Frequently Asked Questions
Admission Cycle Heading link
Do you send secondary applications to everyone?
Secondary applications are sent to selected applicants.
What is the secondary application fee?
- $70
- AMCAS FAP recipients are exempt from the supplemental application fee.
What is the latest date I can take the MCAT for the application cycle?
The last MCAT administration for the year.
What is the oldest MCAT considered for the application cycle?
No more than 3 years prior to August of the Matriculation year.
Do you consider DACA applicants?
Yes, we consider applicants with DACA status. Federal financial aids are not awarded to DACA applicants.
What courses fulfill the behavioral/ social science pre-requisite?
You need three courses in the Behavioral/Social Sciences (for example: Psychology, Ethics, Economics, Gender Studies or Sociology, etc.). Check with us if your institution provides courses that are not included in our short list of courses above. Visit our How to Apply page for more details
What is the minimum degree one should have earned in order to apply?
A minimum of a baccalaureate degree is required. Advanced degrees such as, Masters or Doctorate will meet this requirement.
Will my application be impacted negatively if I complete my pre-requisites at a community college?
No, however, our advanced level biology and biochemistry requirements must be completed at a four-year science degree granting institution.
Do you require a specific undergraduate major?
We encourage you to choose a major that aligns with your personal passions and interest, keeping in mind our perquisites.
When will my application be reviewed?
You will receive an email notifying you when your application is complete and moved to a screening queue. Failure to turn the following list of items, in any part, will result in an application processing delay. Visit the Secondary Application Portal to review your submitted items:
- AMCAS application
- Secondary Application
- MCAT score
- International Documentation (visa(s) upload)
What is your letters of recommendation requirement?
We require three letters of recommendation for each application. Depending on the type of applicant you are (traditional or non traditional), the three letter writers will vary. Please refer to our LOR instructions and grid for more details.
I submitted my Letters of Recommendation but they are still marked as Not Reviewed. What do I do?
- Letters of Recommendation are reviewed manually by a member of the OMCA Team. Please allow 72 hours for the review of your letters once they are received.
- Letters of Recommendation that do not meet our minimum requirements will have text in the “notes” section for the applicant to act on.
I took the MCAT and plan to retake it. All of the other items in my application are complete. Can you wait before reviewing my application until my new score comes in? Once your application is complete, it will be moved to a screening queue, whether your new score is available or not. To avoid being moved to the screening queue until your new score comes in, please ensure that you’ve indicated a future MCAT date in the primary application through AMCAS before submitting your secondary.
Once your application is complete, it will be moved to a screening queue, whether your new score is available or not. To avoid being moved to the screening queue until your new score comes in, please ensure that you’ve indicated a future MCAT date in the primary application through AMCAS before submitting your secondary.
My application is completed but I haven't heard from UICOM about an interview. What should I do?
UICOM carefully screens each of its applicants–approximately 7,500– holistically, which may result in a delay in hearing from us. If it’s been over 6 weeks since your application was marked complete, you are welcome to submit an update via the “Other Documents” section of the Secondary Application Portal to reaffirm your interest in our institution, or provide other updates that are relevant to the Committee on Admissions (such as updates on research, employment, experiences, etc.). These will be reviewed by the Committee.
Class and Curriculum Heading link
How many students are in your incoming M1 class?
- Chicago-180
- Peoria-65
- Rockford-55
What is your total enrollment?
1400 students
When do M1 students matriculate?
First year orientation takes place in early August.
Do you offer Joint Degree Programs?
We offer the following joint degree programs:
- MD/ PhD
- MD/MPH
- MD/MBA
- MD/MS CTS
- MD/MS-BIOE
Do you offer any Specialized Programs?
We offer the following Scholarly Concentration Programs:
- Rural Medical Education Program (RMED)
- Global Medical Education Program (GMED)
- Urban Medicine (UMED)
- Innovation Medicine (IMED)
- Clinician Executive Medicine (CEMED)
- Equity Innovation Medicine (EquIMed)
- Rural Student Physician Program (RSPP)
Accepted Students Heading link
I’ve been accepted, how do I know to which campus I’ll be assigned?
Accepted students should visit our Campus Tours and Assignments page for details about each campus, and about the Campus Assignment process.
When will I hear about financial aid and scholarships?
- Fundraising for scholarships to make medical education more affordable is our priority. There is no additional application required to be considered. Explore the available scholarships here.
- Financial aid is distributed by mid-March of each application cycle. Visit Financial Aid or email medicinefinaid@uic.edu for personalized information about your aid.