University of Illinois?

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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21 days and counting.

The average temps for February 22nd are a high of 40°F and a low of 23°F. The way that the past few weeks have gone, the temp will be in the average range.

Get ready with the thermals.

Well, today wasn't so bad. I walked out without a hat at about 4pm, and it was in the low thirties. I actually felt warm, because of the 20 and teen days last week.

More forecasts to follow.
 
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Is anyone flying into Chicago on Sunday Feb 21st and flying out of Chicago on Feb 22nd that would like to share a rental car to/from the airport to campus?

It is about a 2.5 hr drive and I am planning on doing it alone, but thought maybe there was someone in the same situation.

I haven't bought my tickets yet, but am planning on arriving in Chicago at 12 noon on Sunday and flying back out at 9pm on Monday night.

I am a 28 year old female NY resident 🙂

Thanks!

Julie
 
U of I's interview is completely closed file. All they know about you is your name. I've been through their interview process before and they don't ask you anything specific (not about previous experience or research that you've done), its all behavior based questioning. Check out their website for examples of the questions. When I interviewed there last time, all but 2 of my questions were pulled directly from the list that they give you to practice with.
 
Barnsey27 said:
U of I's interview is completely closed file. All they know about you is your name. I've been through their interview process before and they don't ask you anything specific (not about previous experience or research that you've done), its all behavior based questioning. Check out their website for examples of the questions. When I interviewed there last time, all but 2 of my questions were pulled directly from the list that they give you to practice with.
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Barnsey, would you please tell me where that list is located? I have only managed to find one example question on their website.
 
Well apparently I misspoke. When I last interviewed (3 years ago) they had a webpage full of questions to look over, but it looks like they've removed that page. I searched through all my old links and the link that had the page said "website not found" and I looked around their website and couldn't find it anywhere. I looked through the interview feedback questions on SDN and they all sound like what I was asked. Questions I can remember:

Tell us about a time you had to work with people that were different than you.
Tell us about a time you had a conflict and how you resolved it.
What is something you've accomplished that you are proud of?
What is a professional? (they seem to really love this question)

And more that I can't remember. I think the best way to prepare for an interview like this is really just to list out all of your experiences and what you learned from them, from the biggest experience to the smallest. Last time before I interviewed at U of I, I came up with very specific answers to the questions and when I got to the interview I sounded extremely scripted. They even asked me "have you been preparing for this interview for a while?" It wasn't my prettiest day. It was unfortunate that I prepared that way because then when they asked me a question NOT on the list, I had no idea how to answer. This time I'm not really going to prepare at all except to think about my previous experiences (especially since I've been through a U of I interview previously and I've been through one interview already this year). I'm sorry I thought that list was still available. I wish I had saved it from all those years ago to give you!
 
Barnsey, how many times have you interviewed at Illinois? are you IS? I interviewed first in 2008, skipped a year after i was forever waitlisted, and now have an interview again.....
 
I just emailed them to decline my interview. Hopefully they'll give it to one of you other SDNers!
 
Congrats, Variegata. Where are you going, then?
 
Pigsfoot said:
Barnsey, how many times have you interviewed at Illinois? are you IS? I interviewed first in 2008, skipped a year after i was forever waitlisted, and now have an interview again.....
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I interviewed three years ago but didn't get in (obviously). Then I went on to do a masters that has taken 3 years, and am finishing up this year, so I'm applying now for the second time. I am IS.
 
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Pigsfoot said:
Congrats, Variegata. Where are you going, then?
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Not sure yet, but I got into Wisconsin and have already interviewed at other places that I'm waiting to hear back from. I don't want to do any more interviews!
 
Variegata-great problem to have! congrats to you-and thanks for freeing up a spot for one of us! woot!

Barnsey-hopefully this time will work out for both of us at Illinois!
 
Does anybody know if it makes any difference at all if someone was waitlisted at U of I before? like-does it say anything on your records about whether you were waitlisted, and what your status was on the waitlist? and if so-does it make any difference? extra points? anything??? anybody?
 
Hi Pigsfoot,

I remember reading somewhere on their website that being waitlisted one year does not give you any preferential status for the following year. From my understanding, everyone has a "clean slate" at the opening of each application cycle and any previous status is not considered (in any way - I believe) for the current app. cycle.
 
yea, i figured it was wishful thinking. otherwise, it just wouldn't be fair!
😳
 
Anybody else feeling super nervous about the upcoming interview?
I was completely chill about it until Friday, when I realized the interview was only 10 days away....
Now these butterflies won't go away!
 
Tco87 said:
Anybody else feeling super nervous about the upcoming interview?
I was completely chill about it until Friday, when I realized the interview was only 10 days away....
Now these butterflies won't go away!
Click to expand...


.
 
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Lechatnoir said:
Definitely in the same boat. I don't feel like I did very well at my Kansas interview so I'm pretty nervous about this one. I try to ease the pressure on myself by saying that it's not a big deal, but that doesn't seem to help.
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Yeah, I had an interview at Penn and I definitely didn't say a lot of things that I wanted to and said somethings that I regretted shortly after they left my mouth...
I can't tell myself it's not a big deal, because I know I won't believe it 🙂
 
Hi all,

I'm new to SDN, but I thought this was a good place to jump in...I'm also really nervous about my Illinois interview. I think it's mostly because it's my first choice school. However, I'm also pretty concerned about the way they interview. For instance...the closed file way they do it blows my mind. I'm not really sure how to prepare for this one...the one situational example question was both vague and detailed all at the same time. 😕
 
futurevet86-if you go to the 'thing to know before you interview' section of the site-there are reviews of past interviews by school and people have posted different questions that U of I tends to ask. you may want to look at some of those and get some more ideas of what they will probably ask.

I'm actually pretty excited for this interview-probably because now I know what to expect, and i know what i did wrong last time, and i've taken steps to fix that. I also like the closed file, behavioral type format....but I know I'm in the minority with that opinion..
 
Pigsfoot said:
I also like the closed file, behavioral type format....but I know I'm in the minority with that opinion..
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Although I've never had one before, I think I might like the behavioral as well. I think it kinda equals out the playing field and those people who are really good at making it seem like they have done a lot but haven't really (aka my old roommate) won't be able to smooth talk the interviewers with this format. For people like me who really have a problem talking about myself and putting into words all the things that I have done, I leave open file, normal style interviews feeling like I definitely sold myself short. I'm not good a "selling myself." So with a behavioral I feel like I have had some good experiences that I can draw from that will show how I have responded in different situations and won't really need to try to impress them with all of my awesome awards, cool experiences etc. Sure they will get an idea of what I have done but I think they will get a better sense of who I am as a person. I dunno maybe I'm totally off base.... In any case, IL is my #1 as well (and my boyfriend already got into grad school there) so that adds a little more pressure.
 
uh, really? I feel the EXACT opposite haha 🙂 I am bad at talking about myself and feel like I have to explain my experiences MORE because they aren't familiar with them.
 
luvgoldens482 said:
uh, really? I feel the EXACT opposite haha 🙂 I am bad at talking about myself and feel like I have to explain my experiences MORE because they aren't familiar with them.
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hmm perhaps you are right.... guess I'm just trying to make myself feel better lol
 
Hello,

Does anyone have any idea when interviewees will be notified of admission statuses?

Thanks!
 
Hailey-
They will let us know about 1 week after the interview day. so Figure by March 2nd or 3rd-you will know your fate! (hopefully)
 
I am getting a little nervous for Monday now 🙂 When are you all applying for financial aid? I am thinking I will apply after Monday because there is an info session on applying for aid. I don't want to wait until the March 15 deadline!
 
So my interview isn't until 3pm and I was planning on just going on the tour at 11am and probably the information session about the tablets and vet school itself. But, I am pretty familiar with financial aid after already hearing about it from a couple other interviews. What part of the schedule is everyone else planning on attending? I wanted to take a good part of the day and venture around the city, so I'm trying to pick and choose what the most important sessions to attend will be.
 
dlf said:
So my interview isn't until 3pm and I was planning on just going on the tour at 11am and probably the information session about the tablets and vet school itself. But, I am pretty familiar with financial aid after already hearing about it from a couple other interviews. What part of the schedule is everyone else planning on attending? I wanted to take a good part of the day and venture around the city, so I'm trying to pick and choose what the most important sessions to attend will be.
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I know your interview is late but I would highly recommend staying there the whole day and attending every lecture (financial aid, tablets, etc) and talking to the grad students. Even if you know about the financial aid or other things. For one, who knows maybe the info will be different. Two, you can meet the people presenting and they may have specific info or just good to have another contact. I don't know if the grad students have an input in the process but even if they don't, other faculty will see you interacting with them and that will be brownie points. You can venture around the city sunday night or monday night or if you're staying later then tuesday morning. You have this one day to talk to as many people as you can and you want people to remember you (not just the couple people who interview you), you never know who can make an impact for you!! its kind of sneaky how you don't know who all the faculty is on that day lol
 
my interview is at 11:30am. so my plan is to check in around 10:30ish, wander, sign up for a tour after noon and attend the 2pm info session. Its too bad there is a large block of time in the morning where there isn't anything going on.....
 
My interview is at 10:30, so I plan on getting there around 9:30, wandering around a little, and finding the room of my interview. After my interview, I am going to attend the 11:00 information session and go on a tour afterwards.
 
My interview is at 1:30pm, so think I'll do the morning info session. Knowing me, I'll most likely be on campus by 10am to see the sights and hear the sounds lol...😀

p.s. I hate how the morning info session is during the same time as the Q&A with current students. I'd do the afternoon info session, but I'm concerned about walking in late after my interview...
 
Is anyone bringing anyone with them? At the other interviews I've been to a lot of people brought parents and such. Is it safe to say that will be pretty similar for Illinois?
 
dlf-oh yea, last time I interviewed I took my husband. I was an anomaly though, most people who had people with them seemed to have parents with them. A friend of mine took her friend to the interview. This year, I'm taking my man again. I'll have him shave his winter beard, so I hope they don't think he's my dad.......😱
 
yea, my Dad's coming along with me. good moral support and guy time-lol.

pigsfoot- should he come along with me to the actual vet school, or what is the norm for that?
 
vetmed-yea, i saw people walking around doing the tours with their friends/parents/support-especially at the info session. My husband went with me to the interview room and just waited outside for me. i think that is all pretty normal.
 
I'm getting very excited for Monday! I'm driving down from Chicago tomorrow afternoon so as to beat some traffic and weather on monday morning. its going to be snowing! fun times. Good luck everyone and see you all there!
 
thanks pigsfoot- that helps. i'm getting super excited/nervous/anxious/whatever you want to call it! i'm coming in tomorrow as well (except from richmond, va!) good luck to you too and everyone else!
 
I'm coming up tomorrow!!!! I'm soooooooooooo super excited!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
 
Does anyone know what the parking options are for on/near the vet school?
 
I have the same question?! Anyone know where I can park tomorrow. I don't want to get towed.
 
Hey there people,
You can park along the street in front of the school. In the parking lot in front of the school or there is a parking lot across the street from the main parking lot.

The weather is at that near freezing range at this point. It snowed yesterday, but rained this morning. The paradox of Illinois weather. the high tomorrow is going to be around 34 degrees C, so plan accordingly.

If you plan to go on the tour, don't forget about the wind that goes between the basic sciences building and the veterinary teaching hospital. Take your jacket with you.

Hope to see all of the smiling faces.
 
Truth74 said:
Hey there people,
You can park along the street in front of the school. In the parking lot in front of the school or there is a parking lot across the street from the main parking lot.

The weather is at that near freezing range at this point. It snowed yesterday, but rained this morning. The paradox of Illinois weather. the high tomorrow is going to be around 34 degrees C, so plan accordingly.

If you plan to go on the tour, don't forget about the wind that goes between the basic sciences building and the veterinary teaching hospital. Take your jacket with you.

Hope to see all of the smiling faces.
Click to expand...

Thank you! SO WE CAN PARK on the lincoln road where the cars are going past? And no permit needed for the lot?

Thanks for the help---you know how nervous we are and parking stress should not be added 🙂
 
Woo! Interview day!

Just a few tips I thought I would have liked to hear this time last year...

Remember that the people interviewing you are just people, and so are you. Go in there thinking how nice they are, even if they don't show it, because they are all very nice people, trust me. They are not trying to scare you.

You can park anywhere in the parking lots or the street with no worries.

If there is free food tomorrow, eat it. Next year, you will be broke and free food will be the best thing ever!

Feel free to bring family, it is normal and generally expected.

Everyone at the school is looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow, so please feel free to ask any questions you have of anyone, we are all more than willing, and excited, to talk about our experiences and answer questions.

Have fun and good luck!
 
dogsNcats said:
Thank you! SO WE CAN PARK on the lincoln road where the cars are going past? And no permit needed for the lot?

Thanks for the help---you know how nervous we are and parking stress should not be added 🙂
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The Lincoln Ave spaces (F30) would be just fine. I think, the parking people will cut you some slack with some of the other roads near the vet school, FOR THAT DAY ONLY, but I'd go with the lots that are on your interview website and letters, first.

Please, keep in mind that there are 4th years that need to be parked close to the Teaching Hospital in lot F27. They work until late at night (or early morning), and need those spaces to stay safe.
 
Truth74 said:
I'd go with the lots that are on your interview website and letters, first.
.
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Did anyone get anything from the school? I looked at the interview schedule and I didn't see anything about where to park. We can check in right before our interview right? not at 7:30 am?? Can we park in front of the basic science building? I went to visit today and I saw there was a large parking lot next to it... I guess its a little late but Im a little confused as to what exactly is going on tomorrow... 😛
 
JKIM02 said:
Did anyone get anything from the school? I looked at the interview schedule and I didn't see anything about where to park. We can check in right before our interview right? not at 7:30 am?? Can we park in front of the basic science building? I went to visit today and I saw there was a large parking lot next to it... I guess its a little late but Im a little confused as to what exactly is going on tomorrow... 😛
Click to expand...

Last year, they had where you could park on the informational packet, but it didn't matter if someone parked somewhere else.

You'll be fine, where ever you park. Just be nice to the 4th years, you'll be one too, some day.
 
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