Uic

[aczerniak]

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I am looking to apply to UIC next cycle but my GPA is only a 3.21. I still have A&P I and II to take and i'm going to take medical terminology. I am going to get as many hours as possible until I apply. I've never gotten any D's or F's so nothing to retake.

Is it worth it for me to apply or is UIC a school that is out of my reach?

 

[FSU88]

This is from my denial email today.

There were about 600 applicants for 38 spots in the UIC 2013 entering class.

"With our average grade point average of about 3.75 for the last 60 hours of the bachelor's degree as well as for the prerequisite courses, and the average GRE score well above the 60th percentile, it is very competitive to be admitted to our program. While we also value volunteer and work experiences, students that are below in one or more of the academic areas above typically do not get accepted. The accepted student will usually be in the higher range in at least two of the three areas of grade point average, GRE, and experience, or in the middle-high range for all three areas.The higher range for experience would include over 200 hours of relevant volunteer or service experiences plus some work experience, or relevant work experience of two years or more."

 

[aczerniak]

Thanks for that, and sorry about the denial!

 

[aczerniak]

I'm feeling pretty discouraged now, has anyone on this forum gotten into UIC with similar stats to mine? Does it help my chances that i'm working in research right now at Northwestern since I know UIC is more research oriented?

 

[otwa]

Have you taken the GRE?

 

[aczerniak]

Yes, I got a 148 V, 142 Q and a 4 for writing. I plan on retaking it in the coming months.

 

[OT2015]

I wouldn't be discouraged, but I would try to be realistic in your expectations. Maybe think about other programs in the area or around the country that are less competitive, especially since it's so easy to apply using OTCAS (thus 600+ UIC applicants for 2013). The best thing I was told during the application process was to give myself options.

I applied to UIC, Rush, and Midwestern IL with a 3.58 GPA, mediocre GRE stats, plenty of OT observation and post-bac work experience not related to OT. I got into Rush and Midwestern, but was denied at UIC this week. The best advice I can offer is to really work on getting volunteering/observation opportunities (and take notes) in multiple locations, which looks great on your application, will help you write a better, more informed personal essay, and gives you a lot to talk about if you are invited to interview at a school.

GPA isn't everything, as a lot of people have confirmed on other threads. I personally think my essay and life experiences are what made my application stand out. Good luck!

 

[OTlove88]

I agree that you shouldn't get discouraged but being realistic is a good idea. I got my denial email from UIC this week as well and I had a high GPA for last 60 credits but only 85 hours of observations. Also, while my verbal and writing GRE scores were well over 60th percentile - my quantitative was at 56th percentile so I think that is why I got denied. UIC is super competitive so they end up placing very high standards for admitted applicants. You never know though, my overall GPA was a 3.01 and I got accepted early to Rush and UW-Madison but not even asked to interview at Midwestern, which is definitely not as good as a program as the other two. Personal statement does help and I think mine really helped as well. My whole point here is each school has their own admissions process - some look strictly at stats (GPA,GRE) while others weigh heavily on personal statement and experiences. Cast a wide net by applying to more schools but never lose hope! I almost didnt even apply to Rush because I was so sure I wouldn't get in while Midwestern was my ultimate fall back school. You just honestly will never know until you apply. Maybe UIC will see something in you that they really like! If not, another school will.

 

[OT2015]

OTlove88 is right- each school has their own admissions criteria. A professor at TWU Dallas told me that (currently) GPA is the first criteria they check; if you are below a 3.6, you will not be admitted.

Some schools are more open about their process, while others leave you in the dark. I would do some research online and try to go to info sessions for the programs you're interested in.

 

[aczerniak]

Thanks you guys, I appreciate the words of encouragement. I am definitely applying to other schools, I just REALLY want to go to UIC because of the in-state tuition as well as the emphasis on research. But when it comes down to it, i'd honestly go to any school I get accepted to!

 

[ots15]

I received the same email that told me I was denied.

Has anyone been accepted with an "underdog" profile?

Good luck to those who are still waiting to hear back!