UIC Accepted and they want higher MCAT?

[DoctorC]

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I just received my acceptance to UIC and they want me to take the MCAT over again and receive a composite score of 8? What exactly does that mean? I scored way higher than an 8 on the MCAT. They also want me to attend a summer program for 6 weeks that starts in June eventhough I don't graduate until mid-june? What the hell is up with this?

 

[medicomel]

I just received my acceptance to UIC and they want me to take the MCAT over again and receive a composite score of 8? What exactly does that mean? I scored way higher than an 8 on the MCAT. They also want me to attend a summer program for 6 weeks that starts in June eventhough I don't graduate until mid-june? What the hell is up with this?

why don't you call them?

 

[Britt]

I just received my acceptance to UIC and they want me to take the MCAT over again and receive a composite score of 8? What exactly does that mean? I scored way higher than an 8 on the MCAT. They also want me to attend a summer program for 6 weeks that starts in June eventhough I don't graduate until mid-june? What the hell is up with this?

Congrats on your acceptance. By a composite score they're referring to an average of the 3 sections, meaning at least a 24 total. I'd say start cracking on those MCAT books right away.

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

I just received my acceptance to UIC and they want me to take the MCAT over again and receive a composite score of 8? What exactly does that mean? I scored way higher than an 8 on the MCAT. They also want me to attend a summer program for 6 weeks that starts in June eventhough I don't graduate until mid-june? What the hell is up with this?

what was your score? i just got their "thanks but no thanks letter" today and my composite score is 9.67..... 😕 wonder what their cut-off is.... 😕

 

[DoctorC]

I got a 23, but they were my last choice anyway. If anything, I rather just take it again and apply to better schools.

 

[Orth2006]

I just received my acceptance to UIC and they want me to take the MCAT over again and receive a composite score of 8? What exactly does that mean? I scored way higher than an 8 on the MCAT. They also want me to attend a summer program for 6 weeks that starts in June eventhough I don't graduate until mid-june? What the hell is up with this?

Thats the first time ive heard of acceptance contingent on re-taking MCAT. So wut happens if you don't get a composite score of 8 - do they withdraw the acceptance? I would call and speak with someone on this one - its weird. Good luck

 

[DelMarSD]

I got a 23, but they were my last choice anyway. If anything, I rather just take it again and apply to better schools.

I think with a 23 you don't have much of a choice.

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

I think with a 23 you didn't have much of a.....chance.

they sure did not care for a 29 😛

 

[DoctorC]

I think with a 23 you didn't have much of a choice or chance. I'm very skeptical that they would accept you on the assumption that you will get a significantly higher score next time.

I am not sure what you are saying...but I did get in and they just want to score a point higher.

Instead, I rather take it again and reapply everywhere...even if I just go up 4-5 points.

 

[DrBowtie]

I am not sure what you are saying...but I did get in and they just want to score a point higher.

Instead, I rather take it again and reapply everywhere...even if I just go up 4-5 points.

Then you would have to explain why you turned down an acceptance. 👎

 

[DoctorC]

I am taking 20 units, and a full work load, right now and if I have to all of the sudden start studying for the April MCAT then it will be a big burden.

On top of that I have to graduate in mid-late June, after this summer program starts. I was also planning on finishing some last minute classes.

I talked to my advisor and he said not to worry, I have five other interviews at schools that are more highly ranked than UIC so hopefully I will get into one of those.

 

[jebus]

I think with a 23 you didn't have much of a choice or chance. I'm very skeptical that they would accept you on the assumption that you will get a significantly higher score next time.

Dood, look up his history. That 23 is rocking the **** out of my 36. He's had interviews at CWRU, UC davis, UCSF.... some serious heavy hitting ****.
He's clearly got a lot going for him aside from his MCAT scores. I wouldn't turn down that acceptance - UIC seems like a great place - but he's seen a lot of good schools so I'm sure he knows what he wants.

 

[DoctorC]

Dood, look up his history. That 23 is rocking the **** out of my 36. He's had interviews at CWRU, UC davis, UCSF.... some serious heavy hitting ****.
He's clearly got a lot going for him aside from his MCAT scores. I wouldn't turn down that acceptance - UIC seems like a great place - but he's seen a lot of good schools so I'm sure he knows what he wants.

Dude, I really appreciate those words. Everyone on here can be so negative sometimes. Well, off to class...can't wait to see how it looks when I get back.

 

[DelMarSD]

Dood, look up his history. That 23 is rocking the **** out of my 36. He's had interviews at CWRU, UC davis, UCSF.... some serious heavy hitting ****.
He's clearly got a lot going for him aside from his MCAT scores. I wouldn't turn down that acceptance - UIC seems like a great place - but he's seen a lot of good schools so I'm sure he knows what he wants.

There is a reason for the negativity. Don't come on a forum and proclaim that you're better than a school who has given you an acceptace, when there are plenty of others who would kill for that acceptance, like the "dood" on a dinosaur.

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

Don't come on a forum and proclaim that you're better than a school who has given you an acceptace, when there are plenty of others who would kill for that acceptance, like the "dood" on a dinosaur.

Yes, I think people tend to forget about those who are struggling through this whole process and would give their I teeth for an acceptance that others might pass over.

 

[jebus]

Yes, I think people tend to forget about those who are struggling through this whole process and would give their I teeth for an acceptance that others might pass over.

Timmy, I agree with you, you're filled with a lot of common sense answers. I would give my pinky toes (both of them! And they're the cutest ones!) for an acceptance. Anywhere. But you've been around pre-meds. You're used to this attitude. I am too. It's so easy not to care about it anymore. I'm not saying I agree with it (or try to practice it) but I'm just so desensitized to it that it's like Wiley E. Coyote-type violence now. I expect it but I know that it's not going to have any effect on me. Or the Roadrunner.
Beep Beep!

 

[DelMarSD]

I'm all for supporting those who have the passion of becoming a physician, but you really have to leave your ego somewhere else. Its not about whose is a better applicant or which school is better, they are all relative. What matters in the end is what kind of doctor you are. Good luck to all of you.

 

[Flopotomist]

interview at UCSF with a 23 MCAT??? WHAT?

 

[NapeSpikes]

Instead, I rather take it again and reapply everywhere...even if I just go up 4-5 points.

JUST go up 4-5 points? No easy feat, unless you misbubbled or didn't study, etc. Keep the acceptance.

 

[DrBowtie]

interview at UCSF with a 23 MCAT??? WHAT?

Is there an elephant in the room that no one is talking about?

 

[The Madden Bus]

Is there an elephant in the room that no one is talking about?

No, but I just stopped a Rhino from Charging.

 

[Flopotomist]

Is there an elephant in the room that no one is talking about?

DAMN...THAT... ELEPHANT!!! OK, I have to remind myself that I support the overall aims of THAT ELEPHANT and even though I am PERSONALLY jealous in this particular instance, the overall situation is still OK... Deep Breaths... Deep Breaths.

 

[DoctorC]

I am back... I am not swinging and hitting air with those interviews. If you care to know, I was an August MCAter and just recently interviewed at UCSF on tuesday and interviewed at UC Davis last month. Obviously neither school has handed out any acceptances to anybody from my group. I still have an interview at BU in two weeks, and CWRU has waitlisted me.

In terms of me thinking I am too good for UIC, I don't. I realize that getting an acceptance is extremely hard and feel very honored for getting a seat. However, as I mentioned before the circumstances I am in make it extremely difficult to take the April MCAT and devote study time to it.

In terms of raising my score 4-5 points. I am confident that I can, I had a situation come up around MCAT time that I explained thoroughly to my interviewers and they seemed to agree that it was difficult, one even shed a tear.

 

[NapeSpikes]

Hail the elephant. Sometimes.

But I'm not sure there is one in this case.

 

[riceman04]

interview at UCSF with a 23 MCAT??? WHAT?

yeah that's the same thing I am saying! What kind of connections do you have?

Do you have a perfect GPA or something + connections?

 

[DoctorC]

yeah that's the same thing I am saying! What kind of connections do you have?

Do you have a perfect GPA or something + connections?

No, I had about a 3.5. However, I had a dramatic situation in my sophomore year that affected my schooling. I have my profile on www.mdapplicants.com I think it's profile 04315 or something like that.

 

[Jaykms]

I think we may have an elephant on our hands.

 

[DoctorC]

I think we may have an elephant on our hands.

What is up with this elephant joke?

 

[Jaykms]

What is up with this elephant joke?

Sorry, I missed the part about the dramatic situation you had. I take back the joke.

 

[DelMarSD]

No matter what, good luck.

 

[NapeSpikes]

Why assume the elephant? None of us knows the OP. Maybe he/she has some crazy EC.

 

[DrBowtie]

Why assume the elephant? None of us knows the OP. Maybe he/she has some crazy EC.

Exactly. There had to be something HUGE that we didn't know about be it EC or other factors.

 

[dabigv13]

http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=4315

I'm still confused about this acceptance from UIC- will they not take you if you don't raise your MCAT? Or do they just want you to for the hell of it?

In any case, if you only get in to one place this year, you really ought to just go to that place. No guarantees you'll get in the second time around, or raise your MCAT the way you want to. A doctor is a doctor whether he graduated from UCSF or UIC. Though I'd certainly rather live in SF for 4 years than Chicago.

 

[Beau Geste]

Exactly. There had to be something HUGE that we didn't know about be it EC or other factors.

I'm a little confused how someone from California with a 23 got into UIC! Hmmmm......

 

[bubbleyum]

poor doctorC... r u new to the forum?
u have no idea what you have gotten yourself into now... haha.

either way, congratulations on the acceptance.

 

[USArmyDoc]

Yes, I think people tend to forget about those who are struggling through this whole process and would give their I teeth for an acceptance that others might pass over.

👍 👍

 

[ixitixl]

I'm a little confused how someone from California with a 23 got into UIC! Hmmmm......

UIC is big on minorities. I was bitter at first but some of these not-so-great performers on the MCAT have been outstanding in clinics. There's more to medicine than just numbers.

 

[Beau Geste]

UIC is big on minorities. I was bitter at first but some of these not-so-great performers on the MCAT have been outstanding in clinics. There's more to medicine than just numbers.

I understand, but it's a little frustrating when the state schools do that, especially the state I live in and pay taxes in (and want to go to med school in). Oh well.

 

[ixitixl]

I understand, but it's a little frustrating when the state schools do that, especially the state I live in and pay taxes in (and want to go to med school in). Oh well.

I see where you're coming from. The system is far from perfect. There are definitely minorities who worked extremely and really do deserve the extra boost. Unfortunately, there are also minorities who are 3rd generation Ivy League graduates from families with a 7 digit income. It's really the latter group that drives me up the wall.

 

[Beau Geste]

I see where you're coming from. The system is far from perfect. There are definitely minorities who worked extremely and really do deserve the extra boost. Unfortunately, there are also minorities who are 3rd generation Ivy League graduates from families with a 7 digit income. It's really the latter group that drives me up the wall.

Of course, it won't bother me at all if I get in when I apply next year .

 

[firebody]

i know someone at UCSF who is close to graduating that failed out of undergrad once. he's not shy about letting others know that schools like UCSF sometimes really do take a harder look at some applicants that lack 'numbers' if they show other intangibles.

 

[Ubadub]

I see where you're coming from. The system is far from perfect. There are definitely minorities who worked extremely and really do deserve the extra boost. Unfortunately, there are also minorities who are 3rd generation Ivy League graduates from families with a 7 digit income. It's really the latter group that drives me up the wall.

I agree with affirmative action too. But yeah, sometimes it does go too far. And the conservatives have one point that resonates when it does. That's that it breeds assumptions that the URMs in your class are underqualified and there for diversity. That sucks for all those URMs that are qualified, or victim of their situation to understandably undermine their scores to a certain extent. Tough subject to broach honestly sometimes without sounding racist while articulating the legitimate opposition. But there's clearly an unspoken backlash to extreme affirmative action. Yet let me repeat my overall stance. As a whole, I trust med school committee's judgements on URMs. 23L on the MCAT does bat eyes though.

 

[UserNameNeeded]

I had a situation come up around MCAT time that I explained thoroughly to my interviewers and they seemed to agree that it was difficult, one even shed a tear.

I think I'm in the same boat as you. I mean, I don't have terrible stats, but nothing spectacular like most people. But I got tons of interviews and on every interview, that was open file, the interviews gushed about my essays and a good portion of them were telling me how refreshing it was to find a candidate not so cookie-cutter as the dozens they interview every week during the admissions cycle.

So I gotta know, since I'm just nosy, what was your reason for the MCAT trouble? I didn't study at all for it because my dad was in the hospital and succumbing to cancer. I took it anyway because I already paid the $200 and there's no way in hell I was going to not get *some* score to show for it.

But, it all worked out in the end. I was accepted to where I was destined to be and got some ego-boosting accolades along the way to counter the feelings of total dejection when so many people told me I couldn't and wouldn't even get interviews and not to apply until 2 years later. They're all fools.

You should do what feels right for you and I think, since you're okay with sitting out a year, that you should decline your acceptance and make it on your own terms. You'll get interviews again and you'll be even better next time. 😉

 

[Rafa]

If this turns into another AA thread, I'm throwing you all off a cliff.

 

[UserNameNeeded]

I understand, but it's a little frustrating when the state schools do that, especially the state I live in and pay taxes in (and want to go to med school in). Oh well.

And the "URM"s don't live in the state and don't pay taxes? Some people are so spoiled. I'm not an URM, but the low percentages of certain ethnic groups in medical school classes is alarming. It's not even near to the proportion of those ethnic group in the overall US population despite this hype about URMs.

At all my interviews I always noted how few "black" applicants there were. Out of 15 to 30 interviewees, if there was 1 black applicant, it was a shock. And it was the case in nearly every school (with a few exceptions). There is definitely something wrong.

And it's funny that nearly all of the interviewers were white. Haha.

 

[Beau Geste]

And the "URM"s don't live in the state and don't pay taxes? Some people are so spoiled. I'm not an URM, but the low percentages of certain ethnic groups in medical school classes is alarming. It's not even near to the proportion of those ethnic group in the overall US population despite this hype about URMs.

At all my interviews I always noted how few "black" applicants there were. Out of 15 to 30 interviewees, if there was 1 black applicant, it was a shock. And it was the case in nearly every school (with a few exceptions). There is definitely something wrong.

And it's funny that nearly all of the interviewers were white. Haha.

OK, whoa. I did not say ANYTHING about ethinicity being a factor. I was referring to in-state status only.

As an Illinois resident and UIC being an Illinois state school, it bothers me that students from other states get in. But, they do, so whatever. I don't sit on the adcom.

EDIT: I was specifically referring to the CA resident that got in with a 23. That is very strange - most out-of-staters usually have to have top stats, it even mentions that for most state schools across the country in the MSAR.

Seriously, do NOT turn something into a racial attack that CLEARLY wasn't.

After re-reading your reply to my post, I'm even more angry that you lashed out at me for a "racial" comment that I never made. If you have a chip on your shoulder about race relations and med school processes, direct it at the source or start a new thread, or at least read the posts carefully!

 

[UserNameNeeded]

Megboo, I wasn't directing that "spoiled" comment at you. Sorry if my comments were unclear. It was directed at people in general. I actually met many disgruntled white interviewees who were complaining about the URMs every other minute and I never really got to debate with them, since it wasn't the time. But I know there are so many applicants out there that think that way...so it was a comment directed at those faceless masses out there resenting URMs.

 

[Beau Geste]

Megboo, I wasn't directing that "spoiled" comment at you. Sorry if my comments were unclear. It was directed at people in general. I actually met many disgruntled white interviewees who were complaining about the URMs every other minute and I never really got to debate with them, since it wasn't the time. But I know there are so many applicants out there that think that way...so it was a comment directed at those faceless masses out there resenting URMs.

Maybe not, but you were definitely directing the racial comments toward me. I really dislike arguing racial statistics. I really don't think the lack of black applicants on the trail is the "white man's" fault. There are a lot of minorities that interview and a lot get in. There are more being accepted today than ever. If an adcom is all white, maybe that's just the panel for the day. Whatever. I think nowadays med schools are more interested in putting out competent physicians rather than establishing a "good 'ol boy" network. There are always exceptions to every rule, but with our crazy politically correct litigious society, it would be suicide not to.

And some can't help but resent the fact that some URMs get in because they are a specific color or ethinicity, and not primarily because of accomplishments and I really don't think that is fair. I wish there was a better way to make all things even in the application process and in life in general, but it is what it is.

In all fairness, those that complain constantly about URMs are probably complainers anyway. You can tell within 10 minutes of a conversation who are the "whiners" and that there is always an excuse for something (never their fault, like it must be URMs not their own bad application that "took" a med slot). But there are complainers all over. There are URMs that complain, complain, complain, and maybe THEY have a bad application.

Ugh. I'm getting a headache that I even allowed myself to be sucked in.

Rafa - Throw me of a cliff!

😱

 

[velo]

I got a 23, but they were my last choice anyway. If anything, I rather just take it again and apply to better schools.

Actually, you should be thrilled to get in anywhere with a 23. You get 20 pts just for spelling your name right. Consider yourself extremely fortunate to have any acceptances.

 

[ahumdinger]

I'm an over-represented minority, so I have that to be outraged about. But right now, I'm going to gripe loudly on behalf of my bf: middle-class white boy with 3.8GPA/39MCAT who didn't even get a SECONDARY from UCSF. I guess maybe he should have been born as a poor lesbian Inuit.