idk, but the suspense is killing me
I am, Im looking to send it this week actually! Doing final reviews. How about you?
Yeah I'm just finalizing my last essay and waiting on one LOR which is making me a little nervous but it should be okay. Are you applying to all of them?
Yeah I applied I think literally on the deadline date. Yours says "Program Qualification Review" though? Mine still says "Reviewing Application, Next Step: Program Qualification Review"
Hey nice, good luck! Hope you get it! What type of questions did they ask during the interview? Would you say there is anyway of preparing for it and how long was it?
Basic questions f.e. Tell me about yourself. No real way to prepare, just be yourself. They like to hear about underserved populations and we got into a discussion about do/md in a very casual way. I'm sure length varies but mine was about half hour
For this year, our classes started at the very end of June. The classes follow along with the UCSD undergrad quarter system, so you can expect a class schedule very similar to what you experienced in college - M/W/F or Tu/Th lecture blocks and discussions sprinkled throughout the week.
Thanks, are you guys on spring break now?
I'm not working, but one of my friends was working about 15-20 hours per week. It was tiring and she was stressed but she still maintained a 4.0. She quit her job this quarter to focus on classes and studying for the MCAT. I can't think of anyone else with a job in the program. Remember, getting that 4.0 is the entire reason you're doing this program. I am doing research and volunteering, totaling about 10-16 hours depending on the week. The workload is manageable, especially if you're not doing ECs or working. If you are, you'll have to be dedicated and good with time management. I probably study around 20 hours per week (more hours around midterms and finals) and I have a 4.0. I took the MCAT before the program started, which made my life much much easier. If you have time before the program starts, I highly recommend doing that. You can always retake it during the year if necessary.
Okay Thank you !!
Just wanted to chime in on what I've heard about the workload (please correct me if I'm wrong).
My classes are three days a week this quarter, but most everyone else has at least one class per day. But there are tons of free hours in the days when your schedule is stretched out like that, so you can definitely work or do volunteering. I've been doing ECs since the beginning of winter quarter and the scheduling has worked out fine.
Thank you so much for the insight!
Hey guys, I remember feeling anxious this time last year about notifications of acceptances. The program has lots of applications to go through, so try to be patient, even if it takes longer than expected! I just checked my email from last year, and I got notification of acceptance on April 22nd. That is by no means a suggestion that you'll hear back around then too, but just figured you'll feel better knowing that just because you haven't heard yet does not mean you haven't been accepted. IIRC, I expected to hear last year around April 1st. Good luck to you all, and I'd be happy to answer any questions about the program in the mean time
Thanks Annie!!!! This is a huge help. Yes the 3.4 is Postbac so that 4.0 is a huge thing to consider. Also you are very right about the masters not mattering! Who cares if I'm going to Med school anyways, just some more letters on my name. It seems like the respect for UCSD's program is the tiebreaker and tells me I should go there if I get in. However, I am not confident about grades (although I will obviously do my best), but then again the grades should be just as hard to get at Midwestern. Again thank you soooo muchHey Mike,
I don't know how many people they will accept from the interview. As for midwestern, that is one of the two or three top DO schools in the country, so a linkage there is an awesome opportunity. Then again, UCSD has a linkage with Western, which is probably the best DO school. They don't accept everyone - this year three people applied and all three were accepted, but if more applied I think they were going to cap the number of accepted students from UCSD to about 3.
I think all three programs will be rigorous. Was the 3.4 from your postbac your best work/effort? If so, I would consider Midwestern if their linkage is for everyone. At UCSD, a 3.5 is expected to get a committee letter, and everyone has higher than that - most of us have a 4.0. Getting lower than that won't impress med schools. But, UCSD postbac offers free tutoring and tons of educational support if you're struggling in a class. Think carefully about your ability to get around a 4.0 before making a decision.
I was also concerned about the extension and big lecture aspect of UCSD. Being an extension student doesn't feel any different than being a regular undergrad. Two of your three classes each quarter will be with undergrads. I did really well in undergrad in a few of the classes they automatically enroll us in, so I have taken one alternative each quarter. That is a little stressful because we're not guaranteed a spot in an alternative class, but this quarter is the first that I haven't gotten into my first choice class. The class I did get into (Biology of Cancer) is actually awesome, and was my third choice anyway. The extension people work realllyyyyyy hard to get us enrolled, and we don't have to lift a finger, which is nice. IMO, affecting your undergrad GPA is really important - med schools look at that number immediately and it's important that it looks good enough that they don't set you aside before even realizing you did a postbac. Also, we all sit together in the undergrad classes, so it doesn't feel like you're lost in the crowd. We are also really proactive students, so we tend to go to office hours often and get to know the professors. That makes the class feel much smaller as well.
The third class you will take each quarter is just for the postbacs, taught by an amazing teacher named Steve. He does educational support for the med students - basically he knows everything they learn in medical school so he can help them, which means awesome info and opportunities to occasionally attend lectures at the med school for us! His class is very similar to first year medical school classes - pathophysiology of really common and interesting diseases, pharmacology, etc.
I think the master's thing is a non-issue. You're going to go to medical school - assuming your MCAT turns out well, I'd imagine you will at least get into a DO. Why would we need a master's?
It's a hard decision. Personally, I love UCSD. I'm thriving from feeding off the motivation of my friends in the cohort, the support from my advisor (who sits on the UCSD SoM admissions committee) and Steve. I'm really happy with my decision to go here. Seven people from last year's cohort (of I think around 23?) have been accepted to UCSD Med. Many of the other students are getting their acceptances to MDs around the country too. Their success tells me that med schools respect UCSD postbac.
Although, I am more likely to get into DO with my grades than MD, so it is a big advantage to have a great DO linkage. Both have them, like you said (SD with western and Midwestern with AZCOM) but I think Midwestern has a better connection because it's on their campus
Definitely look into their linkage and see how strong it is! Good luck to you
I was informed that the selection committee met last week to review the applicants that were interviewed. The Program Director will be emailing out decisions on Thursday!
I'm with ya, nothing yet!Has anyone else heard anything???
Just got notified. On the wait list
Nice! Better than rejection. Did you just get it now? Like after 5pm?
Literally 10 min ago
Literally 10 min ago
Cool cool. Well congrats. You still have a chance!
I haven't heard anything yet.
I haven't heard anything either
I wonder if they're going alphabetically or if they're sending out rejections/waitlist/acceptances on different days. This is unlike what happened in prior years.
Me too! I've been checking since Wednesday lol
Lol maybe they are going in alphabetical order
Hopefully they send all the acceptances out today...
