2008-2009 UCLA Secondary Application Thread

[sftiger85]

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I have an interview this week, and am trying to review my responses on the secondary application, but can't figure out how to access it at this point (completed early September). Any one have any suggestions?

 

[XerxesMD]

are there any UCLA med students here who can comment on PBL? Is it too much, too little, worthwhile or not worthwhile? How significant a portion of the curriculum do you think PBL is?

Also, about the planned redundancy. How does this work? Do you really learn everything twice or is it more of a board review kind of thing?

Thanks!

Hi there. PBL is a fairly big part our curriculum, occupying 2 to 4 hours of actual PBL time (depending on the particular Block) and an additional 2 to 6 hours depending on how much time you need/decide to spend preparing your learning issue (a somewhat detailed answer to a medically relevant question related to the PBL case for that week that each student will research on his/her own by going on PubMed, AccessMedicine, etc.).

As to how worthwhile it is, the purpose of PBL at UCLA is quite logical: there is way too much medical knowledge (which is constantly being updated/added to) for any one physician to know, so they want to teach us where and how to find appropriate resources/knowledge with which to take care of our future patients, and I think PBL is very worthwhile in this regard. It is also designed to give you some experience with differential diagnosis and selection of appropriate diagnostic tests, etc. Personally, I love trying to figure out what is wrong with the patient in the case, what tests we should order, etc. Also, PBL is a great opportunity to get to better know many of your classmates (which unfortunately is difficult to do in lecture with a class of 150 or so students). On the other hand, however, I'm not a big fan of writing so I find myself spending a fair amount of time trying to write up a good learning issue that flows logically and makes sense. Learning issues are for your PBL mates (usually 8 or so in each PBL) to learn from, so I take it kind of seriously and put in some effort. Other people don't as much, and that's fine too.

Regarding redundancy, I'm a first year so I've only gone through some of the stuff one time through. But it is my understanding that we have a second (and more in depth) round of most of the subjects we covered in the first year during the second year, such that there is a cardiac, renal and respiratory physiology 1 block (usually 9 or so weeks) in the first year and cardiac, renal and respiratory physiology 2 in the second year. Honestly, I really didn't worry about things like this too much. You will get an excellent medical education at UCLA no matter what, and this is largely the reason I decided to matriculate here. I hope that helps.

School is starting again on Monday, and they keep us pretty busy, but I'll try to check this thread from time to time in case anyone has any more question that I can answer. In the meantime, congrats to those who've been accepted and best of luck to all of you who are still waiting. I was in your shoes last year and know how difficult the waiting game is, but it'll be over soon enough and it will hopefully result in your matriculating at your top choice.

 

[SDN2013]

Are you for real? I'm asking in earnest.

he's lying. It's not possible to get a 44M with a 10 in BS

 

[CafeMed]

he's lying. It's not possible to get a 44M with a 10 in BS

Agreed, he's not for real.

 

[pntgrd]

are there any UCLA med students here who can comment on PBL? Is it too much, too little, worthwhile or not worthwhile? How significant a portion of the curriculum do you think PBL is?

Also, about the planned redundancy. How does this work? Do you really learn everything twice or is it more of a board review kind of thing?

Thanks!

I'm a first year so I have only limited time with PBL so far. It is 2-4 hours a week in classroom and a few hours outside writing up your "learning issue". What you get out of PBL depends on what you put into it, your pbl tutor, and your pbl classmates (8/group). It helps train you to think clinically and to be able to look up and utilize primary and secondary resources. I think I'd prefer 2 hrs a week to 4, but it isn't bad. Another plus is that the small class size which switches with each block allows you to get to know classmates you would not have really known otherwise.

The reducndancy thing is a reptition of many core areas that you did first year, with more depth/disease emphasis. I think it is also meant to review stuff for the boards.

 

[mzchristee]

I have a UCLA interview this week. UCLA is a great institution... so why can't I talk about why I want to go there?!

 

[SDN2013]

I have a UCLA interview this week. UCLA is a great institution... so why can't I talk about why I want to go there?!

Maybe because USC has better football team than UCLA 😀

 

[CopperDime]

I don't think they've received mine yet (I sent it from Northern CA at the end of last week).

Any news about them receiving your letter?

 

[copingmethods]

Any news about them receiving your letter?

Yep, I called them and they told me they had received it and are holding a spot for me.

 

[SDN2013]

Yep, I called them and they told me they had received it and are holding a spot for me.

So whats your top choice?

 

[efitzpat]

Does anyone know if UCLA accepts update letters/letters of interest? They never pick up at (310) 825-6081...thanks

They said to send update letters to the place where you sent your LOR.

 

[copingmethods]

So whats your top choice?

UCLA! (Though I'm still waiting to hear from other schools about financial aid)

 

[enjoydrywax]

Does anybody know when we can expect to hear something from UCLA? Seems like the consensus is just "January" but does that mean early, mid, late? If nobody knows, what's the number for the admission's office so I can call and find out. Thanks

 

[Penguick]

I was told late January to early February. I have heard other things from other people though, so if you recently called in and found out differently...it'd be greatly appreciated if you'd share. :0)

 

[batman1983]

I was told late January to early February. I have heard other things from other people though, so if you recently called in and found out differently...it'd be greatly appreciated if you'd share. :0)

How did ppl find out this info in regards to the UCLA admission process? At the interview? My interview day consisted of me recieving a recieving a tour, being interviewed, and then a quick goodbye as I dropped off my interview and tour feedback sheets. Was there an orientation that I missed or something 🙂?

 

[BluntSurgeon]

Count me among those who would like to know but are too chicken to call

 

[funkydrmonkey]

Count me among those who would like to know but are too chicken to call

When I asked in mid december, they said mid to late january... but then again that was the same day that the first batch of acceptances went out...

 

[nina7123]

Does anyone know how many of the interview slots UCLA has given out? I keep checking my email constantly with fingers crossed but still haven't heard anything 🙁 If they only have like...10 slots left I'll stop holding my breath.

 

[Penguick]

I found out at my interview in December. I just asked them while I was there. I'm not expecting good news though :0(.

 

[Dulcina]

have any acceptances gone out in january? I heard jan too, but not when in jan.

 

[Brushfire]

did you end up filling them out?

Sorry, late reply. But I phoned the admissions office about it and was told to hold off on submitting anything on the Accepted Students Checklist. Further notification would be coming through mail.

 

[Brock Samson]

.

 

[copingmethods]

My status page shows that my transcripts have been requested, but I haven't received word of a decision yet. Does anyone know if we're suppose to submit our transcripts as soon as the status page indicates or only if we're accepted?

Transcripts are requested when you're invited to interview (or soon after).

edit: Sorry, I don't know if my response was clear - you can send them in before you're accepted.

 

[CaliforniaGreen]

Does anybody know when we can expect to hear something from UCLA? Seems like the consensus is just "January" but does that mean early, mid, late? If nobody knows, what's the number for the admission's office so I can call and find out. Thanks

I have heard everything form mid-Jan to mid-Feb for the first batch. Anyone here anything new and reliable?

 

[batman1983]

I have heard everything form mid-Jan to mid-Feb for the first batch. Anyone here anything new and reliable?

I thought the first batch of acceptances were sent out in December?

 

[CaliforniaGreen]

I have heard everything form mid-Jan to mid-Feb for the first batch. Anyone here anything new and reliable?

Sorry, I mean the first big batch (not counting the recruiting batch sent in December) 🙂

 

[funkydrmonkey]

I have heard everything form mid-Jan to mid-Feb for the first batch. Anyone here anything new and reliable?

I might be able to go to the office, to ask, on Friday January 16th if I have time, and if no acceptances have been reported by then. Good luck to all!

 

[hurricane55]

Hey,

I interviewed at the begining of november... seems like years ago by now... does anyone know if everyone will get some sort of decision later this month? like either a waitlist, rejection, or acceptance?

 

[chessknt]

Hey,

I interviewed at the begining of november... seems like years ago by now... does anyone know if everyone will get some sort of decision later this month? like either a waitlist, rejection, or acceptance?

Reading is your friend.

 

[nina7123]

Any interview invites recently?? I'm losing hope here!

 

[CafeMed]

Any interview invites recently?? I'm losing hope here!

I'm in the same boat as you.... It seems everyone's waiting on decisions after interviews, but no one has mentioned getting an interview recently or waiting on one besides us I think.

 

[jetspeeder]

ucla called me today to see if i wanted to go interview since someone canceled their interview. best of luck to all waiting for interviews and those waiting for news!

 

[CafeMed]

ucla called me today to see if i wanted to go interview since someone canceled their interview. best of luck to all waiting for interviews and those waiting for news!

Congrats! When were you complete?

Did you get an email also or just the phone call?

 

[jetspeeder]

thanks! it was a pleasant surprise. I got both a phone call and an e-mail. I was complete a LONG time ago, I think sometime in August. Good luck!

 

[CafeMed]

thanks! it was a pleasant surprise. I got both a phone call and an e-mail. I was complete a LONG time ago, I think sometime in August. Good luck!

Thanks, you've given me hope. I've been extremely down and depressed lately, but now I feel there's still a chance left for me!

at your interview!

 

[nina7123]

ucla called me today to see if i wanted to go interview since someone canceled their interview. best of luck to all waiting for interviews and those waiting for news!

Congratulations! I wonder if this means that most of the slots have been filled and now we are just waiting on canceled spots?

 

[n3opologist]

Hey everyone. I was in the admissions office today dropping off a grade update. I spoke with Lili upon departing, and I asked her when the next batch is due out. She then asked me when I interviewed, and I told her mid September. She replied that I could hear in the batch being released during the first week of February. They are calling this the main batch, with the previous batch being referred to as the recruiting batch. They are not going to be waitlisting or rejecting post-interview yet. I think this is pretty reliable information considering it's from Lili, as she was dead on when she predicted that first acceptances would be released mid December way back in October.

As far as PRIME goes, the director of that program told me that they sent out hard copies of the applications to the PRIME committee for interview decisions today. They aim to give interview decisions at the end of the month.

 

[funkydrmonkey]

Hey everyone. I was in the admissions office today dropping off a grade update. I spoke with Lili upon departing, and I asked her when the next batch is due out. She then asked me when I interviewed, and I told her mid September. She replied that I could hear in the batch being released during the first week of February. They are calling this the main batch, with the previous batch being referred to as the recruiting batch. They are not going to be waitlisting or rejecting post-interview yet. I think this is pretty reliable information considering it's from Lili, as she was dead on when she predicted that first acceptances would be released mid December way back in October.

As far as PRIME goes, the director of that program told me that they sent out hard copies of the applications to the PRIME committee for interview decisions today. They aim to give interview decisions at the end of the month.

NOOOOO, I do not wanna have to wait that long....🙁

 

[n3opologist]

NOOOOO, I do not wanna have to wait that long....🙁

Just think monkey, we may not get in until July off the waitlist, if we even get in at all. There are like 3 batches left before the waitlist. This wait could potentially take us over a year since primary submission. I'm pushing it out of my mind as much as possible. It's pretty rough though.

 

[funkydrmonkey]

Just think monkey, we may not get in until July off the waitlist, if we even get in at all. There are like 3 batches left before the waitlist. This wait could potentially take us over a year since primary submission. I'm pushing it out of my mind as much as possible. It's pretty rough though.

I think I am gonna be sick... thanks alot... Good luck!

 

[jetspeeder]

Congratulations! I wonder if this means that most of the slots have been filled and now we are just waiting on canceled spots?

hey nina,

for sure that not all the slots have been filled, i am a reapplicant and last yr i got an invite to ucla in march for april, and i know that they interview even into early may i think if u check last yr's thread.

i was able to get a date in mid February so i believe there are still plenty of spots left. good luck!

 

[copingmethods]

What does recruiting batch mean?

 

[Fibroblastman]

Isn't tomorrow the first day they release acceptances?

 

[chessknt]

Isn't tomorrow the first day they release acceptances?

Way to start a panic.

 

[batman1983]

Isn't tomorrow the first day they release acceptances?

Do we have an exact confirmation of the release date for acceptances yet?

 

[Regley]

Do we have an exact confirmation of the release date for acceptances yet?

I'm pretty sure it's just mid-Jan through early feb. They havn't given a date as far as I know.

 

[ckdancer98]

why does their website say Jan 15 is when first acceptances go out if no one seems to know? is it wrong?

 

[JuliaGulia2789]

I think we should trust n3opologist (who actually talked to someone in the admissions office) and plan on hearing about the next batch of acceptances in early February.

 

[Regley]

I think we should trust n3opologist (who actually talked to someone in the admissions office) and plan on hearing about the next batch of acceptances in early February.

agreed!

 

[veaselhaufen]

Hi there. PBL is a fairly big part our curriculum, occupying 2 to 4 hours of actual PBL time (depending on the particular Block) and an additional 2 to 6 hours depending on how much time you need/decide to spend preparing your learning issue (a somewhat detailed answer to a medically relevant question related to the PBL case for that week that each student will research on his/her own by going on PubMed, AccessMedicine, etc.).

As to how worthwhile it is, the purpose of PBL at UCLA is quite logical: there is way too much medical knowledge (which is constantly being updated/added to) for any one physician to know, so they want to teach us where and how to find appropriate resources/knowledge with which to take care of our future patients, and I think PBL is very worthwhile in this regard. It is also designed to give you some experience with differential diagnosis and selection of appropriate diagnostic tests, etc. Personally, I love trying to figure out what is wrong with the patient in the case, what tests we should order, etc. Also, PBL is a great opportunity to get to better know many of your classmates (which unfortunately is difficult to do in lecture with a class of 150 or so students). On the other hand, however, I'm not a big fan of writing so I find myself spending a fair amount of time trying to write up a good learning issue that flows logically and makes sense. Learning issues are for your PBL mates (usually 8 or so in each PBL) to learn from, so I take it kind of seriously and put in some effort. Other people don't as much, and that's fine too.

Regarding redundancy, I'm a first year so I've only gone through some of the stuff one time through. But it is my understanding that we have a second (and more in depth) round of most of the subjects we covered in the first year during the second year, such that there is a cardiac, renal and respiratory physiology 1 block (usually 9 or so weeks) in the first year and cardiac, renal and respiratory physiology 2 in the second year. Honestly, I really didn't worry about things like this too much. You will get an excellent medical education at UCLA no matter what, and this is largely the reason I decided to matriculate here. I hope that helps.

School is starting again on Monday, and they keep us pretty busy, but I'll try to check this thread from time to time in case anyone has any more question that I can answer. In the meantime, congrats to those who've been accepted and best of luck to all of you who are still waiting. I was in your shoes last year and know how difficult the waiting game is, but it'll be over soon enough and it will hopefully result in your matriculating at your top choice.

Thank you! This is really good information. I'm curious about UCLA's financial aid? The school's average indebtedness is really low (especially considering how expensive it is to live in westwood)! I think it was at about 85k give or take. Have you found the school to be quite generous with financial aid and do you think tuition will remain affordable despite california's budget problems? Thanks!