2009-2010 University of California - San Francisco (UCSF) Application Thread

[Sharwin]

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Yeah I guess it might just mean you're at the top of the stack. Oh well...I feel fortunate enough to have gotten an interview so gonna try to do anything to increase my chances. I live in Berkeley so I wasn't really thinking about at student host...guess it doesn't make too much sense right?

 

[Appless]

Yeah I guess it might just mean you're at the top of the stack. Oh well...I feel fortunate enough to have gotten an interview so gonna try to do anything to increase my chances. I live in Berkeley so I wasn't really thinking about at student host...guess it doesn't make too much sense right?

A student host imo is always a good idea, not only is it better then sitting in a hotel all day, its also nice because it would ideally give you a good chance to learn more about the school then the standard stuff on the website and to get to know everything better there. They themselves recently interviewed there and maybe they could even help you out a bit or at least give you a better idea of what to expect you know what i mean? Even if that doesnt happen usually its cheaper then a hotel (especially in the bay area) and more interesting then sitting alone in a hotel. Those 2 reasons alone are good enough for me to always try to get a student host. just my take though

 

[shemarty]

Yeah I guess it might just mean you're at the top of the stack. Oh well...I feel fortunate enough to have gotten an interview so gonna try to do anything to increase my chances. I live in Berkeley so I wasn't really thinking about at student host...guess it doesn't make too much sense right?

Well, you have the option if you want it, it's totally up to you. We have a lot of hosts who signed up, and last year the student hosting program wasn't always used to its full capacity, so I'm really promoting it a lot on SDN 🙂

Pros: You can get in the night before, settle in, chat with some current students, hopefully get some good insight and advice. You don't have to wake up as early in the morning and spend an hour commuting on BART in the morning. Might be more fun than just hanging out and being nervous at home.

Cons: You don't get to sleep in the comfort of your own bed or get ready in the morning in the comfort of your own house.


Elijah - Sharwin lives in Berkeley and wants to take the BART over to UCSF in the morning rather than staying with a student host the night before. It's home vs student host, not hotel vs student host. I can see the benefits of "home", but commuting in the morning's no fun either.

 

[Appless]

Well, you have the option if you want it, it's totally up to you. We have a lot of hosts who signed up, and last year the student hosting program wasn't always used to its full capacity, so I'm really promoting it a lot on SDN 🙂

Pros: You can get in the night before, settle in, chat with some current students, hopefully get some good insight and advice. You don't have to wake up as early in the morning and spend an hour commuting on BART in the morning. Might be more fun than just hanging out and being nervous at home.

Cons: You don't get to sleep in the comfort of your own bed or get ready in the morning in the comfort of your own house.


Elijah - Sharwin lives in Berkeley and wants to take the BART over to UCSF in the morning rather than staying with a student host the night before. It's home vs student host, not hotel vs student host. I can see the benefits of "home", but commuting in the morning's no fun either.

oh i know he was talking about his house but i was just saying in general which is why i used hotel v student. What i said i think still applies. Even w/o the cost factor since home is free. I guess im just a fan of student hosts...😛

 

[shemarty]

oh i know he was talking about his house but i was just saying in general which is why i used hotel v student. What i said i think still applies. Even w/o the cost factor since home is free. I guess im just a fan of student hosts...😛

Yea, I agree with you - I'm a fan of student hosts too. It's nice to get some more insight into the school before interviewing.

 

[shemarty]

AR: AMCAS Received
SI: Secondary Invitation
SS: Secondary Sent
SR: Secondary Received (by UCSF)
C: Complete
II: Interview Invite
I: Interview

ilovebear: (IS) AR:7/8 SI:7/8 SS:7/12 SR:7/14 C:8/19 II:?
itsalovestory: (IS) AR: 7/6 SI: 7/6 SS: 7/7 SR: 7/13 C: 8/4 II: 8/19
dermda: (IS) AR: 7/8 SI: 7/8 SS: 7/21 SR: 7/22 C: 8/4 II: 8/19
casillas: C:8/4 II:8/19
jadacu: C:8/4 II:8/19
neuronal: II:8/19
lycheegal: C:8/4 II:8/19
sharwin: II:8/19

^ Fill it in 😀

 

[Sharwin]

Ah ok I get it. Does every school have these host programs? It actually sounds pretty interesting. How do I go about signing up for it and stuff?

 

[makeshift123]

ahhh i want an interview!!! i was complete 8/16, so i guess i gotta wait and see.

 

[FluffyRabbit]

Okay..I submitted AMCAS on 4th of July. Got the Verified Amcas received email from UCSF on 7/26 and I have not heard from them yet. Should I call them about secondary??

I also got the verified AMCAS email from them on 7/26, and have not heard back since. I really hope good news will come soon though!

 

[IHeartSleep]

Interview, 9:30pm, complete 8/4

Are you hosting, shemarty?

Now to decide which day will minimize missing class while maximizing the time I get to hang around the Bay.

 

[phoenixsuns]

I also got verified/email from ucsf on 7/26. You think they just lost all the applications from those days? Did anybody who got the email on the 26th get a secondary?

Also, i'm only half kidding. I will think whatever to make me feel better for not getting a secondary =(

 

[DrSmooth]

Sorry if this has already been answered, I searched but didn't find anything. I received my original UCSF acknowledgment email on 7/8 after my 6/18 MCAT score (30Q) was released. I haven't heard yet about a secondary. I took the MCAT a second time on 7/2, and increased my score to 34Q. Will UCSF automatically "see" my second score or do I run the risk of being screened out from the 30? Should I call them to check on this? Same question goes for UCSD and Oregon H&S. I am a CA resident. Thanks!

 

[shemarty]

Ah ok I get it. Does every school have these host programs? It actually sounds pretty interesting. How do I go about signing up for it and stuff?

Once you choose your interview date, there's a link to request a student host. Most schools offer some kind of student hosting for interviewees.

Interview, 9:30pm, complete 8/4

Are you hosting, shemarty?

Now to decide which day will minimize missing class while maximizing the time I get to hang around the Bay.

Congrats! Yea, I'm hosting, and I'm also the student hosting coordinator so I'm the one matching everybody up with their hosts.

If you pick a Monday maybe you can spend the weekend hanging out here?

 

[bannie22]

i htae ucsf. i was being screened early july. they are giving out interviews. and they havent even finished screening me?

whats with the no love to non-ca, non-american, non-canadian student!

shemarty do something about itttt

diversity right? >.<

😡

heh

 

[IHeartSleep]

Once you choose your interview date, there's a link to request a student host. Most schools offer some kind of student hosting for interviewees.



Congrats! Yea, I'm hosting, and I'm also the student hosting coordinator so I'm the one matching everybody up with their hosts.

If you pick a Monday maybe you can spend the weekend hanging out here?

LOL you updated me on the interview thread as well. Maybe I should add the others but I just want to stay anonymous 🙂

I'm thinking about a Monday date. Going to UCSF for an interview will give me a reason to visit friends in the area over the weekend! (And see SF as well!)

 

[shemarty]

I'm thinking about a Monday date. Going to UCSF for an interview will give me a reason to visit friends in the area over the weekend! (And see SF as well!)

Good plan 🙂 All else being equal, don't pick Oct 5th since we have our first test on Oct 9th. MS1s will probably be busier studying that week than usual.

 

[RunningDiva]

I also got verified/email from ucsf on 7/26. You think they just lost all the applications from those days? Did anybody who got the email on the 26th get a secondary?

Also, i'm only half kidding. I will think whatever to make me feel better for not getting a secondary =(

I received the verified email on the same day and haven't heard a peep either! 😱 Looks like we're in the same boat. I'm IS, you?

 

[Buffalover]

AMCAS Verified 7/1. 37R. Still no word! OOS. Anyone else in the same frusterating boat? I called today and they said just be patient, I just don't see how it could possibly take 2 months.

 

[tallandshort]

AMCAS Verified 7/1. 37R. Still no word! OOS. Anyone else in the same frusterating boat? I called today and they said just be patient, I just don't see how it could possibly take 2 months.

Yeah, I'm OOS and was verified in July a little after you. Still "under review" after all this time, which I agree is frustrating. But at the same time I really love this school and I think you simply have to develop/have patience as you go through the med school application process or all the waiting will just drive you nuts. I think I've posted this on another school thread on here, but at least if we're waiting we haven't been rejected yet 😀. So I'm willing to wait to just to have a shot here. Good luck to us both, hopefully UCSF will at least review us soon

 

[shemarty]

I know it's frustrating to wait and wait and wait, but the office has thousands of AMCAS apps to review and LORs to read and other logistics to take care of, so there's really nothing that can be done but to sit back, wait, and rest assured that you will hear something eventually.

UCSF doesn't do silent rejections, so if they've decided not to offer you a secondary, they will mail you a letter to let you know.

 

[phoenixsuns]

I received the verified email on the same day and haven't heard a peep either! 😱 Looks like we're in the same boat. I'm IS, you?

so that makes what, 4 of us who got verified on the 26th? yeah i'm instate too. it's weird, my friend who got verified last week got a ucsf secondary in 2 days (i'm assuming that means automatic, he has pretty good stats) but my cgpa, sgpa, and mcat score is higher than his. i realized today though that there's nothing i can do about it so i'm just gonna try and forget about this school and if i get a secondary i'll be ridiculously happy

 

[RunningDiva]

so that makes what, 4 of us who got verified on the 26th? yeah i'm instate too. it's weird, my friend who got verified last week got a ucsf secondary in 2 days (i'm assuming that means automatic, he has pretty good stats) but my cgpa, sgpa, and mcat score is higher than his. i realized today though that there's nothing i can do about it so i'm just gonna try and forget about this school and if i get a secondary i'll be ridiculously happy

Agreed. I'm not going to worry about the internal workings of the adcom at ucsf or of any other school. Worrying only makes the time go slower and makes you feel more helpless in this crazy process.

 

[Bbon]

Hey guys, I'm another member of the "Been verified since early July and still being reviewed" group. 7/8/09 for me. I've just decided I'm not worried about it anymore. If it's because there's a billion apps and they just don't get to some of them for a while (plus my MCAT score wasn't uploaded till late July), then a little patience and we should hear back soon; it's not horribly late yet. If it's because we're "borderline" candidates, then we might as well hope for a rejection. They only give interviews to the top 1/3 of students who send in secondaries, so if we're already on shaky ground, how great of a chance do we have to make the next giant cut when we're up against only the cream of the crop? If that's the situation, UCSF would be doing us a favor by saving us our secondary fee and not wasting our time holding out hope for something that's a lost cause anyhow. Maybe that's a defeatist attitude, but I guess I'm just thinking realistically. Anyway, I don't know if the reason is more the former or the latter, but like I said, either way, there's no real point in losing sleep during this waiting period.

 

[dermda]

hey does anyone know what the interview format is like for UCSF? eg. with 2 faculties or with 1 faculty and 1 med student? also, will it put us at a disadvantage if we interviewed the day before their midterms?

 

[shemarty]

hey does anyone know what the interview format is like for UCSF? eg. with 2 faculties or with 1 faculty and 1 med student? also, will it put us at a disadvantage if we interviewed the day before their midterms?

It's either 2 faculty (which is what I had) or 1 faculty and 1 med student. Doesn't affect your chances either way, they all have equal say.

No, it doesn't put you at a disadvantage in terms of admissions. It just won't be as fun to stay with a student host who's busy studying for a test the next day. Actually they probably wouldn't even agree to host the night before an exam, so the chances of getting a student host are much smaller if you're interviewing right during exam time.

 

[FluffyRabbit]

Hey guys, I'm another member of the "Been verified since early July and still being reviewed" group. 7/8/09 for me. I've just decided I'm not worried about it anymore. If it's because there's a billion apps and they just don't get to some of them for a while (plus my MCAT score wasn't uploaded till late July), then a little patience and we should hear back soon; it's not horribly late yet. If it's because we're "borderline" candidates, then we might as well hope for a rejection. They only give interviews to the top 1/3 of students who send in secondaries, so if we're already on shaky ground, how great of a chance do we have to make the next giant cut when we're up against only the cream of the crop? If that's the situation, UCSF would be doing us a favor by saving us our secondary fee and not wasting our time holding out hope for something that's a lost cause anyhow. Maybe that's a defeatist attitude, but I guess I'm just thinking realistically. Anyway, I don't know if the reason is more the former or the latter, but like I said, either way, there's no real point in losing sleep during this waiting period.

This is actually kind of interesting. Since MD-only applicants don't even write any extra essays, how are they getting any additional information between the first and second cut? It would be pretty pointless for them to offer secondaries to the remaining 2/3 of people knowing that they wouldn't be interviewed. Do they not look at LoRs pre-secondary or something?

Anyway, more optimism! We wouldn't have even applied if we didn't think we had a shot. I agree there is no point worrying, but the process is painful enough already. 🙂

 

[itsalovestory]

This is actually kind of interesting. Since MD-only applicants don't even write any extra essays, how are they getting any additional information between the first and second cut? It would be pretty pointless for them to offer secondaries to the remaining 2/3 of people knowing that they wouldn't be interviewed. Do they not look at LoRs pre-secondary or something?

Anyway, more optimism! We wouldn't have even applied if we didn't think we had a shot. I agree there is no point worrying, but the process is painful enough already. 🙂

Remember that UCSF asks you to upload your LORs with the secondary request! That may be one of the things they look at in determining whether you get an interview after the first cut. Good luck! 🙂

 

[Contrarian]

Remember that UCSF asks you to upload your LORs with the secondary request! That may be one of the things they look at in determining whether you get an interview after the first cut. Good luck! 🙂

Well, I think secondaries may just be handed out based on stats, because within a few hours of having added UCSF I received a secondary request. I guess they will actually look at the rest of my application after I am complete?

 

[itsalovestory]

Well, I think secondaries may just be handed out based on stats, because within a few hours of having added UCSF I received a secondary request. I guess they will actually look at the rest of my application after I am complete?

I got the secondary invite within minutes too, and so you may very well be right about the stats cutoff. My answer, however, was in response to those applicants that were worried that if they got a secondary that wasn't an automatic invite (presumably, UCSF granted this secondary after reading their application), then whether submitting a secondary with no essays would really add any content to their application.

 

[Contrarian]

I got the secondary invite within minutes too, and so you may very well be right about the stats cutoff. My answer, however, was in response to those applicants that were worried that if they got a secondary that wasn't an automatic invite (presumably, UCSF granted this secondary after reading their application), then whether submitting a secondary with no essays would really add any content to their application.

Ah, makes sense.

 

[Bbon]

I can't imagine UCSF gives secondaries purely based on stats, unless you're talking IS only, because I'm pretty sure my stats would qualify me, and it's been over a month since I've been verified. The LOR addition post-secondary doesn't really give me any extra confidence cause my recommendations will most likely be pretty standard. Anywho, good luck to everyone with interviews/waiting to hear back. Especially now that I don't think UCSF will be in contention for me, I hope you all get in. 😀

 

[phoenixsuns]

I can't imagine UCSF gives secondaries purely based on stats, unless you're talking IS only, because I'm pretty sure my stats would qualify me, and it's been over a month since I've been verified. The LOR addition post-secondary doesn't really give me any extra confidence cause my recommendations will most likely be pretty standard. Anywho, good luck to everyone with interviews/waiting to hear back. Especially now that I don't think UCSF will be in contention for me, I hope you all get in. 😀

i am IS and i'm pretty sure my stats would make the cutoff. gpa>3.7 mcat>39. also my friend who has lower stats than me in every category got an automatic secondary...

 

[Contrarian]

i am IS and i'm pretty sure my stats would make the cutoff. gpa>3.7 mcat>39. also my friend who has lower stats than me in every category got an automatic secondary...

That's really weird. Seems rather like luck of the draw.

 

[MzzLLX]

Perhaps it also has to do with your undergraduate institution?...

 

[dermda]

which interview date would you guys choose, Thursday October 8 or Monday October 12?

 

[casillas]

which interview date would you guys choose, Thursday October 8 or Monday October 12?

Shemarty said that first year students have exams on the 9th so the 8th may not be a good date. Especially if you want to have good interactions with the students. Take the 12th.

 

[Lycheegal]

Sorry if this is off topic from the other posts, but I was wondering if you could take some time to tell us a bit about your interview experience at ucsf shemarty? Was everyone dressed super professionally or more business casual? And what types of questions were common? This would be super helpful so thanks in advance! 🙂

 

[casillas]

Sorry if this is off topic from the other posts, but I was wondering if you could take some time to tell us a bit about your interview experience at ucsf shemarty? Was everyone dressed super professionally or more business casual? And what types of questions were common? This would be super helpful so thanks in advance! 🙂

And... how many people interview per day?

Thanks shemarty your help is amazing 👍

 

[shemarty]

Was everyone dressed super professionally or more business casual? And what types of questions were common? This would be super helpful so thanks in advance! 🙂

Interview attire at UCSF is the same as at other med schools - professional attire. Generally, this means a pantsuit or skirtsuit for women, and a business suit for men. I've interviewed with people (at various schools) that wear something different, and it makes them stick out. It's safest to wear a traditional, mostly-conservative suit. Check out the Women's Interview Attire Thread and Men's Interview Attire Thread for more advice about what to wear.

Your UCSF interviewers will NOT HAVE READ YOUR FILE. This is different from most other schools. You'll need to explain your "story" from scratch. They will see the rest of your application when they attend the committee meeting to discuss your admissions decision.

Here is the UCSF Interview Feedback, which contains 100+ entries from former UCSF interviewees. Here, you can see what types of questions were asked of other interviewees. I recommend checking out the interview feedback for each school before you interview.

And... how many people interview per day?

There are roughly 10 people per interview day.

 

[shemarty]

Shemarty said that first year students have exams on the 9th so the 8th may not be a good date. Especially if you want to have good interactions with the students. Take the 12th.

Yes, we have an exam on Friday 10/9, so if you're planning to stay with a student host and meet/chat with some MS1s, they'll probably be way more preoccupied on 10/7 than 10/11.

 

[ami1983]

No secondary yet, and my AMCAS was received by them at the start of July. Arg! This is really rude of them, because they've clearly gone over my app, since people who submitted after me have received secondaries. If I do get one, they have forced me to submit it late and handicapped me. Californians are taking over my state, so they should at least let me into theirs as compensation!!! Okay, I'm done complaining now...

The biggest cut is done pre-secondary to SAVE YOU MONEY.

 

[ami1983]

i'm just wondering, if you get accepted into UCSF and also its PRIME program but somehow change your mind about the program later on, will they still let you study as a regular MD student?

hey i'm just curious, but does anyone know if you are accepted into both UCSF med school and PRIME US but changed your mind against PRIME US before you matriculate into med school, will they still allow you to study as a regular MD student? what about after you matriculate?

MD and PRIME acceptances are done separately yet sequentially- i.e. you have to get into MD first and then are considered for PRIME, although you interview for PRIME along the way, not after you had been accepted to the MD program. I believe there were over 100 spots for the 11-ish PRIME spots this year- so no offense, but don't count your chicks before they hatch. I was in a similar boat last year, worried about committing myself to a program so early in the process, but PRIME is such a wonderful program I can't really see why you wouldn't want to do it.

 

[Nane]

Interview, 9:30pm, complete 8/4

Are you hosting, shemarty?

Now to decide which day will minimize missing class while maximizing the time I get to hang around the Bay.

I was complete on 8/4 and the status page says to wait 8 weeks. So, it looks like you didn't wait 8 weeks?

 

[shemarty]

I was complete on 8/4 and the status page says to wait 8 weeks. So, it looks like you didn't wait 8 weeks?

It doesn't necessarily take a full 8 weeks to hear back about whether or not you've been offered an interview after your secondary is complete. The office is just telling you to wait patiently for up to 8 weeks.

 

[itsalovestory]

I was complete on 8/4 and the status page says to wait 8 weeks. So, it looks like you didn't wait 8 weeks?

I waited 15 days, literally. Complete 08/04, invite 08/19.

 

[ilovebear]

i'm so tempted to call admissions to see when the next batch of invites are coming out. i was complete 8/19, so i don't think my app has been looked at yet.

 

[shemarty]

i'm so tempted to call admissions to see when the next batch of invites are coming out. i was complete 8/19, so i don't think my app has been looked at yet.

I don't think they'd actually release that information... but post it on SDN if they do tell you! 🙂

 

[Aggro]

Yea...eight weeks now and I still haven't even received a secondary. I've called and they've assured me that I haven't been rejected yet. However, if they're sending out interview invites, is there any reason to believe that I still have a chance at UCSF? I don't understand what I did to make this school hate me.

 

[277768]

It's a damn shame that I won't get in this school....

A nerdy gay man can fantasize about an interview though.....hum....😎

 

[tallandshort]

It's a damn shame that I won't get in this school....

A nerdy gay man can fantasize about an interview though.....hum....😎

Don't sell yourself short so quickly, you have great stats and great clinical experience. I'd be surprised if you didn't get a secondary, they're just taking a really long time screening apps. Hopefully that means they're thorough and we won't get overlooked 😀