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I submitted my secondary and got an interview. However I didn't realize when I picked out the scholarly concentrations I never did the follow up essays for them, do I have to do this before my interview?
 
g56ht11jyl said:
I submitted my secondary and got an interview. However I didn't realize when I picked out the scholarly concentrations I never did the follow up essays for them, do I have to do this before my interview?
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From my understanding, no. Each program has its own due date (most are December 1st I believe). For the most part, I think those scholarly concentrations are considered separately from your school acceptance. About 1/4-1/3 of students participate. If you are interested in a campus for its specific scholarly concentrations, and you get into that scholarly concentration, you have a good reason to be selected for the campus or submit an appeal to attend that campus after campus assignments are distributed.
 
sredna4 said:
From my understanding, no. Each program has its own due date (most are December 1st I believe). For the most part, I think those scholarly concentrations are considered separately from your school acceptance. About 1/4-1/3 of students participate. If you are interested in a campus for its specific scholarly concentrations, and you get into that scholarly concentration, you have a good reason to be selected for the campus or submit an appeal to attend that campus after campus assignments are distributed.
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Thank you so much! That clarifies things for me!
 
medstudent100000 said:
I submitted my secondary application end of July. I am an instate applicants and my stats meet UIC requirements, I have great EC and a strong application, but I haven't received an interview invite. Is anyone in the same situation and does anyone know how their admissions process works.
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+1 (no idea how process works.)
 
The application is a crapshoot.

Last cycle, I applied to schools in July and received only 1 II. The school that gave me an II last cycle denied me after the interview—applied to the same school this cycle, and they currently placed me on hold and probably will not give me an II again.

Someone on SDN last cycle said if you're not hearing back from schools by Dec/Jan, then start studying for the MCAT right away while content is fresh, ask for letters of rec, or start new experiences...etc and apply the first day the application cycle opens. While you're doing this, you're praying that a school contacts you so you don't have to think about another application cycle...This is not fun but made applying for a second time more efficient; most of the pain came from working to pay off application fees and not getting any acceptances . Hopefully, no one goes through this part of the process.

Talked to a medical student who scored a 521 on his MCAT but applied and had everything completed in November. He's currently an M4 at a top 25 school.

Talked to another medical student, and she said she didn't receive her first interview until January and is currently doing rotations at a top 25 school.

Talked to a current applicant who scored a 500 on his MCAT and applied three days after the application opened and currently has an acceptance at a top 10 school.

All that to say, the application is unpredictable, and I'm sure the unpredictability is felt on both sides of the table between applicants and schools. I wish I could offer more advice on how this process works but genuinely have no idea, its too unpredictable. (I think thats why everyone says score high on the mcat, have a high gpa, get good letters of rec, research, long-term volunteer service...etc just to hit all the marks to make schools have a hard time denying you. Even having all the marks doesn't guarantee anything.)

- Destiny may be delayed but never denied.
 
medstudent100000 said:
I submitted my secondary application end of July. I am an instate applicants and my stats meet UIC requirements, I have great EC and a strong application, but I haven't received an interview invite. Is anyone in the same situation and does anyone know how their admissions process works.
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Yea bro I feel like I've counted at least 4/5 of us who have better stats than UIC median and are in state who haven't gotten **** even though we submitted in July. Like there's got to be some explanation lol
 
kaleb7221 said:
Yea bro I feel like I've counted at least 4/5 of us who have better stats than UIC median and are in state who haven't gotten **** even though we submitted in July. Like there's got to be some explanation lol
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also with the point that out of 1500 in state applications, almost 400 in state people get an interview. it just doesn't add up
 
RiceandBeans3 said:
The application is a crapshoot.

Last cycle, I applied to schools in July and received only 1 II. The school that gave me an II last cycle denied me after the interview—applied to the same school this cycle, and they currently placed me on hold and probably will not give me an II again.

Someone on SDN last cycle said if you're not hearing back from schools by Dec/Jan, then start studying for the MCAT right away while content is fresh, ask for letters of rec, or start new experiences...etc and apply the first day the application cycle opens. While you're doing this, you're praying that a school contacts you so you don't have to think about another application cycle...This is not fun but made applying for a second time more efficient; most of the pain came from working to pay off application fees and not getting any acceptances . Hopefully, no one goes through this part of the process.

Talked to a medical student who scored a 521 on his MCAT but applied and had everything completed in November. He's currently an M4 at a top 25 school.

Talked to another medical student, and she said she didn't receive her first interview until January and is currently doing rotations at a top 25 school.

Talked to a current applicant who scored a 500 on his MCAT and applied three days after the application opened and currently has an acceptance at a top 10 school.

All that to say, the application is unpredictable, and I'm sure the unpredictability is felt on both sides of the table between applicants and schools. I wish I could offer more advice on how this process works but genuinely have no idea, its too unpredictable. (I think thats why everyone says score high on the mcat, have a high gpa, get good letters of rec, research, long-term volunteer service...etc just to hit all the marks to make schools have a hard time denying you. Even having all the marks doesn't guarantee anything.)

- Destiny may be delayed but never denied.
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thank you for this. this is what i needed to hear. i feel so discouraged this cycle and im sure others do too. uic feels like it's doing me and others dirty, but there is nothing we can do but wait it out at this point and then decide what we need to do with our applications.
 
I just interviewed here today. Instate by the way. LM 56.5

Primary submitted 6/16
Verified 7/16
Secondary invited 7/16 (They do have a screen that filtered roughly 5000 applicants down to around 3900 for a secondary confirmed per interview)
Secondary submitted 7/22
SECOND MCAT retake 8/8
Score release 8/25
II 10/5
Interview 10/29 - They all do truly want you to succeed. I was nervous with this being my first interview so I’m thankful that everybody is really chill and honest. They’re looking for very specific values in our applications, I think that’s why I was able to to receive an invite with lower than average scores.
 
bigshockshawn said:
I just interviewed here today. Instate by the way. LM 56.5

Primary submitted 6/16
Verified 7/16
Secondary invited 7/16 (They do have a screen that filtered roughly 5000 applicants down to around 3900 for a secondary confirmed per interview)
Secondary submitted 7/22
SECOND MCAT retake 8/8
Score release 8/25
II 10/5
Interview 10/29 - They all do truly want you to succeed. I was nervous with this being my first interview so I’m thankful that everybody is really chill and honest. They’re looking for very specific values in our applications, I think that’s why I was able to to receive an invite with lower than average scores.
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um. im confuzzled. bc they said on their website somewhere that they ended up giving secondary apps to everyone bc of covid. so either they are lying or something is fishy. but thank you for the information btw. congrats on your interview. and i hope it turns into an A. and good luck to the rest of us pandas
 
Salley Jean said:
um. im confuzzled. bc they said on their website somewhere that they ended up giving secondary apps to everyone bc of covid. so either they are lying or something is fishy. but thank you for the information btw. congrats on your interview. and i hope it turns into an A. and good luck to the rest of us pandas
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It’s probably last years numbers. You’re likely not wrong. Good luck to everyone!
 
For those with interviews, when did they tell you your time? I just signed up for mine today, but only have a date
 
How are people approaching the why us question? Given that there are multiple campuses and you aren't sure which one you would be in...
 
has anyone sent a pre-II update? plz share thoughts if you can I really love this school
 
I AM SO STUPID!!! I accidentally selected an interview date for Rockford campus...I did not even see the interview days were by campus or think it had any bearing on my choice....Rockford is the campus I would want to least attend, could someone please advise me on what to do?

edit: I want to email them to try and pick a different date, but I do not want them to see how stupid/ unattentive I was for not checking which campus the interview was associated with.
 
g56ht11jyl said:
I AM SO STUPID!!! I accidentally selected an interview date for Rockford campus...I did not even see the interview days were by campus or think it had any bearing on my choice....Rockford is the campus I would want to least attend, could someone please advise me on what to do?

edit: I want to email them to try and pick a different date, but I do not want them to see how stupid/ unattentive I was for not checking which campus the interview was associated with.
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The campus you interview at has little relevance to what campus you are assigned to especially this year with all interviews being virtual and representatives from every campus will be on the call so I wouldn’t worry about it.
 
complete 09/01 got an interview for postbacc program
did anyone else?
 
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are there any current students here that would offer to calm my soul down about not hearing back yet even though I was complete end of july? Any chance uic reaches out later to students in the cycle? please let us know.
 
So I'm like, SUPER late to applying to this school, but a question about secondary questions:

For the first one where it takes about a "stressful situation," can this be like a set of instances? Like say, how some mental health issues ultimately affected my grades and extracurriculars, and how I turned it around and was able to get involved again.
 
bigshockshawn said:
I just interviewed here today. Instate by the way. LM 56.5

Primary submitted 6/16
Verified 7/16
Secondary invited 7/16 (They do have a screen that filtered roughly 5000 applicant down to around 3900 for a secondary confirmed per interview)
Secondary submitted 7/22
SECOND MCAT retake 8/8
Score release 8/25
II 10/5
Interview 10/29 - They all do truly want you to succeed. I was nervous with this being my first interview so I’m thankful that everybody is really chill and honest. They’re looking for very specific values in our applications, I think that’s why I was able to to receive an invite with lower than average scores.

Congrats on your interview! Stories like yours add levity to these threads. Do you have research experience or were you a health care worker? It seems like UIC places emphasis on both of these.
Click to expand...
 
Salley Jean said:
are there any current students here that would offer to calm my soul down about not hearing back yet even though I was complete end of july? Any chance uic reaches out later to students in the cycle? please let us know.
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Yes please let us know lol
 
CD8TC said:
What postbacc program?
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""" The UIC COM UHP Post-baccalaureate Admissions Program (PAP) provides an opportunity for an invited group of underepresented in medicine (URiM) students who have applied for admission to the College of Medicine to participate in an 11-month structured rigorous academic experience. ""
 
letsgoooooo said:
""" The UIC COM UHP Post-baccalaureate Admissions Program (PAP) provides an opportunity for an invited group of underepresented in medicine (URiM) students who have applied for admission to the College of Medicine to participate in an 11-month structured rigorous academic experience. ""
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you mind sharing your stats?
 
Salley Jean said:
are there any current students here that would offer to calm my soul down about not hearing back yet even though I was complete end of july? Any chance uic reaches out later to students in the cycle? please let us know.
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+1
 
Salley Jean said:
are there any current students here that would offer to calm my soul down about not hearing back yet even though I was complete end of july? Any chance uic reaches out later to students in the cycle? please let us know.
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Hello! Current M1 here. I would say you can certainly calm your soul down. It is definitely early. I believe last year they continued interviewing into at least February, perhaps even later. Disclaimer: I am not on the admissions team or anything so I don't have inside information or numbers for you, unfortunately. I imagine Covid could be slowing things down even more so this year and one of my friends didn't get his interview until much later last year so I think there is plenty of time. Don't give up hope just yet!

Also, I am happy to try to answer other questions you all have about the school or application process. We are entirely online learning so far this year and I'm only an M1 so I may be limited in my ability to answer all your questions but I will try to keep an eye on this thread and help out when I can.

Good luck to everyone!
 
Salley Jean said:
are there any current students here that would offer to calm my soul down about not hearing back yet even though I was complete end of july? Any chance uic reaches out later to students in the cycle? please let us know.
Click to expand...

I'm also a current M1 and want to spread the positive vibes. I definitely get being stressed out and feeling like you're in limbo, but we really are still early in the app cycle and COVID has slowed everything down. I know people who interviewed at the end of February and still got in, so you guys still have plenty of time. I'm echoing my fellow M1's disclaimer that I'm not on the admissions committee, so idk the details of their discussions or how exactly they make decisions. I will say that UICOM is a very mission-driven school and for them, it's more about fit than stats.

It's easier said than done, but just try to focus on your current activities, whether they be research, clinical experience, etc. Do something productive so that you can submit a worthwhile update letter if you still haven't heard back later on in the cycle. You can also look into the webinars UICOM holds to get more useful information and insight on the culture of the school.

Webinar Info: Upcoming Events | medicine

I'm extremely happy with my decision to come to UIC and I feel that more and more every day. I really do hope that you all have successful cycles and that you get some love from UICOM soon. I'll also periodically check this thread for any future questions, but feel free to send me a DM if that makes you more comfortable. Good luck future docs!
 
to all the people who have interviewed already. is the one on one open file or closed file? cheers!
 
For any current students, I was wondering if you know anything about the culture in regards to tattoos? I have a tattoo on my forearm that can be covered with long sleeves but am concerned if there would be any push back or limitations. The handbook I found didn't say anything about it. It's not offensive in any way but it's visible if I were to only wear short sleeve scrubs.
 
SerOwlsten said:
For any current students, I was wondering if you know anything about the culture in regards to tattoos? I have a tattoo on my forearm that can be covered with long sleeves but am concerned if there would be any push back or limitations. The handbook I found didn't say anything about it. It's not offensive in any way but it's visible if I were to only wear short sleeve scrubs.
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I personally know many UIC students and residents with oodles of tattoos. A lot of the guys have them on their triceps. As long as it’s not your neck and it’s not lewd, you’re fine.
 
So I looked in last years thread and the first person to report that their portal updated with an actual campus assignment and not just a blank was early December. So hopefully we'll be hearing soon about which campuses we will go to but my guess is with covid delays they may not start assigning campuses till early January.
 
Was anyone else placed on a "Delayed Decision" status who interviewed last month? Wondering the likelihood of being accepted at this point.
 
Anyone that attended the interviews.... Did i hear correctly when they said they welcome thank you letters and letters of interest after the interview? I thought I heard Dr. Amiri say that it helps in the acceptance process, which really surprised me. Can someone confirm lol?
 
coolknight99 said:
Anyone that attended the interviews.... Did i hear correctly when they said they welcome thank you letters and letters of interest after the interview? I thought I heard Dr. Amiri say that it helps in the acceptance process, which really surprised me. Can someone confirm lol?
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I thought she was mostly saying this for those that got put on the "delayed decision." Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Based on my understanding, she said if you're in this boat an update from you just to ensure you're still interested is appreciated.
 
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