2010-2011 University of California - Davis Application Thread

[rjmn]

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Only date available to schedule for an interview is 1 day in January... Does check back for more interview dates mean they may schedule more before or will they schedule all of them after? I feel like I have to take the January interview but I have no idea what classes I am taking next quarter or if there's a big exam on that day. What's usually the policy on rescheduling if I find out I have a test later on? Is it looked bad upon? Thanks.

A friend tried to reschedule, and they absolutely do not. Ever. Weird.

 

[man916]

I was complete back 8/5 and called them on Friday and they said my app was in the screening process. Anyone else still waiting for a response who was complete about the same time? UCI said they had not even reviewed my app. Is there any particular order that they review apps?

 

[jchenunit]

I was complete back 8/5 and called them on Friday and they said my app was in the screening process. Anyone else still waiting for a response who was complete about the same time? UCI said they had not even reviewed my app. Is there any particular order that they review apps?

I'm in the same situation

 

[SMCmedicine]

I'm in the same situation

Oddly enough, I am also in the same situation.

UC Davis is my #1 choice, I really hope to get an interview. I'm Sacramento born and raised and love the environment. The people are down to earth and friendly. Great place.

 

[man916]

Well it's good to know that others are in the same boat. It's really interesting seeing OOSers getting interviews before IS. I think they assign your app to a certain screener. So I guess it depends on how long it takes for your screener to review their apps. It's just frustrating waiting to hear back. Need some cali love.

 

[DoctaFuture]

They rejected me after being under review for two weeks. They were fast. I thought I wrote a pretty good secondary, but perhaps my 29mcat score didn't help.

 

[NobodyHere115]

Can someone tell me when the latest interview scheduling is at? I feel like if Davis scheduled interviews to March, then it's gg. For the record, completed mid-June. Submit Davis late July, complete early August. No word right now, so kind of anxious about what's happening.

 

[obgyny]

So how does the whole interview "thank you notes" work with the MMI format? I mean, you rotate with 10 interviewers (I'm assuming) and you only spend ~8 min with each person. Should you get each one of their names to send a thank you note? If so, what's the best way to do it? I'm horrible at names, do you think it would be okay to ask for a business card or just ask for their email??

Thanks, I really appreciate any advice, I'm completely confused. 😕

 

[joojoobee]

i've been complete since 7/19 and i still haven't received any e-mail about a rejection or II. anyone else in my situation? it seems like most people are getting rejected/II within 2-4 weeks of completion. there seems to be no method to the madness.

 

[masterwolfie]

i've been complete since 7/19 and i still haven't received any e-mail about a rejection or II. anyone else in my situation? it seems like most people are getting rejected/II within 2-4 weeks of completion. there seems to be no method to the madness.

I'm in a similar situation as you - I've been complete since the end of July. For a while, it also seemed like they were sending out interview invites within 2 - 4 weeks of completion. I was thinking that I'm in some sort of pre-interview hold where they can't quite decide whether to give me the axe or interview me. They haven't sent out anything in quite a while though, so I guess all we can do is wait and see!

 

[CytokineStorm]

So how does the whole interview "thank you notes" work with the MMI format? I mean, you rotate with 10 interviewers (I'm assuming) and you only spend ~8 min with each person. Should you get each one of their names to send a thank you note? If so, what's the best way to do it? I'm horrible at names, do you think it would be okay to ask for a business card or just ask for their email??

Thanks, I really appreciate any advice, I'm completely confused. 😕

PS: my interview is this friday..

In my opinion, the way that they have the MMIs set up is not conducive to multiple thank you letters. The compromise is perhaps sending a general thank you and asking the admissions office to deliver it your interviewees. It's your call but, I would try to spend all my energy on the questions/problems that are assigned to you rather than worrying about names.

See you Friday 🙂... maybe.

 

[obgyny]

In my opinion, the way that they have the MMIs set up is not conducive to multiple thank you letters. The compromise is perhaps sending a general thank you and asking the admissions office to deliver it your interviewees. It's your call but, I would try to spend all my energy on the questions/problems that are assigned to you rather than worrying about names.

See you Friday 🙂... maybe.

Thanks! That's a good idea actually. Good luck to you! I'm excited but very nervous!!

PS: now I understand the MMI fight club analogy (see CougarMD's post earlier)

 

[obgyny]

For those of you interviewed, has anyone heard any decision yet?

A few posters mentioned earlier that UC Davis will be doing a one-week turnaround this year, and I was just wondering if it was true (that's pretty crazy!). Anyone know the source of this info?

 

[barcoderider]

For those of you interviewed, has anyone heard any decision yet?

A few posters mentioned earlier that UC Davis will be doing a one-week turnaround this year, and I was just wondering if it was true (that's pretty crazy!). Anyone know the source of this info?

Except for EDP, which I'm not sure if Davis does, no one can be accepted before Oct. 15th.

 

[obgyny]

Except for EDP, which I'm not sure if Davis does, no one can be accepted before Oct. 15th.

Yeah, that's what I thought... But where is everyone getting this "one week turn around" from? 😕

 

[SnowShoes]

Yeah, that's what I thought... But where is everyone getting this "one week turn around" from? 😕

I heard from the director of admissions that the school expects the turn around to be within 2 weeks or something like that. However, it doesn't apply to people who interviewed early as they can't give out acceptances until Oct. 15. 👎 The wait is killing me~! I really really loved Davis. 😍😍
You'll love it too me thinks. 😀 Good luck!

 

[theMan2012]

finally got the secondary!! about time id say

 

[SnowShoes]

finally got the secondary!! about time id say

Congrats!

 

[obgyny]

I heard from the director of admissions that the school expects the turn around to be within 2 weeks or something like that. However, it doesn't apply to people who interviewed early as they can't give out acceptances until Oct. 15. 👎 The wait is killing me~! I really really loved Davis. 😍😍
You'll love it too me thinks. 😀 Good luck!

Oh okay, thanks for the info!! Yeah, the more I find out about the school, the more I want to go here!!! 😍

Good luck! and hopefully you won't have to wait much longer!

 

[man916]

What order do they review applications in? Disadvantaged students first? People with high stats first? Any ideas?

 

[IlaEm]

I heard from the director of admissions that the school expects the turn around to be within 2 weeks or something like that. However, it doesn't apply to people who interviewed early as they can't give out acceptances until Oct. 15. 👎 The wait is killing me~! I really really loved Davis. 😍😍
You'll love it too me thinks. 😀 Good luck!

Yeah that's right. Anyone interviewing prior to two weeks before Oct 15 will find out their status on Oct 15 (meaning acceptance, rejection or waitlist). They say at the interview that applicants who interview later will find out after 2 weeks.

In my opinion, the way that they have the MMIs set up is not conducive to multiple thank you letters. The compromise is perhaps sending a general thank you and asking the admissions office to deliver it your interviewees. It's your call but, I would try to spend all my energy on the questions/problems that are assigned to you rather than worrying about names.

See you Friday 🙂... maybe.

I was on the first interview day and I asked the admissions office (through the message center) about thank you notes and how to proceed. The message center shows that they have read my question but I still have not received a response. I'm thinking no thank you cards are necessary. It was absolutely impossible to remember the raters names and you don't receive a list with their names on it......

 

[frescoengano]

What order do they review applications in? Disadvantaged students first? People with high stats first? Any ideas?

date of completion?

 

[man916]

I was complete 8/5. No word.

 

[QuesoAndFromage]

for those of you worried about the MMI process, you get an email a week or so before the interview (I got an email with a pdf explaining the process this week and mine is next week)

to be honest, it seemed pretty difficult until I saw the example scenario they have at the end. It really is what you would initially expect (unless youre expecting hell and torture 😀)

 

[obgyny]

for those of you worried about the MMI process, you get an email a week or so before the interview (I got an email with a pdf explaining the process this week and mine is next week)

to be honest, it seemed pretty difficult until I saw the example scenario they have at the end. It really is what you would initially expect (unless youre expecting hell and torture 😀)

I didn't get that email until 2 days before my interview 🙁

 

[Sediv]

From their instructions it seems like they want to know how the experienced helped prepare you for med school / what it meant to you. Since the character limit is so short I just focused on the general "feel" of what my experience meant to me and how that ties in with the skill-sets I have that will make me a good doctor... ie: From xxx experience, I learned xxx skill by doing xxx; this is great for me because I'm going to need xxx in med school. It is tough with only 750 characters though.

edit: just realized I didn't really answer your question. Yeah, I would try and focus on a slightly different aspect of the experience than you did in your primary. Maybe go into more detail on a specific experience and then say what it meant to you and how thats going to help for med school; or talk about a more minor nuance to the experience you didnt have room for in your primary. Anything that makes the experience more "three-dimensional." Simply rehashing what you said in half the amount of space would not be an efficient use of this space.

So I basically took the slant of how these experiences either effected my decision to go into medical school or how they will make me a better doc in the AMCAS app. I am a bit at a loss for what to add/change. I dont have any new/more experiences. I feel like this is redundant and they arent reading the AMCAS app (hence the duplication of entering schools and grades and experiences). Would it be so terrible to say the same thing? Do I even need to rephrase it? I seems they just want to look at the top three. Im whining now, but in the end I will rewrite them, but does any one have any other ideas or thoughts, whats another possible "dimension". Why would they ask the same thing as the primary app?


On another note: while everyone else did not want to answer question 3, i had no problem finding three major errors in my app (mediocre MCAT-30 for which i have no good excuse, low GPA 3.1 for a year while abroad, and lack of clinical experience which I hope to change in the near future). Do you think i should narrow it down to one....Maybe I sound like I am making excuses and empty promises since I still am not working in a clinic? Oh just though of another, my letters of rec are not from professors, but from work because i have been out of school forever and went to UCSD where the smallest class was 100.

 

[oze]

Yeah, that's what I thought... But where is everyone getting this "one week turn around" from? 😕

this was a word of mouth thing through the students. but yeah, people interviewing before october 15th won't hear back until then, at least.

anyways, I'm checking the board periodically, ask away if you guys have any questions about the school!

 

[IlaEm]

On another note: while everyone else did not want to answer question 3, i had no problem finding three major errors in my app (mediocre MCAT-30 for which i have no good excuse, low GPA 3.1 for a year while abroad, and lack of clinical experience which I hope to change in the near future). Do you think i should narrow it down to one....Maybe I sound like I am making excuses and empty promises since I still am not working in a clinic? Oh just though of another, my letters of rec are not from professors, but from work because i have been out of school forever and went to UCSD where the smallest class was 100.

I would narrow it down. There is no point in highlighting every flaw possible. Ultimately, I took the approach of finding a flaw, but explaining why I didn't believe it to be a flaw. For example, my application lacks laboratory research (but I have years working as a clinical researcher). So, since I was a biochemistry major, I mentioned that I had extensive laboratory work in school (for which I had to show a mastery of laboratory technique and experimental design). Therefore, my time outside of class was better spent pursuing other interests like volunteering, clinical work, etc. Hope this helped!

 

[obgyny]

Interviewed here, the school is amazing!!! 😍 And everyone is so nice, they really are just trying to get you to relax and enjoy the day. I would definitely love to go here!

 

[thegreatgatsby]

Any recent interview invites? I was complete 9/4 and no news yet...I WOULD LOVE TO GO TO THIS SCHOOL!!!

 

[theMan2012]

Wow first interview!! Got it today about an hour ago. Secondary received 9/21, complete 9/22

 

[PsychEpathic]

Wow, I was screened in !!!. I'm SHOCKED! My GPA is solid, I have pretty good experiences, great statement, but MCAT less than 30. Should I address that as a weakness? Ugh, I hate to do that, but can't think of much else. And it's not like they don't already know my MCAT is less than 30....greater than 24 though. PS KILLED me. Haha. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. 🙂

 

[JSU]

I was complete on 7/26. Still haven't heard from them. 3.94cgpa, 33 mcat and great ECs.

 

[PsychEpathic]

Completed 9/15, got secondary today. Any opinions about #3?

 

[tennisstar89]

Is there a reason you scored low on PS? In 3 i talked about my low science gpa but showed that it is due to freshman year and how I've improved since then. I would only bring it up if you can put a good spin on it. If not then don't worry about it, they gave you a secondary so you already made their raw numbers screen!

 

[PsychEpathic]

"The Admissions Committee has requested close to 2000 secondary applications." Interview please!!!

 

[Lccjblu]

For those of you interviewed, has anyone heard any decision yet?

A few posters mentioned earlier that UC Davis will be doing a one-week turnaround this year, and I was just wondering if it was true (that's pretty crazy!). Anyone know the source of this info?

Actually, its a 2-week turnaround that they want to do. All of us who have interviewed already won't find out until OCT15th, the first day that med schools are allowed to hand out acceptances.

hope that helps

 

[dancingdoctor13]

Wow, I was screened in !!!. I'm SHOCKED! My GPA is solid, I have pretty good experiences, great statement, but MCAT less than 30. Should I address that as a weakness? Ugh, I hate to do that, but can't think of much else. And it's not like they don't already know my MCAT is less than 30....greater than 24 though. PS KILLED me. Haha. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. 🙂

Can I ask you what your EC and other stuff are like? Do you have a huge amount of experience with the underserved population, etc? I have similar stats to you, and am wondering if I should even bother applying her if my EC don't match up. Feel free to PM for the info!

 

[PsychEpathic]

Can I ask you what your EC and other stuff are like? Do you have a huge amount of experience with the underserved population, etc? I have similar stats to you, and am wondering if I should even bother applying her if my EC don't match up. Feel free to PM for the info!

Well, I'm a non-traditional student, so I've had many opportunities to volunteer. I have volunteered at LAC+USC Hospital (2006-2009) as a general volunteer and board member for over 700 hours, I have tutored on Saturdays since 2005, I volunteered at a center for kids with disabilities (2007-2008), I was a science teacher from 2005-2006 in Los Angeles, and I am currently an AmeriCorps member where I will complete a 1700 hour service.

Science GPA about 3.55, non-science about 3.69. I have two bachelor's degrees from two different colleges (one in sociology and one in biology) and a teaching credential. Oh, and I speak Spanish. Good luck!

 

[Zenithi]

I just got the invite last night (Sunday night?!), and I can't seem to find a date to schedule my interview. Is anyone else having this problem as well?


Wait: I think I saw an available date in January... Is Davis working that fast to completely fill interview dates in Oct, Nov, and Dec already?

 

[obgyny]

Anybody sent thank you notes after the interview? If so, do they have to be on special paper?

It seems that some schools expect thank you notes while others tell you explicitly not to send them. I was wondering if anyone knew about UCD's policy??

PS: I already have them written, I'm just debating whether or not I should send them... ?

 

[Guero]

Well, I'm a non-traditional student, so I've had many opportunities to volunteer. I have volunteered at LAC+USC Hospital (2006-2009) as a general volunteer and board member for over 700 hours, I have tutored on Saturdays since 2005, I volunteered at a center for kids with disabilities (2007-2008), I was a science teacher from 2005-2006 in Los Angeles, and I am currently an AmeriCorps member where I will complete a 1700 hour service.

Science GPA about 3.55, non-science about 3.69. I have two bachelor's degrees from two different colleges (one in sociology and one in biology) and a teaching credential. Oh, and I speak Spanish. Good luck!

Tenemos los ganas...pero soy un guero de Los Angeles (originalmente, de todos modos), asi más uno para mi! Ten suerte compadre.

 

[obgyny]

Anybody sent thank you notes after the interview? If so, do they have to be on special paper?

It seems that some schools expect thank you notes while others tell you explicitly not to send them. I was wondering if anyone knew about UCD's policy??

PS: I already have them written, I'm just debating whether or not I should send them... ?

bump 🙂

 

[PsychEpathic]

Tenemos los ganas...pero soy un guero de Los Angeles (originalmente, de todos modos), asi más uno para mi! Ten suerte compadre.

Hey, that wasn't bad for a güero. 🙂

 

[lakers MD]

If anyone had the unfortunate experience of being rejected recently, would you mind sharing a completion date/rejection notice date?

I'm just curious as to where they are in terms of reviewing applications (I believe they make decisions chronologically based off when our materials were submitted). Thanks in advance for sharing the info and sorry for your bad news.

 

[HomerJayBYU]

c3.56, s3.32, MCAT 32M, IS. AMCAS verified 8/24, secondary invite 8/25, secondary completed 9/03, interview invite 9/29!

I just got an invite for UCD! It's one of my top choices for sure. I have the UC Merced SJV Prime interview Thursday 10/7 and then the regular UCD MD interview Friday 10/8. They called me up & scheduled my interview on the phone - maybe the PRIME program really wants me? (I'm from the San Joaquin Valley)

Anyone know anything about the UC Merced PRIME interview? Any tips for the UCD MMI?


_______
BYU Class of 2011
"You know a lot of people go to college for 7 years." "I know, they're called doctors."

 

[tennisstar89]

If anyone had the unfortunate experience of being rejected recently, would you mind sharing a completion date/rejection notice date?

I'm just curious as to where they are in terms of reviewing applications (I believe they make decisions chronologically based off when our materials were submitted). Thanks in advance for sharing the info and sorry for your bad news.

I would like to know the answer to this as well!

 

[Frankstarium]

c3.56, s3.32, MCAT 32M, IS. AMCAS verified 8/24, secondary invite 8/25, secondary completed 9/03, interview invite 9/29!

I just got an invite for UCD! It's one of my top choices for sure. I have the UC Merced SJV Prime interview Thursday 10/7 and then the regular UCD MD interview Friday 10/8. They called me up & scheduled my interview on the phone - maybe the PRIME program really wants me? (I'm from the San Joaquin Valley)

Anyone know anything about the UC Merced PRIME interview? Any tips for the UCD MMI?


_______
BYU Class of 2011
"You know a lot of people go to college for 7 years." "I know, they're called doctors."

Hey good going my friend. I am also interviewing for the UC Merced San Joaquin PRIME program and UC Davis SOM. But my interview is not until the 28th and 29th of October. Best of luck though!!! I heard they are interviewing 36 applicants for 6 spots in the PRIME program. No pressure. 🙂

 

[HomerJayBYU]

Hey good going my friend. I am also interviewing for the UC Merced San Joaquin PRIME program and UC Davis SOM. But my interview is not until the 28th and 29th of October. Best of luck though!!! I heard they are interviewing 36 applicants for 6 spots in the PRIME program. No pressure. 🙂

Do you know if we get accepted to PRIME if we have to do it to go to UCD? Or can we choose UCD without PRIME? In other words, do we have a choice to do PRIME or regular MD if we get in to both?

 

[SnowShoes]

Anybody sent thank you notes after the interview? If so, do they have to be on special paper?

It seems that some schools expect thank you notes while others tell you explicitly not to send them. I was wondering if anyone knew about UCD's policy??

PS: I already have them written, I'm just debating whether or not I should send them... ?

I didn't send a thank you note after the interview. I don't think UCD would expect thank you notes especially considering that it would be impossible to remember the names of interviewers and that they don't accept letter of intents.