Illinois Schools thread

[toomuch]

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I know it's Monday morning and not many people are online, but I wanted to know how long of a wait I should expect for some of these schools.

I received my first rejection last week from Northwestern, presecondary. I really do think they have a 33 MCAT cut- off, but before I received the rejection, I decided I didn't want to go there so I didn't care about the rejection.

My letters of reccomendation have been holding me back in the application process. My composite letter was sent out 10 days ago on Nov. 7. The UIC status page still shows that they have not received it. Should I be worried? Would I get very far if I called them? If they didn't get it, then, I'd hate to have it sent again and take another two weeks to be complete.

Does SIU send a letter that tells you that you are complete?

I never sent back the UChicago or Rush secondary because I decided if I had to live in the city, I would prefer to go to the state school and pay less. I really hate having to go into the city for anything.

Loyola and Finch are viable options. I would go to Finch. And I would love to go to Loyola, but I don't want to get my hopes up, only to be disappointed so I really have to keep my feelings about this school in check.

I am mostly posting this thread because I want to know about the UIC status page, but I thought anyone who wanted to could post their status at these schools as well.

tm

 

[lyragrl]

Hi there,

Just FYI, there's another Illinois thread if you're looking for information:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.phps=&threadid=87132

It takes UIC a long time to update, I think. It took at least two weeks (maybe longer) for my letters to be listed as received and it took another 5 weeks or so until I got an interview invite. So patience is required.

Good luck!

 

[toomuch]

Can we use this new thread? I can't access the old one unless it was the Illinois resident thread. While I am an Illinois resident(but I go to school in Missouri, GO TIGERS!), I'd like anyone's opinions or experiences with these schools.

tm

 

[Optimist]

Originally posted by toomuch

I never sent back the UChicago or Rush secondary because I decided if I had to live in the city, I would prefer to go to the state school and pay less. I really hate having to go into the city for anything.

Don't simply not apply because you'd prefer other schools. Rush and UIC's numbers are not drastically different. You certainly could get into Rush and not UIC. The whole process is a crapshoot.

If location is particularly important to you, and you're not a fan of Chicago, you probably won't be a fan of Maywood either (where Loyola's located). Try to keep an open mind, because there are many criteria other than location that will help you decide which schools you'd like to go to.

 

[Spitting Camel]

Originally posted by toomuch
I received my first rejection last week from Northwestern, presecondary. I really do think they have a 33 MCAT cut- off, but before I received the rejection, I decided I didn't want to go there so I didn't care about the rejection.
tm

I have an MCAT score significantly below 33 and got a secondary from Northwestern. How is your GPA? Maybe that was it. Or maybe your personal Statement? Or maybe your ECs. Check out the whole package because it wasn't the MCAT...

 

[gary5]

My MCAT is 32, and I got the Northwestern secondary.

 

[lyragrl]

toomuch,

I'm a bit confused. Why would you be ruling out Rush but not UIC? They're very close to each other!

 

[toomuch]

Yes, they're practically on top of each other. I wasn't impressed by the Rush library, but I have read many of their publications and thought it was damn good science. It's a good school and known in the Chicago area for being one of the best clinical wise just as Loyola is. I think these places would be oneof my top choices for residency. Northwestern is really only known for their neuro research and that's their extent. I'm not interested. I have looked at the financial outlook at private schools and don't like it at all. For myself, I have chosen a school where I have had great financial burdens during my freshman year of undergrad. It did not work out well and I transferred. Living in the city is so expensive and commuting would be a major pain. If I got accpeted to UIC, I could easily choose to go to Rockford or Peoria. If I didn't have a choice, then I knew I could live anywhere in the city I wanted and not have to worry about housing expenses. I have experience going to school in a big city and it seems everything including grocery shopping takes so much time.

tm

 

[chicagohope]

Hi IL peoples,

I was very late in applying--however I got an interview at SIU before i even turned in a secondary-- they wrote it on top of my secondary application (and i am Not rural or downstate).

However I got flat out rejected by Northwestern pre-secondary (with good stats AND a graduate degree). This whole process is strange.

I think U of C is a great school and you would be surprised what kind of "stats" make it in. So dont knock yourself out! They really do look beyond the numbers. I cannot say that for loyola or chicago med though (oh and what the heck with the tuition?)

Has anyone else started interviewing at Illinois Schools like SIU or UIC etc?

stay strong!
chicagohope

 

[ionltd]

Had an interview at SIU Nov 12th. It went well and it's one of my top choices.

I'm glad to hear that it must have been one of their earlier interviews and that they like downstate applicants since I'm from south central Illinois.

Keeping my fingers crossed

 

[Nor2themax]

Toomuch, I'm going to PM you. I'm from Springfield too! Who r u?

I interviwed at SIU on 10/28 and am interviewing at Rush on 11/25

No word from UIC, complete for 8 weeks now 🙁

On hold at Loyola...boooo!!!

Rejected from U of Chicago

 

[Nor2themax]

Toomuch - I'm from Springfield AND I go to Mizzou. This is weird. PLease response to my PMs or email me

[email protected]

 

[toomuch]

Nor2themax,

I pm'ed you

Everyone else,

Still haven't heard anything from Illinois schools. Also,
about Finch. Their graduates have been known able get into pretty competitive residencies as well, even ophthamology.

tm

 

[asama527]

I got my UIC interview today!! They seem to be sympathetic towards people from states with overcrowded state med schools. CA residents...hint hint

 

[ionltd]

Asama

Do you mean U of C-Pritzker or UIC University of Illinois?

 

[asama527]

UIC University of Illinois-Chicago

 

[ionltd]

Ok, sorry

Just wondered because I know a number of people got letters from Pritzker yesterday, and are still waiting for UIC.

Also you said they were sympathetic towards out of state applicants.... since U of Chicago Pritzker is private and U of Illinois is a State school, and generally state schools show a preference to in-state applicants, I thought there might be some confusion

 

[chuck deli]

I got my acceptance to Loyola (yay!), and am waitlisted at Pritzker and Northwestern. But Loyola is by far my #1, so let me know if anyone else is going there!

 

[drboris]

I have been complete at NW since august, and keep being told that I am under review.

Has anyone been rejected post secondary, and does anyone know when is the latest date to receive an interview?


Thanks!

 

[ForceField]

Originally posted by drboris
I have been complete at NW since august, and keep being told that I am under review.

Has anyone been rejected post secondary, and does anyone know when is the latest date to receive an interview?


Thanks!

Hey ya'll,

I'm a med student at UIC, I applied last year and was granted interviews at all 7 Illinois schools, was accepted to 3, waitlisted at 2, and declined interviews from 2. If you guys have any questions about things, feel free to PM me.

Boris, for Northwestern, my app was complete last year in September, and they didn't grant me an interview up until February. So your application could be sitting for awhile depending upon circumstances. Don't be compulsive like I was and check your status page 50 times. I think they decide on interviews each Friday, so check your status page weekly at a maximum, no more. They send out two rounds of acceptances, one set in December, the other set in March, so the latest dates to interview are around March if I'm not mistaken.

For the 33 MCAT cut off thing for NWU, not true at all. I had friends who interviewed there with 28s on their MCAT, and there's currently a student or two there with 24s, obviously these may be connections or something, BUT Northwestern does look at everything and grants secondaries/interviews from there.

Lastly, FYI, if you are granted an interview at University of Chicago, you can get in regardless of your numbers. Even if you're waitlisted, their waitlist is wholly based upon how much you beg them, and whomever begs the most will be accepted. People with 3.1s and 28s combined are accepted at U of C when they were initially waitlisted. However, when pursuing the waitlist, tons of factors come into account... do you really want to beg to get into a private school that will cost you 250 grand (tuition + $$ of living in Chicago)? Anyhow, just trying to give you guys a point of view from someone who went through the process last year.

Hope this helps. 🙂

 

[drdr2010]

i go to UIC (Urbana campus) and last year when i was applying, i experienced a lot of difficulty with UIC. they lost one of my letters of recc and it seemed like things were not too organized up there. it helped when i called and actually was able to speak with a person...the woman i spoke with was very understanding and straightened out the whole mess. unfortunately, due to the delays, by the time i interviewed at UIC the Chicago campus was full for my entering class. it turned out not to matter since i went the MD/PhD route anyway....
Northwestern had my app under review for about 2 months before i was rejected. the whole application year is just a test of your patience and self esteem (trust me, i got about 12 rejection letters)....but it was definitely worth it.

 

[illyire106]

hey all -

question about loyola. I interviewed there on the 19th of November and I was wondering about how long will it take for them to get back to me?? I am eagerly anticipating!!

I signed on this thread cause I thought there would be a lot of IL residents. I'm a MD girl and have never been out in IL/Chicagoland (except for the interview and then I only saw Maywood and Oakbrook) so if anyone could PM and tell me a little bit about the area - would be much appreciated!!

 

[Nor2themax]

Hey guys. I got accepted to SIU.. yay! Anyone else get in here yet?

I also interviewed at Rush and wasn't very impressed... the interviewers weren't very nice and I didn't even get a tour! Blah!

I'm interviewing at U of I soon.

 

[asama527]

Does anyone know when the UIC (Chicago) campus usually fills up? I have my interview in a few days and would like to know my chances of getting into the Chicago campus, provided they don't reject/waitlist me

 

[Optimist]

Originally posted by asama527
Does anyone know when the UIC (Chicago) campus usually fills up? I have my interview in a few days and would like to know my chances of getting into the Chicago campus, provided they don't reject/waitlist me

It's not the interview date that matters as much as the acceptance date. The committee meets in the middle of each month and makes acceptances and rejections, and the rest go back in the pool for next month.

That said, I think your chances are pretty good. It's generally people who get accepted in February and afterwards who might not get in at Chicago.

 

[ewing]

Hey IL peeps,

I'm an out-of-stater. I applied to NU and UC (Pritzker). I am really keen on UC...not sure if I'll fly out for NU unless I haven't gotten in anywhere decent by that point. I'm totally up for begging my way into Pritzker, though, and going deep into debt. It seems like an amazing place, esp. if you're into research or want a dual degree of some kind.

I don't have any info for you people except for the fact that I'm an August MCATer and Pritzker already read my app and offered me the interview (about a two week turnaround time). NU recently updated their status page to say that my app is complete...but don't think I'll have an offer from them by the time I fly out for my Pritzker interview.

 

[gwengriffen]

Did anyone get a letter from SIU saying. "Accept when place available"? What does this mean? I interviewed 11-6 and was told I wouldn't hear anything until the end of December, then this letter came. Any info is appreciated. Thanks

 

[lisa13579]

When I interviewed there, they said that they only make admissions decisions twice a year. They put everyone they will likely accept on this "Accept when place available" list, and then send out acceptances from it. The student tour guide said that basically everyone from this list gets accepted. I personally think it's confusing. But... I was waitlisted right off the bat, so I think you are in a good position at SIU.

Question about UIC... I interviewed 10/6 and I know some acceptances have been sent out. Since I haven't received anything, I called a few weeks ago and they said a decision has not yet been made. The lady said this is good cause I'm not rejected, but am I basically on hold after my interview???? Anyone know where this puts me?

 

[toomuch]

Well, on one of the interview feedback pages, someone described the way SIU accepts people. It says AWPA means acceptance so congratulations. 🙂

I just got my first interview letter from them last week(it got sent to houston and then to me in missouri). I will be interviewing late december or early Jan. It says they accept people in batches in Nov, Jan, and March. Hoping for Jan for me. SIU had a pretty fast turnaround, I feel if I get an invite to UIC it won't be until Jan, since I was just completed Nov. 19. Haven't heard from any other schools. I'm hoping for loyola though. How long does it take to hear from them?

tm

 

[gwengriffen]

🙂 Thanks guys, that is good news! I haven't heard from Loyola yet (completed mid-October) I think my app might be on some pre-interview hold🙁 . Good luck at your interview at SIU.

 

[gary5]

I took the August MCAT and have recently received interview invitations to Loyola and Rush. In general, I've submitted all materials quickly.

😛 😛

 

[Sonya]

Thanks for the info on U of Chicago (pritzker), Forcefield!!!!
I got the waitlist letter last night (after two evil tiring, strange interviews and hours of driving). That letter seemed to indicate to me that I should be continually telling them I would like to come (and, I really would compared to all Illinois schools, probably compared to all schools I have a reasonable shot of getting in).

Check with UIC if you're not hearing from them. Don't be scared to send stuff again. They keep insisting their mail is slow, but it's also possible they loose stuff. Unfortunately, the same thing applies with Northwestern. And, if anything you hear from some of these schools (any school or any agency for that matter) that sounds a little strange, clarify it, and get the name of who you talked to!!! I know, we all know that, but remember it. That would have saved me hell, confusion, frustration, and a two month delay of my secondary.

Sonya

 

[snowbear]

Does anyone have any thoughts on Finch? How is the school regarded in IL? Good vs. Bad things?

Thanks so much

 

[Optimist]

Originally posted by snowbear
Does anyone have any thoughts on Finch? How is the school regarded in IL? Good vs. Bad things?

Thanks so much

Illinois people seem to consider it a backup school. I'm not sure why but it could be due to the unusually high tuition, as well as the abundance of med schools in Chicago. On average, they interview later than normal, probably hoping only those truly interested in the school will remain in the applicant pool. Also, they're located more than an hour away from Chicago, in an almost rural community, making the commute a pain for Chicagoans.

 

[snowbear]

Thanks Optimist for the reply. Does anyone else have opinions on Finch?

 

[gary5]

Originally posted by snowbear
Thanks Optimist for the reply. Does anyone else have opinions on Finch?

I agree with Optimist. I think Finch is neither part of a University nor a major teaching hospital, so it's less desirable than other Illinois schools. It is affiliated with hospitals in northern Illinois, north of Chicago. But you're still getting an M.D., of course!

 

[toomuch]

I always hate commenting about chicago schools because I really don't think it matters too much about where you get your degree at and it's mostly about which one you think would be a good fit for you. I wouldn't say Finch is rural at all. It is a bit away from the city. Loyola is too but closer. However, loyola is located in Maywood(not the best suburb). And Finch is in the North suburbs(more up-scale locals and classic suburbia if you know what I mean). Finch medical graduates can get the same residencies as those from other schools because in the end, they all have to be filled and you'll be an MD. If you go to school there, it won't be a crutch unless you go there, and do lousy. The actual school experiences and residencies that a school can offer someone can be different from each other, but during your clinicals, you'll find that the kind of patients and atmosphere you get at Finch will be completely different than if you are in downtown chicago.

 

[snowbear]

Thank you guys so much for your responses.

When I was interviewing there, the MS4 that interviewed me said that she actually liked that Finch was not associated with a university hospital. She said that because of this, she had opportunities to rotate all over Chicago (everyone moves to Chicago for MS3 and 4). The students can choose to rotate at county for a more hands-on rotation or a rich suburban clinic for more of a passive-observer rotation. She said that in this way she thinks she was exposed to a wider variety of clinical environments than she would have been if she would have gone to a school associated with a University hospital.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[lisa13579]

Is anyone else waiting to hear from UIC after an interview? Or am I the only "lucky" one🙁

 

[gary5]

Originally posted by snowbear
Thank you guys so much for your responses.

When I was interviewing there, the MS4 that interviewed me said that she actually liked that Finch was not associated with a university hospital. She said that because of this, she had opportunities to rotate all over Chicago (everyone moves to Chicago for MS3 and 4). The students can choose to rotate at county for a more hands-on rotation or a rich suburban clinic for more of a passive-observer rotation. She said that in this way she thinks she was exposed to a wider variety of clinical environments than she would have been if she would have gone to a school associated with a University hospital.

Any thoughts on this?

Every school has unique characteristics and benefits. This is a great example.

 

[gary5]

I've had an interview at Loyola and have one at Rush coming up.

I took the August MCAT, so August MCATers still have opportunities.

😛 😛

 

[asama527]

Originally posted by lisa13579
Is anyone else waiting to hear from UIC after an interview? Or am I the only "lucky" one🙁

As always, I am waiting.................

 

[chameleonknight]

gary5,

How long after you were complete did it take Loyola to invite you? Also, was it phone, email, snailmail, or some combination thereof?

Congrats on those interviews btw; looks like you've got some good options.

 

[LaurieB]

Quick FYI - I interviewed at UIC today and they said that the adcom meets mid month and that people who are interviewing right now won't get looked at until the January meeting. So those of you waiting to hear may have some news soon.

 

[asama527]

Strange. I interviewed the day before you and they told us that our applications would be looked at this coming Thursday!

 

[Optimist]

Originally posted by asama527
Strange. I interviewed the day before you and they told us that our applications would be looked at this coming Thursday!

I was told they look at them at the middle of each month, but even if not accepted, the application will be added to the pool for the next month. I interviewed a couple of weeks ago and haven't heard yet.

 

[asama527]

I guess that makes sense. This coming Thursday falls in the middle of the month.

 

[ForceField]

If you're accepted, you'll get your letter around the 20th-25th of the month. I interviewed last year at the very end of September and was accepted around the 20-25th of October. Hope this helps. 🙂

 

[asama527]

Originally posted by ForceField
If you're accepted, you'll get your letter around the 20th-25th of the month. I interviewed last year at the very end of September and was accepted around the 20-25th of October. Hope this helps. 🙂

Thanks for the info. Is there any way to figure it out from the status page?

 

[femdoc]

Good luck to everyone w/UIC!!!! GO FLAMES!!!