2008-2009 UCSD Secondary Application Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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Does anyone know how many acceptances have been sent out already?
 
Arpan5145 said:
i also did my undergrad here, still work at the salk institute across the street, haha i have probably seen you if you were class of 2004 :laugh: hopefully i'll get an interview soon! i <3 san diego/la jolla.
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DUDE, get the **** out of here. I work at the salk too.. I graduated about 6 months ago (class of 2008). The best part about working at salk are the breakfast shows and all the free food. Mdmarty, I can't believe you work here too. Man this place is full of premeds.

Arpan/Mdmarty, just throwing this out there: do you come down to the supply area on mondays for invitrogen's quiz/coffee thing with Lucy (imho the hottest sales rep ever)?
 
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BluntSurgeon said:
DUDE, get the **** out of here. I work at the salk too.. I graduated about 6 months ago (class of 2008). The best part about working at salk are the breakfast shows and all the free food. Mdmarty, I can't believe you work here too. Man this place is full of premeds.

Arpan/Mdmarty, just throwing this out there: do you come down to the supply area on mondays for invitrogen's quiz/coffee thing with Lucy (imho the hottest sales rep ever)?
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lol wow i was clearly not awake when i wrote that post, i graduated high school in 04, UCSD in 08 (just this past june just like you), and yes i am ALWAYS at the free donuts from invitrogen cause i work in LOG-G (gage lab) which is right at the bottom in front of the free food! haha do i know you guys/girls?!
 
Arpan5145 said:
two was company, now that we're three its just a crowd 😛 maybe we'll all get interviews on the same day, did you guys both have February 1 as the day people can start coming off pre-interview hold?
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Where did you get that date? Feb 1st. I thought they don't look at the alternate list till may?
 
WOOT, I got a secondary!
 
kire1820 said:
Where did you get that date? Feb 1st. I thought they don't look at the alternate list till may?
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did you already interview? the three of us are on pre-interview hold (not rejected but not invited for interview) for that they said they might look at us again after feb 1, 2009.

droshan said:
WOOT, I got a secondary!
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nice! its quite a beast, but if you right memoirs later, it might come in handy:laugh:
 
hey droshan, congrats on the secondary!

i am not sure how they score us post-secondary but i believe that the autobiography is very very important, mine was not so good haha which is probably one of the reason why i got a hold along with my subpar stats for the school.
 
talbo said:
hey droshan, congrats on the secondary!

i am not sure how they score us post-secondary but i believe that the autobiography is very very important, mine was not so good haha which is probably one of the reason why i got a hold along with my subpar stats for the school.
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I'm going to go ahead and say it was your subpar stats for two reasons:

1. UCSD is one of the UCs that puts a little more emphasis on stats when it comes to doling out interviews and acceptances.

2. A fourth year friend of mine that sits on the committee who held one of those "how to get into med school" meetings here on the UCSD undergrad campus mentioned how he spent, AT MAXIMUM, 30 seconds on your autobio if you are a traditional applicant. Plus, I wrote my autobio about how I was a privileged rich kid with really no obstacles in life (not hyperbole, 100% serious) and I was accepted. In fact, my essay was only brought up for less than 5 minutes during only one of my two interviews.
 
I don't know, I've heard otherwise. My cousin is a 4th year at SD too and he highly recommended I put in the work on this essay saying it would by my chance to shine. I've seen people with lower stats getting interviews than those with higher stats. So I definitely think its worth the time to put in the work. Of course there is a number cut off...but beyond that other factors will determine whether you get an interview!

Thanks Talbo, lets hope we both get interviews!
 
Why would UCSD would ask for a TEN THOUSAND character essay if they didn't care significantly about the response? I doubt the secondary would be so beastly if they just glance at the essay and then set it aside.
 
I'm not on the committee, but I am sure it is an important facet of your application. I was asked about it in interviews. Also, during orientation, we saw some powerful snippets (anonymous) of our fellow classmates' essays =] Pretty cool.
 
I was just throwing out what I know and what my experience was--I guess that's the point though, this process is such a crap shoot that even within the same school your essay may matter tons or not at all.
 
Could UCSD med students or people who have already interviewed there give me some tips about the interview day? I am interviewing at UCSD this coming week and would really appreciate any helpful information.

Also, do you recommend the tour of student clinic and dinner? Is it on Main campus or somewhere else?

I do have family in SD and I have been to UCSD before so i have basic knowledge about the general area.🙂
 
Bob Marley said:
Could UCSD med students or people who have already interviewed there give me some tips about the interview day? I am interviewing at UCSD this coming week and would really appreciate any helpful information.

Also, do you recommend the tour of student clinic and dinner? Is it on Main campus or somewhere else?
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I would not bother doing anything to prepare for interview day. Just show up relaxed and be authentic.

If you have any sort of interest in the clinic, go. It's pretty impressive. If it's not something you have an interest in, don't bother. The clinic sites are not on the main campus.
 
Bob Marley said:
Could UCSD med students or people who have already interviewed there give me some tips about the interview day? I am interviewing at UCSD this coming week and would really appreciate any helpful information.

Also, do you recommend the tour of student clinic and dinner? Is it on Main campus or somewhere else?

I do have family in SD and I have been to UCSD before so i have basic knowledge about the general area.🙂
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The only thing you need to know is that they will not serve you breakfast (as much as I love you UCSD that's inexcusable).
 
Bob Marley said:
Could UCSD med students or people who have already interviewed there give me some tips about the interview day? I am interviewing at UCSD this coming week and would really appreciate any helpful information.

Also, do you recommend the tour of student clinic and dinner? Is it on Main campus or somewhere else?

I do have family in SD and I have been to UCSD before so i have basic knowledge about the general area.🙂
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The interviews are very normal and relaxed - no weird questions as far as I've heard. Feel comfortable talking about everything on your application, and be yourself (well, the professional version of yourself).

The free clinics are really impressive, and at the very least you get 1) a free, yummy dinner and 2) a chance to talk to current students and fellow applicants. You'll also get to do this during lunch on the interview day, but the more perspectives you get during your visit, the better. Even if your goal is not to work with the underserved, many people choose to get involved with free clinic at least for a little bit because they want hands-on clinical experience and something to do aside from sit in lecture.

As lord jeebus said, the free clinics are off-campus, but we arrange carpools, so don't worry about that.

Congrats on your interview and hope it goes well! Let me know if you have any more questions 🙂
 
Does anyone know, from previous years or this year, that how many acceptances should have been sent out already?
 
lord_jeebus, BluntSurgeon,silverlining1 - Thanks a lot for your help guys !!

silverlining1, I was reading your previous posts in this thread and I found them to be very informative about the specifics of free clinic tour. Are you taking any group out to the free clinics next week?
 
Bob Marley said:
lord_jeebus, BluntSurgeon,silverlining1 - Thanks a lot for your help guys !!

silverlining1, I was reading your previous posts in this thread and I found them to be very informative about the specifics of free clinic tour. Are you taking any group out to the free clinics next week?
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You're welcome!

No, I'm not giving any of the tours next week, but I'll be working in the clinic on Monday night =]
 
silverlining1 or anyone who has interviewed at UCSD, I have heard that parking at UCSD is pretty horrible in the morning. How early should I plan to get there in the morning to find parking in the lot near medical school?
 
Bob Marley said:
silverlining1 or anyone who has interviewed at UCSD, I have heard that parking at UCSD is pretty horrible in the morning. How early should I plan to get there in the morning to find parking in the lot near medical school?
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This is not actually true, unless you arrive after 10am (which you're not). You're supposed to be here by 7:55, and parking should be fine. The lot is really pretty big. Sure, you can park a little closer if you get here at 7:45... but regardless, you don't need to worry.

They should have given you directions to the SOM parking lot, but if not, let me know!
 
silverlining1 said:
This is not actually true, unless you arrive after 10am (which you're not). You're supposed to be here by 7:55, and parking should be fine. The lot is really pretty big. Sure, you can park a little closer if you get here at 7:45... but regardless, you don't need to worry.

They should have given you directions to the SOM parking lot, but if not, let me know!
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Thank you silverlining1, that is really helpful !!
Admissions office did give me all the directions and they are pretty clear, I was just worried about the morning rush hour.😉🙂
 
Is UCSD pass/fail or on a traditional grading system?

Thanks in advance!
 
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mzchristee said:
Is UCSD pass/fail or on a traditional grading system?

Thanks in advance!
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It's currently honors/pass/fail. The new curriculum (which would begin in 2010) is going through votes at the moment, and it will have a P/F system. However, we are pushing to retroactively make the current students (and you) have P/F even with the current curriculum; this is going through votes and all that good stuff as well.

If you haven't heard before, though, I have been advised by many upperclass students, residents, and doctors that preclinical honors is not something to worry about - your performance in rotations matters significantly more for residency placement. Honors really doesn't stress us out, and I am continually impressed by how helpful and supportive my classmates are.
 
Preclinical honors are meaningless. There is no consistency in preclinical grading systems from school to school, and hence comparison is impossible.

Clinical honors are very important and I can't think of more than one medical school in the country that does not have some sort of Honors grade or equivalent for 3rd year core rotations.
 
ooooomg. i just got an interview invite today!!!! totally unexpected because they didn't even send me a secondary until late november (they received my amcas in late july).

so for people still waiting for an interview don't lose hope!!! 😀😀
 
Just got into UCSD today!! Got a call...umm..voice mail😀 from Dean Kelly. I'm amped!!! BUt I have a question for you all? I'm very interested in working with urban underserved populations, would UCSD do a good job of prepping a physician for this kind of work?? I know there's the free clinic.. but can anyone tell me more?
 
Cheem MD said:
Just got into UCSD today!! Got a call...umm..voice mail😀 from Dean Kelly. I'm amped!!! BUt I have a question for you all? I'm very interested in working with urban underserved populations, would UCSD do a good job of prepping a physician for this kind of work?? I know there's the free clinic.. but can anyone tell me more?
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Yaaaay congratulations! Well, this is not my particular focus, but UCSD does have a PRIME program that focuses on health disparities and inequalities. In addition to the free clinics (which are extensive, well-organized, and comprehensive), there are frequent opportunities to set up free clinics for migrant workers or in Tijuana for the patients there. We also have electives on the politics of medicine and inequalities in healthcare internationally. That's pretty much all I know... but if you want more information, I can try to find out for you!
 
Cheem MD said:
Just got into UCSD today!! Got a call...umm..voice mail😀 from Dean Kelly. I'm amped!!! BUt I have a question for you all? I'm very interested in working with urban underserved populations, would UCSD do a good job of prepping a physician for this kind of work?? I know there's the free clinic.. but can anyone tell me more?
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😀 Voice mail for me too. Either way, thanks Dean Kelly for the phone call!
 
VManForever said:
😀 Voice mail for me too. Either way, thanks Dean Kelly for the phone call!
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YAY!!! Way to go! See, I didn't jinx you 😉 In fact, the people I've been meeting have >50% rate of acceptance 👍 Hope to run into you again!
 
silverlining1 said:
YAY!!! Way to go! See, I didn't jinx you 😉 In fact, the people I've been meeting have >50% rate of acceptance 👍 Hope to run into you again!
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HAHA I was totally kidding, you know that! With that impressive record of yours, interviewees are going to be flocking to see you! Will you be able to handle all of the demand? 🙂
 
just got the interview invite last week after I had given up all hope on this school! any other people going tues 2/24?
 
I had been on pre-interview hold since late August or early September! So for people who have been on pre interview hold since forever...don't give up hope 🙂
 
k1ttyx3 said:
just got the interview invite last week after I had given up all hope on this school! any other people going tues 2/24?
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Congratulations! Let me know if you have questions about UCSD - I'd love to answer them. Also, I noticed you're in Palo Alto... if you go to/went to Stanford, maybe I know you =]
 
I can't wait to visit SD in a week~~~! (anyone going on the 26th?) I heard that interviewers aren't trying to grill you...but I also heard that someone was asked to read an article during the interview and had to answer an ethical question. Anybody had this experience at SD interviews? Do they often ask ethical questions? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

btw, anybody here giving lunch/free clinic tour??? Can't wait to meet you all!
 
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Anyone else interviewing there on the 9th of Feb?

I am sooooo excited!
 
freeasbossanova said:
I can't wait to visit SD in a week~~~! (anyone going on the 26th?) I heard that interviewers aren't trying to grill you...but I also heard that someone was asked to read an article during the interview and had to answer an ethical question. Anybody had this experience at SD interviews? Do they often ask ethical questions? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

btw, anybody here giving lunch/free clinic tour??? Can't wait to meet you all!
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Hooray, glad to hear you're so excited! UCSD interviews are typically very laid back, you know, "Tell me about yourself", "tell me about your research", stuff like that. I did get a couple ethical scenarios presented to me, but they weren't that tough; and it really seemed like the interviewer just wanted to hear my thought process. I certainly can't speak for what all the interviews are like, but they are overall NOT stressful.

I'm giving the free clinic tour on Monday the 26th =]

And riceman, I'm giving the lunch tour on the 9th! Can't wait to meet you two 🙂
 
silverlining1 said:
Hooray, glad to hear you're so excited! UCSD interviews are typically very laid back, you know, "Tell me about yourself", "tell me about your research", stuff like that. I did get a couple ethical scenarios presented to me, but they weren't that tough; and it really seemed like the interviewer just wanted to hear my thought process. I certainly can't speak for what all the interviews are like, but they are overall NOT stressful.

I'm giving the free clinic tour on Monday the 26th =]

And riceman, I'm giving the lunch tour on the 9th! Can't wait to meet you two 🙂
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THank you very much!! and I can't wait to meet you silverlining! YAY!
 
silverlining1 said:
Hooray, glad to hear you're so excited! UCSD interviews are typically very laid back, you know, "Tell me about yourself", "tell me about your research", stuff like that. I did get a couple ethical scenarios presented to me, but they weren't that tough; and it really seemed like the interviewer just wanted to hear my thought process. I certainly can't speak for what all the interviews are like, but they are overall NOT stressful.

I'm giving the free clinic tour on Monday the 26th =]

And riceman, I'm giving the lunch tour on the 9th! Can't wait to meet you two 🙂
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I'm definitely excited. You'll obviously know who I am b/c it seems like, without a doubt, we either have name tags with out univ affiliation or we have to mention what school we represent 20x during the interview day.

Gosh, I am stoked...it will be the end of my west coast interview tour...and I must say, I could not think of a better place to end it...beaches, beautiful weather, awesome school, cool people (like silverlining...ha...had to throw that in there).

I'm really thankful and I cannot wait
 
talbo said:
hey droshan, congrats on the secondary!

i am not sure how they score us post-secondary but i believe that the autobiography is very very important, mine was not so good haha which is probably one of the reason why i got a hold along with my subpar stats for the school.
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There is no way in hell that a 3.9 GPA combined with a 33 MCAT would be considered subpar.
 
does anyone have stats with regards to the number interviewed to the number accepted at UCSD?
thanks
 
Total: 5500 applied, 568 interviewed, 304 were accepted, 134 enrolled
In-state: 3632 applied, 483 interviewed, 257 were accepted, 123 enrolled

Once you interview, you are more likely to be accepted than not!

courtesy of usnews
 
has anyone come off pre-interview hold yet? just wondering, since ive been on hold since august.
 
Do you all know when the post-interview waitlist or "acceptable pool" starts moving? They said in the email that they don't look at the applications again until May.
Also, how does the adcom go about picking people from the waitlist since its unranked? Do they look at ALL the applications again? That must take forever...
What percent of the people on the waitlist get in?
So anxious...UCSD is my top choice right now.
 
i came off the pre interview hold as well. silverlining i do go to stanford! we probably know each other! haha
 
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