Admissions to UIC

[babalaco2]

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How tough is it to get into UIC? I have a BS in Biochem and Molecular Bio, 2 years research in cancer gene therapy, 1 year biology teacher, 2 years clinical study coordinator. Undergrad GPA of 3.1.

Also, does anyone know how stringent they are with their admissions requirements. I never have taken econ or oral communications, and was wondering if such requirements are ever waived. If not, fortunately I work for U Chicago, and could take the classes for free.

Also anyone know any info about their pharmD/MBA program and how well its reputation is.

 

[NYCillini]

When it comes the health professions, all schools (pharm, med, dental, etc from coast to coast) in general are looking at a candidate as a whole. In other words, just because you have a 4.0 GPA and 99 on the PCAT is not necessarily the golden ticket to any school of your choice. Those days are gone as we have become a society focused on service and quality. Haven't you ever worked with a health professional who was geninuely interested in your needs? You become a customer for life. These professional schools are also looking for your professional and personal qualities which may be determined from your essays, interviews, recommendations, etc.

So the answer to your question....it depends. If you consider yourself an intectually well rounded individual with a genuine interest in the field and in people ... and can prove this by scoring superior marks in all categories... then it might not be difficult to get in to UIC or to any school for that matter.

Oh and you must have all the necessary pre-reqs by the end of the spring semester prior to entering the program. They are listed on the school's website. If you feel that you might exempt for one reason or another then it is probably better that you speak to a pharmacy counselor.

 

[trishias]

When it comes the health professions, all schools (pharm, med, dental, etc from coast to coast) in general are looking at a candidate as a whole. In other words, just because you have a 4.0 GPA and 99 on the PCAT is not necessarily the golden ticket to any school of your choice. Those days are gone as we have become a society focused on service and quality. Haven't you ever worked with a health professional who was geninuely interested in your needs? You become a customer for life. These professional schools are also looking for your professional and personal qualities which may be determined from your essays, interviews, recommendations, etc.

So the answer to your question....it depends. If you consider yourself an intectually well rounded individual with a genuine interest in the field and in people ... and can prove this by scoring superior marks in all categories... then it might not be difficult to get in to UIC or to any school for that matter.

Oh and you must have all the necessary pre-reqs by the end of the spring semester prior to entering the program. They are listed on the school's website. If you feel that you might exempt for one reason or another then it is probably better that you speak to a pharmacy counselor.

That is a great response, NYCIllini. That is what I think a lot of people miss when applying, academics aren't everything, how well-rounded you are proves to be important to the adcoms. Although, I do not recommend not having good grades and not doing well on the PCAT, they are used to weed out people who arent competent to handle the rigors of health professions education.

As far as the requirements, I don't think they would waive econ or communications because they are necessary to have as a background for pharmacy school. If u have any specific questions regarding courses u need to take and your application in general, u should set up an appointment with Paula Fleming, her info is on website www.uic.edu/pharmacy. Try to do this before the new pharmcas cycle starts so you can start on your outstanding requirements.

 

[NYCillini]

[....Although, I do not recommend not having good grades and not doing well on the PCAT, they are used to weed out people who arent competent to handle the rigors of health professions education.....

.[/QUOTE]


I hope that I did not give the impression that grades and PCATs do not matter... That is why I said it was important to score well in all categories (categories meaning everything that the admission committee uses to evaluate you as a candidate which includes grades). You must be able to have a good understanding of the basic sciences.

 

[trishias]

[....Although, I do not recommend not having good grades and not doing well on the PCAT, they are used to weed out people who arent competent to handle the rigors of health professions education.....

.

I hope that I did not give the impression that grades and PCATs do not matter... That is why I said it was important to score well in all categories (categories meaning everything that the admission committee uses to evaluate you as a candidate which includes grades). You must be able to have a good understanding of the basic sciences.[/QUOTE]

No you didn't. Its just that a lot of people ask about their grades on the forums.