i havent found a thread for future ant eaters yet... soo, ive decided to start one. :p

anyone planning on going to uci next year? if so, horraayy!! and congrats!! :D

also, if you guys dont mind saying, why have u decided to go to uci?

UCI!!! zot zot!! :)

no one?? :confused:

where did all the uci people go?

do you have to BUMP this up today? :mad:

I go to UCI, but....I'm an undergrad. booya!

I think it's because they waitlist a lot of people, who then don't find out until the summer that they're actually going to UCI! :)

yeah...they waitlisted me :(

:( im sorry.

do you have to BUMP this up today? :mad:

Is UCI still sending out invites? Is their class filled up yet?

Yes, I talked to the admissions officer and she told me that UCI is still inviting. UCI's class size is 90, and as of yesterday, around 120 applicants have been accepted.

Is UCI still sending out invites? Is their class filled up yet?

Hi everyone - I am still waiting on UCI (interview 2/16) and PRAYING to get in...out of curiosity......what is ZOT ZOT!?? Dumb question, but just wonderin hehe

I was put on hold for an interview a couple of weeks ago. Did anyone here get put on hold for an interview, and then actually go on to interview? or am I pretty much screwed?

Hey calgirl, can you let me know when you hear from UCI. I interviewed a month before you did and I'm still waiting on a decision

Hi everyone - I am still waiting on UCI (interview 2/16) and PRAYING to get in...out of curiosity......what is ZOT ZOT!?? Dumb question, but just wonderin hehe

*probably* MSTP class of many many years from now (eek)
we shall see after next week's round of admissions/rejections.

as for what is great about UCI?

I've got a couple little sibs there, but still wasn't especially excited about the place before my interview. (I've been looking to exit the crowds and traffic of so cal, esp orange county.) The campus is gorgeous with tons of open space so I didn't actually feel like I was trapped in the middle of the endless so cal sprawl. I was down on the super expensive apartment-hell housing in the area until I saw the brand new ultra cheap grad housing and low key parking situation (NOT the case at the other UC's). 9miles from Newport beach. Across the street from miles of lagoon trails full of pretty birds. My Dad's health is deteriorating and it has occured to me that he might not make it to see me complete the dual degree so the location 45 min from home is a huge plus.

Within an hour of my phone call, 2 of my interviewers had already sent congratulatory emails. Over the next couple of days it seemed like almost everyone I met there sent a sweet and personal congratulations. One of them will almost certainly be my PI so it is a huge plus to know that the people I will interact with on a daily basis are so thoughtful. One of the adcom folks I didn't even meet saw in my profile that I'm a surfer and a triathlete and sent links to the tri club. Another MSTP student emailed with an offer to show me all the local bike routes. Everyone says this about a school, but the people there are AWESOME. :love:

Simply put, my MD/PhD will take many years to complete, and at UCI I see attention paid to all the little things that add up to a high quality of life.

from what i hear its the sound that their mascot, the anteater, makes when hes eating. :p

on another note, :luck: goodluck goodluck :luck: to people on the waitlist. i hear that uci takes a lot of people off the waitlist.

also, congrats scrappysurfer. sounds like uci is a great match for you.

Hi everyone - I am still waiting on UCI (interview 2/16) and PRAYING to get in...out of curiosity......what is ZOT ZOT!?? Dumb question, but just wonderin hehe

Hi Dr DRE - I actually was on hold from like September till Feburary before I was asked to interview, but my advice to you is to be proactive! I emailed both Gayle Pierce and Dr. Ellena Peterson, and sent letters to them both (basically begging for an interview shamelessly) and I got one! I also sent in new LOR's from my work. Something worked cuz I got taken off of hold and I interviewed in February. I suggest just bothering them a lot (and also ask when your file is going to be reviewed) and see what happens! Good luck and pm me if you have questions k. :) SDNstud I'll let u know when I hear :eek:

Hi Dr DRE - I actually was on hold from like September till Feburary before I was asked to interview, but my advice to you is to be proactive! I emailed both Gayle Pierce and Dr. Ellena Peterson, and sent letters to them both (basically begging for an interview shamelessly) and I got one! I also sent in new LOR's from my work. Something worked cuz I got taken off of hold and I interviewed in February. I suggest just bothering them a lot (and also ask when your file is going to be reviewed) and see what happens! Good luck and pm me if you have questions k. :) SDNstud I'll let u know when I hear :eek:

Thanks for the advice, I'll get right to it! :)

Hi Dr DRE - I actually was on hold from like September till Feburary before I was asked to interview, but my advice to you is to be proactive! I emailed both Gayle Pierce and Dr. Ellena Peterson, and sent letters to them both (basically begging for an interview shamelessly) and I got one! I also sent in new LOR's from my work. Something worked cuz I got taken off of hold and I interviewed in February. I suggest just bothering them a lot (and also ask when your file is going to be reviewed) and see what happens! Good luck and pm me if you have questions k. :) SDNstud I'll let u know when I hear :eek:

I wasn't put on hold, but I haven't been interview or rejected either. My application wasn't reviewed until February because I took the MCAT in August. After they sent out the invites for 3/1, I sent in an update letter (I shamelessly begged too) and an e-mail, but only to Dr. Peterson. Do you think I should also send it to Gayle? Might be kind of late now. I know there's one more interview date and I assume they're going to send out the invites soon. Hope I get one. :luck: to you other UCI hopeful SDNers too.

Yeah, for Tacrum and others who want a UCI interview, I would definitely email Gayle and Ellena Peterson. They both are really nice..and I do think they are responsive to people who REALLY want to go to UCI. My student host at UCI had done the same thing....basically begged for an interview, got an interview, then got waitlisted, begged to get off the waitlist, and is now an MS1. So who knows?? Good luck peeps! :D

Hi everyone, I found out yesterday I was accepted. i'm pretty much 100% sure I will be going there in the fall. Has anyone else been accepted to UCI lately? ZOT!ZOT! :)

Hey guys,
I'm a first year at UCI...It's a great place and everyone loves it here. If you guys have any questions feel free to pm me.

Hi everyone, I found out yesterday I was accepted. i'm pretty much 100% sure I will be going there in the fall. Has anyone else been accepted to UCI lately? ZOT!ZOT! :)


ZOT!ZOT! CONGRATULATIONS!! ZOT!ZOT!

I'm in the same boat. I am still on the waitlist at Vermont, but more and more I think I will choose UCI regardless. So see you next year.

I will definitely pull out of all schools other than those two. (For those interested in UCSD that opens up a ranked waitlist spot.)

SDNstud, I hope to see you on this thread soon!

ZOT!ZOT!

SDNstud, I hope to see you on this thread soon!


Thanks scrappysurfer. I hope I get to ZOT ZOT soon :( Unfortunately, UCI passed up on me despite knowing my interest in the school. My prognosis ain't looking too good. :thumbdown

I have already submitted a LOI to UCI months ago, but I guess it wasn't strong enough to get an acceptance. Anyone wanna help me write another LOI to UCI?

Like WillHague, I am also a first year. Feel free to pm me any questions.

Wow thanx...u guys are really friendly! Scrappy...does UCI have a second look? I don't think so right?

Wow thanx...u guys are really friendly! Scrappy...does UCI have a second look? I don't think so right?

Yep, second look is on April 30th. If you PM me, I might be able to send you the info sheet. Unfortunately, I can't go because I have a HUGE race in Central Cal the next day. (I can't spend all day/night in a car before this particular race, esp since it involves camping.)

I've been thinking about it a lot and I've decided that I am going to UCI for sure!!!!!! See you next year CalGirl?

Scrappy

Thanx scrappy, I think I can get the info from the admissions office. Yep, I am pretty sure I am going there in the fall...like 99.99% sure! I am probably going to go to the second look weekend...too bad u can't come! Understandable tho...gluck with your race!

yea!!! CONGRATS!!! :thumbup:

Hi everyone, I found out yesterday I was accepted. i'm pretty much 100% sure I will be going there in the fall. Has anyone else been accepted to UCI lately? ZOT!ZOT! :)

I'll probably be a future Dr. Ant Eater as well!! That makes...what...4ish of us? Where is everyone?!

congrats angel! maybe all our co-ant eaters are in hibernation. :p

I'll probably be a future Dr. Ant Eater as well!! That makes...what...4ish of us? Where is everyone?!

hey guys!
i just opened a yahoo groups page. this might be a nice place where we can all get to know each other. if you'd like to join, please pm me with your email address and name. this way i can send you an invite.

bumpity bump bump

So did you realize that orientation starts on Aug 8th and not the 10th? ****.

Do you think I'm going to have problems if I a) miss the first day of orientation or b) crawl in off the red-eye from Europe? I sorta committed to a huge race in Denmark on Aug 7th.

Have you looked into housing? Eeek. $$$$ I hope I can get grad student housing.

I am not motivated to study for the last of my prereqs. I guess it will be good to get me back into the swing of things since I've been out of school for 2 years.

Looking forward to 8 (MSTP) more years of sunshine and 70 degrees days in March.

So did you realize that orientation starts on Aug 8th and not the 10th? ****.


Is this true? I thought school starts early sept

hey scrappysurfer! :o) congrats on mstp!! thats so awesome! :thumbup:

oie, orientations so early! i think it would probably be fine if you missed the first day of orirentation. i would called dr peterson or gayle just in case though. im sure they know what well be doing that day and what you might miss. whatever it is we do, id be more than happy to fill you in if you cant make it.

what kind of race are you competing in?

as for housing, it is insanely expensive! ak!! thankfully on-campus housing isn't that bad at all. one ms1 i talked to during my interview said he was only paying ~$400 for an on-campus room. im pretty lucky though, i'll probably be living with my family. i am a little worried about losing my freedom though (my parents are kind of strict.)

anyhoo, gotta get back to trying to study. :p nice meeting (?) you!

So did you realize that orientation starts on Aug 8th and not the 10th? ****.

Do you think I'm going to have problems if I a) miss the first day of orientation or b) crawl in off the red-eye from Europe? I sorta committed to a huge race in Denmark on Aug 7th.

Have you looked into housing? Eeek. $$$$ I hope I can get grad student housing.

I am not motivated to study for the last of my prereqs. I guess it will be good to get me back into the swing of things since I've been out of school for 2 years.

Looking forward to 8 (MSTP) more years of sunshine and 70 degrees days in March.

I'm about 95% sure UCI is where I'll be going, all things considered - so hope to see you all there in August!

Maybe we should all put our screennames instead on those "Hello, my name is:" tags... :p

Hey guys! I'm really excited to meet all of u in August (or maybe at the end of April for the revisit day?) Where r u guys living?? I think I am gonna live in PV, but I'm having a hard time finding out where I am on the waitlist......anyway whatever...ZOT!ZOT! Go uci! :)

Hey everyone. I just found out that I was accepted today. So now I have a chance to return to Cali. Yeah! (Been away on the east coast for 6 years already, 5 years of undergrad + 1 glide year doing research) We've been experiencing some pretty depressing weather over here lately so on the sunny days, I usually find myself in an especially good mood. Dang, I miss Cali. :D Can't wait to fly back for second look weekend. Does anyone know when it is? Is it just one day-April 30? If someone could post the schedule, I would really appreciate it. Or at least the start and end time. Thanks. Hope to meet some of you there!

Congrats docinthemaking on your acceptance. Were you accepted off the alternate list?

Hey everyone. I just found out that I was accepted today. So now I have a chance to return to Cali. Yeah! (Been away on the east coast for 6 years already, 5 years of undergrad + 1 glide year doing research) We've been experiencing some pretty depressing weather over here lately so on the sunny days, I usually find myself in an especially good mood. Dang, I miss Cali. :D Can't wait to fly back for second look weekend. Does anyone know when it is? Is it just one day-April 30? If someone could post the schedule, I would really appreciate it. Or at least the start and end time. Thanks. Hope to meet some of you there!

Congrats docinthemaking on your acceptance. Were you accepted off the alternate list?

Thanks! I interviewed about a month ago and was given a straight acceptance. I'm seriously considering UCI, but I haven't made a final decision yet. But if you're on the alternate list and I withdraw, I hope you get my spot!

Hey Guys!!!!!! I am so excited for you all! I'm also a first year at UCI and I have loved every minute of it! A few things:

1) School does start earlier this year. They did it so that they can spread classes/tests out (even though I felt like it was fine). So, you guys get to start in Auguest and we, as second years, will start in Sept. Start working on your athletic skills to get ready for the 2nd Annual MSI-MSII Olympics!

2) Orientation is mandatory (unless policy has changed). If you are not there on the first day, they give your spot away to the next person on the alternate list. I showed up an hour early just in case and I live 10 minutes away!! Please check with the office before missing it!

3) Every day I can't help but think how lucky I am to be a UCI SOM student. I don't know what I did to deserve it, but a single day hasn't passed where I don't find myself smiling for no reason. I have three tag-alongs scheduled for this week - one with an IM resident, and IM Doctor, and a Peds resident. I can't wait!!!!!

4) If you need anything, please pm me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.


CONGRATS, GUYS!!!
Welcome to the family!


Yeah baby!

yea! congrats!! i just took another look at the revist day invite and unfortunately it doesnt seem to have any times. it just says the day--april 30th. anyhoo, congrats again!! :-D

Hey everyone. I just found out that I was accepted today. So now I have a chance to return to Cali. Yeah! (Been away on the east coast for 6 years already, 5 years of undergrad + 1 glide year doing research) We've been experiencing some pretty depressing weather over here lately so on the sunny days, I usually find myself in an especially good mood. Dang, I miss Cali. :D Can't wait to fly back for second look weekend. Does anyone know when it is? Is it just one day-April 30? If someone could post the schedule, I would really appreciate it. Or at least the start and end time. Thanks. Hope to meet some of you there!

yea! congrats!! i just took another look at the revist day invite and unfortunately it doesnt seem to have any times. it just says the day--april 30th. anyhoo, congrats again!! :-D

I e-mailed Ellena Peterson and this is what she told me:

"The revisit day is scheduled for Saturday April 30th. The program
will start at 9 AM and will end with a reception around 6. The
admissions office will contact you soon by e-mail about this."

Congrats to all who get accepted to UCI...its really grown on me this year (i'm a MS1). chose it over UCSD..would do again in a heartbeat... goodluck... PM me with any Q's.

I e-mailed Ellena Peterson and this is what she told me:

"The revisit day is scheduled for Saturday April 30th. The program
will start at 9 AM and will end with a reception around 6. The
admissions office will contact you soon by e-mail about this."

Would you mind passing on Dr. Peterson's email address? I've search the website but somehow only end up with the medadmit address. Thanks!

Sure thing. Here it is...

epeterso@uci.edu

Thanks, doc :)

how'd they contact u about ur acceptance? email, phone call, status page, snail mail?

Synapse, Dr. Peterson called me to tell me I was accepted. (sorta random, on a Sunday evening hehe) I think that's generally how it's done. Then your status page changes I think. No snail mail. Gluck! :luck:

how'd they contact u about ur acceptance? email, phone call, status page, snail mail?

Dr. Peterson tried to call me but when she couldn't reach me (my cell phone has no reception at work), she left me an e-mail. Then my status page was updated the next day.

hey scrappysurfer! :o) congrats on mstp!! thats so awesome! :thumbup:

what kind of race are you competing in?

anyhoo, gotta get back to trying to study. :p nice meeting (?) you!

I got a Team USA slot for Long Course Age Group Triathlon Worlds in Denmark. The race is somewhere between a 1/2 Ironman and full Ironman. This will be my longest race, so it is questionable if I'll be walking comfortably within a week. :eek:

Hey guys,

Does anyone have a link to web information about the preentry program for taking science classes before school starts in the fall?

Any idea what dates it runs and if it's difficult to get into if you want to do it?

Thank you :)

I have another question (yes, I'm just bursting with them today):

Does anyone know when the revisit day ends? I'm trying to decide what flight to book out that evening. I asked Dr. Peterson when I RSVPd but no one has gotten back to me.

:thumbup:

I have another question (yes, I'm just bursting with them today):

Does anyone know when the revisit day ends? I'm trying to decide what flight to book out that evening. I asked Dr. Peterson when I RSVPd but no one has gotten back to me.

:thumbup:


Hmmm. Dr. Peterson told me that the program ends with a reception around 6pm. How long do you think the reception will last? 1-2 hours?

Hmmm. Dr. Peterson told me that the program ends with a reception around 6pm. How long do you think the reception will last? 1-2 hours?

Yeah, that sounds about right. (BTW, docinthemaking, I'm making the same UCI vs Pitt choice as you.)

Yeah, that sounds about right. (BTW, docinthemaking, I'm making the same UCI vs Pitt choice as you.)

I'm wondering what choice there is to make. What are the factors you are considering?

Thanks!

Yeah, that sounds about right. (BTW, docinthemaking, I'm making the same UCI vs Pitt choice as you.)

Yeah I was wondering if that was the case since I saw you on both the UCI and Pitt c/o 2009 threads. It's a pretty tough choice but I can't complain cuz the situation could be worse ;) Anyhow, I've been wavering between the two schools and wanted to visit both second looks before making a decision. Are you leaning towards one school over the other?

Yeah I was wondering if that was the case since I saw you on both the UCI and Pitt c/o 2009 threads. It's a pretty tough choice but I can't complain cuz the situation could be worse ;) Anyhow, I've been wavering between the two schools and wanted to visit both second looks before making a decision. Are you leaning towards one school over the other?

The last couple days I've been leaning towards Irvine. Not sure though.

I'm wondering what choice there is to make. What are the factors you are considering?

Thanks!

What factors? In no particular order, this is what I've come up with on my list of things that are important to me:

Atmosphere at the school
Grading system
Location (city versus suburbia)
Weather
Curriculum structure
Strength of clinical training
Early clinical opportunties
Financial Aid (a big one, and I don't have either package yet!)
Strength in the particular fields I might be interested in (peds, neuro, psych, derm)
Research opportunities
Student happiness
Amount of free time
Having to buy a car
Access to online lectures (Actually don't know if either school has this?)
Ability to match where I want (cause I dunno yet and want to keep my options open)
Openness/accessibility of faculty

I know it's a really big list, but Spitting Camel I'd love your thoughts on these (or at least some of these) factors at UCI.

The last couple days I've been leaning towards Irvine. Not sure though.

Did you go to the Pitt Second Look Weekend?

Did you go to the Pitt Second Look Weekend?

I went to part of it. How about you? Did it help you come to any conclusions?

They're finally reviewing the waitlisters b/c I got the call from Dr. Peterson today.

Congrats wxl31. I'm glad to hear that the alternate list is moving.

They're finally reviewing the waitlisters b/c I got the call from Dr. Peterson today.

Congrats wxl31. I'm glad to hear that the alternate list is moving.

Barring a miracle scholarship, I'm going to withdraw for Davis. Good luck!!!

Someone just PMed these questions so I'm posting the answers here for all to see.

Interviewed 10/11
Waitlisted I think on 11/9; they changed that box on my status page so I did a SDN search and that's the date that I posted my waitlist
I did absolutely NOTHING post-interview; no LOIs or phonecalls. However, I hear UCI is very receptive to that sort of stuff so if you're really interested, send a LOI!!!
UCI is a great school. I was especially impressed by my faculty interviewer. We had a wonderful conversation on homelessness and healthcare in America. Afterward, she sent me a wonderful book about doctoring in Haiti. Congrats to all acceptees and good luck to all the ppl on the waitlist!

how'd they contact u about ur acceptance? email, phone call, status page, snail mail?


just found out today I got in though Ill likely withdraw; I interviewed on 3/1 and heard today via email though Dr. P claims she tried calling and couldnt get through.

What factors? In no particular order, this is what I've come up with on my list of things that are important to me:

Atmosphere at the school:Very Chill, excellent people to spend 4 years of life with.
Grading system: Honors, Pass, Fail... top 10 honor, everyone else Passes. It's really hard to fail.
Location (city versus suburbia): Orange County has a lot of places to have fun in, you just have to know where to look (that is what we soon-to-be-second years will be there for!)
Weather: Southern California... need I say more?
Curriculum structure: Traditional , but lectures are optional. Excellent core-notes are provided, so you don't really need to attend in most classes.
Strength of clinical training: 3rd and 4th year done at Long Beach Memorial, LBVA, UCIMC, Kaiser... you can even do externships at other schools during 4th year.
Early clinical opportunties: Student run clinic once a month. Vaccination clinics 1-2 times a month, tag-alongs with residents, pastoral care tag-along, psych clinic tag along, plenty of opportunities and willing doctors to tag-along in any specialty.
Financial Aid (a big one, and I don't have either package yet!): I got 6K for being under a certain family income. My EFC was 0. There are three brackets, 6K, 3K and 1K (consolation prize for filling out the paperwork), however, this might change for this year.
Strength in the particular fields I might be interested in (peds, neuro, psych, derm): Neuro is a fellowship, so you would do your residency first in IM, I think. Derm is a function of how hard you work and your board scores and research, peds has tons of open spots everywhere, and our psych department is pretty cool. I did a tag along there and loved it.
Research opportunities: OMG, so many that it'll make your head spin! Not required to do research, but there are tons of grants offered for summer research if you choose to do it. My friend just got 7200 from the American Heart Association and a 2000 dean's grant! Holy Cow!
Student happiness: I am the luckiest bastard in the world. Like I said, I smile for no reason!
Amount of free time: Most days are only until noon. Wednesdays of first and third quarter of first year are long ~3:30p.m. Second years have class starting at 1 p.m. most days!
Having to buy a car: Yes, but you can be that one person that annoys everyone by asking for rides all the time. There's always one.
Access to online lectures (Actually don't know if either school has this?): We have a student co-op, where notes are taken and posted online by students, but that it totally student run.
Ability to match where I want (cause I dunno yet and want to keep my options open): If you are good enough, you will match where you want. Any student at any school can blow the boards away and match well.
Openness/accessibility of faculty: Part of the reason why I feel I'm a lucky bastard. The faculty and administration is so accomodating and receptive to our needs. We constantly have meetings where we address our concerns to the dean. Every course has a rep that relays concerns as well. If something is not working, it gets fixed. We are so lucky.

I know it's a really big list, but Spitting Camel I'd love your thoughts on these (or at least some of these) factors at UCI: I hope I helped :) See you all at revisit!

Thanks for your response! If you don't mind I'm gonna ask a few more:

Curriculum structure: Traditional , but lectures are optional. Excellent core-notes are provided, so you don't really need to attend in most classes.

Can you tell me more about the curriculum. You say it's traditional but I thought it was organ-based? How often do you have tests?

Strength of clinical training: 3rd and 4th year done at Long Beach Memorial, LBVA, UCIMC, Kaiser... you can even do externships at other schools during 4th year.

Do you know if these places have a reputation for letting students do lots of hands on stuff?

Do you know how flexible 4th year is? ie how many, if any rotations you have to complete in system, how much time you get off for interviews ?

Research opportunities: OMG, so many that it'll make your head spin! Not required to do research, but there are tons of grants offered for summer research if you choose to do it. My friend just got 7200 from the American Heart Association and a 2000 dean's grant! Holy Cow!

So most students could get money for summer research if they wanted it? (As opposed to just the superstars, like it sounds like your friend is.)

Student happiness: I am the luckiest bastard in the world. Like I said, I smile for no reason!

This is what I've heard and the main reason I'm so excited about UCI!

Ability to match where I want (cause I dunno yet and want to keep my options open): If you are good enough, you will match where you want. Any student at any school can blow the boards away and match well.

I've heard over and over again the UCI has the highest board scores in CA but no one seems to know exactly what they are? Do you know what the averages are?

anyone know if you can back out of a second look weekend after already RSVPing? I just found out that I have to be somewhere else that day and I don't want to be rude. should i email? call? write a letter?

holy cow! thats incredible! i know its a little early but good luck at the race!!

I got a Team USA slot for Long Course Age Group Triathlon Worlds in Denmark. The race is somewhere between a 1/2 Ironman and full Ironman. This will be my longest race, so it is questionable if I'll be walking comfortably within a week. :eek:

thanks so much spitting camel. these are all questions that ive also been wondering about, and i really appreciate your taking the time to answer all of this.

i just had another question about finding research labs on campus. i dont really have any summer plans yet, so i was wondering if u would recommend trying to find a research lab to work in during the summer? i have a wide range of interests, but i currently work in a neuroimaging lab that studies memory. are there any resources or labs you might recommend for someone whos interested in neuro but is really open to any field?

thanks again spitting camel, and thanks to camd for asking those questions.

What factors? In no particular order, this is what I've come up with on my list of things that are important to me:

Atmosphere at the school:Very Chill, excellent people to spend 4 years of life with.
Grading system: Honors, Pass, Fail... top 10 honor, everyone else Passes. It's really hard to fail.
Location (city versus suburbia): Orange County has a lot of places to have fun in, you just have to know where to look (that is what we soon-to-be-second years will be there for!)
Weather: Southern California... need I say more?
Curriculum structure: Traditional , but lectures are optional. Excellent core-notes are provided, so you don't really need to attend in most classes.
Strength of clinical training: 3rd and 4th year done at Long Beach Memorial, LBVA, UCIMC, Kaiser... you can even do externships at other schools during 4th year.
Early clinical opportunties: Student run clinic once a month. Vaccination clinics 1-2 times a month, tag-alongs with residents, pastoral care tag-along, psych clinic tag along, plenty of opportunities and willing doctors to tag-along in any specialty.
Financial Aid (a big one, and I don't have either package yet!): I got 6K for being under a certain family income. My EFC was 0. There are three brackets, 6K, 3K and 1K (consolation prize for filling out the paperwork), however, this might change for this year.
Strength in the particular fields I might be interested in (peds, neuro, psych, derm): Neuro is a fellowship, so you would do your residency first in IM, I think. Derm is a function of how hard you work and your board scores and research, peds has tons of open spots everywhere, and our psych department is pretty cool. I did a tag along there and loved it.
Research opportunities: OMG, so many that it'll make your head spin! Not required to do research, but there are tons of grants offered for summer research if you choose to do it. My friend just got 7200 from the American Heart Association and a 2000 dean's grant! Holy Cow!
Student happiness: I am the luckiest bastard in the world. Like I said, I smile for no reason!
Amount of free time:


Most days are only until noon. Wednesdays of first and third quarter of first year are long ~3:30p.m. Second years have class starting at 1 p.m. most days!
Having to buy a car: Yes, but you can be that one person that annoys everyone by asking for rides all the time. There's always one.
Access to online lectures (Actually don't know if either school has this?): We have a student co-op, where notes are taken and posted online by students, but that it totally student run.
Ability to match where I want (cause I dunno yet and want to keep my options open): If you are good enough, you will match where you want. Any student at any school can blow the boards away and match well.
Openness/accessibility of faculty: Part of the reason why I feel I'm a lucky bastard. The faculty and administration is so accomodating and receptive to our needs. We constantly have meetings where we address our concerns to the dean. Every course has a rep that relays concerns as well. If something is not working, it gets fixed. We are so lucky.

I know it's a really big list, but Spitting Camel I'd love your thoughts on these (or at least some of these) factors at UCI: I hope I helped :) See you all at revisit!

congratulations everyone on your UCI acceptances!

I was wondering when exactly does UCI start their first year? Orientation seems to be August 8-9 and White Coat Ceremony August 15... does anyone know what the schedule/calendar's like?

Thanks!

UCI here I come!! Although I will be graduating with the class of 2010 (PRIME) Ill still see all of u next fall! ;)

Yea!! Congrats SoCalChica! :thumbup: :thumbup:

On another note, I was just wondering if anyone knew how many people get off the UCI waitlist.

UCI here I come!! Although I will be graduating with the class of 2010 (PRIME) Ill still see all of u next fall! ;)

Did anyone that got into UCI also get into USC?

Are they comparable?

my boyfriend got into usc, and i got into uci. just from talking to him and comparing the two schools i think they are somewhat similar but there are some important differences.

usc has some great clinical opportunities with the county hospital. from what i know, youll get to see and do a lot of things during your 3rd and 4th year. plus, being in la you know you will be helping the people that need the help the most. there will be some great community service opportunities there. on the flip side, their administration doesnt seem as supportive of its students as uci. i may be wrong about this, but i just say because my boyfriend has been having some difficult time finding out information about financial aid at usc. the only reason he even got a financial aid application was because he walked into the financial aid office and asked for one.

uci, on the other hand, has been extremely helpful for me when dealing with financial aid. another big thing is that uci is MUCH more affordable than usc. from what my boyfriend told me, usc just raised its tuition again. i believe tuition alone is almost $40,000 now? (i can check this number if you like.) uci is only ~$22,000 i believe. also, uci's seem to more directly prepare its students for step 1. im not sure if its really true that uci has the highest scores of all the california schools, but im do know the curriculum really prepares you well for this test. a downside of uci is that the hospitals are on a different campus. this would probably be my biggest complaint about uci.

anyway, my impression is that usc is a great school and has a lot to offer, but its just not the place i would want to be. they just dont seem to care as much about their students. the supportive atmosphere at uci makes a big difference in my eyes. i think either place you decide to go would be a great pick. congrats on your acceptances and good luck with your decision!

(i may be biased though... i grew up as a bruin fan)

Did anyone that got into UCI also get into USC?

Are they comparable?

UCI here I come!! Although I will be graduating with the class of 2010 (PRIME) Ill still see all of u next fall! ;)

SoCalChica,

CONGRATS! I am so excited that yu will be joining us at UCI! You must be pretty special to get into PRIME. It's so competitive!! I'm sure I'll see you around at orientation. My name is Steve. What's yours?

Congrats again!

thanks so much spitting camel. these are all questions that ive also been wondering about, and i really appreciate your taking the time to answer all of this.

i just had another question about finding research labs on campus. i dont really have any summer plans yet, so i was wondering if u would recommend trying to find a research lab to work in during the summer? i have a wide range of interests, but i currently work in a neuroimaging lab that studies memory. are there any resources or labs you might recommend for someone whos interested in neuro but is really open to any field?

thanks again spitting camel, and thanks to camd for asking those questions.


Hi! Sorry it took so long for me to respond, but my advice would be to just relax this summer. If you are really set on doing research and you have a passion for it, I can get you some more info. :)

anyway, my impression is that usc is a great school and has a lot to offer, but its just not the place i would want to be. they just dont seem to care as much about their students. the supportive atmosphere at uci makes a big difference in my eyes. i think either place you decide to go would be a great pick. congrats on your acceptances and good luck with your decision!



Couldn't agree more. My school could be sooooo much better than it actually is. GO to UCI if you get in there.

seeing how its may 15th, i was just wondering if there are any additional ant eaters out there.

seeing how its may 15th, i was just wondering if there are any additional ant eaters out there.

I'm hoping to be once I get bumped in off of the waitlist. Cross your fingers for me!!!! :thumbup:

I'm hoping to be once I get bumped in off of the waitlist. Cross your fingers for me!!!! :thumbup:

Goodluck!! *crossing fingers* :p

Someone please tell me the pain of waiting will be over soon!!

From the looks of last year's alternate list thread, we might not hear much until the end of May or early June. Anyone know if the process will be sped up this year because orientation is a month earlier?

Ok, I'm going to go jog and let radiohead take care of my worries: "don't leave me hiiiiiiiiiiiigh (UCI), don't leave me dryyyyyyyyyyy (UCI) ..."

ciao!

Someone please tell me the pain of waiting will be over soon!!

From the looks of last year's alternate list thread, we might not hear much until the end of May or early June. Anyone know if the process will be sped up this year because orientation is a month earlier?

Ok, I'm going to go jog and let radiohead take care of my worries: "don't leave me hiiiiiiiiiiiigh (UCI), don't leave me dryyyyyyyyyyy (UCI) ..."

ciao!

:( We should keep our own waiting-for-UCI thread. Reading this thread is just like real life-- hearing about other students who got in. Then wallowing in self-doubt. :laugh:

UCI's double rejection of me hurts! (alternate list and being kicked out of undergrad for having too many units---50 of which were AP units that I retook anyways)

Hi fellow waitlisters, let's keep in touch through this thread! http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=177540&highlight=uci



Good luck guys!!!

hey anteaters.. i'm joining you guys. wooHOOOO!!!!! :D

hey anteaters.. i'm joining you guys. wooHOOOO!!!!! :D

Do you mind giving out your stats?
Thanks

Do you mind giving out your stats?
Thanks

oh by the way, Congragulations!
Thats my dream school when I apply next year..

Hi,

I recently got into UCI :) Does anyone know about what the housing situation is there? Also, when do you plan on moving to Irvine?

hey! i heard that a lot of people are getting off the waitlist! congrats! im so excited for all of you. :o) please feel free to come join our uci yahoo group. :p

Does UCI appropriate some of their financial aid money towards the purchase of a computer? I just got in off of the waitlist, so I haven't received my fin. aid package yet. That is, should I rush out and buy a computer right now, which I want to do because I'm impatient, or should I wait until I get the financial aid?

Does UCI appropriate some of their financial aid money towards the purchase of a computer? I just got in off of the waitlist, so I haven't received my fin. aid package yet. That is, should I rush out and buy a computer right now, which I want to do because I'm impatient, or should I wait until I get the financial aid?


hey...i am an MSI at UCI....the way I remeber it the financial aid office does offer you money for a computer at the beginning of the year. if you want to take the money, you can...and if you don't need a computer you don't have to accept the money.....so i guess its up to you whether to buy right now or not...let me know if any of you guys have any more questions about next year

when do classes start?

when is orientation?

when is the white coat ceremony?

when do classes start?

when is orientation?

when is the white coat ceremony?

...this year I know you guys start in early August (a month earlier than we did last year). as far as specific dates, i have no idea. you'll get that in the mail. although the orientation and white coat ceremony are important, the only dates you guys should be worried about are for the San Diego retreat which is Sept 9-11th...mark it on the calenders!!

...this year I know you guys start in early August (a month earlier than we did last year). as far as specific dates, i have no idea. you'll get that in the mail. although the orientation and white coat ceremony are important, the only dates you guys should be worried about are for the San Diego retreat which is Sept 9-11th...mark it on the calenders!!

I think you guys have orientation Aug 8 and 9 and start Aug 10. White coat may or may not be the next week. But MDinSD is right, the retreat is awesome. We had everyone but 3 or so people attend this last year!

White coat = Aug 15th. I can't wait to get down there! The SD retreat sounds awesome. Also, anyone else want to start training for the Long Beach sprint triathlon (end of Sept)? I'm new to the sport and scrappysurfer's a pro. I welcome any newcomers to train with me or any oldtimers to let me lag behind them (group motivation--yeah!)!!

On a side note, is the UCI SOM friendster group exclusively for the class of 2008?

...this year I know you guys start in early August (a month earlier than we did last year). as far as specific dates, i have no idea. you'll get that in the mail. although the orientation and white coat ceremony are important, the only dates you guys should be worried about are for the San Diego retreat which is Sept 9-11th...mark it on the calenders!!



what is the san diego retreat and what do u do there?

White coat = Aug 15th. I can't wait to get down there! The SD retreat sounds awesome. Also, anyone else want to start training for the Long Beach sprint triathlon (end of Sept)? I'm new to the sport and scrappysurfer's a pro. I welcome any newcomers to train with me or any oldtimers to let me lag behind them (group motivation--yeah!)!!

On a side note, is the UCI SOM friendster group exclusively for the class of 2008?



i thought the white coat ceremony was after orientation?

is aug 15th really the correct date?

i thought the white coat ceremony was after orientation?

is aug 15th really the correct date?

Orientation is on the 8th and 9th, classes start the 10th, white coat is on the 15th - All in August.

You guys should have gotten a letter about the retreat, I think. There should be a website address that you can go to to check out some details. It really is awesome. Such a great way to bond and party with your classmates.

About friendster, you can be approved once you matriculate. There really are no class distinctions. Once you're here, you're part of the fam, no matter what year you are!

We can't wait to meet you guys. We're already planning the MS1-MS2 olympics, we have the orientation party nights all planned, the retreat planning is underway with the friday party and Saturday night outing. It should be fun. We also do tons of intramurals - softball, soccer, swimming - it should be awesome.

HI everyone, i guess i'm a little new to the board considering i was accepted just last week. can anyone give me some information on housing? I was all prepared to go somewhere else and then this acceptance magically dropped into my lap so i haven't really made any plans. Thanks so much in advance!

hey guys,

just another little promo for the uci yahoo group. lemme know if any of you are having trouble finding the group of getting added. :) congrats to all the new acceptees!! i cant wait to meet everyone!

Hey all,

Just found this thread and thought I'd say hi. I'm joining the class this coming year as well and wanted to meet some people before I head down there. I just got back from the area today and signed a lease for an apartment. WOOHOO!! a little expensive but still nice so if you could add me to the yahoo groups, i'd love it.

email address is lolocheunger@yahoo.com

is there any other info you need to add me to the group?

hey laulena,
that should be all i need. please let me know if you dont get the invite soon. i just sent it. congrats! :)
hotchicalica

Hey all,

Just found this thread and thought I'd say hi. I'm joining the class this coming year as well and wanted to meet some people before I head down there. I just got back from the area today and signed a lease for an apartment. WOOHOO!! a little expensive but still nice so if you could add me to the yahoo groups, i'd love it.

email address is lolocheunger@yahoo.com

is there any other info you need to add me to the group?

i can't believe we have summer reading :(

i can't believe we have summer reading :(
I keep hearing from med students that the first 2 years (at a lot of schools) are like an intense high school experience--at least in terms of social life. Perhaps this is our first taste of medical high school, hehe. Don't worry, I heard from someone who's read it that it's pretty interesting. :)

I keep hearing from med students that the first 2 years (at a lot of schools) are like an intense high school experience--at least in terms of social life. Perhaps this is our first taste of medical high school, hehe. Don't worry, I heard from someone who's read it that it's pretty interesting. :)

It is an interesting book. The author digresses a bit, but in all I liked it. I sat down for a few hours one day and read the whole thing at once.

I housed a Hmong applicant this year. It was awesome to hear his stories first-hand after reading the book.

Does anyone need housing? I just rented a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom place in Woodbridge Meadows (about 5 miles from campus) and the roommate I was planning on having just fell through. Rent for you would be $730 and utilities on top of that. I think I'd prefer to live with another girl, a non-smoker and sorry, no drugs in the apartment and no pets either (i'm allergic to cats and they don't allow dogs). Let me know if you're interested.

email: Lcheung@gmail.com

anyone wanna get together sometime before school starts maybe for dinner somewhere in irvine? :D

hey synapse,
im totally up for it! ill actually be in the area this weekend. just let me know.


anyone wanna get together sometime before school starts maybe for dinner somewhere in irvine? :D

Hi, I just got in last week to UCI, and looking for a place to stay. I put my name at vista del campo, and verano place seems like they have a long waitlist till november. Any medical 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th years need a roomate? Also, how many of ya'll got to live on campus?

and oh yea, MS1 is gonna beat MS2's in the olympics hahaha!!!!

hey synapse,
im totally up for it! ill actually be in the area this weekend. just let me know.

awww man, i was busy today and i'm not free tomorrow either. :(

hopefully sometime before school starts we can meet up. what about sometime the end of july or early august?? everyone should be moving in around then rite? :thumbup: ;)

I'd be down for a pre-orientation dinner in late July or early August (or whenever anybody is free). On another note, has anyone received invitations to the white coat ceremony. How many people can we bring?

I just accepted off the waitlist for Irvine!!!!! Can't wait! Spent all weekend trying to decide between Chicago (Loyola) and UCI. Irvine it is!!!! Can't wait to meet everyone. Anyone looking for a roommate!!!

David

Hi guys! I just got off the UCI waitlist! I'm soo excited and can't wait to meet all of you in August. :D

hotchicalica, can you add me to the yahoo group? My email address is vanh0ang@ucla.edu

Thx! If any of you guys want to get together before school starts, let me know. I'm from the area.


-Van

I'm so glad I can finally post on this thread.
I too got in off the waitlist this afternoon.
Does anyone know where to search for housing?
Is on-campus housing full? Why doesn't the website load (www.housing.uci.edu)?
Does anyone have any news on the situation at Vista Del Campo? Any open spaces?
Look forward to meeting everyone!

I'm so glad I can finally post on this thread.
I too got in off the waitlist this afternoon.
Does anyone know where to search for housing?
Is on-campus housing full? Why doesn't the website load (www.housing.uci.edu)?
Does anyone have any news on the situation at Vista Del Campo? Any open spaces?
Look forward to meeting everyone!

Congrats to everyone who's recently been accepted!! I can't wait to meet people in August!

As far as housing goes, definitely call the places you're interested in. As of a few weeks ago, both Palo Verde and Vista Del Campo still had rooms/apartments available (however, you might be out of luck if you want a studio). I'm moving some of my stuff into VDC this weekend--apparently the housing office is open 24/7. Good luck!

If anyone needs a roommate or apartment, PM me!

Im moving into vista del campo next week, and i think there are still spaces available. I am coming from the bay area and have been trying to get my place set from here which has been difficult since my leases were lost in the mail! The office is open 24/7, but Tracy, who is the lease manager is only there Mon-Fri. Good luck to all and see you soon.

By the way, who is planning on the San Diego retreat/conference?

Heh, finally decided it was time to join the Allo boards... Just dropping in to say hi, see ya all in about a week, I guess! :)

Where ya'll living at? I'm living at Palo Verde!!! any verano peeps or vista peeps or wat not?

checkin in from up here on the hill at vista! pretty nice here, but just feel like im on the fringe you know? :cool: :cool:

I'm in palo verde too. Seems nice, but I'm not with med students. (that might be nice too, who knows!) Anybody going to dinner or anything before orientation?

let's go. where to???

oo, oo! I want to go too! However, I'm not getting down to Irvine until Thursday afternoon--making the final/permanent move into VDC. Would Thurs, Fri, or Sat evening work for anyone? My vote = the sooner the better. There's also an awesome gas grill right outside my apartment in vista if people are up for a bbq. I haven't personally used it but my housemate and her b/f cooked an amazing steak the other weekend when I was there. :-)

oo, oo! I want to go too! However, I'm not getting down to Irvine until Thursday afternoon--making the final/permanent move into VDC. Would Thurs, Fri, or Sat evening work for anyone? My vote = the sooner the better. There's also an awesome gas grill right outside my apartment in vista if people are up for a bbq. I haven't personally used it but my housemate and her b/f cooked an amazing steak the other weekend when I was there. :-)
I guess it depends on how many people come, but I would be up for a bbq at vista del campo on fri, or sat. I have to go to an ice cream social on thur night.

from a current third year busy saving lives in the hospital (ahhm... right :rolleyes: ) just want to take a sec and welcome you guys to UCI. Enjoy the honeymoon... and now back to saving lives!!!

OP

im definitely up for a bbq too! :) anyone want to set a day, place and time? maybe... saturday or sunday? afternoon?? :p

I guess it depends on how many people come, but I would be up for a bbq at vista del campo on fri, or sat. I have to go to an ice cream social on thur night.

Thursday night would be good. Im heading to vegas over the weekend. Hey I figure Ive gotta push my luch BEFORE classes start right?

If anyone is interested in going out tonight or doing a barbeque Thurs night, send me a message. I also put a post to the same effect on the Yahoo group.

Dave :D

how about fri night?

friday night sounds good to me.

how about fri night?

Ok, shall we attempt a bbq Friday evening at VDC? Apparently we're not allowed to use it after 10pm (ssshhhh, it's grad-student quiet time after 10, ha). We can meet at the VDC graduate street entrance at 7pm (first left when you get to VDC). I'm willing to stand on the corner (on Arroyo) so people don't get lost. Otherwise, my room number is 40223 (no stalkers, please). Once we meet up we can go get food at the store and then hungrily shove other grad students away from the grill! or politely ask them if we can share (but where's the fun in that?). Let me know what you guys think!

I'm also up for grabbing a beer/food at Steelhead tomorrow night. Dave, did you have a particular time in mind?

must not waste precious free time before orientation on Monday!

Anyone who is up for Steelhead tonight, we can meet at 7pm either at Steelhead or on campus, say VDC?

thanks jenn for organizing this! in terms of the bbq, on the yahoo group i believe that a couple of us have said that were going to meet up on friday. so, if anyone else is interested, please feel free to come! :)


Ok, shall we attempt a bbq Friday evening at VDC? Apparently we're not allowed to use it after 10pm (ssshhhh, it's grad-student quiet time after 10, ha). We can meet at the VDC graduate street entrance at 7pm (first left when you get to VDC). I'm willing to stand on the corner (on Arroyo) so people don't get lost. Otherwise, my room number is 40223 (no stalkers, please). Once we meet up we can go get food at the store and then hungrily shove other grad students away from the grill! or politely ask them if we can share (but where's the fun in that?). Let me know what you guys think!

I'm also up for grabbing a beer/food at Steelhead tomorrow night. Dave, did you have a particular time in mind?

must not waste precious free time before orientation on Monday!

alrighty... so our bbq yesterday kind of... failed. BUT we're gonna
try again today (saturday)! :) same deal, BBQ at VDC at 7pm. please
leave a post of give either jen or i a call if you think ure going to
be able to make it so we can have an idea who to expect. our phone numbers are on the yahoo group.

vickie

hey,
does anyone who lives in the newport area want to set up a carpool? :o) if so, lemme know!
vickie

At least we get to celebrate afterwards with the white coat ceremony! Sleep tight.