Illinois c/o 2025 Hopefuls

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Hi everyone,
This is my last interview, but I was wondering if there were any current students that would be willing to talk to me about the school curriculum and location. I heard there is not much to do in the city. I am debating between some other schools right now.
 
@SportPonies @MyDogsAreBarking and I are fourth years. @SkiOtter is a third year. @Meow2124 is a first year. There are a few other peeps around. I'll answer questions here or via PM
littlesteffi said:
Hi everyone,
This is my last interview, but I was wondering if there were any current students that would be willing to talk to me about the school curriculum and location. I heard there is not much to do in the city. I am debating between some other schools right now.
Click to expand...
 
littlesteffi said:
Hi everyone,
This is my last interview, but I was wondering if there were any current students that would be willing to talk to me about the school curriculum and location. I heard there is not much to do in the city. I am debating between some other schools right now.
Click to expand...

If you look back a few posts, you will see where both I and @batsenecal talk about the curriculum.

Regarding location and things to do I think it just really depends on what kind of things you like to do. I came from Orlando so to me, yes, there are significantly less things to do, but I mean I had theme parks šŸ˜‚.

You will find lots of nature parks, trails, and some lakes near by to check out if you like to be outdoors. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and some super cool breweries if youā€™re into that. Pretty much what you expect for a college town. There are also some big cities within an hour or two drive, Chicago, St Louis, Indianapolis. I think the Champaign-Urbana area is what you make of it. It has grown on me.

Let me know if you have any more specific questions!
 
I agree with Meow. I'm from the Denver Metro but went to undergrad in a 5,000 person town. So to me, Chambana has plenty to do if you go and look for it. I personally don't go out very frequently cause I'm cheap and would rather chill at home or with a friend at their place. However, I know people who did mug night and stuff like that.
 
I was wondering from current students, I am OOS but my entire family lives in Illinois. I could live with my grandmother rent-free, only problem is there is an hour and a half commute. Do you think this is feasible, at least for the first year?
 
CyroCap said:
I was wondering from current students, I am OOS but my entire family lives in Illinois. I could live with my grandmother rent-free, only problem is there is an hour and a half commute. Do you think this is feasible, at least for the first year?
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I feel like it would be pretty difficult. The second half of first semester first year youā€™re in clinics for 8 weeks, which sometimes means getting to the school at 7 am and leaving at 4-5 pm depending on what service youā€™re on. You also have to think about whether you want to attend dinner lectures and wet labs (assuming theyā€™re in person by the time you start) or studying anatomy after school with friends. That 3 hours of driving daily would also definitely cut into your sleep and regular studying time, so you definitely also need to consider that aspect. I personally wouldnā€™t do it, but Iā€™m not you so I canā€™t make that decision.
Definitely not doable for 3/4th year clinics though, which Iā€™m sure you know. If youā€™re on call you have to be in the hospital within something like 20-30 minutes. You could see about staying at someoneā€™s house on their couch those nights if you really wanted to live that far all 4 years though.
 
Just received the official OOS rejection! Good luck to everyone interviewing next week šŸ™‚
 
SkiOtter said:
I feel like it would be pretty difficult. The second half of first semester first year youā€™re in clinics for 8 weeks, which sometimes means getting to the school at 7 am and leaving at 4-5 pm depending on what service youā€™re on. You also have to think about whether you want to attend dinner lectures and wet labs (assuming theyā€™re in person by the time you start) or studying anatomy after school with friends. That 3 hours of driving daily would also definitely cut into your sleep and regular studying time, so you definitely also need to consider that aspect. I personally wouldnā€™t do it, but Iā€™m not you so I canā€™t make that decision.
Definitely not doable for 3/4th year clinics though, which Iā€™m sure you know. If youā€™re on call you have to be in the hospital within something like 20-30 minutes. You could see about staying at someoneā€™s house on their couch those nights if you really wanted to live that far all 4 years though.
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Thanks for the advice! I kind of figured that would be the case but I wanted a student's opinion first.
 
I got mine pretty late at night, it said in the first email to contact them ASAP if you didn't get a link
 
Not to dissuade yall at all, but every few years, a class gets a bad interview day weather wise. Yall would've been the next one. When you live here, its not a huge deal. When you're coming in and trying to leave all within 24-48 hours, it sucks. My interview days was snowy and gross, and my dad and I drove here.

If yall live where this crazy cold weather is hitting, stay warm!!! Keep your coffee or hot chocolate close by!!!
 
batsenecal said:
Not to dissuade yall at all, but every few years, a class gets a bad interview day weather wise. Yall would've been the next one. When you live here, its not a huge deal. When you're coming in and trying to leave all within 24-48 hours, it sucks. My interview days was snowy and gross, and my dad and I drove here.

If yall live where this crazy cold weather is hitting, stay warm!!! Keep your coffee or hot chocolate close by!!!
Click to expand...

This was me at my MSU interview. -2 degrees that day and I parked in a parking garage on the complete opposite side of where I was supposed to interview. Came into the building trembling šŸ„¶
 
batsenecal said:
Not to dissuade yall at all, but every few years, a class gets a bad interview day weather wise. Yall would've been the next one. When you live here, its not a huge deal. When you're coming in and trying to leave all within 24-48 hours, it sucks. My interview days was snowy and gross, and my dad and I drove here.

If yall live where this crazy cold weather is hitting, stay warm!!! Keep your coffee or hot chocolate close by!!!
Click to expand...
Oh my! Kinda glad that it is over zoom this year! I would have had to buy professional-style winter clothes (for over-top my suit) just for the interview day!
 
I had a question for current students: Do you live on campus or off-campus, and why did you choose that option? Do the on-campus pet-friendly housing options fill-up fast? Is on-campus living quiet (what are the odds that I'd have to worry about noisy, partying undergrads)? Also, can married couples live in the on-campus housing?
 
brownswissfanatic said:
Oh my! Kinda glad that it is over zoom this year! I would have had to buy professional-style winter clothes (for over-top my suit) just for the interview day!
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I would suggest getting a good winter coat and winter boots for these cold days. For my interview day, I brought my carhartt coat from my undergrad, my snow boots, and then just changed into my interview flats. Left the coat and the winter boots outside the room šŸ™‚
brownswissfanatic said:
Do you live on campus or off-campus, and why did you choose that option? Do the on-campus pet-friendly housing options fill-up fast? Is on-campus living quiet (what are the odds that I'd have to worry about noisy, partying undergrads)? Also, can married couples live in the on-campus housing?
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I can't think of a single person who lives on campus in all of vet med in the time I've been here (granted, I don't know the current second or first years as well as I've known previous classes, so there's definitely a chance someone in 2023 or 2024 does live on campus). It is *significantly* cheaper to live off campus in general and the vast majority of people in on campus housing are undergrads.

I would *highly* suggest living off campus in a house or townhouse/condo type situation, regardless of marital status. One bedroom places (if you don't want to live with a roommate while living with your significant other) are going to be cheaper than trying to find something like that on campus. The only exception that I can think of is Orchard Downs, which is family housing managed by campus. It is near vet med, too. But even still, when I had a roommate, my total per month with everything was $650ish a month. That's basically what Orchard Downs is.
 
Todayā€™s the day! Good luck everyone, and stay safe in the snowstorm!! Positive thoughts!
 
Good luck everyone! Just be yourself šŸ™‚ my interviewers were super friendly
 
Hello! I want to thank the interviews and send a follow up email. Does anyone have advice to be able to do this?
 
crs527 said:
in the info session Dr. Foreman said we'll get an email by march 1st but last year i think they heard 4 days after interviews!
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Wow I had no idea theyā€™ve historically gotten back to people so soon - crossing my fingers we hear a little earlier but either way March 1st is just around the corner!!
 
Did Dr. Foreman just say on the webinar that anyone who interviewed today is either accepted or waitlisted? or did I just imagine that?
 
aalexisvet26 said:
Did Dr. Foreman just say on the webinar that anyone who interviewed today is either accepted or waitlisted? or did I just imagine that?
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Basically if you met their standards to make it to an interview, you meet the standards to be in the class and maybe just were slightly beat out by someone either in your app or interview
 
SkiOtter said:
Basically if you met their standards to make it to an interview, you meet the standards to be in the class and maybe just were slightly beat out by someone either in your app or interview
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That is good to know! Thank you!
 
What kind of things did they go over in the info session? I wasnā€™t able to attend unfortunately. Thanks in advance!
 
Turtlegirl7 said:
What kind of things did they go over in the info session? I wasnā€™t able to attend unfortunately. Thanks in advance!
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Lots of things ranging from school history, financial aid, important dates & deadlines, curriculum, campus life, etc!
 
kristyncunn said:
GUYS omg i just had the most BLONDE moment of my life!!!! I joined for my interview at 3pm, but uhm... I'm in Florida and they meant 3pm central time. Do you think I look like the DUMBEST person on the planet or can I laugh it off in an hour and still make a good impression on them.
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laugh it off!!! i had to look up CST to EST like 10 times to assure myself i got it right
 
I really felt like I bombed my interview (or was just meh, either way, disappointed). I guess we'll find out soon!
 
Honestly, I feel really good about my interview. Luckily almost every question they asked me I had already prepared for so that really helped. Everyone I had was extremely nice and honestly I cant wait to hear back from them. Good luck everyone! šŸŽ‰
 
CyroCap said:
I really felt like I bombed my interview (or was just meh, either way, disappointed). I guess we'll find out soon!
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I've been overthinking and wishing I had answered questions more throughly or differently- but I think it's really easy to tear yourself apart following an important interview. Often were blowing it out of proportion!

Be easy on yourself!!
 
winniekate07 said:
I've been overthinking and wishing I had answered questions more throughly or differently- but I think it's really easy to tear yourself apart following an important interview. Often were blowing it out of proportion!

Be easy on yourself!!
Click to expand...
I was so nervous at first I didn't even introduce myself (other than "I go by Danny"), and was only able to speak like a normal human after I calmed down halfway through. I hope they liked my answers to their questions enough to overlook that lol
 
Current students: I had another question for y'all after the info session today!

They mentioned that a new computer that fit certain requirements was essential for the program. Do you use your computer to take notes on or do you use an Ipad to take notes on? Dr.Foreman said that Illinois advised against using Ipads for note-taking, but I've heard that most students from other schools recommend using an Ipad to use apps such as "noteability" or "one note."
 
brownswissfanatic said:
Current students: I had another question for y'all after the info session today!

They mentioned that a new computer that fit certain requirements was essential for the program. Do you use your computer to take notes on or do you use an Ipad to take notes on? Dr.Foreman said that Illinois advised against using Ipads for note-taking, but I've heard that most students from other schools recommend using an Ipad to use apps such as "noteability" or "one note."
Click to expand...
OneNote is a Microsoft office program and can be used on nearly any computer; thatā€™s what I used for my notes.

I absolutely would not have spent more money on an ipad. It wouldā€™ve been totally unnecessary for the way I study.
 
I have an iPad and love it for note taking but you can NOT use it for exams or vetstar fourth year. I use notability and love it. I have back issues so something super lightweight was what I needed for didactics and my macbook still works fine, the battery just can be sketchy so I have to keep plugged in for the most part, so itā€™s fine for exams and will be fine for clinics (aside from it being heavier than Iā€™d like)
 
brownswissfanatic said:
Do you use your computer to take notes on or do you use an Ipad to take notes on?
Click to expand...
I use my Microsoft surface for everything. Small, lightweight, and can use the exam software and electronic medical records system on it.

Also don't own any apple products, but a lot of people use OneNote in my class!
 
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