University of Illinois, Chicago Application Thread

[yd8]

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I got in!

 

[Smiles425]

OMG!!!!! I got in too😀!!!! I can't believe it!!!!!!! We need to start a UIC Class of 2015 thread!!!! Why is this thread so empty, no one has posted in over a week????? Where is everyone?????

Hmmm, I guess everyone is preparing for their interview like I was, lol!

 

[wmw]

interviewed yesterday, accepted today

 

[bruin0289]

Congrats to everyone who's been accepted!! 🙂

I just got the interview invite! I hope they'll schedule mine soon. Does anyone know if UIC has set interview dates, or if they schedule each interview individually?

 

[Smiles425]

Congrats to everyone who's been accepted!! 🙂

I just got the interview invite! I hope they'll schedule mine soon. Does anyone know if UIC has set interview dates, or if they schedule each interview individually?

Congrats on the interview!
When I scheduled my interview, they had set interview dates with more dates becoming available every few days

 

[Smiles425]

Congrats on the invite! Do you mind sharing your stats?

Hey schoolpharm,

Sorry I didn't answer this sooner but I was little superstitious about this stuff. But now that I'm in, who cares???!!!

Cum GPA 2.87 (I have a non-science degree and i wasn't the best student close ten years ago- definitely the weakest spot on my app. But I've gotten all As since then)
math/sci GPA 3.87
uic pre-reqs GPA 3.73
PCAT Comp 83

CPhT with volunteer experience (took PTCE without formal education)
Chemistry Research assistant (no publications yet)

Of course my essays and recs probably were a big factor too

 

[schoolpharm]

Hey schoolpharm,

Sorry I didn't answer this sooner but I was little superstitious about this stuff. But now that I'm in, who cares???!!!

Cum GPA 2.87 (I have a non-science degree and i wasn't the best student close ten years ago- definitely the weakest spot on my app. But I've gotten all As since then)
math/sci GPA 3.87
uic pre-reqs GPA 3.73
PCAT Comp 83

CPhT with volunteer experience (took PTCE without formal education)
Chemistry Research assistant (no publications yet)

Of course my essays and recs probably were a big factor too

Oh that's okay! Congrats on your acceptance, that's awesome! 🙂 You're stats are pretty good! I was only wondering because they said that they were putting my application on hold and I was wondering how my stats compared to those who already received an interview. Anyways, I hope to hear an interview invite from them soon though. 👍 Once again, congrats!

 

[PharmDee1011]

interviewed Thursday, accepted this morning 🙂

 

[mollykatheryn]

I also was put on hold today. A little bummed about that.

Rolling admissions are stressing me out, seriously. I feel like I applied everywhere way too late (even though I applied ~Oct.25th on PharmCAS). I submitted everything to UIC just a couple weeks ago. They got all my materials last week, and I'm on hold today. 🙁

Haven't lost hope though. I just fear that rejection email. I didn't do so hot on my PCAT (60), but all of my other stats are strong. Not sure if it will be enough though. This is my number 1 choice, so, again, I hope it works out.

Good luck to everyone, and congratulations to those who are already accepted!

 

[bruin0289]

Does anyone know if it's possible to schedule an interview on the weekend?

I'm from CA and looking at plane ticket prices, it'd be cheapest for me to fly in on Friday and out on Sunday. I was hoping to schedule my interview for Saturday, but it sort of seems from the calendar that weekends aren't available. 🙁

 

[ladnar]

Hey guys, I just got an interview invite, and I'm trying to schedule an appointment, but it seems like I can't select any of the dates. Did this happen to any of you guys?

 

[spacesuit3]

Hey guys, I just got an interview invite, and I'm trying to schedule an appointment, but it seems like I can't select any of the dates. Did this happen to any of you guys?

I'm having the same problem. 👎 How often do they add new interview spots? And how many weeks away was the interview date that you were able to select?

 

[ladnar]

I'm having the same problem. 👎 How often do they add new interview spots? And how many weeks away was the interview date that you were able to select?

So I sent them an e-mail and they e-mailed me back saying they'd call us to schedule our appointment. I suppose if they don't call me by the end of the week I'll call back next week.

 

[deleted329060]

Does anyone mind sharing supplemental questions with me? I have a friend who would like to get started on the supplemental. Many thanks!

Another question: in your acceptance letter, do they let you know which campus you are accepted to? Congrats to those who have been accepted. I am sure you will enjoy your first P1 semester 😉 muahahha

 

[mcalabr3]

Does anyone mind sharing supplemental questions with me? I have a friend who would like to get started on the supplemental. Many thanks!

Another question: in your acceptance letter, do they let you know which campus you are accepted to? Congrats to those who have been accepted. I am sure you will enjoy your first P1 semester 😉 muahahha

There are no essay questions involved besides informing them of possible hardships you may have faced. Other than that it's grade re-entry and volunteering info with info asked in a slightly different way.

 

[Smiles425]

Does anyone mind sharing supplemental questions with me? I have a friend who would like to get started on the supplemental. Many thanks!

Another question: in your acceptance letter, do they let you know which campus you are accepted to? Congrats to those who have been accepted. I am sure you will enjoy your first P1 semester 😉 muahahha

Here are the questions:

The college seeks applicants whose experiences can contribute to richer learning and pharmacy practiceenvironments. If you have had any of the following experiences, please describe your experience. Comment on how the experiences might affect your future professional practice.
1. I have been involved in military service:
2. I have had challenges associated with my geographic area of upbringing, e.g., rural or inner city:
3. I can communicate fluently in another, non-English, language (i.e. read/write or converse several times a week in said
language):​

4. Please describe, as applicable, any personal or academic matters you feel may assist the Admissions Committee in reviewing your application for admission (e.g., special abilities, interests, or personal attributes; personal or financial hardships which you have had to deal with or overcome; academic disadvantage(s) in your previous​

education).

5.Comment about any activities you participated in (curricular or extracurricular) while in school that took an
extensive amount of time, e.g., varsity sports, performing arts.
***NOTE: All these have character limits (questions 1,2,3, and 5 only allow 3 or 4 sentences. Question 4 approx. two paragraphs ) so tell your friend to be prepared to edit dooowwwnnnnn.

Oh they do tell you what campus you are accepted to in the letter (well they told me)

 

[deleted329060]

Here are the questions:

The college seeks applicants whose experiences can contribute to richer learning and pharmacy practiceenvironments. If you have had any of the following experiences, please describe your experience. Comment on how the experiences might affect your future professional practice.
1. I have been involved in military service:
2. I have had challenges associated with my geographic area of upbringing, e.g., rural or inner city:
3. I can communicate fluently in another, non-English, language (i.e. read/write or converse several times a week in said
language):​

4. Please describe, as applicable, any personal or academic matters you feel may assist the Admissions Committee in reviewing your application for admission (e.g., special abilities, interests, or personal attributes; personal or financial hardships which you have had to deal with or overcome; academic disadvantage(s) in your previous​

education).

5.Comment about any activities you participated in (curricular or extracurricular) while in school that took an
extensive amount of time, e.g., varsity sports, performing arts.
***NOTE: All these have character limits (questions 1,2,3, and 5 only allow 3 or 4 sentences. Question 4 approx. two paragraphs ) so tell your friend to be prepared to edit dooowwwnnnnn.

Oh they do tell you what campus you are accepted to in the letter (well they told me)

thank you smiles. i did not expect them to reuse the same questions -__-

 

[MUwestern]

I was offered an interview today. I'm from Ohio 🙂

 

[GEBMK]

did anybody receive a call or e-mail to schedule an interview? Their scheduling program is still down, and I don't know if I should just wait more.

 

[PharmDJoD]

My PharmCAS application with calculated GPAs was just sent out this past Monday (December 13). I feel like I'm really behind. About how long after your PharmCAS application was officially sent out did you get the supplemental application information?

Also, for those of you who have already been accepted, how good do you think my chances are based on your experiences?

In-state
GPA: 4.0
Major: Cell and Molecular Biology
PCAT: cumm. 94
Pharmacy Experience: One shadowing experience at a hospital
Research Experience: 3.5 years of undergraduate research and one summer REU

I think that my lack of pharmacy experience will be the death of my application.

Let me know what you think. Thanks in advance!

 

[Smiles425]

My PharmCAS application with calculated GPAs was just sent out this past Monday (December 13). I feel like I'm really behind. About how long after your PharmCAS application was officially sent out did you get the supplemental application information?

Also, for those of you who have already been accepted, how good do you think my chances are based on your experiences?

In-state
GPA: 4.0
Major: Cell and Molecular Biology
PCAT: cumm. 94
Pharmacy Experience: One shadowing experience at a hospital
Research Experience: 3.5 years of undergraduate research and one summer REU

I think that my lack of pharmacy experience will be the death of my application.

Let me know what you think. Thanks in advance!

I think you are ok. When I asked the Admissions Office about pharm tech experience, they said that they know how hard it is to be a pharm tech in Illinois because of saturation so no pharm tech experience isn't necessarily the end of your application. They said its very important, however to have some type of clinical experience. I think the fact that you have at least shawdowed in a pharmacy might be fine if the rest of your application is as nice as your stats. It seems like their emphasis is on well-rounded applicants.

Also, with your stats, I don't think you are that behind. I got my supplemental a week after I sent out pharmcas back in late october but things may be slower now that more people are applying.

 

[wmw]

My PharmCAS application with calculated GPAs was just sent out this past Monday (December 13). I feel like I'm really behind. About how long after your PharmCAS application was officially sent out did you get the supplemental application information?

Also, for those of you who have already been accepted, how good do you think my chances are based on your experiences?

In-state
GPA: 4.0
Major: Cell and Molecular Biology
PCAT: cumm. 94
Pharmacy Experience: One shadowing experience at a hospital
Research Experience: 3.5 years of undergraduate research and one summer REU

I think that my lack of pharmacy experience will be the death of my application.

Let me know what you think. Thanks in advance!

your application package dominates life, and youre instate, and have alot of research exp. Their program has a research emphasis. Youll get in, I know it. I wouldn't worry about it being 'late' in the cycle or anything, they juust started notifying anyway, I'd say they aren't even halfway done. Continue dominating.

 

[bruin0289]

Just got an e-mail today with the new scheduling site. My interview's all scheduled, flight is booked, and hotel reservations have been made. Chicago, here I come! 🙂

For those fellow out-of-staters who need to book hotel and flights. www.kayak.com is really good for flights and www.hotwire.com is good for hotels. They don't tell you the name of the hotel for hotwire.com, but I booked a 3 star near UIC and it ended up being WAYYY cheaper than any other site.

Yay! I'm so excited! 😀

 

[mschmid3]

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[ladnar]

Got in!!

Pretty pumped, I wasn't sure if I would get in since it is so competitive for in-state students. I interviewed on Monday morning and found out Tuesday afternoon. Can't wait for next fall.

That's great to hear.

UIC has been one of my top choices for a long time, even though I'm from out of state. I really like that they tell you soon after you interview. I'm hoping that I make a good impression on them. My stats are alright, high PCAT but low-ish GPA, so I'm hoping the interview will put me on their good side.

Just wondering, how was your interview? From what I've seen on sdn feedback, it seems really relaxed and friendly. Is this what you experienced? And also, was it really an hour like they said it would be?

 

[mcalabr3]

It was super relaxed! My interviewer was a clinical pharmacist and she got through the behavioral based questions and then we chatted till around 40mins. In fact, she started the interview saying if you're nervous don't be! Be relaxed and this will go by in no time. Just be genuine and smiling/excited and you'll be fine.

 

[ladnar]

It was super relaxed! My interviewer was a clinical pharmacist and she got through the behavioral based questions and then we chatted till around 40mins. In fact, she started the interview saying if you're nervous don't be! Be relaxed and this will go by in no time. Just be genuine and smiling/excited and you'll be fine.

Cool! And just to be clear, there's no writing sample either? I haven't found any mention of it in any of my e-mails.

 

[UyenRita]

So anybody here is applying to RPharm or UPharm Program? Or just stick with the "generic" one??

And for those who got in, are you accepted into the "generic"? and did you choose your campus choice "only" or "either"?

Thanks.

 

[mcalabr3]

Ladnar:
No extra writing! Just prep for a behavioral based interview.

UyenRita:
I got in 'Generic' and specified 'only chicago'

 

[ladnar]

Totally excited to go to the interview tomorrow. But I messed up my knee playing basketball yesterday. If anyone's going to an interview tomorrow, I'll be the guy with a horrible limp 🙁

 

[meimei29]

🙂 Good luck and congrats to everyone that got in thus far!

If anyone has questions, don't hesitate to e-mail any UICers :]

 

[PharmDJoD]

I received an e-mail today extending an invitation for an interview. I responded within an hour accepting the invitation. Based on your experiences, how soon will I hear about interview dates and times?

 

[ladnar]

I received an e-mail today extending an invitation for an interview. I responded within an hour accepting the invitation. Based on your experiences, how soon will I hear about interview dates and times?

You should hear within a day or two. Basically they have an online scheduling form, and you can pick the date you want. Generally they're open M-F, with times from 8-12 I think. I might be wrong on that though.

 

[bruin0289]

Interviewed on Monday and received my acceptance this morning!! 😀

They give us such a short time to put down the deposit! Does anyone know if there's any way to request an extension? I would really like to hear back from UCSF first, but they don't release decisions until March

 

[ladnar]

Interviewed on Monday and received my acceptance this morning!! 😀

They give us such a short time to put down the deposit! Does anyone know if there's any way to request an extension? I would really like to hear back from UCSF first, but they don't release decisions until March

I got in too! i'm really happy. interviewed on monday, accepted on thursday around noon pst. my interviewer was really nice too.

 

[ladnar]

Interviewed on Monday and received my acceptance this morning!! 😀

They give us such a short time to put down the deposit! Does anyone know if there's any way to request an extension? I would really like to hear back from UCSF first, but they don't release decisions until March

It may be possible, but I don't think it's very realistic to be able to extend till March. If I were you I'd just send it in as soon as possible (if you want to go there) and eat the 500 deposit if you get into UCSF.

But yeah, I was surprised that I only had 11 days (6 business days really if you think about it), which makes sending the form all the way from CA kind of tight on time, especially if you send it by regular mail.

If anyone lives around Chicago, I'm looking up rent for areas around UIC (yeah early, I know). Seems like it's normally about 1200-1500 for a 1bedroom and about 1600-2000 for a 2 bedroom. However, I see some ridiculously low priced like 850 for a 2bedroom at East Pilsen and 18th. Is this supposed to be a bad area or something? Also, if anyone knows where are the "better areas" around UIC are to live as well as the not so good areas, that'd be helpful too.

 

[homeslice]

It may be possible, but I don't think it's very realistic to be able to extend till March. If I were you I'd just send it in as soon as possible (if you want to go there) and eat the 500 deposit if you get into UCSF.

But yeah, I was surprised that I only had 11 days (6 business days really if you think about it), which makes sending the form all the way from CA kind of tight on time, especially if you send it by regular mail.

If anyone lives around Chicago, I'm looking up rent for areas around UIC (yeah early, I know). Seems like it's normally about 1200-1500 for a 1bedroom and about 1600-2000 for a 2 bedroom. However, I see some ridiculously low priced like 850 for a 2bedroom at East Pilsen and 18th. Is this supposed to be a bad area or something? Also, if anyone knows where are the "better areas" around UIC are to live as well as the not so good areas, that'd be helpful too.

Those prices are a little high, even for the "safe" areas around UIC. That tends to be the case for online listings, though.

And East Pilsen is pretty sketchy, I wouldn't recommend it if this is your first time living in a big city.

 

[meimei29]

For anyone looking into housing at UIC, you can check out a tutorial written by a UIC-COP student last summer for incoming P1s: http://www2.uic.edu/~etlin2/UIC Pharmacy Housing Information.pdf

It IS going to be early to be searching for housing at this point, though, generally because a lot of places do not start advertising until 1 month or so before the lease begins.. so if you're looking for a place that starts in Aug, you will have problems finding ads for them until around June-July.

Note that some people also try to look for roommates on the UIC-COP Facebook Group page.. Has anyone made a Facebook group for the class of 2015? o: Couldn't find one.

 

[ladnar]

For anyone looking into housing at UIC, you can check out a tutorial written by a UIC-COP student last summer for incoming P1s: http://www2.uic.edu/~etlin2/UIC Pharmacy Housing Information.pdf

It IS going to be early to be searching for housing at this point, though, generally because a lot of places do not start advertising until 1 month or so before the lease begins.. so if you're looking for a place that starts in Aug, you will have problems finding ads for them until around June-July.

Note that some people also try to look for roommates on the UIC-COP Facebook Group page.. Has anyone made a Facebook group for the class of 2015? o: Couldn't find one.

Right, of course. I wasn't seriously looking at apartments yet, just kind of "oh I wonder how much it'd be."

Thanks a lot for the pdf. It's pretty helpful.

 

[AceInhibitor]

Hey guys,

I am trying to figure out a date for the interview and wanted to ask that is it only 30 minutes? Is there anything else that we do with the interview?

I am trying to see if I can schedule for 1230PM, arrive in Chicago at 930 then drive to Rockford within in hour. Then go back to Chicago and leave around 5PM. I hope there is no snow up there.

Also, what was the format (how many ppl) and in general what did they ask you?

 

[mcalabr3]

Hey guys,

I am trying to figure out a date for the interview and wanted to ask that is it only 30 minutes? Is there anything else that we do with the interview?

I am trying to see if I can schedule for 1230PM, arrive in Chicago at 930 then drive to Rockford within in hour. Then go back to Chicago and leave around 5PM. I hope there is no snow up there.

Also, what was the format (how many ppl) and in general what did they ask you?

I'm fairly sure that all interviews happen in Chicago...even if you're interviewing for the Rockford Campus but who knows I may be wrong.

When I went for my interview it lasted about forty five minutes (that included the tour/chat with another person after the actual interview).

But yea, I think your flight times in/out should provide you with plenty of wiggle room.

 

[bruin0289]

Hey guys,

I am trying to figure out a date for the interview and wanted to ask that is it only 30 minutes? Is there anything else that we do with the interview?

I am trying to see if I can schedule for 1230PM, arrive in Chicago at 930 then drive to Rockford within in hour. Then go back to Chicago and leave around 5PM. I hope there is no snow up there.

Also, what was the format (how many ppl) and in general what did they ask you?

I interviewed at the Chicago campus, so I'm not sure about details for the Rockford campus. I got there 30 minutes before my interview, so I took the tour first. The tour took around 15 minutes(they just take you up and down in the building).

My actual interview took about 50 minutes because I had a really nice professor who sort of kept it more like a conversation than an interview. 😛 I think most of the interviews are one-on-one, but the professor who interviewed me asked if one of his students could sit in so mine was kind of two-on-one? The student was primarily observing, but I was able to ask her some questions about student life and whatnot. Pretty much all of the interview questions he asked me were on sdn, so make sure you review the Interview Feedback section. He also asked me some follow-up questions on extra-curriculars that I brought up in my answers.

Make sure you leave enough time to get from the airport to wherever you're interviewing(Rockford or Chicago). I know that just from O'Hare to the Chicago campus, it was at least an hour. Just a suggestion, but you might want to arrive in Chicago the day before your interview. Especially in the winter, there is a chance your flight will be delayed/cancelled due to weather. I got pretty lucky because it only started to lightly snow just as I was leaving Chicago, but even still the flight before mine was cancelled. My sister used to fly from O'Hare all the time, and she would often get stranded at O'Hare because there were no flights coming in or going out.

 

[2411t]

I'm in the holding pattern... weird cause I got interviews at other top tier schools (Wisco and Michigan). I guess different folks, different strokes... I hope I get an interview. What'dya guys thinks?

Stats:

cGPA: 3.3
sGPA: 3.3
Fall 2010 GPA: 3.5
PCAT: 69
Work: Pharm Tech for over a year
EC: Biochem, Pharmacology & Toxicology research experience

 

[kyj88]

Did anyone receive an official admission package? I sent my deposit two months ago, and they recently processed my check. I'm still waiting to get the admission package.

 

[ladnar]

Did anyone receive an official admission package? I sent my deposit two months ago, and they recently processed my check. I'm still waiting to get the admission package.

Yeah that sounds weird. Did you contact them and ask?

 

[mcalabr3]

Yeah that sounds weird. Did you contact them and ask?

I sent my deposit in November and it wasn't cashed until December and I still haven't gotten anything...so you're not alone!

 

[Smiles425]

Did anyone receive an official admission package? I sent my deposit two months ago, and they recently processed my check. I'm still waiting to get the admission package.

I sent my deposit in November and it wasn't cashed until December and I still haven't gotten anything...so you're not alone!

I was also accepted back in december, sent my deposit in, and still haven't gotten an official notice in the mail. I'm not worried about it yet. I figure that this is their first year doing rolling admissions so they have a few kinks to work out. At any rate, I have the initial email indicating acceptance and a reciept of tuition deposit email notification they sent out. If I still don't have anything by March, I think Ill call the school then .

 

[CarbonFX]

I have a few questions about the process itself. If you have been extended an interview invite in theory if you ace the interview you pretty much get in? I heard that once you finish the interview which is closed file AdCom gets together and fully reviews the file and makes a decision based on that. I'd really appreciate if someone could clear that up for me.

Also, does anyone know how long it takes to hear back after the interview on average? Does the amount of time it take say about the chances of getting in?

Finally, what do the chances look life if an interview was granted? Favorable or not? :/

 

[deleted329060]

Don't expect to receive any kind of info packet until late April, early May. I can pretty much guarantee you that. You will have your orientation mid-May, early June where you can ask any burning questions you may have

 

[Smiles425]

I have a few questions about the process itself. If you have been extended an interview invite in theory if you ace the interview you pretty much get in? :/

I think "yes" and "no." During the beginning of the admission cycle, I was told by a professor and an administrator that they were only accepting people that had very strong applications at first (I think this is the nature of rolling admissions). So I think if you were granted an interview that early you were pretty much in. Now, however, I think that since it is getting close to the deadline, they may be starting to considering those borderline candidates as well so an interview does not automaticly mean you will be admitted. Last year I hear that they interviewed about 300 people for about 200 spots. So some people who interviewed were rejected. This could be different now that they have rolling admission though.

Also, does anyone know how long it takes to hear back after the interview on average? Does the amount of time it take say about the chances of getting in?

Finally, what do the chances look life if an interview was granted? Favorable or not? :/

They told me that i was accepted two days after the interview. I have no idea if the time correlates to the chances of getting in. I think your chances of getting in become, of course, more favorable if you are granted an inteview considering that they only interview a certain percent of the total applicants.