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

[JJMrK]

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i called and got a vague "in the next couple weeks, but i don't have a specific timeline as to when you'll hear back" answer.

perhaps it was the way i worded the question, and i did not indicate when i interviewed.

It's all good, it comes when it comes. 👍

 

[neuronal]

It's all good, it comes when it comes. 👍

we need more of this kind of attitude on SDN.

 

[dermda]

can anyone else confirm that the admissions committee has already met and will not meet on 12/15?

 

[mooooo]

can anyone else confirm that the admissions committee has already met and will not meet on 12/15?

I also interviewed recently and Dean Wofsy said the committee was meeting on Monday evening (the 7th).

 

[SpaceDementia]

It's all good, it comes when it comes. 👍

Hear, hear. 👍

 

[dermda]

I called and was told that decision letters will be sent starting the week of the 21st

 

[dermda]

I also interviewed recently and Dean Wofsy said the committee was meeting on Monday evening (the 7th).

do you happen to know when the next meeting will be?

 

[ColonelTigh]

Thank you dermda, you were hella brave and totally awesome...(put me at ease, but am still neurotic pre-med)

Has anyone tried calling to see if they were discussed on a committee, or this decision committee? Like if your 2 guys were there? Would they tell you?

 

[LSU Gladiator]

Thank you dermda, you were hella brave and totally awesome...(put me at ease, but am still neurotic pre-med)

Has anyone tried calling to see if they were discussed on a committee, or this decision committee? Like if your 2 guys were there? Would they tell you?

I would also like to know if anyone has done this in this cycle or in cycles past.

 

[shemarty]

Has anyone tried calling to see if they were discussed on a committee, or this decision committee? Like if your 2 guys were there? Would they tell you?

I would also like to know if anyone has done this in this cycle or in cycles past.

I think their policy is that they don't tell you this information over the phone (or at all). I know, I know, it'd be so much less painful if you just knew whether or not you should expect to hear back this month. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do besides wait a couple weeks and see whether or not you get a letter in the mail. As frustrating as it is, can you imagine 100 students calling the office to ask whether or not they were discussed at the committee meeting? The office staff would go nuts...!

 

[IHeartSleep]

I hope they send them out by the 21st so that we can get them by the 23rd!

 

[Lycheegal]

I hope they send them out by the 21st so that we can get them by the 23rd!

👍

Let's hope we all get some good news soon!

 

[dermda]

I hope they send them out by the 21st so that we can get them by the 23rd!

definitely! an acceptance from UCSF would be my best Christmas present ever!

 

[shemarty]

Last year the first acceptances reported on SDN were on Dec 26th... I wouldn't count on hearing back before Christmas...

 

[Jolt21]

Dang. i'll be away on break till the 4th. Anyone know if we can call after they are sent or if it'll be on the status page?

 

[dermda]

i'll be away until the 4th also. sigh...

 

[casillas]

Dang. i'll be away on break till the 4th. Anyone know if we can call after they are sent or if it'll be on the status page?

i remember them saying no decisions can be said over the phone

 

[bannie22]

oh my dear ucla... its been 8 weeks +
🙁 i guess i dunt deserve a rejection letter if i only paid $30 for the primary review =(

 

[ApoK]

oh my dear ucla... its been 8 weeks +
🙁 i guess i dunt deserve a rejection letter if i only paid $30 for the primary review =(

You have to be one of the least attentive people IRL. It's not just this post but most of them on this site...

If you care so much to receive your rejection letter (and I can't understand why you would), then call the admissions office and ask for another one. I'm sure they'd oblige.

 

[Dyingduck]

"Hi everyone, I am pretty new here on SDN.

I was wondering if UCSF has some sort of appeal process for pre-secondary rejection. If so, where should I go? (I submitted my primary very late in the cycle).

Thanks.

Edit: I found out that UCSF does have a formal appeal process:

" .Applicants who do not receive a secondary application or an invitation to interview may appeal the decision of the Committee on Admissions by writing to the Chair of the Admissions Committee at the Admissions Office. Please note that applicants who have interviewed are not eligible to appeal because their files have already received final Committee review."

So, does this mean I send a letter to the Admissions Office (Below) or is it better to use email?..

.UCSF School of Medicine
Office of Admissions
ATTN .Chair of the Admissions Committee.
521 Parnassus Avenue, Room C-200
San Francisco, CA 94143-0408

 

[ballin]

That's probably your best bet.

"Hi everyone, I am pretty new here on SDN.

I was wondering if UCSF has some sort of appeal process for pre-secondary rejection. If so, where should I go? (I submitted my primary very late in the cycle).

Thanks.

Edit: I found out that UCSF does have a formal appeal process:

" .Applicants who do not receive a secondary application or an invitation to interview may appeal the decision of the Committee on Admissions by writing to the Chair of the Admissions Committee at the Admissions Office. Please note that applicants who have interviewed are not eligible to appeal because their files have already received final Committee review."

So, does this mean I send a letter to the Admissions Office (Below) or is it better to use email?..

.UCSF School of Medicine
Office of Admissions
ATTN .Chair of the Admissions Committee.
521 Parnassus Avenue, Room C-200
San Francisco, CA 94143-0408

 

[Dyingduck]

That's probably your best bet.

Thanks. Via email or letter?

 

[RoadtoSC]

Does anyone know if the PRIME-US applicants are interviewed on seperate days than the regular MD applicants??

I am wondering because I have been waiting for my secondary to be completed for six weeks now! I imagine they must be evaluating the PRIME applicants in a different manner, and they have yet to specify any interview dates. I'm waiting on an interview invite. Soon I hope

 

[dermda]

Does anyone know if the PRIME-US applicants are interviewed on seperate days than the regular MD applicants??

I am wondering because I have been waiting for my secondary to be completed for six weeks now! I imagine they must be evaluating the PRIME applicants in a different manner, and they have yet to specify any interview dates. I'm waiting on an interview invite. Soon I hope

PRIME-US applications are separate from regular MD. After you have interviewed and been discussed for the regular MD, then the rest of the application will go to the PRIME-US committee for review. PRIME-US interviews are by phone for this year.

 

[TheFreak]

Thanks. Via email or letter?

send it via letter. im not sure though whether or not there's a way to check if it's been received.

 

[oze]

send it via letter. im not sure though whether or not there's a way to check if it's been received.

certified mail

 

[Calicaliboy]

So does anyone know how many people they waitlist right away vs. accept? I heard they waitlist most of the batch unless they're absolutely in love with you. I think I'm being reviewed in the December batch so kinda curious...

 

[questions99]

So does anyone know how many people they waitlist right away vs. accept? I heard they waitlist most of the batch unless they're absolutely in love with you. I think I'm being reviewed in the December batch so kinda curious...

I've heard right after the interview they deny a third, waitlist a third, accept a third. and they end up accepting about half the waitlisted applicants, ughh, the guy sitting next to me in starbucks smells

 

[oknow]

anyone else find it strange that the average mcat is 33 now?

http://medschool.ucsf.edu/admissions/profile/

obviously ucsf isn't just about numbers, but it does strike me as odd for a top 5 school

 

[honker]

anyone else find it strange that the average mcat is 33 now?

http://medschool.ucsf.edu/admissions/profile/

obviously ucsf isn't just about numbers, but it does strike me as odd for a top 5 school

It is interesting that UCSF gets the fewest instate applicants because of the perception that it is too hard to get into compared to other UC med schools. I think that that perception exists because of all of the high stats applicants UCSF rejects. The data you found suggests that the UCSF adcom is looking for interesting (to them) applicants, rather than just academic superstars. UCSF can get all the high numbers people they want. It's just that they are looking for something else.

 

[Arrhenius]

In state
Secondary submitted late Sept.
Completed 11/5/09
Interview Invite for UCSF and JMP 12/11/09

Can't wait! This is my first choice...and only interview to date!

 

[JJMrK]

I've heard right after the interview they deny a third, waitlist a third, accept a third. and they end up accepting about half the waitlisted applicants, ughh, the guy sitting next to me in starbucks smells

I'm 99% sure that no one is rejected post-interview.

 

[CalBear2009]

I'm 99% sure that no one is rejected post-interview.

Where did you hear this. I remember wofsy saying there are 1 of three letters you can get.

 

[ColonelTigh]

Yub, Wofsy said people will be rejected...

 

[Crash88]

so, I just wanted to bring this issue up again...
UCSF says they want grade updates (remember that green form?)
do you think they want these grades before they make a decision on your app? or just to make sure you don't fail out of college

just wanted to get additional input on this...

 

[ApoK]

so, I just wanted to bring this issue up again...
UCSF says they want grade updates (remember that green form?)
do you think they want these grades before they make a decision on your app? or just to make sure you don't fail out of college

just wanted to get additional input on this...

I'm sure they'd ask for grade updates if they need them. I doubt they'd hold off on reviewing your app simply because they don't have your fall semester grades. IDK though, perhaps a current student could shed some light on this?

 

[questions99]

In state
Secondary submitted late Sept.
Completed 11/5/09
Interview Invite for UCSF and JMP 12/11/09

Can't wait! This is my first choice...and only interview to date!

yay!!! I hope you get in. I luv stories like this and ucsf tends to make them happen Good luck 🙂

 

[dermda]

does anyone know what day is the next committee meeting?

 

[295051]

does anyone know what day is the next committee meeting?

They aren't meeting again until middle of January. I interviewed there on the 7th and they said the December meeting was that night, and we wouldn't hear until end of January or maybe even Feb.

 

[OneMCATAway]

do you guys know how many times the committee meets after the new year?!

 

[JJMrK]

Where did you hear this. I remember wofsy saying there are 1 of three letters you can get.

At my interview I remember hearing that you're either accepted or WLed.

 

[oknow]

At my interview I remember hearing that you're either accepted or WLed.

Interesting...he definitely told our group that one of three decisions would be made at the committee meetings.

 

[FutureScaresMe]

Interesting...he definitely told our group that one of three decisions would be made at the committee meetings.

yeah I heard this too. I believe he said that after ranking the applicants, they accept the top candidates, reject the bottom ones, and discuss the ones in the middle, which will include accepted/waitlisted applicants.

 

[JJMrK]

yeah I heard this too. I believe he said that after ranking the applicants, they accept the top candidates, reject the bottom ones, and discuss the ones in the middle, which will include accepted/waitlisted applicants.

I remember that same exact discussion, except he said those at the bottom will definitely be WLed, those at the top will be accepted, and those in the middle will be talked about more. (I think.)

 

[ballin]

how about everyone relax!

 

[JJMrK]

Pretty relaxed here.

 

[itsalovestory]

I remember that same exact discussion, except he said those at the bottom will definitely be WLed, those at the top will be accepted, and those in the middle will be talked about more. (I think.)

Neither of you heard wrong. This is what happens after your interview:

Both interviewers write up a review regarding you.

This completes the application, and the application in its entirety is sent to the committee members who include your interviewers. This is the first time that your interviewers have access to your file.

All committee members read applications and give them some sort of a score.

Committee meeting is held. At this meeting, all the candidates are put up on the screen, listed in order of their combined scores by all the committee members. This is a temporary list for them to work off of.

Usually, [This is what JimmerJammerMK heard.] those at the top of this list are not debated about and they are accepted. Those at the bottom are sometimes rejected, but Dr. Wofsy reminded us that almost always, your interviewers will stand up for you if you're at this end. The middle of the list is further discussed and debated.

At the end of the meeting and after all discussion, each interview committee member gives a new score to each applicant, including everyone on the list. Those at the top tend to stay at the top, which is why they are accepted. The others can easily move around. From this finalized list, the top 1/3 are accepted, the middle 1/3 are waitlisted, and the bottom 1/3 are rejected.

Hope that helps!

 

[decafplease]

Interesting...he definitely told our group that one of three decisions would be made at the committee meetings.

Same here. He said there were three possibilities: one of two thin envelopes or a fat envelope (acceptance). The thin ones were "Rejection" or "Alternate List." He said that "Alternate" does not equal "waitlist." Waitlist is something devised later in the cycle. He said that most people on the alternate list get an acceptance or a waitlist position. Waitlist can turn into an acceptance or just peter out into nothingness.

The numbers he quoted us were 500 interviews (no more) and (based on last year) 270 acceptances after getting through the waitlist.

 

[decafplease]

Neither of you heard wrong. This is what happens after your interview:

Both interviewers write up a review regarding you.

This completes the application, and the application in its entirety is sent to the committee members who include your interviewers. This is the first time that your interviewers have access to your file.

All committee members read applications and give them some sort of a score.

Committee meeting is held. At this meeting, all the candidates are put up on the screen, listed in order of their combined scores by all the committee members. This is a temporary list for them to work off of.

Usually, [This is what JimmerJammerMK heard.] those at the top of this list are not debated about and they are accepted. Those at the bottom are sometimes rejected, but Dr. Wofsy reminded us that almost always, your interviewers will stand up for you if you're at this end. The middle of the list is further discussed and debated.

At the end of the meeting and after all discussion, each interview committee member gives a new score to each applicant, including everyone on the list. Those at the top tend to stay at the top, which is why they are accepted. The others can easily move around. From this finalized list, the top 1/3 are accepted, the middle 1/3 are waitlisted, and the bottom 1/3 are rejected.

Hope that helps!

Nicely summarized. 👍

 

[chickensandwich]

That was extremely helpful, thanks! And also anxiety-provoking, lol.

Neither of you heard wrong. This is what happens after your interview:

Both interviewers write up a review regarding you.

This completes the application, and the application in its entirety is sent to the committee members who include your interviewers. This is the first time that your interviewers have access to your file.

All committee members read applications and give them some sort of a score.

Committee meeting is held. At this meeting, all the candidates are put up on the screen, listed in order of their combined scores by all the committee members. This is a temporary list for them to work off of.

Usually, [This is what JimmerJammerMK heard.] those at the top of this list are not debated about and they are accepted. Those at the bottom are sometimes rejected, but Dr. Wofsy reminded us that almost always, your interviewers will stand up for you if you're at this end. The middle of the list is further discussed and debated.

At the end of the meeting and after all discussion, each interview committee member gives a new score to each applicant, including everyone on the list. Those at the top tend to stay at the top, which is why they are accepted. The others can easily move around. From this finalized list, the top 1/3 are accepted, the middle 1/3 are waitlisted, and the bottom 1/3 are rejected.

Hope that helps!