well did you fill out the scholarly concentration portion with your secondary?

I did not. So fear not if you didn’t it doesn’t seem to be counted against you.

 

[Rapsidy]

Congrats, that's awesome! Doesn't seem like a mistake, non-trads with high hours usually bring great perspectives to the table. UIC seems to be having... issues... with their portal, haha, but you're right in that you'll have to complete VITA and a virtual interview.

Yeah...now I gotta figure out how to do the VITA thing. I guess we are supposed to wait for an email directly from Hirevue as an invite to complete it but I haven’t gotten that yet I just got the Preparing for the AAMC VITA interview Webinar Recording Now Available email from AAMC earlier today. I have to work tomorrow so I won’t be able to scour the web and figure out how to actual participate in it and do the practice session till Wednesday.

 

[ice cheems]

Yeah...now I gotta figure out how to do the VITA thing. I guess we are supposed to wait for an email directly from Hirevue as an invite to complete it but I haven’t gotten that yet I just got the Preparing for the AAMC VITA interview Webinar Recording Now Available email from AAMC earlier today. I have to work tomorrow so I won’t be able to scour the web and figure out how to actual participate in it and do the practice session till Wednesday.

Best of luck, hopefully HireVue will email soon!

 

[Rapsidy]

Best of luck, hopefully HireVue will email soon!

Just for general information for anyone who has to do a VITA interview for any school. On the AAMC website for VITA: HireVue will send AAMC VITA invitation emails every Thursday (anticipated) from August 2020 through April 30, 2021.

You also only have to do one VITA interview for all schools who are using it. I’ll let everyone know if I get the VITA invite email on Thursday.

 

[plzmakemefuturedoc]

Okay so I dont think the scholarly concentration is something that everyone needs to do. I think it's optional. Like you only fill out the prompts for it if you are interested in it. I could be wrong though....

 

[Rapsidy]

Okay so I dont think the scholarly concentration is something that everyone needs to do. I think it's optional. Like you only fill out the prompts for it if you are interested in it. I could be wrong though....

definitely can confirm that it’s not something you need to do. I stayed up till 3 am waiting for an email saying they made a mistake and took my interview invite back but it didn’t happen and I DID NOT pick a scholarly concentration.

I would however read about all of them on their website and see if any of them call to you or interest you. I read all of them carefully and as someone who already knows what specialty I most likely want to go into nothing really stood out to me so I didn’t pick one. I’m sure adcoms prefer someone not picking a concentration rather than someone writing fluff that they can tell someone picked just because they thought they had to and it sounds fake or contrived.

Also on a side note hoping someone else posts today about getting an interview so I can triple confirm it wasn’t a fluke or accident.

 

[plzmakemefuturedoc]

definitely can confirm that it’s not something you need to do. I stayed up till 3 am waiting for an email saying they made a mistake and took my interview invite back but it didn’t happen and I DID NOT pick a scholarly concentration.

I would however read about all of them on their website and see if any of them call to you or interest you. I read all of them carefully and as someone who already knows what specialty I most likely want to go into nothing really stood out to me so I didn’t pick one. I’m sure adcoms prefer someone not picking a concentration rather than someone writing fluff that they can tell someone picked just because they thought they had to and it sounds fake or contrived.

Also on a side note hoping someone else posts today about getting an interview so I can triple confirm it wasn’t a fluke or accident.

Congrats on your interview friend <3
I do like the IMED one and I probably will fill out the additional questions but I'm not prioritizing it over my other secondaries, considering it's not required

 

[ice cheems]

Yep, they certainly are not required! Not entirely sure, but I think it's like at other schools where they consider you broadly for MD admissions first, and then later they choose people for those concentrations from the admitted pool. I didn't write any myself because I'm pretty set on a certain campus, and was not interested in the scholarly concentration available there.

 

[BullBearMan]

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!

I’m sitting here in disbelief and running around my house I can’t believe it I GOT AN INTERVIEW INVITE!!!!!!

Got an email saying I was invited to their virtual interview (even though the interview tab says it’s still in person) and I scheduled for September 10th!!!!

It’s my first interview this cycle!!!

Nice! Excited for you. Did they really send your II at 10PM?

 

[Rapsidy]

Nice! Excited for you. Did they really send your II at 10PM?

Yeah. That’s why I’m still worried that it’s not real and a mistake in the portal lol. Their portal has been buggy for a lot of people but I haven’t had any issues with it. But even if it’s a mistake I’m going to be like well I already reserved it might as well let me follow through .

 

[BullBearMan]

Yeah. That’s why I’m still worried that it’s not real and a mistake in the portal lol. Their portal has been buggy for a lot of people but I haven’t had any issues with it. But even if it’s a mistake I’m going to be like well I already reserved it might as well let me follow through .

Haha naw, you earned it fam. Hope I wake up to an II soon.

 

[battlegods18]

So the secondary asks for a breakdown of our ACT/SAT scores....I took the ACT but I graduated high school in 2011. I have no clue what my scores are anymore. Are yall skipping this question or.....?

 

[BullBearMan]

So the secondary asks for a breakdown of our ACT/SAT scores....I took the ACT but I graduated high school in 2011. I have no clue what my scores are anymore. Are yall skipping this question or.....?

Haha nice, class of 2011 here as well. Im like 90% certain I remember my overall ACT score so I put that in. That being said, there is no way they are making decisions based on ACT scores from nearly 10 years ago. They probably want it to determine the predictive nature of ACT/SAT scores and med school success as they have a BS/MD program. So if you don't remember it I would presume it is fine to not report it.

 

[premed1139724]

So the secondary asks for a breakdown of our ACT/SAT scores....I took the ACT but I graduated high school in 2011. I have no clue what my scores are anymore. Are yall skipping this question or.....?

I skipped it cause there's no way I'd remember my passwords to actually send official scores if they requested it lol

 

[WindmillChaser92]

So the secondary asks for a breakdown of our ACT/SAT scores....I took the ACT but I graduated high school in 2011. I have no clue what my scores are anymore. Are yall skipping this question or.....?

I graduated high school 2006, and I still have my ACT memorized. But, I also remember phone numbers from when I was a little kid, and I can't remember faces of new people I met last week.

 

[Rapsidy]

Just a heads up for anyone who gets an interview make sure you read the AMCAS vita webpage. They only sent out the email invitations for the vita link on Thursday’s so I only got my email invite today even though I received the interview invite on Monday.

 

[jazzyminey]

Pro tip for people who can't remember their ACT test score/date, go check your undergrad's student portal. Mine has all of the test scores I submitted to them when applying.

 

[battlegods18]

Is anybody else applying to GMED or UMED? There are no word limits. Do I cap myself at 500? Or say everything I want to say?