Official 2014 UC Post-Bacc Consortium Thread!

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I interviewed at UCSF on Tuesday and I got the rare opportunity to be interviewed by a former post bacc student. They told me that one of the regular interviewers couldn't be there, so a student who had just finished the program had volunteered to help. It was kind of cool because I got to ask her a lot of questions about the program. AND right after the interview I got the call from UC Davis for the interview.
 
DR.TORTILLA said:
I interviewed at UCSF on Tuesday and I got the rare opportunity to be interviewed by a former post bacc student. They told me that one of the regular interviewers couldn't be there, so a student who had just finished the program had volunteered to help. It was kind of cool because I got to ask her a lot of questions about the program. AND right after the interview I got the call from UC Davis for the interview.
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Dr. Torilla can I ask what your stats are? Reapplicant? first time? gpa? science gpa?
 
milianne said:
Dr. Torilla can I ask what your stats are? Reapplicant? first time? gpa? science gpa?
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UCSD 3.2
sGPA 2.91
Haven't taken MCAT.
Think they really liked I have a 3.9 GPA all upper div science courses my senior year (similar classes I will take in Post-Bacc). I think it's my story that really got me those interviews.
 
Let me tell you guys one thing, there really is no set GPA to be accepted to the UC postbacs. It's a lot more about your experiences and your motivations for medicine. They understand that the GPAs for the applicants are gonna be on the low end of things, it is a postbac after all.
 
DR.TORTILLA said:
I interviewed at UCSF on Tuesday and I got the rare opportunity to be interviewed by a former post bacc student. They told me that one of the regular interviewers couldn't be there, so a student who had just finished the program had volunteered to help. It was kind of cool because I got to ask her a lot of questions about the program. AND right after the interview I got the call from UC Davis for the interview.
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Do you mind sharing what kind of questions they ask, how the interview was structured etc. I have my interview coming up on the 20th of this month.
 
Futuredoctorhopeful1986 said:
Do you mind sharing what kind of questions they ask, how the interview was structured etc. I have my interview coming up on the 20th of this month.
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They asked the common questions. I'm sure you encountered them during your UCSD interview. It was very relaxed and they were very friendly, so don't worry. They ask you questions for the first ~30mins (roughly 9-11 questions) and then they give you time to ask them some questions. Like I said, it was a very relaxed environment so don't worry about it. You will be fine. Best of luck! =]
 
abtl31 said:
They asked the common questions. I'm sure you encountered them during your UCSD interview. It was very relaxed and they were very friendly, so don't worry. They ask you questions for the first ~30mins (roughly 9-11 questions) and then they give you time to ask them some questions. Like I said, it was a very relaxed environment so don't worry about it. You will be fine. Best of luck! =]
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Thank you for the tips! Have you heard back from them yet?
 
SilentSoldier said:
Just thought I'd stop by and say how awesome the UC postbacs are. I did mine at UCLA for the reapp stuff and it was incredibly helpful in improving my credentials for my app. I probably had so much more success with instate schools this time because of it. So, the program definitely works! Good luck guys!
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So good to know! Thank you for sharing! Are you applying to medical schools this June or did you apply last June?
 
tnzpremed said:
So good to know! Thank you for sharing! Are you applying to medical schools this June or did you apply last June?
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Applied last June, check the MDApps to see how it went 🙂
 
Oh man, I am not getting any interview offer. I know it is only mid May, but the thought of not getting at least to the interview stage scares me A LOT...in a sense that: if I'm not even getting interviewed for a postbac program, how the heck am I gonna get a med school interview offer? Scary thought indeed.
 
MD_Inspired said:
Oh man, I am not getting any interview offer. I know it is only mid May, but the thought of not getting at least to the interview stage scares me A LOT...in a sense that: if I'm not even getting interviewed for a postbac program, how the heck am I gonna get a med school interview offer? Scary thought indeed.
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1. do your own postbac
2. get a job
3. keep up volunteering/clinical hours/shadowing
 
MD_Inspired said:
Oh man, I am not getting any interview offer. I know it is only mid May, but the thought of not getting at least to the interview stage scares me A LOT...in a sense that: if I'm not even getting interviewed for a postbac program, how the heck am I gonna get a med school interview offer? Scary thought indeed.
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Don't worry I was told that UCSF and UCD still have another round of interviews to go. And I still haven't heard a thing from or about riverside. There is still hope.
 
MD_Inspired said:
Good luck, futuredoc! Tell us how it goes.
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I just finished interviewing at UCD and UCSF consecutively. Yesterday at UCD was great and I got a good feeling from them. The program seems amazing and I think the interview went very well. There was a group interview and a one on one interview. The group portion was nerve racking for me as I was not necessarily prepared for that format. I think I did great but hearing my fellow applicants stories + amazing extra curricular activities and very polished/ well rehearsed interview answers, sort of psyched me out a little bit, but I'm sure we all felt that way. But the individual portion was a breeze by comparison. All in all a very pleasant experience and I have high hopes.
As for UCSF it was a completely different ball game. I loved the individual format and there were 2 interviewers. They were the nicest most welcoming of all my interviewers thus far. I felt like I nailed the interview and truly was able to show my true colors and explain any weaknesses in my application. I feel amazing about the UCSF interview and am excited to hear back from them. Thank you for all the support along the way from the community here, and good luck to you all. Now all that is left to do is wait and see what happens next.
 
Futuredoctorhopeful1986 said:
Don't worry I was told that UCSF and UCD still have another round of interviews to go. And I still haven't heard a thing from or about riverside. There is still hope.
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But, this means they've already sent out invitations to those that are going to be interviewed for those "other rounds", correct? Or, do they mean they will be inviting peeps for another round of interview?
 
Futuredoctorhopeful1986 said:
I just finished interviewing at UCD and UCSF consecutively. Yesterday at UCD was great and I got a good feeling from them. The program seems amazing and I think the interview went very well. There was a group interview and a one on one interview. The group portion was nerve racking for me as I was not necessarily prepared for that format. I think I did great but hearing my fellow applicants stories + amazing extra curricular activities and very polished/ well rehearsed interview answers, sort of psyched me out a little bit, but I'm sure we all felt that way. But the individual portion was a breeze by comparison. All in all a very pleasant experience and I have high hopes.
As for UCSF it was a completely different ball game. I loved the individual format and there were 2 interviewers. They were the nicest most welcoming of all my interviewers thus far. I felt like I nailed the interview and truly was able to show my true colors and explain any weaknesses in my application. I feel amazing about the UCSF interview and am excited to hear back from them. Thank you for all the support along the way from the community here, and good luck to you all. Now all that is left to do is wait and see what happens next.
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It seems like you nailed it out of the ballpark again, futuredoc! I hope UCSF/UCD can offer you with a better FinAid option so you can attend their program. It would sadden me to see that someone with great potential, like you, cannot attend because of financial reasons. Getting invitations from UCSD, UCSF, and UCD definitely means A LOT!
 
MD_Inspired said:
It seems like you nailed it out of the ballpark again, futuredoc! I hope UCSF/UCD can offer you with a better FinAid option so you can attend their program. It would sadden me to see that someone with great potential, like you, cannot attend because of financial reasons. Getting invitations from UCSD, UCSF, and UCD definitely means A LOT!
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Wow thank you so much for the kind words that means a lot! As for the invites already being sent out for the interviews. I know that when I signed up for my time slot at UCSF I had to change it to a earlier date because they said they still have lots of applications to go through and they like to reserve the later dates for those applications that have yet to be reviewed. So at least for that program there is hope. And I would imagine riverside as well because I have heard no mention of interviews from them on this forum. I wouldn't be surprised if all programs are still reviewing applications (except irvine of course). Just keep your head up and have hope. It's going to work out for all of us one way or the other.
 
Futuredoctorhopeful1986 said:
Wow thank you so much for the kind words that means a lot! As for the invites already being sent out for the interviews. I know that when I signed up for my time slot at UCSF I had to change it to a earlier date because they said they still have lots of applications to go through and they like to reserve the later dates for those applications that have yet to be reviewed. So at least for that program there is hope. And I would imagine riverside as well because I have heard no mention of interviews from them on this forum. I wouldn't be surprised if all programs are still reviewing applications (except irvine of course). Just keep your head up and have hope. It's going to work out for all of us one way or the other.
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Thanks for this info, I really appreciate it! It gives me one last hope and for everyone waiting to hear back.
 
Didn't know this thread existed until today! I interviewed with UCSF in late April and interviewed with UC Davis yesterday...and I actually received a phone call today accepting me into the Davis program! I am very surprised at such a quick turn around time. Does anyone know anything about when UCSF will release decisions? And I too have not heard anything from Riverside or UCLA (turned down by UCI though)
 
DR.TORTILLA said:
Just got ACCEPTED to UCSF.
Now I have to decide between them and UCI!
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Congratulations!!!! That is really amazing. Very happy for you.
If it were me, I would pick UCSF - I think they hold a bit more prestige. Although, UCI might favor those who did their post-bacc for their medical school....
Decisions decisions....
 
future_DO_bgv said:
Congratulations!!!! That is really amazing. Very happy for you.
If it were me, I would pick UCSF - I think they hold a bit more prestige. Although, UCI might favor those who did their post-bacc for their medical school....
Decisions decisions....
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I wouldn't worry about the prestige of the name of a postbacc program so much as what you can get out of the program in terms of performance, LOR, research experiences, etc. Adcoms don't really care about what undergrad you went to, what your major was, etc.; they only care about what you have to show for yourself. I'd prioritize cost above all else for the postbaccs - at least those in the UC system, which are non-linkage (i.e. non-guaranteed) programs. Congratulations!
 
WarholMadrid said:
Didn't know this thread existed until today! I interviewed with UCSF in late April and interviewed with UC Davis yesterday...and I actually received a phone call today accepting me into the Davis program! I am very surprised at such a quick turn around time. Does anyone know anything about when UCSF will release decisions? And I too have not heard anything from Riverside or UCLA (turned down by UCI though)
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I interviewed the same day as you @ UCD. What time were you? I think I was the 2:30 group.
 
Ah I was in the 1:30 group right before you 🙂 Congratulations on UCSF!! Did you hear from them today?
 
WarholMadrid said:
Ah I was in the 1:30 group right before you 🙂 Congratulations on UCSF!! Did you hear from them today?
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I heard from them just about an hour ago via email. I interviewed the day after I interviewed at Davis too (the 13th). With such a quick turn around for you at Davis It sort of makes me worried about that program. But UCSF is my dream program, and I couldn't be happier!
 
Hi y'all! I can't believe I didn't know about this thread until today. But congratulations to the ones that have been accepted 🙂 I have my interview at UCSF this coming Tuesday and a little bit nervous. Any tips?
 
DR.TORTILLA said:
Just got ACCEPTED to UCSF.
Now I have to decide between them and UCI!
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Important things to consider are success rate, funding, advising and support, mcat prep, and most importantly where you think you can excel. I know UCSF is pretty much stellar in all of the above for me. The funding is the main factor as I don't qualify for private loans without a cosigner (which I don't have). And the success rate at UCSF IS 92%!!!! with 85% ending up in California programs.
I believe that is the highest success rate of all of the consortium programs. Which makes it the most competitive. I am not sure about this information regarding irvine. But no matter what you will have somewhere to go this year which is amazing. Congratulations! Let us know what you decide.
 
Futuredoctorhopeful1986 said:
Important things to consider are success rate, funding, advising and support, mcat prep, and most importantly where you think you can excel. I know UCSF is pretty much stellar in all of the above for me. The funding is the main factor as I don't qualify for private loans without a cosigner (which I don't have). And the success rate at UCSF IS 92%!!!! with 85% ending up in California programs.
I believe that is the highest success rate of all of the consortium programs. Which makes it the most competitive. I am not sure about this information regarding irvine. But no matter what you will have somewhere to go this year which is amazing. Congratulations! Let us know what you decide.
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It is such a hard decision. I think these are the top two programs. Both have very similar success rates (UCI is just a little lower, but they have been doing postbacc for almost 10 years more than UCSF) I will probably end up deciding based on MCAT prep. UCSF preps this summer and takes the test right away. UCI doesnt do the prep until the end of the program, giving me more time to study and the benefit of using what I might have learned in the upper div courses we have to take. However, then comes the problem of taking the new MCAT over the current MCAT.
BTW congratulations on getting into UCSF, it seems like a great match for you. As soon as I decide I will let you know. maybe we end up being study partners.
 
UCR will be later than most of the other UC's. I'm not sure why they do this but I heard they interviewed and accepted a current student the weekend before the program began.
 
Hello all!

Congratulations to those accepted into the UC programs! Wish you all the best! 🙂

I'm part of the applicant pool that has not yet heard back from schools I applied to- UCD/ UCSF/ UCR. Is it safe to assume that they're wrapping it up for this cycle and are no longer interviewing? Any information would be much appreciated!

Thanks much 🙂
 
I don't think UCR has even began interviewing, so there is still hope. I know UCD and UCSF have done a lot of interviews. I'm still waiting from all three as well.

Congratulations to all those who have received interviews and acceptances! Wish you all the best!
 
wmsm8jr said:
Hello all!

Congratulations to those accepted into the UC programs! Wish you all the best! 🙂

I'm part of the applicant pool that has not yet heard back from schools I applied to- UCD/ UCSF/ UCR. Is it safe to assume that they're wrapping it up for this cycle and are no longer interviewing? Any information would be much appreciated!

Thanks much 🙂
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I am in the same boat as you. I haven't heard anything from any other schools besides UCI from which I got rejected. At this time, I have already given up on waiting. If you don't get in, just make sure you have some back up plans. I am preparing for my MCAT right now and will be taking it some time in October. If I ace it, I am sure I will get accepted next cycle LOL. 45, here I come. 😀 GL and congratz to those who have gotten accepted!
 
Had my UCSF interview today. I was told that this is the last week of interviews, and the last admissions meeting is Mon or Tues of next week, so everyone who interviewed will have a final decision by the end of next week.
 
pDeluxe said:
Had my UCSF interview today. I was told that this is the last week of interviews, and the last admissions meeting is Mon or Tues of next week, so everyone who interviewed will have a final decision by the end of next week.
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Aww this is the last week of interviews!? 🙁 It looks like I was not very lucky on my first time applying to these post-bacc programs. I applied to UCD, UCSF, UCR. I have not heard back from any of the programs. I am not giving up but it does suck.

On a happier note, congratulations to everyone that has gotten accepted so far!
 
Lirema said:
Aww this is the last week of interviews!? 🙁 It looks like I was not very lucky on my first time applying to these post-bacc programs. I applied to UCD, UCSF, UCR. I have not heard back from any of the programs. I am not giving up but it does suck.

On a happier note, congratulations to everyone that has gotten accepted so far!
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Last week for UCSF, but you still have a chance at UCD and UCR! Its not over til its over
 
pDeluxe said:
Last week for UCSF, but you still have a chance at UCD and UCR! Its not over til its over
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That is very true. I shall keep waiting. *fingers crossed*
Isn't Davis almost done interviewing?? I read in the above comments that no one has heard back from UCR so I still have faith in that one.
 
Got the call then email from UC DAVIS for interview this Thursday 😀 !!!!!!. So thankful for the opportunity to interview . I applied at the deadline. First time applicant
 
DocDoc123473738 said:
Got the call then email from UC DAVIS for interview this Thursday 😀 !!!!!!. So thankful for the opportunity to interview . I applied at the deadline. First time applicant
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Congratulations and good luck!!:xf::claps::happy:

When you say that you applied at the deadline do you mean that you sent your application on April 9th?
 
DocDoc123473738 said:
Any tips from those who have interviewed ?
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I posted about my experience before with the Davis interview, please check earlier posts. I would say be ready for a group interview setting. In my opinion my strategy of not writing/rehearsing interview answers so that I could give genuine answers may not be the best strategy for the group interview. Because the other applicants interviewing seemed to have studied what they were going to say. I would personally prefer an off the cuff answer, but they didn't seem to mind the "pre packaged" interview answers my counterparts gave. In short, rehearsing a few answers might help for the group portion.
 
Lirema said:
Congratulations and good luck!!:xf::claps::happy:

When you say that you applied at the deadline do you mean that you sent your application on April 9th?
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Yes my application was completed at 12:25 am on April 9th. My letters did not post till April 16th but I know they were turned in much earlier ( April 1st is when they all sent).
 
DocDoc123473738 said:
Yes my application was completed at 12:25 am on April 9th. My letters did not post till April 16th but I know they were turned in much earlier ( April 1st is when they all sent).
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Sounds like my story. The only problem is that one of my letters of recommendation was "not received" and it took a few days for my recommender to send it again. 🙁 I can see that be a problem....
 
Lirema said:
Sounds like my story. The only problem is that one of my letters of recommendation was "not received" and it took a few days for my recommender to send it again. 🙁 I can see that be a problem....
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I wouldn't worry too much about the date you turned things in. I applied in March and everything was turned in March 20. I still have not heard from UCD, UCSF, or UCR (go figure).
 
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