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.
ohh. i guess that was someone else's post 😕
thanks LET! i'm sure you'll get it as well. i dont care what your gpa is, that mcat kicks ass!

Haha aw thanks! I'm totally rooting for you! And I don't mind, I got past the UCSF pre-screen today and I moved across the country to apply there in-state, so I'm a happy gal.
 
Wooohooo better late than never!

And now, for the autobiography...


shemarty: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/23 Complete:??
jgberken: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: ?? Complete:??
LET: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/24 Complete:??
copingmethods: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/23 Complete:??
ryserr21: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 7/17, Secondary Received: ?? Complete:??
disorder: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/23 Complete:??
Waterlilly: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/23 Complete:??
britishmafia: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/23 Complete:??
floja2: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/23 Complete:??
 
fyi guys, if you interview at UCSD, you got a 50-50 shot of getting in
 
anyone finished with this beast? haha just wondering...

edit- i'm over the 10k limit!!!!!!!!!! if only i were more laconic.
 
Last edited:
for entering the activities.

What do you do if its an ongoing activity?

It won't let you write current. bum bum bum..
 
Still working on it here...
For your childhood years, are you guys just sharing stories about it, or is everything you mention related somehow to medicine? (hardships aside).
 
Still working on it here...
For your childhood years, are you guys just sharing stories about it, or is everything you mention related somehow to medicine? (hardships aside).

I'm just sharing stories. I figured if they read my PS, they'd get the "Why medicine" part so I just elaborated more on the key events/influences in my life. I'm hoping to submit tomorrow...sigh.
 
AWESOME signature quote

Wooohooo better late than never!

And now, for the autobiography...


shemarty: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/23 Complete:??
jgberken: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: ?? Complete:??
LET: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/24 Complete:??
copingmethods: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/23 Complete:??
ryserr21: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 7/17, Secondary Received: ?? Complete:??
disorder: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/23 Complete:??
Waterlilly: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/23 Complete:??
britishmafia: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/23 Complete:??
floja2: Existence acknowledged (AMCAS received): 6/30, Secondary Received: 7/23 Complete:??
 
Legend
AR: AMCAS Received
SR: Secondary Received
SS: Secondary Submitted
C: Complete
II: Interview Invite
I: Interview


shemarty:
AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:7/28, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
 
shemarty: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/28, C:, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
 
add me up... AR: 6/30, SR: ?

thanks sheshe

shemarty: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/28, C:, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
 
shemarty: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/28, C:, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
majahops: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
 
Hey guys,

I have a question about the Background Information Section of the UCSD Secondary, under the part where it says "Type of Community". If we live in a community that is not inner city, rural, or notable in any other way, are we supposed to leave that part blank? Or do we write "suburban" or something after Other? Thanks so much everyone!!
 
So... Here's my issue with the secondary for UCSD:

"Sections 5 and 6 will ask you to provide information on activities engaged in while an undergraduate student. If it has been over 2 years since you received your bachelors' degree you can provide data for the three years you consider to be most meaningful with respect to your application."

I have been out of school for 13 months now, so I don't qualify for the non-traditional applicant exception. The problem is that my really good activities have been since I graduated. Should I just put them in there anyway? It seems like that it must be some sort of mistake because it leaves the 1-year out grads completely high and dry. What does everybody else think?
 
So... Here's my issue with the secondary for UCSD:

"Sections 5 and 6 will ask you to provide information on activities engaged in while an undergraduate student. If it has been over 2 years since you received your bachelors' degree you can provide data for the three years you consider to be most meaningful with respect to your application."

I have been out of school for 13 months now, so I don't qualify for the non-traditional applicant exception. The problem is that my really good activities have been since I graduated. Should I just put them in there anyway? It seems like that it must be some sort of mistake because it leaves the 1-year out grads completely high and dry. What does everybody else think?

I left them out. The fact that they underlined "while an undergraduate student" makes it seem like they're pretty adamant about it. You can still address other stuff in the post-grad question or the big ass essay.
 
shemarty: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/28, C:7/30, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
majahops: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
 
shemarty: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/30, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/28, C:7/30, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
majahops: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
 
shemarty: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/30, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/28, C:7/30, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
majahops: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
endposse9: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS: 7/25, C: 7/29, II: 7/31, I: 9/22
 
how tough do they screen?
 
shemarty: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/30, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/28, C:7/30, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
majahops: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
endposse9: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS: 7/25, C: 7/29, II: 7/31, I: 9/22
talbo: AR: 7/14, SR: 7/31, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
 
endposse9: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS: 7/25, C: 7/29, II: 7/31, I: 9/22

Very impressive. I assume that's their 1st interview date? I haven't made any progress on the autobiography, but you've motivated me to work on it. It looks like they're reviewing files pretty quickly...
 
Dude, congrats! Now you have a 50/50 chance of getting in.

I took a peek at his MDapps, and I'd say that unless he comes across as a friggin' **** (not likely judging by the stuff he's done) or a complete tool (not likely given that they liked his personal statement and autobiography enough for an interview), his chances are >>50%. Let's hope our interview invites are coming too!
 
shemarty: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/30, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/28, C:7/30, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/31, C:?, II:?, I:?
majahops: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
endposse9: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS: 7/25, C: 7/29, II: 7/31, I: 9/22
talbo: AR: 7/14, SR: 7/31, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
 
I assume that's their 1st interview date? I haven't made any progress on the autobiography, but you've motivated me to work on it. It looks like they're reviewing files pretty quickly...

They just assigned a date so I'm not sure when they start, exactly.

An autobiography is easier to fill up when you're a non-trad and have some extra years to write about 🙂. Good luck on finishing those up!

I wish all the UCs reviewed files as promptly...
 
Endposse's situation totally makes sense - I have a 4th year ucsd medical student friend who sat on the adcom last year and he told me that he would spend a total of 10 seconds skimming the autobiographical essay UNLESS you were a non-trad applicant. He mentioned how every traditional applicant's essay was basically the same exact story.

It's too bad he graduated otherwise I would have slipped right in. 🙁
 
Endposse's situation totally makes sense - I have a 4th year ucsd medical student friend who sat on the adcom last year and he told me that he would spend a total of 10 seconds skimming the autobiographical essay UNLESS you were a non-trad applicant. He mentioned how every traditional applicant's essay was basically the same exact story.

It's too bad he graduated otherwise I would have slipped right in. 🙁

I hope your friend was the exception. I didn't spend that much time on that essay for someone to read it in 10 seconds. Plus, UCSD's secondary doesn't have any substance to it except for that essay. Unless the rejection letter specifically says they didn't read your autobiography, then it's hard not to think that they're not just rejecting your application, they're rejecting you.
 
Last edited:
Endposse's situation totally makes sense - I have a 4th year ucsd medical student friend who sat on the adcom last year and he told me that he would spend a total of 10 seconds skimming the autobiographical essay UNLESS you were a non-trad applicant. He mentioned how every traditional applicant's essay was basically the same exact story.

It's too bad he graduated otherwise I would have slipped right in. 🙁


Ughghhhh that really sucks. I spent so long on it, too, when I could have spent little time summarizing my traditional life in ten seconds.
 
My friends remember: this was just one person on the admissions committee and that is how he handled the numerous applications he was given. Other adcom members may have scrutinized every single word. I am pretty sure that this isn't the case since if I was an admissions committee member the last thing I would want to do is read the ****ty life of a premed unless they were very non traditional.

You guys also need to remember that once you are prescreened, the person who reviews your secondary is most likely different and will also be looking at your AMCAS for the first time too.
 
Very impressive. I assume that's their 1st interview date? I haven't made any progress on the autobiography, but you've motivated me to work on it. It looks like they're reviewing files pretty quickly...

Yeah that sounds like about the first wave, it's about when I interviewed last year and I was with the second interviewing group that season. Oh, also, they give out acceptances starting November (last year they handed out about 60 acceptances off the bat), so get the ball rolling.
 
shemarty: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/30, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/28, C:7/30, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/31, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/31, C:?, II:?, I:?
majahops: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
endposse9: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS: 7/25, C: 7/29, II: 7/31, I: 9/22
talbo: AR: 7/14, SR: 7/31, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
 
Hey guys, question:

for the activities stuff, so they make you pick your favorite 5 activities. Is this a VERY loose term? meaning, jobs, extracurriculars, volunteering...all of that counts?

Also, for the second part, where it asks you to list any other activities if any, it mentions having been published and other research stuff. So do they mean that you should ONLY include research stuff in there? They have my AMCAS so I dont want to have to re-list everything if it'll just be repetitive and annoying but leaving things blank always makes me a little nervous (except for the criminal stuff. I'm glad I'm really boring in that regard).

Thanks!
 
Hey guys, question:

for the activities stuff, so they make you pick your favorite 5 activities. Is this a VERY loose term? meaning, jobs, extracurriculars, volunteering...all of that counts?

Also, for the second part, where it asks you to list any other activities if any, it mentions having been published and other research stuff. So do they mean that you should ONLY include research stuff in there? They have my AMCAS so I dont want to have to re-list everything if it'll just be repetitive and annoying but leaving things blank always makes me a little nervous (except for the criminal stuff. I'm glad I'm really boring in that regard).

Thanks!

I take it that they don't want to read through our whole AMCAS application, so they only want to read through five activities. For the extra activities section, I think they only want to read about what it gives examples for (ie publications, etc). I called and they said most applicants don't fill out the extra section, only for people published.
 
...I never thought i'd be saying this but....

...i want another huge essay..where the F is my secondary!....
anyone else in my boat? Am I screened casualty? 🙁
 
...I never thought i'd be saying this but....

...i want another huge essay..where the F is my secondary!....
anyone else in my boat? Am I screened casualty? 🙁

from your numbers alone... i don't think you should be. you and i have similar numbers, but i am semi non-trad (if that counts for anything)

just be patient?
 
from your numbers alone... i don't think you should be. you and i have similar numbers, but i am semi non-trad (if that counts for anything)

just be patient?

I would love to be patient....i could definitely do without another essay, its just the fear of getting screened out. but thanks for that comment....its not like they have rejected me yet. Goodluck!
 
shemarty: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS: 8/1, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/28, C:, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
majahops: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?


I never thought I'd hate weekends... (no news from schools)
 
shemarty: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS:8/1, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/30, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/28, C:7/30, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/31, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/31, C:?, II:?, I:?
majahops: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
endposse9: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS: 7/25, C: 7/29, II: 7/31, I: 9/22
talbo: AR: 7/14, SR: 7/31, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
 
Can somebody post the address that we're supposed to mail the $60 check to? And who we're supposed to address it to? I submitted just now and can't seem to figure out how to get back to the page with the info. It's 4 am, and I'm not thinking straight.
 
shemarty: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:8/4, C:?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
LET: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/24, SS:8/1, C:?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
ryserr21: AR: 7/17, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
disorder: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/30, C:?, II:?, I:?
Waterlilly: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/28, C:7/30, II:?, I:?
britishmafia: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/31, C:?, II:?, I:?
floja2: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS:7/31, C:?, II:?, I:?
majahops: AR: 6/30, SR: ?, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
endposse9: AR: 6/30, SR: 7/23, SS: 7/25, C: 7/29, II: 7/31, I: 9/22
talbo: AR: 7/14, SR: 7/31, SS:?, C:?, II:?, I:?
 
Can somebody post the address that we're supposed to mail the $60 check to? And who we're supposed to address it to? I submitted just now and can't seem to figure out how to get back to the page with the info. It's 4 am, and I'm not thinking straight.

Okay nevermind, I called to confirm that it was just their regular office address.

I'm sad that I didn't remember to mail the check in last week.
 
Should I start panicking? I got verified the 28th and still haven't gotten any emails from UCSD, not even acknowledgement... 🙁
 
Should I start panicking? I got verified the 28th and still haven't gotten any emails from UCSD, not even acknowledgement... 🙁

Panicking doesn't get you anywhere. Just sit down and relax. I've been acknowledged in late june and still haven't received their secondary,
 
So, I go to check out the application today and realize that I was never actually approved for the secondary. I just put them down on my secondary granted list after I got the email. Bah! I would have figured I had enough to pass their initial screen.
 
So, I go to check out the application today and realize that I was never actually approved for the secondary. I just put them down on my secondary granted list after I got the email. Bah! I would have figured I had enough to pass their initial screen.
maybe your age threw them off
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top