The Official UC Irvine Countdown Thread

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I called the office and was told that I'm on hold. <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" />
The lady said they would have more applications to look at.
I was interviewed on 04/04, by the way.
 
Keep your chins up, Cali and LHP. This awful game isn't over yet, and your chances are still great. Do you know if UCI ranks the waitlist? And what's with "hold"? What a weird way to do things. Anyway, try to have yourselves a good weekend, and remember (you prolly want to slap me now) that at least you got to interview... many well-qualified candidates don't even get that far... :wink:
 
I had a relaxing weekend and did not worry about the UC Irvine College of Medicine (UCI-COM); however, my fingers and toes have been crossed for a 72-hour period now!

To answer some questions that have been posted, the UCI-COM uses an unranked waitlist in order to maintain, as Gayle Pierce explains, "...the integrity of the class as accepted students withdraw." As someone mentioned ealier in the thread, there is a great deal of movement here at the UCI-COM.

Anyway, good luck to all. I know things will work out for many of us.
 
I was going to head over to Medical Education Building 802 to find out from Gayle what is the status of my application. Are there any questions you want me to ask in regards to the alternate list and the "hold" category? Let me know as soon as possible.
 
California...I guess a real general question would be when they would start plucking from the waitlist. I know the May 15th date is coming up, but realistically how soon afterwards to they expect movement.

Thanks!
 
I just spoke to Gayle Pierce. She informed me that decisions have been made on those who interviewed on April 25, 2002, and they would become available to her beginning tomorrow. Those decisions, however, will not be relased until later in the week at which time I can come by her office to find out my fate.

I am sorry but I did not get a chance to speak with Gayle about the alternate list because she only had a few minutes to talk to me. I will ask her your questions when I come by her office later in the week. If I am placed on the alternative list, then I will have a lot of information to report to you (seeing as I will be in a better position to ask Gayle questions about that part of the Admissions process)!

As always, good luck to everyone who is still waiting! Oh, one last question, did anyone receive a phone call from Dr. Peterson over the weekend informing them that they were accepted? Do most people receive a phone call if they are accepted? (I recall that McEntrye received no such call.) Thanks in advance for your helpful information.
 
I just received an e-mail from the UC Irvine College of Medicine informing me that I was placed on the "Alternate List." This news comes as a HUGE disappointment and leaves me VERY sad. Although I feel fortunate to have a place to go come August, I also feel like a failure. I tried my best to earn a spot in a UC school, but I just was not good enough.

I hope others who are waiting have good news to report. Best of luck. I guess I'm off to NUMS in Chicago.
 
california: i wish you the best of luck on getting off the waitlist. btw: where will you be going if you don't get in?
 
I do not like to vent or complain, but I feel I really have to in this case. I feel kind of cheated by the UC Irvine College of Medicine Admissions Committee. I was invited to interview on the last possible day, April 25, 2002, even though I submitted my supplementary application at the end of October. I felt like I had a real chance on my interview day, but now I think I was just interviewing for an "Alternate List" position. The Admissions Committee sort of "teased" me. However, maybe I just wasn't good enough. I guess that is the more likely explanation...I need to blame myself for my predicament. I could have scored better on the MCAT or got a higher GPA or tried to publish a paper. Gosh darn!

I guess I feel a little bit better now since I have vented. I hope you understand my frustration. I also realize I AM very, very lucky to, at least, be going to medical school.
 
California, I wish I could trade my UCSD spot for your Northwestern's :wink: Though seriously, you are going to a great med school in Northwestern, as good or surpassing some UCs albeit with a hefty price.
 
Hans Solo, thank you so much for your kind words. I am fortunate to be going to NUMS, but I'm nervous about being so far away from my loved ones. Like you said, the price is a little hefty, too.

Congratulations to you for earning a well deserved spot at UCSD. I wish you the VERY best! Thanks again for your support.

CityIvy, I also want to thank you for your encouraging words. I hope a spot opens up for you at MCP Hahnemann. I'm pulling for you!
 
Hi California,
I interviewed on 04/04 and i haven't received the alternate list email yet. I called the office last week and was told that I was on hold.
Has anyone been rejected outright after interview at UCI yet? I don't hope i would be the first one. Did you go to UCI as an undergrad?
I'm going to walk over the admissions office tomorrow. Anyone wants me to clear any confusion.
 
hans solo, are you picking ucsd over uci? is anyone, and if so, could you shed light on your reasoning? at this point i keep hearing that uci has happier students, and better clinical preparation, and still allows you to be a whole person; ucsd has reputation, $, research opportunities, but less happy students and less responsive faculty. thoughts would be most appreciated!
 
LHP, I went to school at UC Berkeley, but in my year off between college and medical school I have been working in a cancer laboratory here at UC Irvine.

I'm not quite sure how to exactly interpret your "hold" status, but you are definitely not the only one here in that category. Jefe is another and I think he would be a great person for you to talk to (i.e., PM). I would think that being placed on "hold" isn't so bad at this stage in the game because there is still a chance you will be accepted or placed in the "Alternate List." Also, you may have been placed on "hold" because they want to accept you, but do not have a position yet. That's one hypothesis, at least.

By the way, no one who interviews at UC Irvine is rejected post-interview until late in the summer and that is if you are not taken from the "Alternate List."

Best of luck to you and everyone else who is waiting.
 
When I got the email in June saying that I was on hold, it said that my file would be reviewed again in June for a place on the alternate list. The email made it sound as if there was no chance of getting an acceptance until mid-summer, and not without going through the alternate list first. I was pretty disappointed with this, especially since I interviewed on the very first day and didn't see how they could put me off for so long not knowing how any future interviewees would stack up. But, it seems that there is some hope for those of us on hold, at least if Kazzar is any indicator. He interviewed the same day as me, got put on hold the same day as me, and got accepted directly off hold a few weeks ago. So it seems as if they have started to look at the hold files, and (at least a few weeks ago) it is possible to be accepted without going to the alternate list. However, I don't know how many hold files have been reviewed yet, and I don't know if all possible acceptances have already been given out (i.e., it will only be possible to go to alternate list from now on). The whole hold category is pretty vague, and I don't think anyone here is a definitive source for information on what your chances of acceptance are from it.

I've been meaning to talk to Gayle about what actions have been taken on hold files, but haven't gotten around to it. So if anyone else sees her soon, throw in a question for us holdees too, will you? 🙂
 
Well I definitely need some clarification. My interviewers at UCI told me that everyone that interviewed was waitlisted. However, when I called UCI several weeks ago they told me that my file was on hold and that I could call back in June to find out whether or not I am on the high or low waitlist. Then all of a sudden today I got an email that said I am on the alternate list.
I guess the question I have is, has my position really changed any going from the hold category to the alternate category considering they said everyone is put on the waitlist in the first place. I must say this is confusing. As I have mentioned in a few threads, I am most likely giving up an acceptance to Tufts MD/MBA program in hopes of getting into UCI with my backup school being Chicago Med. I have to give up Tufts because they start at the end of May and my status won't change much until June. If anyone can shine a light on UCI's system it would be very helpful for all of us.
 
Alternate and hold are both the same as waitlist...if it can be a synonym for waitlist, it probably is.
 
I want to point out something I have noticed about the Admissions Process at the UC Irvine College of Medicine. It seems no one has been accepted since the "Kazaar and McEntyre" batch. So, as Aria reported in one of the earlier posts in this thread, the class may already be full. This makes me feel a little better because, perhaps, some of us who were recently placed in the "Acceptable Pool" are qualified and will be granted admission come June once those who have already received acceptances withdraw their applications in favor of another school. By the way, please post if I am incorrect and/or you have been granted an acceptance within the last two weeks.

Also, Nray, you need to contact Gayle Pierce as soon as possible to find out your position on the "Alternate List." Your situation is unique, especially since Tufts MD/MBA program begins in late May. I promise you Gayle will help you out. I think she would be able to let you know whether it is a good idea to withdraw from Tufts in the hopes of an admission to the UC Irvine College of Medicine. You don't want to be forced to attend Chicago Med, especially since you have the opportunity to attend Tufts, which is a GREAT school. (Unfortunately, Chicago Med starts relatively early as well. However, by the time it begins, you will definitely know how you stand on the UC Irvine "Alternate List.") Again, please contact Gayle. She will help you. I know it.
 
I wouldnt worry too much about getting in UCI if I were you, California. I know you will get in UCI because like most UCs UCI will in most likelihood accept 50% of its interviewees. That's a pretty good percentage there. Plus UCI is not the most sought-after school for some high calibre candidates, so chances are you have a good to excellent shot at acceptance :wink:
 
Hans Solo, I really understand what you are saying, but it's hard for me right now to be confident about my chances. Thanks again for the encouragement. 🙂
 
I just changed my name. Hope this will bring good luck for me with any UC. 😀 .
There's always hope, guys. As Kazzar mentioned, there were about 30-40 acceptees at the revisit weekend. So, I guess UCI has just given out about 100 acceptances (again it's a guess). Most of the revisitors seemed to enjoy UCI alot. So, I guess there are about 50 more spots at UCI. (a guess too).
Did you guys also interview at UCSD and UCD?
Waiting sucks. I checked my e-mail every 5 minutes today to see whether I received an alternate list e-mail from UCI. Nothing. Dammittt!
 
Let me get this straight, does everyone get on the alternate list then. also can someone clear something up for me. UCI interviews 400 people and based on US News they accept about 200. so generally does that mean they have accepted a good number of people say 180 and maybe only 20 are pulled off the waitlist? For some reaason I thought that by March 29 they handed otu enough acceptances to fill their class and then the rest came off the waitlist. But if the scenario is that they have offered 180 acceptances and only pull a small fraction off the waitlist then I probably should go with one of the acceptances that I already have. Anyone that can offer some insight would be of great help.
 
Yeah I would just like to summarize my thoughts and what I have heard (first and second-hand accounts) on waitlists and "on hold":

Hold: Means that you aren't a superstar (outright acceptance), but there is a good chance you could be accepted soon. Since UCI does not reject anybody until school starts, everybody who is interviewed is either on the waitlist or on hold.

Waitlist: I do not think UCI has composed their waitlist yet (it is ranked I believe), but they have put people on their alternative list.

Alternative List: People on this will definitely not be accepted until UCI makes their waitlist sometime in June. When the waitlist starts to move after the May 15 shuffle, these people will start getting acceptances.

My advice: If you are on hold, you will be first to get a spot if people turn down their UCI acceptances in the next few weeks before UCI makes it waitlist.

I hope to see all you UCI enthusiasts in the fall! Best o' luck! I have my fingers crossed for all of you.
 
nray, I think UCI has only accepted 107 or so applicants. That means there is about 100 acceptances coming up, according to last year's statistics. If I am reporting old information (I got this info April 29 or so), sorry.
 
Kazzar, you are the man. :clap: . Gracias.
Which professor are you doing research with?
You just gave me hope. I'm still on hold. So, they will consider me before setting up the waitlist.
C'on, UCI, I love you too much. <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" />
 
My feelings are the same Kazzar...I think people who've been put on hold were "borderline" acceptees, but at the last minute were not granted an acceptance and placed on the alternate list. People who were first put on hold and later placed on the alternate list will probably be placed high on the waitlist. This is just my theory - I'm crossing my fingers I'm not proven wrong! <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" />
 
UC-Lover: Yeah, from my personal experience, being on "Hold" status is a really good thing. I would expect you and El Jefe to get something soon. However, in the unfortunate event that you get placed on the alternate list, there is still a lot of movement coming up in the next 2 to 3 months. It'll be nail bitting, but don't give up hope!

I did research with Dr. Linda Nelson in the department of Neurology at the UCI Medical Center. She works on neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, Down syndrome, epilepsy, stroke, MS, etc.

If people think the center is old and falling apart... they are right! However, UCI got $300 million (correct me if I got that number wrong) to build a new medical center across the street from the old medical center, but they need to raise an additional $300 million to construct the massive building. I just hope I might be able to do a residency there in 4 years. It'll be the most advanced, cutting-edge hospital in OC, maybe all of so cal.

I also work with Dr. Steven Potkin at the UCI Brain Imaging center in the college of medicine. He does research primarily on schizophrenia and alzheimer's.
 
aesculapian, yeah I think your theory is right. If you try to think like the ADCOMs, which are more predictable at this point, they would likely only place applicants who they think are pretty good "on hold." If these people are reviewed again and put on the alternative list, I agree that they would be placed high upon it.

If, for some reason, they didn't like you, you would get an alternate list assignment right away. That makes their decisions easier for those they are unsure about. They try to make it easy on themselves as much as possible.

It's just that UCI was so vague with their "on hold for alternate list email." I guess they didn't want you to be too optimistic. I found that most schools would rather make you depressed than give you false hope. Bastards...
 
Kazzar this information is very helpful.

Would you suggest that my situation has improved by going from hold to alternative list? or worsened?

And does this mean those on the alternative list stand a higher likelihood of acceptance than those that have not heard yet or receieved this email.
 
nray, with what I know, I am not sure about your situation. I know there are plenty of acceptances just aching to be sent out. It's barely May 15... it's time for the waitlists to begin rolling. Although, knowing how slow UCI has been this year, my money is on a late June date for the posting of the ranked waitlist. So you are in for a 1.5-2.5 month wait to even know what you spot is. There is, however, always a chance that you get a spot before the waitlist is created. Let's just hope the Ivy-wannabes turn down their acceptances to UCI soon.
 
To all waitlisted/held/alternates etc,

I would try and relax a little more, especially you, California. Many people at the revisit weekend had been accepted after being placed upon the waitlist for a couple of weeks. I myself recieved the 'alternate list' email around the end of march, and i was pretty bummed. Then i got in around the third week of april. So hope is not lost.

On the other hand, you should be prepared for the possibility that some of you will not get in, and you should make other plans. I'm sure that, given the calibre of Irvine students, you ALL have at least one other acceptance. You should think about that other place, and mentally prepare for the possibility that you will be there in september. This means getting psyched up that you will finally be a doctor, no matter where you go.

I wish you all good luck, and you can PM me if you have specific concerns.
 
In my humble opinion, there is no "real" difference between those on "hold" and those on the "Alternate List." I can almost guarantee you that both categories of peole will be evaluated before more acceptances are given out. This was the case for the last batch of acceptances, where applicants who were either placed on "hold" or on the "Alternate List" received acceptances. The best thing to do is to forget about the Admissions Process here at UC Irvine for some time and concentrate on the schools you have been accepted to. As McEntyre said, psyche yourself up about actually having the opportunity to become a doctor.
 
Ok I just talked to an admissions staff member. I am a bit peeved. I have been trying to get a hold of Gayle Pierce for over three weeks and have had no luck whatsoever. On a repeated basis I have been told that she is gone for the next two weeks, at the same token California got a hold of her the other day. What gives here?

I am in a position where i need to make a decision by today about Tufts because it starts in a week and half!!!

The only information I got was that not everyone makes it to the alternate list which contradicts what they told us at our interviews. Apparently they don't reject everybody, but everybody does not make it to the alternate list. In June, we will be told whether or not we are high or low on this list. June is too late for me, so I am caught in a bind.
 
Nray, if you cannot contact Gayle Pierce, then you must contact Peggy Harvey-Lee, who is the Director of Outreach. She will also be able to help you. Do it now!

The person who is probably answering the phone is Barbara Tagadur. She is sometimes helpful and sometimes not so helpful. Tell her you need to talk to the Director of Admissions or the Director of Outreach TODAY. Gayle is definitely around, but Barbara may have been told to tell everyone on the phone she is not due to the volume of phone calls. (This seems odd because Gayle was on the phone talking to an accepted applicant when I came to see her in-person.) Good luck! I really wish there is something more I could do to help you!

On a different note, I am taking the advice of many people who have posted here: I am going to try to relax more. With that said, I'm not going to visit this website until June 1, 2002. This will help me forget about UC Irvine and concentrate on the school I have been accepted to! Take care everyone! I'll talk to all of you in two weeks.
 
Oh no, california. Come back! We miss you here!
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by California:
•Nray, if you cannot contact Gayle Pierce, then you must contact Peggy Harvey-Lee, who is the Director of Outreach. She will also be able to help you. Do it now!

The person who is probably answering the phone is Barbara Tagadur. She is sometimes helpful and sometimes not so helpful. Tell her you need to talk to the Director of Admissions or the Director of Outreach TODAY. Gayle is definitely around, but Barbara may have been told to tell everyone on the phone she is not due to the volume of phone calls. (This seems odd because Gayle was on the phone talking to an accepted applicant when I came to see her in-person.) Good luck! I really wish there is something more I could do to help you!

On a different note, I am taking the advice of many people who have posted here: I am going to try to relax more. With that said, I'm not going to visit this website until June 1, 2002. This will help me forget about UC Irvine and concentrate on the school I have been accepted to! Take care everyone! I'll talk to all of you in two weeks.•••••Hey WEASEL!

I forbid you to REST until you reach 1,000 posts!
 
May 16, 2002

You have been selected as an alternate for the Fall 2002 first year entering
class at UCI College of Medicine. Classes begin September 3, 2002, with
registration and orientation scheduled for August 28, 29, and 30, 2002. You
may be accepted for matriculation at any time from now until September 3,
2002, or you may not be selected for admission because there is a lack of
available positions in the class.

While we respect your need for additional information, we are unable to
provide further details regarding your individual status at this time.
Additional information will be available to you in June.

Please notify the Office of Admissions and Outreach at [email protected] if
you no longer wish to be considered for a position in the Fall 2002 entering
class or if there are any changes in your address, e-mail address, or
telephone number(s).

Sincerely,

Office of Admissions and Outreach


I got this today guys. Man, it broke my fragile heart badly. 🙁
May 15th was just yesterday. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />
 
What!? There is still hope! I don't think they are giving out many acceptances soon. Movement will not happen for at least a couple of weeks. Keep your head up... :wink:
 
so sorry UC-Lover! 🙁 That's tough1 I know it's hard to do, but do try to remember that it's definately not over!
 
Hope for everyone! Dr. Peterson called me last night and I'm in! That means the waitlist is moving and May 15 is on our side...good luck everyone, and I'll see you at Irvine in the fall!
Thanks for all your support and information- you made it easier!
 
Congrats aria!! :clap: :clap: That's awesome!
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by aria111:
•Hope for everyone! Dr. Peterson called me last night and I'm in! That means the waitlist is moving and May 15 is on our side...good luck everyone, and I'll see you at Irvine in the fall!
Thanks for all your support and information- you made it easier!•••••Congrats aria...but that avatar is very disturbing to me 🙂
 
that is awsome Aria! are you the salsa instructor? i remember reading that somewhere, i think i interviewed on the same day you did...
 
ARIA!

MANY MANY congrats! OOOOOOOOOOOOO

So happy for you!
 
Thanks for changing it aria 🙂

But what's up with your homepage?? 🙂

It's just a bird!!

Is that yOU!??!
 
That's my baby, Scooby! I don't have any pictures of myself on the computer, so I put my bird up instead...eh, what else can I say?
 
Congrats!! Aria111. :clap: :clap: :clap:
Are you going to attend UCI definitely?
When was your interview? And when did you get on the alternate list? if you don't mind
 
UC-Lover- I'm definitely attending UCI. I loved it and my only other choice is U. Miami, which is tooo expensive.
Anyhoo, I interviewed on Feb 21, got put on the alternate list March 28 ( 🙁 ), sent a letter of intent to Dr. Peterson May 7, and received an acceptance ( :clap: ) May 16...I think the letter must have helped :wink: !
Good luck!
 
Finally, SDN is running back on again.
Something very strange happened to me regarding UCI, guys. And I need some demystification. Around 4:00-5:00pm today, while I was working, I left my cell phone in my car. There was a missed call from UCI (I'm very positive). The number was (949) 824-2344. (that's UCI right?).
I tried to call back around 5:45pm, but nobody answered the phone. I checked the extension in the UCI phonebook directory, but I couldn't find it.
Is it a phone call from Dr.Peterson by any chance??? My heart really wants to tell me that it is true. <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" />
But my mind says no way. I just received the alternate list e-mail yesterday. 😕
All I can do now is praying and waiting until Monday to call that number again.
 
Finally, SDN is running back on again.
Something very strange happened to me regarding UCI, guys. And I need some demystification. Around 4:00-5:00pm today, while I was working, I left my cell phone in my car. There was a missed call from UCI (I'm very positive). The number was (949) 824-2344. (that's UCI right?).
I tried to call back around 5:45pm, but nobody answered the phone. I checked the extension in the UCI phonebook directory, but I couldn't find it.
Is it a phone call from Dr.Peterson by any chance??? My heart really wants to tell me that it is true. <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" />
But my mind says no way. I just received the alternate list e-mail yesterday. 😕
All I can do now is praying and waiting until Monday to call that number again.
 
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