2024-2025 Rush

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The Deep said:
From my understanding, they've "required" cell biology for over a decade, yet still interview people who haven't taken any upper level biology courses.
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This is the first year they require it.
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They also told me my ucsd extension biochem course would not count towards the biochem requirement because they see it as only one quarter of biochemistry.

Which is interesting because if I had taken the biochem course at the uc Berkeley extension they would count that since they are on a semester system despite the course work and instruction hours being exactly the same as ucsd.
 
psblstnr said:
This is the first year they require it.
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Weird because I've seen many comments like "

I know for certain that Rush requires cell bio and the specifically state no course substitutions are accepted. I would recommend getting access to MSAR data and see if it is a strict requirement for any of your top choices." from multiple years back. Hmm.
 
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The Deep said:
Weird because I've seen many comments like "

I know for certain that Rush requires cell bio and the specifically state no course substitutions are accepted. I would recommend getting access to MSAR data and see if it is a strict requirement for any of your top choices." from multiple years back. Hmm.
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this is from 2023-2024 thread:

"*Beginning in the 2025 application cycle, these courses will be required.

Two semesters of biological sciences (higher than an intro course), including one semester of Cell and Molecular Biology
One semester of Genetics
Two semesters of Biochemistry
Two semesters of Physics (higher than an intro course)
Two semesters of Algebra or a higher-level math
Two semesters of English"


In actuality, they removed Genetics completely and only require 1 semester of Biochem

  • Prerequisite Courses​

    Beginning in the 2025 application cycle, RUSH Medical College will require the following prerequisite courses:
    • Chemistry: One academic year
      • One course in Biochemistry
      • One course in Organic Chemistry (Recommended)
    • Biology*: One academic year
      • One course in Cell Biology
    • Biology and/or Chemistry Lab: One academic year
    • Physics: One course (AP credit can be used to fulfill the requirement)
    • Math: One course in Algebra or higher-level math (AP credit can be used to satisfy the requirement)
    • English: One academic year

      *It is recommended that students take Biology coursework within five years of application.
    Additionally, students are encouraged to complete coursework (for example sociology, public health, political science, global health, bioethics, urban studies, history, and economics) that provides exposure to content about social determinants of health and disparities in healthcare outcomes.

  • ​

 
psblstnr said:
this is from 2023-2024 thread:

"*Beginning in the 2025 application cycle, these courses will be required.

Two semesters of biological sciences (higher than an intro course), including one semester of Cell and Molecular Biology
One semester of Genetics
Two semesters of Biochemistry
Two semesters of Physics (higher than an intro course)
Two semesters of Algebra or a higher-level math
Two semesters of English"


In actuality, they removed Genetics completely and only require 1 semester of Biochem

  • Prerequisite Courses​

    Beginning in the 2025 application cycle, RUSH Medical College will require the following prerequisite courses:
    • Chemistry: One academic year
      • One course in Biochemistry
      • One course in Organic Chemistry (Recommended)
    • Biology*: One academic year
      • One course in Cell Biology
    • Biology and/or Chemistry Lab: One academic year
    • Physics: One course (AP credit can be used to fulfill the requirement)
    • Math: One course in Algebra or higher-level math (AP credit can be used to satisfy the requirement)
    • English: One academic year

      *It is recommended that students take Biology coursework within five years of application.
    Additionally, students are encouraged to complete coursework (for example sociology, public health, political science, global health, bioethics, urban studies, history, and economics) that provides exposure to content about social determinants of health and disparities in healthcare outcomes.

  • ​

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Thanks for the information. So, technically, you can tell them you'll take Cell Biology Spring 2025 because they require the course "prior to matriculation," I assume? As long as you actually follow through?
 
+1 OOS
I also sent an email asking about the cell biology req since I hadn't seen it when submitting my primary, will update if they respond.
 
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The Deep said:
Thanks for the information. So, technically, you can tell them you'll take Cell Biology Spring 2025 because they require the course "prior to matriculation," I assume? As long as you actually follow through?
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this seems true for all schools. Just good to know in advance before applying
 
magician7772222 said:
any idea what the cut-off is? I have 350 clinical, 150 non clinical across two volunteering positions
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I've heard that Rush typically looks for volunteer hours ~1000.

From what I can tell, they do not publish their screening guidelines, but it seems to be very lenient. I know someone who got a secondary with 0 volunteer hours. It is probably based on (low) GPA/MCAT cutoffs.
 
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psblstnr said:
this seems true for all schools. Just good to know in advance before applying
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Do you think they'd care if you take it at a community college? I graduated a few years ago and would rather save the extra money I'd have to pay to take it at a four year.
 
The Deep said:
Do you think they'd care if you take it at a community college? I graduated a few years ago and would rather save the extra money I'd have to pay to take it at a four year.
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this is from latest MSAR, but please contact Rush admission for up to date info.

1721322916980.png

1721322801351.png
 
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ecobio said:
I've heard that Rush typically looks for volunteer hours ~1000.

From what I can tell, they do not publish their screening guidelines, but it seems to be very lenient. I know someone who got a secondary with 0 volunteer hours. It is probably based on (low) GPA/MCAT cutoffs.
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1000 total? or 1000 nonclinical. I reckon its probably not even worth applying in the case that I do get a secondary then.
 
magician7772222 said:
1000 total? or 1000 nonclinical. I reckon its probably not even worth applying in the case that I do get a secondary then.
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From my understanding total. Not a hard and fast rule -- if you feel you fit their mission and its a school youre passionate about, then definitely go for it. But more than most they really prioritize service.


Found this online: "The 2020 entering class had a mean cumulative GPA of 3.65 and a mean MCAT score of 511. Prior to matriculating, students completed an average of 3,400 healthcare exposure hours and 1,400 community service hours."
 
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Basalganglia4life said:
the weird thing is that is doesnt say anywhere on their website community college courses are not allowed. I am tempted to believe their website over msar
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I emailed them and will update when I get a response
 
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Got a response:

"Thank you for your email and interest in Rush Medical College. To meet the Cell Biology requirement, applicants are asked to have completed a course of coursework centered around cells and their parts and functions. The course does not need to be exclusively titled “Cell Biology” or specifically an upper level course, but must contain mostly Cell Biology concepts within the course description and not come from AP credit. We ask that you reference the course description to check if the course mainly covers Cell Biology."

Still not totally sure what to make of it.
 
Zirah said:
Got a response:

"Thank you for your email and interest in Rush Medical College. To meet the Cell Biology requirement, applicants are asked to have completed a course of coursework centered around cells and their parts and functions. The course does not need to be exclusively titled “Cell Biology” or specifically an upper level course, but must contain mostly Cell Biology concepts within the course description and not come from AP credit. We ask that you reference the course description to check if the course mainly covers Cell Biology."

Still not totally sure what to make of it.
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I submitted a microbiology course that had the concepts listed in the course description. Hope it’s enough!
 
Community college coursework is also only accepted on a case by case basis. If the coursework is verified by the AMCAS application service, the courses can be used to complete our prerequisites and your application will be considered for admission.
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They also told me no online courses (UCD Extension etc.) will be acceptable for the cell biology course.
 
It’s funny that a school all about service to the underserved only accepts community college courses on a “case by case basis” and requires a specific biology prerequisite that they don’t allow you complete via an extension program
 
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Basalganglia4life said:
It’s funny that a school all about service to the underserved only accepts community college courses on a “case by case basis” and requires a specific biology prerequisite that they don’t allow you complete via an extension program
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True and also, Rush keeps changing their pre-requisite every year (very specific human physiology, not animal, cell bio, 2 semesters of biochemistry, genetics), I think their goal is to have less people applying and they just testing different routes.
 
still haven't received OOS secondary with 900 (!!) service hours and over 2000 clinical hours :( I'm so excited about Rush so I really hope I wasn't screened out!
 
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barbiedoc07 said:
still haven't received OOS secondary with 900 (!!) service hours and over 2000 clinical hours :( I'm so excited about Rush so I really hope I wasn't screened out!
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I am in the same boat. verified 5/31 and I have 3000 clinical hours, and over 5000 non clinical service hours and a >90 percentile mcat score and still no secondary from rush. If it happens it happens at this point
 
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barbiedoc07 said:
still haven't received OOS secondary with 900 (!!) service hours and over 2000 clinical hours :( I'm so excited about Rush so I really hope I wasn't screened out!
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may be based on submission, i submitted 1' on first possible day and got the secondary (low stat, REALLY high service hours). i think its probably just in batches!!!
 
MangoesAreTheBestFruit8 said:
may be based on submission, i submitted 1' on first possible day and got the secondary (low stat, REALLY high service hours). i think its probably just in batches!!!
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submitted on 5/28 too! verified on 6/5 so holding out hope they just aren't on my day yet :')
 
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+1 IS secondary! Verified on 6/7

For filling out the pre-requisite coursework, if we have multiple options to put in bio or chem, can we pick any course that fills the requirement?
 
Does anyone know how they feel about non English department classes being used for the English composition requirement? I came into college with English composition AP credit so I haven't taken any English courses in college, but I have taken writing focused classes that other med schools do accept for their English requirements
 
I'm in-state and haven't received a secondary. I'm convinced everyone that has is an ED applicant?
 
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+1 OOS secondary earlier this evening, verified yesterday 7/18. Idk how I got sent the secondary so quickly. In the span of just about 36 hours I've received 15/19 secondaries 😭
 
kaytea said:
Does anyone know how they feel about non English department classes being used for the English composition requirement? I came into college with English composition AP credit so I haven't taken any English courses in college, but I have taken writing focused classes that other med schools do accept for their English requirements
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I hope they're okay with it because I'm in the same boat and I have a feeling a lot of other applicants are as well lol
 
We have to re-enter every clinical activity with a new description? This school is annoying asf
 
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magician7772222 said:
anyone still not get a rush secondary?
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My guess is that they haven’t sent anything out past Friday evening because the admissions office is likely closed for the weekend. It doesn’t seem like they screen past MCAT and GPA so they likely do it in batches!!! Pre write that sucker and submit that thang the minute it gets received you guys got this!
 
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Verified 6/6. 15,000 clinical hours and 4,000 volunteer hours but no secondary yet OOS.
 
+1 OOS

Anyone know how the LOR requirements work? If they are not clear will they email me for clarification or will they just toss my application out?
 
One prompt changed from last year :rolleyes:

1. RUSH Medical College is located on Chicago’s Near West Side and serves a diverse patient population. We seek to train physicians who can connect with diverse patient populations with whom they may not share a similar background. Tell us about a life experience that has broadened your own world view or enhanced your ability to understand those unlike yourself and what you learned from this experience. (1000 characters)

2. "Distance traveled" is the metaphorical distance that represents the journey an applicant undertakes throughout their life, encompassing achievements, personal identity, and the competencies developed along the way. The Committee on Admissions seeks and values the skills and competencies that applicants develop as a result of their individual experiences, and recognizes them as desired and essential attributes of a future physician. Based on your experiences and your distance traveled, please describe any adversities, challenges, and/or marginalized experiences that you have encountered. (1000 characters)

2a. Please describe the effect of these adversities, challenges, and/or marginalized experiences on you as an individual. Explain how you overcame them, what skills you built, what lessons you learned, and how these experiences motivated you to be a doctor (1000 characters)

Questions 3 - 7 are not essays are I did not include. ​

8. If applicable, describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your application to and/or preparation for medical school. (Optional) (1000 characters)

9. Use this space to provide additional information, that is non-COVID related, you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your application. (Optional) (1000 characters)
 
for those that have submitted - did you receive an email stating your LORs and/or CASPer were not in, but your status shows everything is complete? also got an email at the exact same time stating my application was complete, so not sure what to go off of lol.
 
Strattera said:
One prompt changed from last year :rolleyes:

1. RUSH Medical College is located on Chicago’s Near West Side and serves a diverse patient population. We seek to train physicians who can connect with diverse patient populations with whom they may not share a similar background. Tell us about a life experience that has broadened your own world view or enhanced your ability to understand those unlike yourself and what you learned from this experience. (1000 characters)

2. "Distance traveled" is the metaphorical distance that represents the journey an applicant undertakes throughout their life, encompassing achievements, personal identity, and the competencies developed along the way. The Committee on Admissions seeks and values the skills and competencies that applicants develop as a result of their individual experiences, and recognizes them as desired and essential attributes of a future physician. Based on your experiences and your distance traveled, please describe any adversities, challenges, and/or marginalized experiences that you have encountered. (1000 characters)

2a. Please describe the effect of these adversities, challenges, and/or marginalized experiences on you as an individual. Explain how you overcame them, what skills you built, what lessons you learned, and how these experiences motivated you to be a doctor (1000 characters)

Questions 3 - 7 are not essays are I did not include. ​

8. If applicable, describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your application to and/or preparation for medical school. (Optional) (1000 characters)

9. Use this space to provide additional information, that is non-COVID related, you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your application. (Optional) (1000 characters)
Click to expand...
@wysdoc
 
I'm worried. I am an in-state applicant and was verified 6/11 and have no received a secondary. Is there any other in-state applicants around the same timeline that have not received a secondary yet?
 
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