University of Illinois c/o 2018 Applicants!

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I can't believe how close Monday is! I'm leaving tomorrow and driving from Ohio! So excited!!! 🙂
 
I also have an afternoon interview so I will be checking in closer to 10-11am. What time is the Q/A?
 
I've arrived!!! My mom was panicking about the weather (like, 1" of snow tomorrow) so she made me leave today hahahahaha

The area is actually bigger than I thought it would be, I drove around the campus, then my mom and I went to dinner at Panda Express (we don't have them at home, but I've heard great things haha)

I can't wait until Monday!!!

Also, TopNails is a really awesome nail place if anyone gets here early and wants to kill some time 🙂 The people were really friendly haha
 
I get in late tonight! But I'm flying solo this trip! Very excited for Monday! 🙂
 
I'm heading up there with my mom tomorrow! I'm only 2hrs away, but this way I don't have to sit in a car for 4 hours in one day.

I just thought of one question. On the interview schedule it says that at 9am, registration will move to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs – Room 2271G. I'm assuming that this room is also in the VM basic science building? I was wondering because it had a G behind the room number instead of VMBSB. Anyone know? :shrug:
 
I don't know for sure but I too would assume its in the VMBSB, it seemed to me like there were only two VM buildings, the VMBSB and the clinic building, so I would *imagine* the it would be in VMBSB
 
Also, I'm now really bored of sitting in a hotel room because its too dark to drive around and I'm to anxious to watch TV/read/do anything productive...
 
Also, I'm now really bored of sitting in a hotel room because its too dark to drive around and I'm to anxious to watch TV/read/do anything productive...
Haha that sounds better than sitting in an airport though!! I've been told that there is a nice little down town strip somewhere around there. Something to check out tomorrow for sure
 
There is!! So, it seems to me (my mom and I drove around for like 2 hrs today) that there are a few different "sections" of the area, at least, that's how I would define it. my undergrad is in the middle of the city, so I think of it as the different little neighborhoods within the City itself. Anyway, it seems like there is the University area, with some typical university food/bars (Jimmy Johns!!!!) then a mostly residential area with downtown Champaign between the University and 74, then on the other side of 74 there is the Champaign "strip", which has a lot of suburb type things, restaurants (outback, olive garden, panda express) stores (target, walmart, etc). It looks like there were some pretty nice restaurants in "downtown" Campaign too. Anyway, there does seem like lots of nice places, I'm just not sure my mom's up to exploring college town bars/restaurants on a weekend night 😉
 
I've arrived!!! My mom was panicking about the weather (like, 1" of snow tomorrow) so she made me leave today hahahahaha

The area is actually bigger than I thought it would be, I drove around the campus, then my mom and I went to dinner at Panda Express (we don't have them at home, but I've heard great things haha)

I can't wait until Monday!!!

Also, TopNails is a really awesome nail place if anyone gets here early and wants to kill some time 🙂 The people were really friendly haha

My mom came with me too because she really wanted to see the school etc. I was under the impression that parents could go on tour, to the presentation, and just wait around with you in general. Of course she is not going in to interview with me, but I was just having last minute fears that she would have to wait out in the car all day. I would feel bad after I invited her to hang out and see the school if she isn't welcome. What is your mom planning to do?
 
My mom came with me too because she really wanted to see the school etc. I was under the impression that parents could go on tour, to the presentation, and just wait around with you in general. Of course she is not going in to interview with me, but I was just having last minute fears that she would have to wait out in the car all day. I would feel bad after I invited her to hang out and see the school if she isn't welcome. What is your mom planning to do?
I'm not bringing any parents this time but I know last year parents were welcome on tours and into info sessions. I would imagine it's the same this year.
 
My mom came with me too because she really wanted to see the school etc. I was under the impression that parents could go on tour, to the presentation, and just wait around with you in general. Of course she is not going in to interview with me, but I was just having last minute fears that she would have to wait out in the car all day. I would feel bad after I invited her to hang out and see the school if she isn't welcome. What is your mom planning to do?

My mom is coming with me for the tours/info sessions 🙂 I figured I would go in first and scope the place out (I have an 8:30 interview so I plan on getting there as the doors open) and see how th environment is. I figured I would take some time to center myself, by myself, then call my mom and have her join me after the interview itself and we will go on the tours and what not together......

Also, I'm becoming mildly moody about my shoes and the weather. They're mild heels, and I walk just fine in them, but there's like a foot of snow on the ground and I don't want to get my pants dirty 🙁 I wish I could wear rain boots and tuck my pants in for the tour hahahaha
 
My mom is coming with me for the tours/info sessions 🙂 I figured I would go in first and scope the place out (I have an 8:30 interview so I plan on getting there as the doors open) and see how th environment is. I figured I would take some time to center myself, by myself, then call my mom and have her join me after the interview itself and we will go on the tours and what not together......

Also, I'm becoming mildly moody about my shoes and the weather. They're mild heels, and I walk just fine in them, but there's like a foot of snow on the ground and I don't want to get my pants dirty 🙁 I wish I could wear rain boots and tuck my pants in for the tour hahahaha
You won't be able to go on a tour before your interview so as long as you don't need those pants again before you get a chance to wash them I think it'll be ok. Hopefully everything will be shoveled too, but when I interviewed last year there wasn't any snow until I was in the process of leaving for the airport. By the way, the wind will pierce through wool coats so make sure you layer. I was freezing even with my thick wool jacket last time.
 
You won't be able to go on a tour before your interview so as long as you don't need those pants again before you get a chance to wash them I think it'll be ok. Hopefully everything will be shoveled too, but when I interviewed last year there wasn't any snow until I was in the process of leaving for the airport. By the way, the wind will pierce through wool coats so make sure you layer. I was freezing even with my thick wool jacket last time.

Thanks for the heads up!!! I plan on having my tank top, my button u pshirt, my blazer, my northface, and my big fluffy winter coat on during the tour 🙂

Is much of it spent outside? Or is it pretty much just walking from one building to the next>
 
I'm heading up there with my mom tomorrow! I'm only 2hrs away, but this way I don't have to sit in a car for 4 hours in one day.

I just thought of one question. On the interview schedule it says that at 9am, registration will move to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs – Room 2271G. I'm assuming that this room is also in the VM basic science building? I was wondering because it had a G behind the room number instead of VMBSB. Anyone know? :shrug:


Yep you are right! It's right upstairs and down the hall from the main entrance. There should be a sign that reads registration so you can't miss it 🙂
 
Thanks for the heads up!!! I plan on having my tank top, my button u pshirt, my blazer, my northface, and my big fluffy winter coat on during the tour 🙂

Is much of it spent outside? Or is it pretty much just walking from one building to the next>
Pretty much just walking to and from one building to the next and if it's cold they tend to rush you across.
 
I made it to Urbana safe and sound yesterday! Took me like 3 to 3 1/2 hours to get here from Chicago. There was an accident on the I-50-something and had to take a detour. For the most part the roads were pretty clear and the snow fall wasn't bad, comparable to that of Germany. Boy, do the toll roads get expensive! I paid $4.50 total on my one way trip, glad I took your guys' advice and brought enough singles and quarters.

So I propose a get together for those that are here already to help us pass the time. I have the whole day here and all I had planned on doing was making the trip to the school so that I am familiar with it and don't get lost tomorrow. What do you guys think, HowIMetYourPet and MEA3885 or anyone else that's here already? Parents are welcomed. Maybe dinner or late lunch. Pretty much anywhere would be fine with me because they most likely don't have it in Germany. Message me if you're interested, I got a prepaid phone I can call and text with.
 
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Good luck everyone! Just remember to be yourself. I will be checking you all in in the morning as well as giving a tour at 12:20!! I was in your shoes a year ago! 🙂 And this week is our midterms so we're all a little stressed out, haha.

The high tomorrow is 8 degrees but we're going to be under a windchill advisory until 11 am Monday. Stay warm!
 
This may sound silly considering I'm already in town and it is the day before my interview and what not...but where can I find a copy of the interview schedule? On my status page it just says interview accepted and my interview time. I have been gone for over a week attending other interviews so if it came in the mail it is very likely that I have not been there to receive it :help:
 
I have an afternoon interview (1.30pm) so I guess I can check in around 9am or a little bit later?
 
I'll be there checking in from 7:30-9 am. After 9 am they move the check in to the 2nd floor ASA office. When you check in, you'll receive a manilla envelope w/your interview time/room number on it along with informational literature. The day goes by pretty fast.
 
So tours are only from 12-1? Am I reading that right?
 
So tours are only from 12-1? Am I reading that right?

There will be 2-3 tours starting at 11:30 or 11:45, and 1 or so at 1:15. But the majority of tours will definitely be during the lunch hour.
 
I'm dreading getting out of my hotel bed and facing the bitter cold tomorrow, but I look forward to meeting all of you!
 
I hope everyone had a good time today! 🙂

I really liked the campus and got an overall really good impression of the school!

How did everyone's interviews go? My interview seemed really short (only like 15 minutes) so I'm nervous that I didn't talk enough... and is anyone besides me now obsessing over whether their answers were good enough? haha
 
I really liked the campus and got an overall really good impression of the school!

How did everyone's interviews go? My interview seemed really short (only like 15 minutes) so I'm nervous that I didn't talk enough... and is anyone besides me now obsessing over whether their answers were good enough? haha
I liked the school as well. I was however disappointed in a 15 minute interview. Kind of felt like i was wasting their tony and mine for something that could have been done via Skype. Maybe I'm just exhausted from traveling and being too sensitive I don't know?
 
My interview was about 25min, but I had a lot of questions to ask. I also don't know if I did too well because I was fine all day, but then got super nervous right before the interview. I felt like I couldn't breathe the whole time and I'm convinced I sounded like a weirdo lol!
 
My interview was about 25min, but I had a lot of questions to ask. I also don't know if I did too well because I was fine all day, but then got super nervous right before the interview. I felt like I couldn't breathe the whole time and I'm convinced I sounded like a weirdo lol!

just curious what kind of questions did you ask? at the end they welcomed me to either ask them questions or tell them anything else I wanted to say, but I had nooo idea what they might be looking for (if anything) so I just said there was nothing. haha what a fail... maybe I should've said something. and are you in-state? if so don't stress too much because our odds are pretty high... I think 3/4 of those of us that interviewed will get in according to their numbers. (doesn't stop me from being nervous that I'll be in that 1/4 though!)
 
just curious what kind of questions did you ask? at the end they welcomed me to either ask them questions or tell them anything else I wanted to say, but I had nooo idea what they might be looking for (if anything) so I just said there was nothing. haha what a fail... maybe I should've said something. and are you in-state? if so don't stress too much because our odds are pretty high... I think 3/4 of those of us that interviewed will get in according to their numbers. (doesn't stop me from being nervous that I'll be in that 1/4 though!)

I asked them if they asked everyone the same questions, and they said yes. That's why they had that honesty page in the packet. I also asked how they pick out of state students (I'm out of state so of course I was panicking the whole day haha) and they said they don't have a separate way of picking students- that most of the time it just ends up being 75% in state students. So they told me that being out of that doesn't really harm you.
The only question I still have, which I asked a few different people and got different answers, was gaining instate residency after a year.

Overall, I liked the school a lot and I was really impressed with all of the students there and how helpful they were. I wish it would have been organized better.
My interview was at 2:30 and I thought everyone had to be there at 7:30 so I check out of my hotel and had to wait around haha. Also the Informative session was too hectic I was in the way back and people were falling out of the door. I wish they would of asked parents and visitors to step out so all the applicants could get in.
 
just curious what kind of questions did you ask? at the end they welcomed me to either ask them questions or tell them anything else I wanted to say, but I had nooo idea what they might be looking for (if anything) so I just said there was nothing. haha what a fail... maybe I should've said something. and are you in-state? if so don't stress too much because our odds are pretty high... I think 3/4 of those of us that interviewed will get in according to their numbers. (doesn't stop me from being nervous that I'll be in that 1/4 though!)

Yea I'm instate. I asked about opportunities that they have concerning the type of animal I wanted to work with and who should I contact if I would get into vet school. I asked what was the best thing about the new curriculum (in their opinion). I also asked them about the mph and the DVM/PHD programs and when you start (if there was a deadline or if you could start whenever).
 
Interview days are quite crazy for everyone involved! As for residency, as I understand it, if you're an out of state student, your gaining of Illinois residency needs to be for reasons OTHER than academic purposes aka having a full time job while going to school full time OR because your spouse is an Illinois resident. The interviewers haven't seen the other parts of your application, they judge you just based on your how your interview went. The information session is always a nightmare because the parents are so keen on being involved and they do take up seats that could have been utilized by the students. But some parents would be super offended if we asked them to allow for room for future students. It's one of the political correctness kind of things. On my tour after my own personal interview, I didn't see anything because this kid's two parents were grilling our tour guide and stood in the front at every single stop and I didn't really see a darn thing! I'm sure everyone's interview went great, but I also was paralyzed at the thought of what I said during the interview. Replaying it over and over and over again in my head..... It's stressful but now it's over and the waiting game begins! :cat:

seriously, if anyone has any other questions/concerns about the vet school application process as a whole or wanting to know other non-academic thing about the C-U area, let me know! I'll try to help out as much as I can. (while studying for midterms! bwaaaa)

And as you can probably already tell, UIUC likes snail mail. When I got my acceptance letter I ripped it open and just screamed!
 
I really liked the campus and got an overall really good impression of the school!

How did everyone's interviews go? My interview seemed really short (only like 15 minutes) so I'm nervous that I didn't talk enough... and is anyone besides me now obsessing over whether their answers were good enough? haha
Don't worry, I accidentally sat in the wrong chair when I walked in. You can't beat more awkward than that lol. I also felt pretty good about my answers when I first walked out and then I started replaying it in my head and all confidence was drained. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
 
And as you can probably already tell, UIUC likes snail mail. When I got my acceptance letter I ripped it open and just screamed!

I think Dr. Foreman said they would also update the portal once decisions were made and the letters were sent out. Am I crazy or did I hear correctly? I always fear I mishear things or that my mind makes things up.
 
I heard it too! Also, I can't lie, I've already checked the portal today...even though I'm sure they haven't even made the final decisions yet!! haha, anywho, lets hope these next 9 days go quickly!!!!!
 
I heard it too! Also, I can't lie, I've already checked the portal today...even though I'm sure they haven't even made the final decisions yet!! haha, anywho, lets hope these next 9 days go quickly!!!!!

I'll second that - he did indeed say it would also be on the portal. I had an early morning interview and I even asked when I could expect to hear, and they said by the end of next week. The wait is killing me! Is Illinois a top choice for anyone else here? It's my in-state so it's pretty much this or insane debt haha
 
I'll second that - he did indeed say it would also be on the portal. I had an early morning interview and I even asked when I could expect to hear, and they said by the end of next week. The wait is killing me! Is Illinois a top choice for anyone else here? It's my in-state so it's pretty much this or insane debt haha

They had the status online but I got a letter in the mail ~2 weeks after as well!
 
Did the status change on the same day the letters were sent out or before? (Not that I'm obsessing or anything)
I got my letter first and then checked my portal. However, I'd just listen to what Dr. Foreman said!
 
Well it's my only choice haha so if I get in I'm going!! And if I'm wait listed I'm hoping those above me are going somewhere else!!!!
Do you happen to come from California? I met a gentleman from cali on interview day and U of I was his only choice too and I was just wondering if that's you (sorry if you're a girl).
 
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