SIU "Screeners Alternate"

[146233]

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Dear zipmedic:

The Admissions Committee of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine has now completed its assessment of your application to the entering class of 2008. The decision by the Committee has resulted in your status as a SCREENERS ALTERNATE.

Although this status does not have a high probability of acceptance, please keep your file current with updated grade reports and other information pertinent to your academic progress. In the event that you are reactivated for an interview, we will contact you at your most recent AMCAS mailing address.

We appreciate your cooperation with our admissions procedures and wish you success in achieving your goals.


Sincerely,
Ross D. Silverman, J.D., M.P.H
Chair, Admissions Committee

Wow. Not sure where to begin. A pre-screen hold. And an attorney as the chair of the admissions committee. Ugh.

 

[Indioman]

I got that letter last year. They didn't interview anybody from the screener's alternate list last year.

 

[146233]

I wasn't counting on it. SIU is a little too rural for me. I only applied there because it's a state school.

 

[mastamark]

I wasn't counting on it. SIU is a little too rural for me. I only applied there because it's a state school.

Yeah they have a relatively unique admissions policy. I just interviewed there and I must say I am surprised at how different it is from other schools. Everyone that interviews is basically waitlisted until further notice. All in all great school, really laid back. Even if I do get the great "Accept when place available" letter I may not know if I am accepted until June(worst case). I still like the school and hope they give me a shot. The PBL curriculum seems awesome and they were among the first to implement it.

Zip. They have a MD/JD program there, JD instructors and staff have a big input on the admission practices. I wouldn't be shocked if there were even more JDs or MD/JDs on the committee.

Good Luck

 

[Indioman]

SIU is non-rolling admissions so they don't send the first acceptance letters until December. Last year, a friend of mine was placed on a "guaranteed waitlist" in October and accepted in the middle of December.

 

[mastamark]

SIU is non-rolling admissions so they don't send the first acceptance letters until December. Last year, a friend of mine was placed on a "guaranteed waitlist" in October and accepted in the middle of December.

Yeah they were telling us about that. But according to the staff there are no guarantees. If you get a AWPA letter you have a large chance of getting in either Dec, Jan, or Feb. They rank the students from 1-3 with 3 being the highest score. It kinda sucks because you can be ranked 2 with a fairly good shot of getting in in Dec, but since it is not rolling admissions, someone else can knock you off of your spot. This is what they told us. Last year approximately 15 people did not get in off of that list, and a few didn't know until June that they were accepted.🙁

 

[146233]

Sounds really top-notch. 👎

 

[cac08]

Sounds really top-notch. 👎

I still haven't heard ANYTHING since 6/26 when the emailed me to say that my application had been received. I've already marked that one as a rejection on my excel sheet....

 

[mastamark]

I still haven't heard ANYTHING since 6/26 when the emailed me to say that my application had been received. I've already marked that one as a rejection on my excel sheet....

Not so fast cac...you may not have heard anything because of the selection process. They only send secondaries to people getting interviews, and they do that when they are ready. With that in mind they only invite small groups once or twice a week. The first committee meeting after this months interviews are in about 2 weeks, right before that and afterwards they will get somemore people in. I have heard of someone getting a rejection already, so don't count yourself out yet.

 

[cac08]

I guess it's not a rejection, but I received the same Screeners Alternate letter in the mail today. I guess we'll see how that goes. I think I'll keep it marked as rejection on my excel sheet and not take it too personally.

 

[mastamark]

I guess it's not a rejection, but I received the same Screeners Alternate letter in the mail today. I guess we'll see how that goes. I think I'll keep it marked as rejection on my excel sheet and not take it too personally.

I know they only hand out so many interviews/secondaries at a time. It's non-rolling admissions so if you get an invite later you still have as much of a chance as anyone else.

Good Luck.

 

[jaqjxdd]

im a bit confused about their process also. i got their secondary and have submitted already. In their email, they said that "upon file completion you will be invited for an interview in springfield". Does that mean I should expect an interview already or my file will still be screened..?? I submited the secondary last weekend so I am wondering if I should give the office a call.. hmm..

 

[jaqjxdd]

arite.. nvm about my last post. got their interview invite today.. =D.. i guess i was being too skeptical about this whole thing....

 

[mastamark]

arite.. nvm about my last post. got their interview invite today.. =D.. i guess i was being too skeptical about this whole thing....

Good Luck down there. You are going to love it.

 

[premedsoldja]

i got a secondary from them 2 days ago and just submitted it. BUT, in the email they didnt mention anyhting about a guaranteed interview, nor did they even imply it. This is verbatim from the email:

"It is recommended that you submit your application within fifteen (15) days. All required materials, however, must be in your file by February 1. Upon file completion you will be considered for personal interviews in Springfield."

So i guess this means that an interview is not guaranteed? I am applying as an Illinois resident but of North Chicago, nothing to the central and southern illinois applicants that they want.

Does anyone know if i should count on an interview? I also didn't mention anything about practicing in rural illinois if accepted, but i heavily stressed primary care. (I could've bs'ed an essay about desire to practice in rural IL but lets be serious, who the hell would ever want such a thing)

I appreciate any advice...

 

[Indioman]

i got a secondary from them 2 days ago and just submitted it. BUT, in the email they didnt mention anyhting about a guaranteed interview, nor did they even imply it. This is verbatim from the email:

"It is recommended that you submit your application within fifteen (15) days. All required materials, however, must be in your file by February 1. Upon file completion you will be considered for personal interviews in Springfield."

So i guess this means that an interview is not guaranteed? I am applying as an Illinois resident but of North Chicago, nothing to the central and southern illinois applicants that they want.

Does anyone know if i should count on an interview? I also didn't mention anything about practicing in rural illinois if accepted, but i heavily stressed primary care. (I could've bs'ed an essay about desire to practice in rural IL but lets be serious, who the hell would ever want such a thing)

I appreciate any advice...

I also got the secondary from SIU 2 days ago. I talked to the director of admissions and he said unless the adcom sees something wrong on the secondary you will be granted an interview.

 

[Musashi450]

Hey all,
I'm currently an MSII at SIU. I remember two years ago being glued to this board and being in your position. If you have any questions about the school or the class (and seriously I mean ANYquestion; I'm actually A STUDENT, and don't have any place on the adcom) then feel free to ask away. I remember how much hell the application process is and feel a responsibility to help out in anyway I can to relieve the stress.

 

[premedsoldja]

For the people that have already gotten an interview (I haven't gotten one but I'm hoping to...), were any of you not from central/southern or rural Illinois? I'm from North Chicago, which is barely an hour from the city, clearly not any sort of rural town.

Also, when you guys interviewed, did they ask whether you were planning on moving back to central/southern illinois after completing residency or not?
i'm just curious...

 

[Savantrice]

I received an interview invite (its in 3wks) and I'm an Illinois resident. I live in a south suburb of Chicago(about an hour south). not exactly rural....i think i mentioned wanting to eventually practice in an underserved urban environment (which I do)...

 

[jaqjxdd]

Good Luck down there. You are going to love it.

Hey thanks! I interview there on the 16th..

Someone told me that I could find a list of interview questions that each school asked on SDN, but I haven't seen any yet. Are you aware of that? and how did your interview go?

 

[jaqjxdd]

Hey all,
I'm currently an MSII at SIU. I remember two years ago being glued to this board and being in your position. If you have any questions about the school or the class (and seriously I mean ANYquestion; I'm actually A STUDENT, and don't have any place on the adcom) then feel free to ask away. I remember how much hell the application process is and feel a responsibility to help out in anyway I can to relieve the stress.

wow awsome.. i was just looking for someone like you.. hehe 😍

a side question.. how's the asian student community there? I looked in MSAR and seems like there is like next to none.. ><!!

 

[Musashi450]

hey everyone, I'm still around! Sorry jaqjxdd for not seeing the post on the forum before the PM!

 

[Wustl]

any idea on how long it takes to hear from SIU after they meet on your file? They told us that we would be reviewed on the 16th of October (Next Tuesday!), so I'm hopeful to hear by the end of next week!

 

[Musashi450]

I'm trying to recall from when I went through it. I'm guessing Oct. 16th is the first of their big admissions meetings they have? I wanna say that I heard a couple days afterwards (like in a week) maybe even sooner but dont quote me on that. Obviously in central illinois, you'll receive it about a day quicker. I just remember them being very good about that.

 

[Caesar]

I'm trying to recall from when I went through it. I'm guessing Oct. 16th is the first of their big admissions meetings they have? I wanna say that I heard a couple days afterwards (like in a week) maybe even sooner but dont quote me on that. Obviously in central illinois, you'll receive it about a day quicker. I just remember them being very good about that.

Hey Musashi, I tried replying to your message and it says you cant receive any? I just wanted to thank you again, and again, and again. 🙂

 

[Musashi450]

huh, don't know why that was?! do me a favor and send me another one at some point this weekend so I can see if I fixed it.

 

[mastamark]

I'm trying to recall from when I went through it. I'm guessing Oct. 16th is the first of their big admissions meetings they have? I wanna say that I heard a couple days afterwards (like in a week) maybe even sooner but dont quote me on that. Obviously in central illinois, you'll receive it about a day quicker. I just remember them being very good about that.

The first big committee meeting was on Sept 25th. I was supposed to be in that group (Int on 9/7) but something happened so they pushed me back until next tuesday(was told nothing on my part was wrong). I called down there and they said I should hear something by Fri. Oct. 19th. So I am guessing it is the same for everyone who interviewed last time.

 

[jaqjxdd]

The first big committee meeting was on Sept 25th. I was supposed to be in that group (Int on 9/7) but something happened so they pushed me back until next tuesday(was told nothing on my part was wrong). I called down there and they said I should hear something by Fri. Oct. 19th. So I am guessing it is the same for everyone who interviewed last time.

Oman I wish I knew this earlier then I could've scheduled my interview before the 16th. wonder if they will still look at my file on the 16th..hmm... if they meet in the afternoon n i interview there in the morning.. (wishful thinkin lol).. nway.. didn't someone say no one will really find out if they were admitted until december? 😕

btw, thank you so much for the info on the school musashi~!!!!!!

 

[mastamark]

Oman I wish I knew this earlier then I could've scheduled my interview before the 16th. wonder if they will still look at my file on the 16th..hmm... if they meet in the afternoon n i interview there in the morning.. (wishful thinkin lol).. nway.. didn't someone say no one will really find out if they were admitted until december? 😕

btw, thank you so much for the info on the school musashi~!!!!!!

Yeah they don't hand out formal acceptances until december. It is non rolling so It will not hurt you, they will still get to you before december. As told to us at the interview they accept prospects in batches(20 I think) starting in december, then january, then february up to 72. They only accept 72 students total at which time other AWPA prospects are picked up as acceptees turn down the offer. They said 15 applicants that were AWPA last year did not make it in at all while some students got accepted as late as June.

 

[Wustl]

anyone hear anything from the meeting on 10/16 yet?

 

[jumpman1234]

just got the boot from SIU 😕...oh well, i probably wouldn't have gone there anyways...

 

[itstwelve]

hey everyone, I'm still around! Sorry jaqjxdd for not seeing the post on the forum before the PM!

Hi Musashi,

I was placed on the ranked alternate list a while back and I was wondering if there is any use writing update letters to them? After getting ranked on that list, is there any way of changing it (besides other applicants being added to the list and bumping you)?

Thanks so much for your help. 🙂

 

[Musashi450]

hello itstwelve,
I'm very sorry to hear that you got placed on the ranked alternate🙁 This is primarily speculation on my part but from what I understand I doubt it would help that much. I think its a great idea, and I know it can definitely help at institutions where you are waitlisted but the problem is that on the AWPA list their are even occasionally very few people that don't get picked. The point being that even if you did get moved up, you would likely be moved up to the bottom of the AWPA since that is also ranked. I will never say never 🙂confused🙂 but I think its very unlikely. Again it's all speculation on my part though and it will never hurt to do so if you truly do intent to honor your letter. Also, don't let this get you down on the process in general. I know several people in my class who didn't get in the first time around. Hopefully you have other schools but if your dead set on SIU and you make good use of your time in between, I promise you they will notice. In fact I think I remember when I was applying that although their is always a shift toward the median grade in MCAT the 2nd time around (which is either an increase or decrease depending on your initial score), their is an increase in acceptance rate the 2nd time around (when I applied it was like 50-->~75%!) I haven't looked at the most recent data so someone may need to correct me if I'm way off on that.

 

[NEATOMD]

Sounds really top-notch. 👎

Your attitude might have something to do with your status. I'm not trying to be offensive, but Mr. Silverman and his crew are pretty good at reading whether or not people are going to be good candidates for SIU and after reading the few comments on this page, it's pretty safe to say they made a good decision.

 

[shiftingmirage]

I was once a screeners alternate and am now a reject. I do love SIU's rejection letter though:

the admissions Committee has finished evaluating your application for the 2008 entering year. Your application has been denied.

Signed....some person

I'm glad they sugar coat things.........

I actually had interest in their school, but oh well.