Chicago, IL
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
Application Cycle: 2009-10
⭐ Overall Impressions
How did the interview impress you?
Positively 🙂
What was the stress level of the interview?
4 out of 10
0 = Low Stress, 10 = High Stress
What are your general comments?
Both faculty and students were great (we encountered quite a few students during the tour; some were preparing for an exam, but they took some time to greet the group and wish us well; it was a good chance to see what their lifestyles were like). They all seemed happy in general. The tour guide knew every face; showed that despite the large size, there's a strong sense of community among the students. And although it's a state school, the school seems to invest a fairly impressive amount in its program and students. As for the interview, I was extremely nervous, but most of was spent as a discussion of what I had done as a nontraditional student; no surprising or challenging questions.
💬 Interview Process
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
Why medical school now? (I'm a nontraditional applicant)
What was the most interesting question?
How was your experience in Mexico? (This was based on a very early activity that I wrote about in my personal statement); it was surprising because I had also mentioned many others things following that, which were more recent.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Read the questions on this website, talked to UIC med students that I knew, reread my personal statement, read through UIC Catalog
What was the most difficult question?
Why would you not go into academic medicine? (Based on a discussion that we were having).
What impressed you positively?
Every student I met was in love with the school, the faculty members were very personable; gross anatomy lab is on the top floor of the building- the tour guide said that it was very well ventilated and had windows all around so it's not as dingy.
What impressed you negatively?
Buildings/facilities are generally on the older side. It was a bit worrisome that one could potentially spend every waking moment within the building (I think they said that even housing was attached to the medical school building).
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Nothing really; reading the other feedback and the catalog helped me get to know the school pretty well.
📍 Travel and Logistics
Who was the tour given by?
Student
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