2009-2010 University of California - San Diego (UCSD) Application Thread

[delicatefew24]

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I don't call a 36 a mediocre MCAT. What are you talking about? You're in great shape and will definitely get accepted to at least a few schools.

My science GPA is under 3.25 and most medical schools aren't big fans of that... that's why I said mediocre and didn't say bad because I'm hoping the mcat makes up for it. But thank you for the encouragement its hard not to feel insecure about everything during this!

 

[180910]

I contacted UCSD. They send out secondaries in two waves. The first wave is the "immediate invites" who are allowed secondaries based on stats. This is about 200 students.

The second wave are sent secondaries in November, and for these, the adcoms looks over the whole AMCAS applications to decide if they want to send secondaries.

All in all, UCSD sends about 2000 secondaries from about 5600 primaries received.



Hope this helps, for those who are waiting.

thanks for the info.

 

[FuSoYa]

I'm not sure if what they told you is accurate. Do they use the cGPA or sGPA for the stats? I gave a 29T MCAT, 3.52 sGPA & 3.71 cGPA, and I received a UCSD secondary last week. I also live in SD, so maybe that helps. I didn't think my MCAT would get me over their initial screening. I have not received secondaries from any other UC's and I don't know if I will.

Well the UC screening process looks at the entire applicant, and you seem to have good EC's and clinical exposure, so don't worry. There are plenty of qualified applicants still waiting to hear from numerous UC's.

 

[180910]

Well the UC screening process looks at the entire applicant, and you seem to have good EC's and clinical exposure, so don't worry. There are plenty of qualified applicants still waiting to hear from numerous UC's.

Thanks, I will try to have faith. I'm afraid that all clinical and no research experience will sink my chances @ the UC's. Do most UC's flat out reject anyone without research?

 

[Appless]

Thanks, I will try to have faith. I'm afraid that all clinical and no research experience will sink my chances @ the UC's. Do most UC's flat out reject anyone without research?

no but the UCs are research powerhouses, so its obviously something they like to see. Not everyone has research but its certainyl something UCs like. Do you mean you have all only clinical research? Or just no reserach at all? If its clinical research its still fine, if not, what i said still applies. They wouldnt have given you a 2ndary if they didnt think you might be worthwhile 🙂. If it makes you feel better i have a 29 mcat also, and I have recieved UCI, UCLA, and UCD 2ndary. I didnt get UCSF or UCSD fwiw. havnt been rejected either so im still hoping 🙁

 

[FuSoYa]

Thanks, I will try to have faith. I'm afraid that all clinical and no research experience will sink my chances @ the UC's. Do most UC's flat out reject anyone without research?

No worries, I have ZERO research but lots of clinical experience, both work and volunteer, and I've heard from all the UC's except for SF. I was AMCAS verified in mid-June though.

 

[BerlinDude]

I'm not sure if what they told you is accurate. Do they use the cGPA or sGPA for the stats? I gave a 29T MCAT, 3.52 sGPA & 3.71 cGPA, and I received a UCSD secondary last week. I also live in SD, so maybe that helps. I didn't think my MCAT would get me over their initial screening. I have not received secondaries from any other UC's and I don't know if I will.

I'm not sure if that info is accurate either. Perhaps they prioritize applicants based on stats, but I don't see how it would take two weeks to get a secondary based on a simple MCAT/GPA screen. November is also kind of late to be sending secondaries - maybe they meant they will be sent secondaries until November.

BlueElmo, care to clarify?

 

[BerlinDude]

I'm not sure if what they told you is accurate. Do they use the cGPA or sGPA for the stats? I gave a 29T MCAT, 3.52 sGPA & 3.71 cGPA, and I received a UCSD secondary last week. I also live in SD, so maybe that helps. I didn't think my MCAT would get me over their initial screening. I have not received secondaries from any other UC's and I don't know if I will.

AH. I checked the UCSD website, and apparently you are either offered a secondary immediately OR placed on hold for review in November. However, they don't say anything about the initial screen being based on stats alone, they say the entire application is reviewed.

http://meded.ucsd.edu/asa/admissions/application_process/step_by_step/

 

[LAman10]

AH. I checked the UCSD website, and apparently you are either offered a secondary immediately OR placed on hold for review in November. However, they don't say anything about the initial screen being based on stats alone, they say the entire application is reviewed.

http://meded.ucsd.edu/asa/admissions/application_process/step_by_step/

that's weird... secondaries have been going out continuously over the past several weeks.. they don't really seem to show any sign of stopping until nov

 

[BerlinDude]

that's weird... secondaries have been going out continuously over the past several weeks.. they don't really seem to show any sign of stopping until nov

I think those are mainly the smaller group of immediate invites. Based on UCSD's website, they'll send out a second bigger wave in November.

 

[BlueElmo]

I think you're right, BerlinDude.

 

[Nane]

My science GPA is under 3.25 and most medical schools aren't big fans of that... that's why I said mediocre and didn't say bad because I'm hoping the mcat makes up for it. But thank you for the encouragement its hard not to feel insecure about everything during this!

Your MCAT definitely makes up for it. Good for you- I wish I did as well as you.

 

[Nane]

No worries, I have ZERO research but lots of clinical experience, both work and volunteer, and I've heard from all the UC's except for SF. I was AMCAS verified in mid-June though.

Don't worry. I heard of lots of people getting into UC's (for example, SF and SD) with zero research but lots of clinical. I know that research is not a requirement. Look in MSAR, not everyone who gets accepted has research. Good luck.

 

[delicatefew24]

Thanks Nane, good luck to you!

BerlinDude, I don't know if I agree... UCSD said they had my application since 6/29 (when I was verified) and I JUST got a secondary a few days ago. I think I got skipped over on the initial screen (the 200 people) and then got one since they review people in the hold pile through November... but what do I know 😕

 

[8mile]

Just got the hold e-mail, post-secondary.

"Your application has been put on hold for possible interview. This means we will not be interviewing you at this time, however, you may be interviewed at a later date. Please be advised that we only interview 25% of those receiving secondary's."

Haha - guess my MCAT wasn't high enough. oh well.

 

[TouchofVersed]

hi guys,

so I sent my secondary in about a month ago, and received this email today. How good/bad is this:

.Your application has been put on hold for possible interview. This means we will not be interviewing you at this time, however, you may be interviewed at a later date. Please be advised that we only interview 25% of those receiving secondary’s..

Does this mean, I have not been rejected, however they want to compare me to students who send there app in later, before deciding on interviewing me? If so, can anyone give me a numbers estimate, or probability of scoring an interview?. thanks
.

 

[FuSoYa]

Got the same post-secondary hold email today, it's better than being rejected. Anyone get invited for an interview?

I'm sure people will ask so... I submitted on 7/24, complete status on 7/29, hold email on 8/12.

 

[SpaceDementia]

Also put on hold. I wonder if we should be concerned, or if it's routine this early on in the process?

 

[FuSoYa]

Until someone confirms an interview invite, I'm assuming that we're all in the "early 200" group, and they're placing all reviewed secondaries in the hold pile until they decide who exactly to interview...

let's go with that...

 

[SpaceDementia]

"early 200" group

What do you mean?

 

[180910]

No worries, I have ZERO research but lots of clinical experience, both work and volunteer, and I've heard from all the UC's except for SF. I was AMCAS verified in mid-June though.

I was verified June 10 and with a 29 MCAT, I'm hopeful, but worried. I have filled 30 secondaries already all across the states, so hopefully, I will get some interview invitations shortly.

 

[BerlinDude]

Thanks Nane, good luck to you!

BerlinDude, I don't know if I agree... UCSD said they had my application since 6/29 (when I was verified) and I JUST got a secondary a few days ago. I think I got skipped over on the initial screen (the 200 people) and then got one since they review people in the hold pile through November... but what do I know 😕

Hmmm. I got the secondary a few days ago as well, and was AMCAS verified after you. They probably had a committee meeting only recently where they reviewed a large batch of the applications at the same time.

But I'm just relaying what's on the UCSD website. They say a small portion are granted secondaries early, and the rest are put on hold for review in November.

 

[copper coins]

I called the admissions office today and interview invites are expected to be sent out shortly (It sounded like tomorrow).

 

[BlueElmo]

I called the admissions office today and interview invites are expected to be sent out shortly (It sounded like tomorrow).

.

 

[themoomoo]

are there a lot of people that submitted their secondary and were complete early-mid july that didnt get a hold email?

 

[neuronal]

are there a lot of people that submitted their secondary and were complete early-mid july that didnt get a hold email?

Complete 7/21... no news. it's still pretty early in the application process. I wouldn't trip. A person I know interviewed for Stanford in march and got accepted a month later. Anything can happen, really.

 

[IHeartSleep]

I was complete around the 22nd of July (too lazy to check, +/- 3 days) and I didn't get an email.

Maybe I got an interview!!

 

[itsalovestory]

Complete 7/30, no news.

 

[itsalovestory]

I called the admissions office today and interview invites are expected to be sent out shortly (It sounded like tomorrow).

Apparently, it didn't sound like tomorrow after all!

 

[redwinger47]

Complete since 7/15. Got the secondary invite back on 7/2, two days after acknowledgement that they received my primary. And I am OOS. I have not gotten a hold email, so maybe, just maybe I'll get an interview? Here's to hoping! 😛

 

[LAman10]

did anyone get an email saying that UCSD has their secondary, but that they need to send an email to UCSD when their letters are uploaded to AMCAS?

 

[Nane]

AH. I checked the UCSD website, and apparently you are either offered a secondary immediately OR placed on hold for review in November. However, they don't say anything about the initial screen being based on stats alone, they say the entire application is reviewed.

http://meded.ucsd.edu/asa/admissions/application_process/step_by_step/

Thanks German Dude for that link- its very helpful and SD lays out everything perfectly ( I wish the other UC's were like that ).
So, I just read that after you complete the 2ndary, you may not get a rejection letter until mid-March. Are they kidding? Right now they are keeping me on false hope.

Also, I did get the On Hold email. I think it means they will interview other candidates and if things slow down, they will interview us. I still don't know if its a good or bad thing so I'm looking at it as if nothing has changed: I haven't been rejected but I guess I'm still in the running.

 

[itsalovestory]

Thanks German Dude for that link- its very helpful and SD lays out everything perfectly ( I wish the other UC's were like that ).
So, I just read that after you complete the 2ndary, you may not get a rejection letter until mid-March. Are they kidding? Right now they are keeping me on false hope.

Also, I did get the On Hold email. I think it means they will interview other candidates and if things slow down, they will interview us. I still don't know if its a good or bad thing so I'm looking at it as if nothing has changed: I haven't been rejected but I guess I'm still in the running.

When were you complete?

 

[Buffalover]

I've been on hold since 7/15 and it seems like no interview invitations have been extended. I have a feeling at this point they're putting anyone they plan on interviewing on hold until they even start with interviews. I think being put on hold this early in the game is as good as an interview invite by October. And I am OOS (NY) for anyone looking for some love.

 

[cardinalsrock]

Has anyone with the FAP waiver gone through this process at UCSD? Do I have to physically mail in a copy of the webpage acknowledging my FAP approval, or can I forward a copy of the email to Sofia Rendon (or someone else?)?

 

[u177960]

Hey guys,
I got verified by AMCAS on 7/31, and I was wondering if anyone got a secondary that was verified on 7/31 or after? Thanks and GOOD LUCK!

 

[cardinalsrock]

Hey guys,
I got verified by AMCAS on 7/31, and I was wondering if anyone got a secondary that was verified on 7/31 or after? Thanks and GOOD LUCK!

I was verified 8/3 and I'm in state. UCSD took the longest of all the UCs to send me a secondary. UCD sent me one the day after verification, UCSF took 2 days, UCLA and UCI 4 days, UCSD 10 days

I've yet to hear from Albert Einstein, Rosalind Franklin, NYMC, and Drexel and these guys apparently don't screen? I also didn't hear back from Yale but they allow you to submit a secondary even before you're verified so I just submitted without the courtesy "go ahead and fill out our secondary" blessing email

 

[Nane]

When were you complete?

July 5th.

 

[180910]

No worries, I have ZERO research but lots of clinical experience, both work and volunteer, and I've heard from all the UC's except for SF. I was AMCAS verified in mid-June though.

What are your stats? GPA's and MCAT?

 

[FuSoYa]

What are your stats? GPA's and MCAT?

3.6 sGPA, 3.7 cGPA, 35R

 

[shamgirl99]

Hi, I'm having some trouble with my UCSD app. On Sections 5 and 6, they underline that they want you to describe activities you've engaged in while an undergraduate student.

Well, I graduated a year ago from UCLA and am only now volunteering/doing clinical stuff. I didn't really do anything significant as an undergrad because I had a double major and was also traveling alot (for personal reasons).

I am traveling to London next year to get my Master's (in a 1-year program) so I am hoping adcoms will be impressed by that, but I am worried about filling out the UCSD app.

So, whaddya think, OK to put my recent activities, even though I am no longer an undergraduate? Otherwise, I'd have nothing else 🙁

 

[itsalovestory]

Hi, I'm having some trouble with my UCSD app. On Sections 5 and 6, they underline that they want you to describe activities you've engaged in while an undergraduate student.

Well, I graduated a year ago from UCLA and am only now volunteering/doing clinical stuff. I didn't really do anything significant as an undergrad because I had a double major and was also traveling alot (for personal reasons).

I am traveling to London next year to get my Master's (in a 1-year program) so I am hoping adcoms will be impressed by that, but I am worried about filling out the UCSD app.

So, whaddya think, OK to put my recent activities, even though I am no longer an undergraduate? Otherwise, I'd have nothing else 🙁

Honestly, you may not want to risk not following their rules. At best, try calling them beforehand and seeing if that's okay. They also have another page of additional activities where you could possibly add this information in.

 

[brooklynblunder]

who applied mstp here

 

[crx]

Hi, I'm having some trouble with my UCSD app. On Sections 5 and 6, they underline that they want you to describe activities you've engaged in while an undergraduate student.

Well, I graduated a year ago from UCLA and am only now volunteering/doing clinical stuff. I didn't really do anything significant as an undergrad because I had a double major and was also traveling alot (for personal reasons).

I am traveling to London next year to get my Master's (in a 1-year program) so I am hoping adcoms will be impressed by that, but I am worried about filling out the UCSD app.

So, whaddya think, OK to put my recent activities, even though I am no longer an undergraduate? Otherwise, I'd have nothing else 🙁

There is a section for "anything else you'd like us to know" right after the activites section. I think that's the appropriate place for what you did. But yeah, call them to make sure.

 

[InNotOf]

who applied mstp here

I did. Where on the secondary do we note that we're applying MSTP? I didn't see any appropriate options on the dual-degree page.

 

[copper coins]

sadness- I was wrong... I guess nobody has gotten an interview invite yet. I must have misunderstood. =(

My application was complete on 7/10 and according to the admissions office, is still under review. Interviews begin in the third week of September.

 

[CalBear2009]

sadness- I was wrong... I guess nobody has gotten an interview invite yet. I must have misunderstood. =(

My application was complete on 7/10 and according to the admissions office, is still under review. Interviews begin in the third week of September.

You would think that they would start sending out invites soon then.

 

[IHeartSleep]

.

 

[Physicalmusic]

Got interview invite via email today!

Now to figure out how to get across the country....

 

[parkss2k]

Got interview invite via email today!

Now to figure out how to get across the country....

When were you complete?