2024-2025 Chicago Med (Rosalind Franklin)

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Should I be concerned if I submitted secondary on 9/9 but still haven't received a complete email?

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Should I be concerned if I submitted secondary on 9/9 but still haven't received a complete email?
They took several months to mark me complete. I emailed and they just told me they were busy and to keep waiting. They will mark you complete eventually.
 
received my first II from here earlier this week, when I went to sign up the only interview dates available was the day after i received the invitation and later in January so signed up for the later one in January because I have not practiced/prepared at all for an interview yet. Went back into the portal and looks like an earlier date in mid Dec is now available. Should I see if i can change the date or take more time to prepare? Want the best odds for my application but know the later you interview the less spots
honestly i dont think you need that much time to prepare. i thought the questions didn’t really require much prep beyond reading through your secondaries for other schools and looking up some common interview questions. being natural and authentic goes a long way 🙂
 
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People who recently received II - when was your complete date and were you IS or OOS?
 
Hey I'm an accepted student and it looks like there's a good chance i'll be attending!

I was wondering if people knew where most of the clinical sites were? I think I'd live in the city M3 and M4 but I want to make sure that most of the clinical sites are in Chicago and not scattered in the suburbs. Thanks!
 
Hey I'm an accepted student and it looks like there's a good chance i'll be attending!

I was wondering if people knew where most of the clinical sites were? I think I'd live in the city M3 and M4 but I want to make sure that most of the clinical sites are in Chicago and not scattered in the suburbs. Thanks!
from what I gleaned from the student info sessions many m3 and m4 students live in Chicago because the majority of their rotations are there!
 
Hey I'm an accepted student and it looks like there's a good chance i'll be attending!

I was wondering if people knew where most of the clinical sites were? I think I'd live in the city M3 and M4 but I want to make sure that most of the clinical sites are in Chicago and not scattered in the suburbs. Thanks!
Hi @MedicalBotty,

The website lists the clinical sites. I hope this helps.

https://www.rosalindfranklin.edu/academics/chicago-medical-school/degree-programs/allopathic-medicine-md/rotations/
 
Should I be concerned if I submitted secondary on 9/9 but still haven't received a complete email?
i received a complete and under review email two weeks after i submitted my secondary, so i would definitely reach out
 
anyone else going to the meet and greet zoom tonight? 🙂
 
Current M1 as well as a student ambassador at this school. Feel free to ask me anything 🙂
Do classes prepare you well for Step exams? Given proper studying, but like do they cover the necessary things and teach them well?

How tight do you feel the community is?

Do you feel supported, and feel like you're being prepared well, for the specialty of choice (or at least being guided to matching successfully for whatever you decide if you haven't)?
 
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+1 OOS II. submitted app 7/18 marked complete 10/3! LM 72 🙂))) only interview dates were late january but super excited!
peeps who submitted in july, we're not out of the running!
Congrats!!! Very similarly, I submitted my app 7/29, was marked complete 9/26, and have a LM 71. You're giving me some much needed hope!
 
In-state applicant, marked complete 8/12... starting to lose hope
 
Hey I'm an accepted student and it looks like there's a good chance i'll be attending!

I was wondering if people knew where most of the clinical sites were? I think I'd live in the city M3 and M4 but I want to make sure that most of the clinical sites are in Chicago and not scattered in the suburbs. Thanks!
My daughter is now there
She loves it
SUPER HARD 🥹
 
got this in the mail today even though i’m on the alternate list 🤣
image.jpg
 
I haven't received an acceptance this cycle yet. And just got an interview invite here. Any tips on how to be less nervous and jumbling up words. I've had an MMI interview before, but I find those harder bc I keep getting caught up on my mistakes. Any tips that you guys use?
 
I haven't received an acceptance this cycle yet. And just got an interview invite here. Any tips on how to be less nervous and jumbling up words. I've had an MMI interview before, but I find those harder bc I keep getting caught up on my mistakes. Any tips that you guys use?
Practice, practice and more practice! some people say not to practice too much bc you can risk sounding robotic but it's in your favor to practice coming up with thoughtful answers for some out of pocket MMI scenarios. I recorded myself answering all of Bemo MMI practice questions so when my interview day come, i felt prepared to answer the prompts and most importantly felt confident enough to not stumble my words. Spend less time trying to make your answers sound like what you think they wanna hear and more time just answering the prompt and coming up with life experiences that elaborate on your reasoning. I will say RFU's interview day was also very pleasant and the interviewers were not trying to trick you!
 
I haven't received an acceptance this cycle yet. And just got an interview invite here. Any tips on how to be less nervous and jumbling up words. I've had an MMI interview before, but I find those harder bc I keep getting caught up on my mistakes. Any tips that you guys use?
We also have 50 scenarios for Casper/MMI in our subforum on SJT's.
 
What do you think of the classes so far? How easy is it to get involved in research?
Classes have been tough and we are expected to absorb a lot of information right away. However, that will be the case for any medical school you attend. It truly is a constant loop of studying-exam-studying-exam-studying-exam from the first day of class until Winter Break. That said, it is completely doable if you put the work in. I study around 7 hours per day (not including lunch/dinner breaks or social media scrolling). So yes - around 7 hours per day of focused studying. When it's exam week I do more like 10 hours per day of focused studying. I think most of my classmates are in the same boat. Also, if your goal is to just pass (need a 69.5% to pass), you can definitely get by with less studying. It just depends on your personal goals.

Regarding research, no one is going to knock on your door and ask you to part-take in a research project. You have to make the effort. E-mail, cold call, etc. The research office here is so supportive in helping you find opportunities at RFU, locally, as well as in other states. However, they will not make the effort FOR you. You have to do that yourself. I know some classmates that are doing research with other medical schools in the Chicago area such as Loyola and Northwestern. Additionally, there are plenty of Summer research opportunities between your M1 and M2 year. You will hear a lot more about those after joining RFU. One thing I will say is you will never feel like you have no one to ask for help regarding any matter. The faculty is sooooo supportive and will guide you - as long as you're willing to meet them halfway 🙂
 
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Do classes prepare you well for Step exams? Given proper studying, but like do they cover the necessary things and teach them well?

How tight do you feel the community is?

Do you feel supported, and feel like you're being prepared well, for the specialty of choice (or at least being guided to matching successfully for whatever you decide if you haven't)?
I know you're probably tired of hearing this, but it truly depends on how much work you're willing to put in. If you're just getting by with classes in your M1/M2 years, (in other words, if you're just barely passing at 69.5%), then it will be harder to succeed on Step exams. However, if you're putting in the work EARLY and taking the time to understand concepts during your M1/M2 classes, then preparing for Step 1 will be largely review. An upperclassmen told me a while back that if you're getting around an 83% on your pre-clerkship exams, then you're golden for Step 1.

I feel that the community is very tight-knit. After exams, there is always some party going on somewhere, and all the students are welcome to come even if you don't know anyone that's going. Everyone is willing to help you out in times of need. As long as you speak up and say you need help!!!! We all are truly in this together, and if you ask me what my favorite thing about this school is, I'd say it's the camaraderie 🙂

Regarding support - yes, yes, a thousand times yes!!!!! The faculty here is so supportive and eager to help as long as you're willing to meet them halfway! There is an official alumni mentor program where the Career Advising Office sets you up with an alumnus in your desired specialty. You can then reach out to your alumni mentor as and when you feel like, and set up meetings with them! The career advising office is always willing to meet with students to guide them. I never feel like I have no one to ask for help. The answers to my many questions and crippling self-doubt are always an e-mail/meeting away 🙂

Hope this helps!
 
Classes have been tough and we are expected to absorb a lot of information right away. However, that will be the case for any medical school you attend. It truly is a constant loop of studying-exam-studying-exam-studying-exam from the first day of class until Winter Break. That said, it is completely doable if you put the work in. I study around 7 hours per day (not including lunch/dinner breaks or social media scrolling). So yes - around 7 hours per day of focused studying. When it's exam week I do more like 10 hours per day of focused studying. I think most of my classmates are in the same boat. Also, if your goal is to just pass (need a 69.5% to pass), you can definitely get by with less studying. It just depends on your personal goals.

Regarding research, no one is going to knock on your door and ask you to part-take in a research project. You have to make the effort. E-mail, cold call, etc. The research office here is so supportive in helping you find opportunities at RFU, locally, as well as in other states. However, they will not make the effort FOR you. You have to do that yourself. I know some classmates that are doing research with other medical schools in the Chicago area such as Loyola and Northwestern. Additionally, there are plenty of Summer research opportunities between your M1 and M2 year. You will hear a lot more about those after joining RFU. One thing I will say is you will never feel like you have no one to ask for help regarding any matter. The faculty is sooooo supportive and will guide you - as long as you're willing to meet them halfway 🙂
Wow thank you so much for this!! How much time do you spend on campus during the week? I can’t remember if classes were mandatory or not. Is it pass fail all 4 years?
 
I know you're probably tired of hearing this, but it truly depends on how much work you're willing to put in. If you're just getting by with classes in your M1/M2 years, (in other words, if you're just barely passing at 69.5%), then it will be harder to succeed on Step exams. However, if you're putting in the work EARLY and taking the time to understand concepts during your M1/M2 classes, then preparing for Step 1 will be largely review. An upperclassmen told me a while back that if you're getting around an 83% on your pre-clerkship exams, then you're golden for Step 1.

I feel that the community is very tight-knit. After exams, there is always some party going on somewhere, and all the students are welcome to come even if you don't know anyone that's going. Everyone is willing to help you out in times of need. As long as you speak up and say you need help!!!! We all are truly in this together, and if you ask me what my favorite thing about this school is, I'd say it's the camaraderie 🙂

Regarding support - yes, yes, a thousand times yes!!!!! The faculty here is so supportive and eager to help as long as you're willing to meet them halfway! There is an official alumni mentor program where the Career Advising Office sets you up with an alumnus in your desired specialty. You can then reach out to your alumni mentor as and when you feel like, and set up meetings with them! The career advising office is always willing to meet with students to guide them. I never feel like I have no one to ask for help. The answers to my many questions and crippling self-doubt are always an e-mail/meeting away 🙂

Hope this helps!
This is a great reply and helps a ton! Thanks a lot.

Also one more thing, I am 21 and entering medical school straight away. I am pretty sure Rosalind tends to have more non trads, and I was wondering if I'd fit in. I am more than happy to study with people who are older than me, but I hope there's a social circle for me there! Also if med students mingle with other grad schools there.

Thanks!
 
This is a great reply and helps a ton! Thanks a lot.

Also one more thing, I am 21 and entering medical school straight away. I am pretty sure Rosalind tends to have more non trads, and I was wondering if I'd fit in. I am more than happy to study with people who are older than me, but I hope there's a social circle for me there! Also if med students mingle with other grad schools there.

Thanks!
Hi @MedicalBotty,

I am not sure if you have access to the MSAR but it lists the Age Ranges of First Year Class, the 2023 class had 95 students age 19-23, 95 students 24-29, and 11 students 30-39. Every persons lived experiences are different so I do not want to make to many assumptions. I am an applicant, but I think you will be able to fit in, as far as age is concerned, at any medical school.
 
I interviewed mid December. for us, they said the committee prob won’t get to us until like late January so expect to hear back mid February :0
 
Haven't heard anything from them; does anybody know if they still have interview spots open/if they're considering applicants?
 
Haven't heard anything from them; does anybody know if they still have interview spots open/if they're considering applicants?
I think they interview up until March, so there is likely a few interview slots still opening in the future.
 
People who have attended, where do you guys go to hangout or for fun? I feel like the campus is nice, but it feels like a very quiet area and I'm wondering where I would drive to under 15 minutes to be apart of life again.
 
People who have attended, where do you guys go to hangout or for fun? I feel like the campus is nice, but it feels like a very quiet area and I'm wondering where I would drive to under 15 minutes to be apart of life again.
not a student, but grew up near the area -- lake michigan is gorgeous, i love the botanic garden which is close by... otherwise, you'll have to take the train down to chicago or evanston for fun xD
 
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I interviewed mid november and still haven't heard back. Has anyone heard back after interviewing around this time?
 
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