2008-2009 UCSD Secondary Application Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

shemarty

Full Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2007
Messages
2,503
Reaction score
16
Members don't see this ad.
2. AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
This should be a true autobiographical statement. Topics to be included are family, childhood, primary and secondary school years, early adult years, and future career goals in medicine. You should also discuss the motivational factors which led you to a career in medicine including any disadvantages or obstacles which might put your accomplishments into context. A repeat of your AMCAS statement will not be acceptable.

Note that the autobiographical sketch is limited to 10,000 characters.
 
Last edited:
shemarty said:
I'm making the thread so that I can post some information that I got from their admissions office.
"We have not yet received any applications from AMCAS. It can take upwards of 2-3 weeks to get your hard copy application after we receive it electronically, and it is required for initial review. Thus, we won't be screening for secondaries until mid to late July. We will accept your packet of letters [which has more than 5 letters] from your Career Services office."
Click to expand...

Was this an unsolicited email that you received from them, or did you ask them about this?

Because I didn't get any email 🙁
 
Oh, I e-mailed their office to ask.

Then, I made a thread to post their reply so you'd all know what was going on at UCSD.
 
Just fyi from last year's applicaiton experience, you get one month to complete the secondary after they send it to you. Okay they don't hold it as a strict rule (Brian the admin guy told me later) but you should follow it because it's written on the secondary application. So probably should check often and get your stuff ready. One month is a long time, but it is also a really short time if you don't pay attention to it.
 
EpiPEN said:
Just fyi from last year's applicaiton experience, you get one month to complete the secondary after they send it to you. Okay they don't hold it as a strict rule (Brian the admin guy told me later) but you should follow it because it's written on the secondary application. So probably should check often and get your stuff ready. One month is a long time, but it is also a really short time if you don't pay attention to it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip! The main secondary essay is the autobiography, right? I can try to start working on this in the next month, as I wait for the secondary invite...
 
is UCSD anyone's first choice school?
 
shemarty said:
Thanks for the tip! The main secondary essay is the autobiography, right? I can try to start working on this in the next month, as I wait for the secondary invite...
Click to expand...

yeah, two page long autobiography
 
:laugh::laugh::laugh:

HoboCommander, good luck with your UCSD application. I hope you get your top choice!
 
shemarty said:
Thanks for the tip! The main secondary essay is the autobiography, right? I can try to start working on this in the next month, as I wait for the secondary invite...
Click to expand...

So it's basically just your life summed up in 2 pages?
 
shemarty said:
:laugh::laugh::laugh:

HoboCommander, good luck with your UCSD application. I hope you get your top choice!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I heard UCSD is very stingy with their secondaries, but those who do get a secondary will have a real shot. They better give me their secondary, I'll be pissed if they don't since I go there for undergrad and I'm an employee of their medical school. Some of the adcoms know me, so they better not throw out my app when they see it!
 
HoboCommander said:
Thanks! I heard UCSD is very stingy with their secondaries, but those who do get a secondary will have a real shot. They better give me their secondary, I'll be pissed if they don't since I go there for undergrad and I'm an employee of their medical school. Some of the adcoms know me, so they better not throw out my app when they see it!
Click to expand...

I don't remember the exact number, but I think that out of all the primaries they received, they send out ~1900 secondaries and grant ~600 interviews, with acceptances going to ~1/2 of those interviewed. The other half go into an unranked "acceptable pool."

The big "autobiographical statement" on their secondary is kind of redundant, imo. Didn't we just spend 5300 characters talking about our lives and what led us to medicine?
 
JackInTheBox said:
I don't remember the exact number, but I think that out of all the primaries they received, they send out ~1900 secondaries and grant ~600 interviews, with acceptances going to ~1/2 of those interviewed. The other half go into an unranked "acceptable pool."

The big "autobiographical statement" on their secondary is kind of redundant, imo. Didn't we just spend 5300 characters talking about our lives and what led us to medicine?
Click to expand...

exactly....seems like a red flag to me, and its saying "tell us everything about your life except why you want to go into medicine."

its an autobiography....your whole life...surely you can think of something to talk about besides medicine.

p.s. UCSD is my top choice. i have been in san diego most of my life and would love to stay for 4 more years! i've had a lot of experience with UCSD school of med and love every part of it. i know its a long shot with my MCAT but the rest of my app is solid so my fingers are crossed.
 
ryserr21 said:
exactly....seems like a red flag to me, and its saying "tell us everything about your life except why you want to go into medicine."

its an autobiography....your whole life...surely you can think of something to talk about besides medicine.
Click to expand...

Haha, that would definitely be easier. My problem is that my primary PS includes a lot of stuff that would overlap with UCSD's prompt, which asks for "childhood, primary, and secondary school years, early adult years," and "the motivational factors which led you to a career in medicine." Oh well, at least we've still got another month to brainstorm =P

UCSD is definitely one of my top choices though. Maybe I'll see you at the interviews =)
 
JackInTheBox said:
Haha, that would definitely be easier. My problem is that my primary PS includes a lot of stuff that would overlap with UCSD's prompt, which asks for "childhood, primary, and secondary school years, early adult years," and "the motivational factors which led you to a career in medicine." Oh well, at least we've still got another month to brainstorm =P

UCSD is definitely one of my top choices though. Maybe I'll see you at the interviews =)
Click to expand...

oh yes, that is pretty redundant...how irritating. i havent actually received their secondary yet so I just thought it was an open ended "autobiography." i'd be bored if i was a UCSD adcom. i submitted 6/26 so hopefully will be verified within in the next two weeks. good luck!!
 
I received this e-mail:

UCSD School of Medicine has received your verified AMCAS application. At the close of the business day today, you will be able to track the status of your application on our website: http://meded.ucsd.edu/asa/admissions/applicant_status_check/

It'll still probably be mid-July before we get the secondary, though.
 
shemarty said:
I received this e-mail:

UCSD School of Medicine has received your verified AMCAS application. At the close of the business day today, you will be able to track the status of your application on our website: http://meded.ucsd.edu/asa/admissions/applicant_status_check/

It'll still probably be mid-July before we get the secondary, though.
Click to expand...

That's _if_ you get a secondary at all. They screen!:laugh: You'll probably be fine, though.
 
last year they required it be submitted in paper, just fyi
 
shemarty said:
Don't worry! This secondary is not out yet. I'm making the thread so that I can post some information that I got from their admissions office after I e-mailed them to ask about the application timeline.

"We have not yet received any applications from AMCAS. It can take upwards of 2-3 weeks to get your hard copy application after we receive it electronically, and it is required for initial review. Thus, we won't be screening for secondaries until mid to late July. We will accept your packet of letters [which has more than 5 letters] from your Career Services office."

LOR requirement is 2 science, one non-science, from faculty. Professors who taught lab classes don't count toward that requirement, but you can use that or something like a work experience letter as additional letters.[/quote]

Aw DAMN! I have three science letters (chem, chem, bio), 1 physican letteer, and a letter from an organization I was invovled in...

but no faculty non-science. Nor can I get one from ANYBODY I WOULD LIKE! last GE class I took was a year ago, credit no credit, and got a PASS (very low C....why work hard for something you dont care about).

ANyways, now Im screwed. Anyone know if UCSD will understand or should I withdraw my application now....I really wanted this school too🙁
Click to expand...
 
I e-mailed UCSD to ask:

"Must the social science / humanities letter come from an instructor of a social science / humanities class that I have taken? Or, can the letter come from an advisor whom I worked with to coordinate an undergraduate physician shadowing program? (The content of that letter would not be "scientific" in nature. It would be about my leadership and communication skills, and other personal characteristics. I have a letter from the instructor of my writing and rhetoric class, but this individual does not know me as well personally as the other 7 people who have also written me recommendation letters. I want to avoid sending excessive letters, so I will only include this 8th letter if UCSD absolutely requires it."


UCSD replied:

In response to your question, your letter must be from the social science/humanities instructor in such a course. If not, at the time of secondary application you will need to send letter to the Admissions Committee requesting that they use the letter you mention below in lieu of the required recommendation.



So...
It seems that you can essentially "petition" for UCSD to accept a different letter in the place of the non-science professor letter. Maybe you could request that they accept the letter from the organization you were involved in?
 
shemarty said:
I e-mailed UCSD to ask:

"Must the social science / humanities letter come from an instructor of a social science / humanities class that I have taken? Or, can the letter come from an advisor whom I worked with to coordinate an undergraduate physician shadowing program? (The content of that letter would not be "scientific" in nature. It would be about my leadership and communication skills, and other personal characteristics. I have a letter from the instructor of my writing and rhetoric class, but this individual does not know me as well personally as the other 7 people who have also written me recommendation letters. I want to avoid sending excessive letters, so I will only include this 8th letter if UCSD absolutely requires it."


UCSD replied:

In response to your question, your letter must be from the social science/humanities instructor in such a course. If not, at the time of secondary application you will need to send letter to the Admissions Committee requesting that they use the letter you mention below in lieu of the required recommendation.



So...
It seems that you can essentially "petition" for UCSD to accept a different letter in the place of the non-science professor letter. Maybe you could request that they accept the letter from the organization you were involved in?
Click to expand...

Wow Shemarty, that was very sweet of you to do. I appreciate your kindness and help. I also emailed UCSD, though not eloquently as you, and I guess i'll also get the "gota petition son" spill soon.

Was your scenario made up or are you really in that position? In case it was real....

"A MAXIMUM OF FIVE LETTERS WILL BE ACCEPTED"- from the UCSD FAQ page. I didnt bold it and underline it....they did....
 
Schoolsucks said:
Wow Shemarty, that was very sweet of you to do. I appreciate your kindness and help. I also emailed UCSD, though not eloquently as you, and I guess i'll also get the "gota petition son" spill soon.

Was your scenario made up or are you really in that position? In case it was real....

"A MAXIMUM OF FIVE LETTERS WILL BE ACCEPTED"- from the UCSD FAQ page. I didnt bold it and underline it....they did....
Click to expand...

Schoolsucks,

It was actually a real scenario! (Though I admit I would be a much cooler person if I had made it up for the sole purpose of getting your question answered 🙂)

I had asked them:
"Regarding the letters, my school's career center has assembled a packet of 7 letters that I planned to send. We do not have a premed committee, so there is no committee letter enclosed. Each letter would speak to a different aspect of my involvement in research/teaching/community service, etc, and each of these individuals knows me very well personally. Is it acceptable to submit all 7 letters, or will only the first five be read?"

And they replied:
"We will accept your packet of letters from your Career Services office."


This was a common response I got from a lot of schools which had "maximums." It seems like if the letters all arrive in one packet, the entire packet only counts as "one." It might just be that they strictly do not want to receive more than 5 pieces of mail. I was definitely a bit confused by this too, but all the schools I that I have e-mailed have told me that it was okay to exceed their maximum if the letters all arrived together.

I hope this is somewhat helpful!

Good luck,
Shemarty
 
Hey Shemarty,

Your application is awesome. What did you use and how did you study for the MCAT to achieve those scores? Congrats on your pre-secondary Michigan interview.

Thanks
 
Odd.... when I applied last year they told me it was 5 max.

Although some schools have told me if I send more than the max they will only read the first however many letters (to the max number) that are in the packet.
 
We can try to put the letters that we think are the strongest towards the front 🙂
 
shemarty said:
Schoolsucks,

It was actually a real scenario! (Though I admit I would be a much cooler person if I had made it up for the sole purpose of getting your question answered 🙂)

I had asked them:
"Regarding the letters, my school's career center has assembled a packet of 7 letters that I planned to send. We do not have a premed committee, so there is no committee letter enclosed. Each letter would speak to a different aspect of my involvement in research/teaching/community service, etc, and each of these individuals knows me very well personally. Is it acceptable to submit all 7 letters, or will only the first five be read?"

And they replied:
"We will accept your packet of letters from your Career Services office."


This was a common response I got from a lot of schools which had "maximums." It seems like if the letters all arrive in one packet, the entire packet only counts as "one." It might just be that they strictly do not want to receive more than 5 pieces of mail. I was definitely a bit confused by this too, but all the schools I that I have e-mailed have told me that it was okay to exceed their maximum if the letters all arrived together.

I hope this is somewhat helpful!

Good luck,
Shemarty
Click to expand...


I agree with you Shemarty, you would have been a lot cooler had you made that up....i'll pretend that you made it up. 👍

Heres my two cents on the FIVE LETTER MAX. At my school you can select which letters you want sent in your package, so 'll just pick my random five...

and to update everyone on the UCSD gota have a soical science teacher, here is my email to them and their response:

[FONT=PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif]To Whom it may concern:

UCSD is my top choice for my medical education for many reasons.
But I fear that I do not have a letter from a humanities or social
sciences teacher. You see, I took most of my general education courses
early in my collegiate career, and have taken two of my three classes
left this year. I took one credit/no credit, so the professor is not
willing to write a letter. The second class, an English class, I
received an A but the teacher retired and is not willing to do any thing
related to education (which I'd find amusing if I wasn't in this
pickle). Alas, I am stuck.

Is there anything UCSD can recommend, such as maybe having three
science professors? For last class remaining, anthropology, I will start
in August and I do not know anything about my instructor. I am not sure
when/if he/she will write me a letter of recommendation.

Thank you very much for your time,


XXXX

*******************************************************
.[FONT=PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif]Hello,

We understand the situation at hand. Should you not be able to meet the
stated requirements for the letters of recommendation, please send a note
indicating which letter you will need to have substituted. We will forward
the letters of recommendation to the committee for review. The Committee
will review them and notify you should they need additional information.

Thank you.



....so the petition thing seems pretty easy. Just send the letters you can send and write them a note explaining yourself. If they say its okay, your good to go, if they say "no" then welll...uh....:scared:

Goodluck everyone:luck:
.
 
OH and all this depends on even getting a secondary.

If your Shemarty you can ignore this little fact.

If you are me then you dont start on your UCSD autobiography just yet😳
 
Schoolsucks said:
OH and all this depends on even getting a secondary.

If your Shemarty you can ignore this little fact.

If you are me then you dont start on your UCSD autobiography just yet😳
Click to expand...

Hey, come on now, have a little confidence!

Besides, you can write it anyway and then use it for Vandy. 😀 They also ask for an autobiography, I think?
 
shemarty said:
Hey, come on now, have a little confidence!

Besides, you can write it anyway and then use it for Vandy. 😀 They also ask for an autobiography, I think?
Click to expand...

I did apply to Vandy---and i think i got a better shot at UCSD then vandy. For Vandy, if you get a secondary you automatically get an interview, so they dont mess around. I like that about them, they get automatic five cool points.

And i got a huge problem when it comes to confidence. Thats the reason I got a 32 and not higher--tend to get sad and scared when I miss a question. All I see is a composite score of 3 while I am testing :scared:.

you should consider a residency in psychiatry and i'll avoid one is emergency medicine 😳
 
Let's all think positive thoughts!!!

I am trying to tell myself that I have a shot in hell at getting into UCSF. I moved to California from the east coast JUST to get residency so I could apply to UCSF as an in-stater. What are you guys gonna do if you get into UCSD? I was thinking impromptu trip somewhere random (I'm expecting the money to fall from the sky, by the way). You?
 
LET said:
Let's all think positive thoughts!!!

I am trying to tell myself that I have a shot in hell at getting into UCSF. I moved to California from the east coast JUST to get residency so I could apply to UCSF as an in-stater. What are you guys gonna do if you get into UCSD? I was thinking impromptu trip somewhere random (I'm expecting the money to fall from the sky, by the way). You?
Click to expand...

What am I gona do if get into UCSD? In the words of Kenny Chesney

" Saved two months, bought a little diamond
Tonights the night, feels like perfect timin'
Down on one knee on momma's front steps,
Man I'm gonna die if she really says yes"🙄
 
JackInTheBox said:
Change my pants.
Click to expand...

:laugh:

I don't drink (as in, I've never even tasted an alcoholic drink), but I promised a med student here that I'd have a glass of wine if i got into Stanford.
 
Has anyone gotten it yet? A friend of a friend received one, supposedly, if you got one will you message shemarty with it so she can post it on her thread? Thanks!
 
shemarty said:
:laugh:

I don't drink (as in, I've never even tasted an alcoholic drink), but I promised a med student here that I'd have a glass of wine if i got into Stanford.
Click to expand...
MUWAHAHAHHA I have several recommendations for you.
 
How romantic.


Schoolsucks said:
What am I gona do if get into UCSD? In the words of Kenny Chesney

" Saved two months, bought a little diamond
Tonights the night, feels like perfect timin'
Down on one knee on momma's front steps,
Man I'm gonna die if she really says yes"🙄
Click to expand...
 
HeyThereJude said:
Has anyone gotten it yet? A friend of a friend received one, supposedly, if you got one will you message shemarty with it so she can post it on her thread? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Anyone? And anyone know the UCLA PRIME and DREW prompts?
 
receied email notifcation saying they received my AMCAS today... yay! i know it doesnt mean anything, but its nice to konw they have acknowledged my existence, even if it is for a brief moment, haha.
 
shemarty: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: ?? Complete:??
jgberken: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: ?? Complete:??
LET: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: ?? Complete:??
ryserr21: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: ?? Complete:??
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
2022-23 Northeast Ohio (NEOMED) thread
Replies
2
Views
2K
gabbythecat
G
wysdoc
  • Locked
  • Sticky
2024-2025 Alphabetic Index of Allopathic School-Specific Discussion Threads
Replies
0
Views
222K
wysdoc
wysdoc
ooo000
Application Anxiety
Replies
0
Views
1K
ooo000
ooo000
PapaGuava
  • Locked
  • Sticky
Looking for Previous Years Threads?
Replies
0
Views
68K
PapaGuava
PapaGuava
PapaGuava
  • Locked
  • Sticky
Looking for the Current Year Threads?
Replies
0
Views
30K
PapaGuava
PapaGuava
Top