Irvine Interviews

[alwaysaangel]

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Does anyone know if Irvine historically is known to interview exclusively for waitlist spots? Or are they one of the schools that always have a chance for outright acceptance if they're still conducting interviews?

Thanks in advance to anyone who knows anything at all.

 

[kbear12]

not sure... but I keep hearing that their waitlist moves a lot, so a waitlist doesn't sound too horrible.

 

[alwaysaangel]

not sure... but I keep hearing that their waitlist moves a lot, so a waitlist doesn't sound too horrible.

No I'll totally take it!!! But someone in their 2011 class thread said he was there a month ago and they were still saying they would accept about 1/3 of the people in the interview group. And if thats still true when I go at the end of the month that would be AWESOME!

Mostly I'm just trying to get an idea of how much I should get my hopes up about this.

 

[uci18753]

UCI is big on having LOR's from your major EC's. If you worked on some project for a few years and don't have an LOR they will wonder about that. If you are missing an LOR from something that was on your AMCAS that was big then try to get one quick. Good luck!

 

[alwaysaangel]

UCI is big on having LOR's from your major EC's. If you worked on some project for a few years and don't have an LOR they will wonder about that. If you are missing an LOR from something that was on your AMCAS that was big then try to get one quick. Good luck!

Haha. I saw this in another thread (I think you wrote it there too) and immediately printed out my AMCAS. I have something from all my major activities (with the exception of a 10 month long job/volunteer commitment - can't contact my supervisor and a 1 semester internship - which doesn't seem like a MAJOR EC to me.)

I am however going to go ahead and get 2 more from my biggest activity (one from the doctor and one from my supervisor - right now they just have one from the doctor who I used to work with), and I'm going to get one from the woman I used to babysit for which may be considered a "major EC" since I worked for her 5-10hrs a week for 3 years.

I'm going to send them in right after my interview (just because I don't want to rush the writers).

Any other advice? I really want to give myself the best possible shot at this. UCI is my favorite of all the UCs (I just thought I would be happiest there once I had done all the secondaries and really looked into the schools) and just getting the interview is a miracle that I am thankful for.

 

[uci18753]

If they are your top choice then let both of your interviewers know in no uncertain terms. I told them that I would withdraw from everywhere else if I got in and I think that helped me get in. They get a lot of turnover from people that bail on them for UCLA, UCSD and UCSF so if you really love the place let them know!

 

[alwaysaangel]

If they are your top choice then let both of your interviewers know in no uncertain terms. I told them that I would withdraw from everywhere else if I got in and I think that helped me get in. They get a lot of turnover from people that bail on them for UCLA, UCSD and UCSF so if you really love the place let them know!

Will definitely do that. Thanks so much!

 

[alwaysaangel]

Bump.

Anyone else know if they interview exclusively for waitlist?

 

[ms2007plz]

I was told by someone in the admissions office that April interviews are still for nonwaitlisted spots and that they will offer some interviews in May for waitlisted spots. I think that was back in March, so I don't know what late April means...maybe call and ask?

 

[kbear12]

I second the call and ask suggestion. Their admissions office is pretty friendly.

 

[alwaysaangel]

I second the call and ask suggestion. Their admissions office is pretty friendly.

Ok, will do. Thanks guys.

I found a guy from last year on mdapps who interviewed the last day in April and they were told they were still interviewing for actual acceptances.

 

[thirsty4chicken]

Ok, will do. Thanks guys.

I found a guy from last year on mdapps who interviewed the last day in April and they were told they were still interviewing for actual acceptances.

Hey, I was that guy who told you that they take accept about 1/3 of people off the waitlist. I heard this from a first year at UCI. To give you some more data on that, I personally know 6 UCI med students, and 2 of them admitted to having gotten in off the waitlist. It's a small data sample, but you get the idea.

So, there's everything I know about UCI's waitlist.

Also, I don't think that any school interviews applicants exclusively for waitlist spots after a certain date. However, given the realities of rolling admissions, that is the likely outcome when interviewing very late into the cycle.

 

[chaldobruin]

Does anyone know if Irvine historically is known to interview exclusively for waitlist spots? Or are they one of the schools that always have a chance for outright acceptance if they're still conducting interviews?

Thanks in advance to anyone who knows anything at all.

Don't worry, they will still accept 1/3 of the interviewees from your interview date, and put everyone else on the alternate list. They apparently do NOT reject post interview. Good luck, I interviewed on 3/21 and LOVED it.. Hopefully we can be classmates next year!!

 

[alwaysaangel]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm super excited, I'm really trying to psych myself up for it telling myself I'll get in since I'm typically a good interviewee and I don't want to be so nervous (since I really do love UCI so much and want to go there) that I screw up. I figure if I can get that same, easy going confident attitude I had at my three interviews back east then I'll do ok.

It would be a dream come true!! I'm already glancing at some possible housing options and thinking about the kittens I could get since I'd be so close to home! I mean two kittens aren't going to be bothered too much by an hour drive to my parents house to stay for breaks.

My main concern is that I had originally been declined interview since Feb, and somehow I got pulled out of the reject pile. I guess I should just be glad that someone took notice and offered me the interview at all - but it just seems like a disadvantage. We shall see though - I will put my all and hope for the best.

On interview day did they give any impression of how important the interview is relative to the rest of your file?

 

[thirsty4chicken]

"My main concern is that I had originally been declined interview since Feb, and somehow I got pulled out of the reject pile."

^^^ This is a very, very good sign. It takes almost an act of god for someone to look through the reject pile for interview candidates. They must really like you.

On interview day did they give any impression of how important the interview is relative to the rest of your file?

No idea whatsoever.

 

[alwaysaangel]

^^^ This is a very, very good sign. It takes almost an act of god for someone to look through the reject pile for interview candidates. They must really like you

Thanks for saying this - that makes me feel much better about it.

Anyway, I'll keep everyone updated. I have high hopes.

 

[viciouz]

I just talked to an Adcom in person yesterday at UCI (b/c I go there as an Undergraduate) and she said they are still interviewing for spots.

And they only waitlist or accept after interviews... unless you really blew the interview.

 

[alwaysaangel]

I just talked to an Adcom in person yesterday at UCI (b/c I go there as an Undergraduate) and she said they are still interviewing for spots.

And they only waitlist or accept after interviews... unless you really blew the interview.

Thanks. I love the idea that I could just get a spot. The fact that they don't reject after interviews is a bit disconcerting since it will leave me on the waitlist just hoping all summer but I guess thats better than nothing.

 

[Old ortho]

If they don't reject anyone after interview, the odds of getting in Irvine is only between 25%-30% according to my rough calculation. It is lower than other schools, where odds are from 1/3-1/2 on the average. That is slightly disappointing.

 

[uci18753]

I think from the US News data UCI accepts almost 60% of the people who interview. This is one of the the highest that I have seen so I think you should have a pretty good shot.

 

[alwaysaangel]

If they don't reject anyone after interview, the odds of getting in Irvine is only between 25%-30% according to my rough calculation. It is lower than other schools, where odds are from 1/3-1/2 on the average. That is slightly disappointing.

Yeah but your rough calculation of 100 matriculants out of 500 interviewees doesn't take into acccount that a lot of people turn down their acceptances/waitlists.

I don't know what the real acceptance rate is but 1/3 of interviewers on the last interview date isn't half bad.

 

[alwaysaangel]

I think from the US News data UCI accepts almost 60% of the people who interview. This is one of the the highest that I have seen so I think you should have a pretty good shot.

Wow, thats a lot.

 

[chaldobruin]

Anyone else interview on 3/21 and waiting to hear back? I'm going nuts.. they said they'd let us know before the second look weekend which is April 28th... so hopefully next week? Anyone know what day the committee meets and when they notify applicants?

 

[thirsty4chicken]

Wow, thats a lot.

For the 2006 admissions cycle...

Interviewed: 480
Accepted: 279
Enrolled: 104

...according to US News

 

[alwaysaangel]

For the 2006 admissions cycle...

Interviewed: 480
Accepted: 279
Enrolled: 104

...according to US News

Thanks.

Pretty good odds. I'm staying positive. Goodluck on your waitlists btw. If you get into one of your higher choices more spots for me and we can both win 🙂

 

[thirsty4chicken]

Anyone else interview on 3/21 and waiting to hear back? I'm going nuts.. they said they'd let us know before the second look weekend which is April 28th... so hopefully next week? Anyone know what day the committee meets and when they notify applicants?

For me, the adcom meeting was 4/9. Dr. Peterson called later on that day.

I think adcom meetings are about every 1.5 or 2 weeks. I interviewed on 3/5, so, assuming the same interval, you should hear soon.

Also, check your status page. They actually put their final decision there.

 

[thirsty4chicken]

Thanks.

Pretty good odds. I'm staying positive. Goodluck on your waitlists btw. If you get into one of your higher choices more spots for me and we can both win 🙂

Actually, I think I'd take UCI over NYU and maybe Columbia. 😀

UCI is frikkin awesome. If I see a white girl in a suit on the med school campus on the 26th (that's your interview date, right?) I'll be sure to say hello (I work in a lab nearby).

Good luck. You seem really nice, and I hope you'll be attending. Just keep your head up and leave your fate to a higher power.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Actually, I think I'd take UCI over NYU and maybe Columbia. 😀

UCI is frikkin awesome. If I see a white girl in a suit on the med school campus on the 26th (that's your interview date, right?) I'll be sure to say hello (I work in a lab nearby).

Good luck. You seem really nice, and I hope you'll be attending. Just keep your head up and leave your fate to a higher power.

Haha thanks, yup I'm there the 26th.

See you around.

 

[orange24]

UCI is big on having LOR's from your major EC's. If you worked on some project for a few years and don't have an LOR they will wonder about that. If you are missing an LOR from something that was on your AMCAS that was big then try to get one quick. Good luck!

hm.. so i have a worry. i submitted all my major EC's except for one.. it was a volunteer experience at a hospital in a developing country but i was only there for a month.. but i did write about it in my primary application essay. it's not that i didn't want to get the lor but it's because it is overseas that it is actually kind of hard to get in touch with the doctor in charge there because he travels a lot. plus, the other lors i got were for ECs i did for much longer period of time.. do u guys think it will be a big problem? wouldn't they have checked for lors before they decide to interview u? or do they not even look at lors til final decision time?

 

[Xtremeangel24]

Keep the hope alive everyone!!! I was waitlisted since October '06 and was just accepted last week. Gluck Everyone.

 

[chaldobruin]

Keep the hope alive everyone!!! I was waitlisted since October '06 and was just accepted last week. Gluck Everyone.

congrats!!! 🙂 Will you be attending UCI or are there still other schools in the mix?

 

[alwaysaangel]

Keep the hope alive everyone!!! I was waitlisted since October '06 and was just accepted last week. Gluck Everyone.

Congrats - can I ask what your numbers (approximately) are? I got an interview but I'm really terrified my numbers will keep me down.

Here's hoping they really underaccepted and all those waiting will have good news.

 

[beefbroccoli]

Anyone else interview on 3/21 and waiting to hear back? I'm going nuts.. they said they'd let us know before the second look weekend which is April 28th... so hopefully next week? Anyone know what day the committee meets and when they notify applicants?

Ah, I interviewed there on 3/21 as well! 🙂 I wonder if we spoke, lol. There was one table where there were three girls from Berkeley; I was one of those girls, haha

I was just accepted there today; got an e-mail from Dr. Petersen in the afternoon.
Good luck everyone 👍

 

[alwaysaangel]

Went to my interview today - it went great. I'm really hoping for the best - they said they would take 1/3 of those there.

Very impressed by the campus, but won't hear until after 5/16.

Good luck to anyone else who was there and sorry I didn't see you thirsty4chicken.

 

[chaldobruin]

Went to my interview today - it went great. I'm really hoping for the best - they said they would take 1/3 of those there.

Very impressed by the campus, but won't hear until after 5/16.

Good luck to anyone else who was there and sorry I didn't see you thirsty4chicken.

Good luck alwaysangel, will you go there for sure if you get in? You are similar to me in that its between Washington DC or Irvine (GW for you, Georgetown for me).. tough choice but it would be so hard to turn down the california sun and cheap tuition don't you think? I'm so torn b/c I loved DC and Georgetown though... I guess its a matter of wanting a change of scenery or not.

I'm starting to get annoyed. Dr. Peterson PROMISED my interview group that we'd hear a decision before second look weekend. Well, its in 2 days, and I still haven't heard anything! No change on my status page and no calls/emails. Apparently a few people from my interview day got acceptance emails on Monday. Should I take the silence as a bad thing?

 

[alwaysaangel]

Good luck alwaysangel, will you go there for sure if you get in? You are similar to me in that its between Washington DC or Irvine (GW for you, Georgetown for me).. tough choice but it would be so hard to turn down the california sun and cheap tuition don't you think? I'm so torn b/c I loved DC and Georgetown though... I guess its a matter of wanting a change of scenery or not.

I'm starting to get annoyed. Dr. Peterson PROMISED my interview group that we'd hear a decision before second look weekend. Well, its in 2 days, and I still haven't heard anything! No change on my status page and no calls/emails. Apparently a few people from my interview day got acceptance emails on Monday. Should I take the silence as a bad thing?

Yeah I really liked GW, but I would definitely take the cheap tuition and location over DC. So I am hoping for the best.

I don't know if silence is bad, maybe she just hasn't gotten around to call you yet - I don't really know we weren't given a date to be told by. I would go ahead and call - Gayle was really encouraging us to call. They might not be able to tell you anything but maybe they can. Can't hurt to try.

 

[Old ortho]

Does anyone know when is the first day of school - registration, orientation etc? Also any movement on waitlists?

 

[swtiepie711]

Does anyone know when is the first day of school - registration, orientation etc? Also any movement on waitlists?

First day of orientation is Aug 3, I think - hope that helps!

 

[holafarita]

i'm waiting on irvine too...interviewed 4/16 for prime-lc. my faculty interview didn't go too well, i'm pretty sure i didn't impress him (well, positively anyway) 🙁

but it would be really, really, really, awesome to get in. prime-lc people go off to mexico in the beginning of july so i wonder if those ppl get decided on earlier, or if they have a special WL, or what. 😕

oh well. good luck to all who are waiting on UCI. whatever happens will ultimately be for the best. 🙂

 

[holafarita]

i just called the office because my heart belongs to UCI right now 😳 and i havent heard anything...a woman picked up and said i should call next week and talk to christine (? i can't remember if that's the exact name that was mentioned) because she herself is "not at liberty to say anything."

Bleugh. Of course i was like 😕😕😕😕 what does that mean??? So cryptic. She did mention that my status didn't look like it had changed, but the wording was so distant and not at all straightforward!

Sorry, there's no real news to this post. 😳

 

[alwaysaangel]

i just called the office because my heart belongs to UCI right now 😳 and i havent heard anything...a woman picked up and said i should call next week and talk to christine (? i can't remember if that's the exact name that was mentioned) because she herself is "not at liberty to say anything."

Bleugh. Of course i was like 😕😕😕😕 what does that mean??? So cryptic. She did mention that my status didn't look like it had changed, but the wording was so distant and not at all straightforward!

Sorry, there's no real news to this post. 😳

Have you checked your status page?

 

[holafarita]

Have you checked your status page?

only a few times since i phoned!

 

[alwaysaangel]

only a few times since i phoned!

Haha. Just asking, it seemed like everyone in the other thread was saying they updated your status page within 1 week of them making their decision (which seems to be 3 weeks from the date of interview).

I'm waiting too. They decide on my interview group next Wed and I am super nervous. I hope that I get in.

Goodluck, I'm sure you'll hear soon.

 

[holafarita]

when did you interview? how do you know when they are deciding? i interviewed 4/16...i was a prime-lc applicant (who knows how that changes anything).

best of luck to you too!!! breathe...i have a good feeling for you. 🙂

 

[alwaysaangel]

when did you interview? how do you know when they are deciding? i interviewed 4/16...i was a prime-lc applicant (who knows how that changes anything).

best of luck to you too!!! breathe...i have a good feeling for you. 🙂

I interviewed 4/26 (last day) The dean told us on our interview day what day they would meet on our files and make decisions. And it was just about 3 weeks away and when I've looked at mdapps and other threads around here that seems to be the pattern.

I bet they just decided on your file this week and will be getting around to calling people eventually (I've heard the dean often calls on weekends - so maybe you'll have an awesome weekend!!)

And thanks for the good wishes! Hopefully we can be classmates next year!

 

[holafarita]

my status page was just updated to "alternate list"

kinda disappointed but oh well!
good luck to those still waiting!

 

[alwaysaangel]

my status page was just updated to "alternate list"

kinda disappointed but oh well!
good luck to those still waiting!

Hey that doesn't mean its over for you - they take like 1/3 of the class from the waitlist. I bet you've still got a pretty good shot!

Here's hoping you hear pretty soon now that everyone is withdrawing.

 

[jyland]

Alternate list for me as well. Anyone else from the 4/16 batch hear anything? How much longer do you think we will have to wait? I guess I better get back on AAMC and get ready for 2008 cycle 🙁 Good luck to the others!!!!

 

[alwaysaangel]

Did anyone who interviewed 4/16 get an acceptance? Did they tell you guys they were still going to accept 1/3 of you guys?

 

[holafarita]

Did anyone who interviewed 4/16 get an acceptance? Did they tell you guys they were still going to accept 1/3 of you guys?

yup, we got that same spiel.

ps thanks for the encouragement! 😍 and good luck to you!

and hang in there jyland, as alwaysaangel said there's still some hope...just reserve it in a tiny tiny part of your head as you fill out amcas 2008 (i'm doing it too🙄)