UIC - Application Procedure Changes?

[PsycOut]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey y'all!

Anyone applying to UIC?

Is it just me or did they change their application procedures?

Maybe I jumped on the process too early, but I needed to give my letter writers plenty of notice. I'm almost certain that the program did NOT require online recommendations when I looked into this in Sept./Oct. (It's not like I did this in June). Anyway, all of my recommenders have provided me with sealed recommendations, but now the program is requesting online letters. I plan on calling UIC on Monday to inquire, but I thought I'd check here first to see if anyone knew anything ... and it helps to vent a bit.

My recommendations are pretty much done (2 profs are totally completed and the 3rd just has to do a couple more programs online). I'm worried about bothering my letter writers with yet another request due to this change...especially if it makes me come across as disorganized. Any advice?

 

[hamsterpants]

Yep it changed.

I ended up with one recommender giving me a sealed letter (he said UIC's link did not work but I don't know), one doing the online recommendation and one writer still to be decided. I plan to just mail the letter I have and hopefully the last writer can do the online submission. I will email UIC and make sure they know at least one of my letters will be paper but I doubt it will be a big deal. I'm sure we are not the only ones dealing with this since the change was relatively recent.

I am more worried about my letters (in whatever form) getting there on time. One of my writers (who writes the best letters unfortunately) has been working pretty close to the wire and needs prodding.

Hey y'all!

Anyone applying to UIC?

Is it just me or did they change their application procedures?

Maybe I jumped on the process too early, but I needed to give my letter writers plenty of notice. I'm almost certain that the program did NOT require online recommendations when I looked into this in Sept./Oct. (It's not like I did this in June). Anyway, all of my recommenders have provided me with sealed recommendations, but now the program is requesting online letters. I plan on calling UIC on Monday to inquire, but I thought I'd check here first to see if anyone knew anything ... and it helps to vent a bit.

My recommendations are pretty much done (2 profs are totally completed and the 3rd just has to do a couple more programs online). I'm worried about bothering my letter writers with yet another request due to this change...especially if it makes me come across as disorganized. Any advice?

 

[PsycOut]

I already e-mailed two writers and explained the situation... I'll get to the third on Monday; I know he's not available right now.

I agree ... we can't be the only ones surprised by the change... they gotta cut us some slack on this one. I'll post to this thread whatever I find out from the program on Monday.

Thanks for the tip about the broken link. I'll be sure to keep the sealed letters on hand as a back-up...at least until I know that the upload process worked out.

Sorry to hear about your third letter writer ... although it does sound like it's worth the wait and the anxiety. best of luck wrapping things up.

Yep it changed.

I ended up with one recommender giving me a sealed letter (he said UIC's link did not work but I don't know), one doing the online recommendation and one writer still to be decided. I plan to just mail the letter I have and hopefully the last writer can do the online submission. I will email UIC and make sure they know at least one of my letters will be paper but I doubt it will be a big deal. I'm sure we are not the only ones dealing with this since the change was relatively recent.

I am more worried about my letters (in whatever form) getting there on time. One of my writers (who writes the best letters unfortunately) has been working pretty close to the wire and needs prodding.

 

[hamsterpants]

hey

I just emailed UIC and they told me to mail the letter to:
Psychology Department m/c 285 at 1007 West Harrison, Chicago, IL 60607

also, I asked them to resend the online submission to my third writer as
a reminder and the woman who responded (on a sunday!) said she would prefer I mail a paper copy. And I can't find anywhere on the app site to resend the link so maybe they are having issues with the system.

So you may have been smart to get them on paper anyway! I am now even more worried about my writer since he definitely prefers online. I basically told him I would come by on Monday to pick up the paper letters, I haven't heard back yet but he may not be checking office email right now due to the holiday.

oh well. I think a lot of schools are somewhat forgiving of letters of rec being a tiny bit late so long as everything else is in.

I already e-mailed two writers and explained the situation... I'll get to the third on Monday; I know he's not available right now.

I agree ... we can't be the only ones surprised by the change... they gotta cut us some slack on this one. I'll post to this thread whatever I find out from the program on Monday.

Thanks for the tip about the broken link. I'll be sure to keep the sealed letters on hand as a back-up...at least until I know that the upload process worked out.

Sorry to hear about your third letter writer ... although it does sound like it's worth the wait and the anxiety. best of luck wrapping things up.

 

[LM02]

Just remember that the same people who are on the receiving end of your letters are the same people who are probably sending last-minute letters in for somebody else!

Though I know it's hard to not feel anxious. Good luck!

 

[hamsterpants]

Just remember that the same people who are on the receiving end of your letters are the same people who are probably sending last-minute letters in for somebody else!

Though I know it's hard to not feel anxious. Good luck!

That's probably true. I never thought of it that way. I feel pretty confident things will work out okay (though getting accepted is another matter) and I am so grateful to have my letter writers.

Thanks.

 

[PsycOut]

I called the UIC psych dept this AM. I was told that mailing the letters to the address above was acceptable.

So, now we have extra verification that they seem to be ok with this process.

hamsterpants, thanks for sharing your info. as well!!!

That's probably true. I never thought of it that way. I feel pretty confident things will work out okay (though getting accepted is another matter) and I am so grateful to have my letter writers.

Thanks.

 

[hamsterpants]

Thank you!

Out of curiosity, are you mailing your transcripts with the letters?

I had mine sent directly from the schools I attended but UIC's website is kind of ambiguous on how they want to receive them.

I called the UIC psych dept this AM. I was told that mailing the letters to the address above was acceptable.

So, now we have extra verification that they seem to be ok with this process.

hamsterpants, thanks for sharing your info. as well!!!

 

[PsycOut]

I mailed transcripts to the graduate school directly. This you should do.

I also believe they ask for you to "upload" a copy of the transcript(s); that was my recollection from filling out the online app.

I was GOING to mail in a copy, but that was before learning that everything is now ONLINE. So, I think I'll only send the letters. Everything else (statement, CV, transcript copies, etc.) will be online.

The last-minute change is so annoying!!!

Thank you!

Out of curiosity, are you mailing your transcripts with the letters?

I had mine sent directly from the schools I attended but UIC's website is kind of ambiguous on how they want to receive them.

 

[Ollie123]

Know someone at UIC who asked me to post the below:

"We recently lost our staff coordinator to stay-at-home motherhood and so it's hard to say who is even organizing the applications right now. That said, addressing materials to the graduate coordinator is likely to get the letter into the appropriate file sooner. I suggest sending letters to:

Graduate Coordinator
Department of Psychology M/C 285, Suite 1009
1007 W Harrison Street
Chicago, IL 60607

If you get behind and send letters via UPS or FedEx, you really want to have the suite number on there, because I've had things sent here without the suite number and they were sent back.

Also, this program is quite understanding and I'm sure they're expecting some difficulty with the switch to online materials (which I didn't even know about until I saw the post), so I'm sure it will be OK."

 

[hamsterpants]

Ah. I do feel for them, it must be really stressful to work in admissions right now. I guess it sounds like we need to be flexible and understanding with them and they will be that way with us.

Thanks ollie! - I used to have a cat named ollie so when I see your name it makes me smile =^..^=

Know someone at UIC who asked me to post the below:

"We recently lost our staff coordinator to stay-at-home motherhood and so it's hard to say who is even organizing the applications right now. That said, addressing materials to the graduate coordinator is likely to get the letter into the appropriate file sooner. I suggest sending letters to:

Graduate Coordinator
Department of Psychology M/C 285, Suite 1009
1007 W Harrison Street
Chicago, IL 60607

If you get behind and send letters via UPS or FedEx, you really want to have the suite number on there, because I've had things sent here without the suite number and they were sent back.

Also, this program is quite understanding and I'm sure they're expecting some difficulty with the switch to online materials (which I didn't even know about until I saw the post), so I'm sure it will be OK."

 

[hamsterpants]

Um. there are two different online application programs. one I accessed through the grad school and one through the psychology dept. The one through the psych dept looks newer and has online recommendations.

I guess I started the newer version but then accidentally got the old one, figured my changes hadn't been saved and then started it. I just don't know which one to submit. ;(

I will contact the school, I just wanted to give you a heads up. I thought something was kinda strange as the older app had no place to upload the statement and nothing for the recommenders.

oh vey

links:
grad college
scroll down to Step #3
http://www.uic.edu/depts/oar/grad/apply_grad_degree.html

dept
hyperlink on step two
http://www.psch.uic.edu/gradapp.asp?sm=pros_grad_application

 

[PsycOut]

Um. there are two different online application programs. one I accessed through the grad school and one through the psychology dept. The one through the psych dept looks newer and has online recommendations.

I guess I started the newer version but then accidentally got the old one, figured my changes hadn't been saved and then started it. I just don't know which one to submit. ;(

I will contact the school, I just wanted to give you a heads up. I thought something was kinda strange as the older app had no place to upload the statement and nothing for the recommenders.

oh vey

links:
grad college
scroll down to Step #3
http://www.uic.edu/depts/oar/grad/apply_grad_degree.html

dept
hyperlink on step two
http://www.psch.uic.edu/gradapp.asp?sm=pros_grad_application

You should complete both apps. The grad school app. is for the grad school 🙂 The dept. app. is for the psych committee.

 

[hamsterpants]

You should complete both apps. The grad school app. is for the grad school 🙂 The dept. app. is for the psych committee.

oh. duh. I guess this process is finally getting to me. but there will only be one fee assessed, correct?
Thank you.

 

[PsycOut]

oh. duh. I guess this process is finally getting to me. but there will only be one fee assessed, correct?
Thank you.

As far as I know, yes. I haven't completed the dept app yet, but I think it would be unusual (and obnoxious) if they were to charge another fee. In fact, it will be cheaper for most people (no postage or fedex costs).

Don't worry; the process has gotten me all out of sorts as well.

Good luck!

 

[AlaskanJustin]

just to put it out there I sent everything by mail, prior to the online debauchal, and I got two emails from people saying that all my materials would be accepted, processed and fully considered, so no worries to mail senders!