2010-2011 University of California - Irvine Application Thread

[RySerr21]

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I'm only 3 weeks in to 3rd year but ive loved every second of it - and I'm on a rotation that I dont necessarily have any interest to go in to. And i'm also saying this in the middle of a week where I will have worked 100 hours, Sunday to Sunday.

The residents and attending on my rotation have been amazing. They've made us feel like a part of the team. We ARE apart of a team. And they all have loved to teach. I've learned so much in these 3 weeks, it makes me look forward to the rest of the year even more.

 

[stevalin]

Any waitlist movement recently? I got the alternate list interest email from UCI like the 2nd week of June. Would calling the Office of Admissions be good, or is better to email them?

BTW, my friend got off the list at the end of May but withdrew. That was before UCI sent me the email.

Good luck to everyone! 🙂

 

[gryffhouse]

i got off the waitlist at the beginning of last week.

 

[rHinO1]

Anyone know the exact dates of our summer break after MS1? Or better yet, is there an academic calendar that has our schedule?

Is there a break between MS2 and MS3?

 

[alwaysaangel]

Anyone know the exact dates of our summer break after MS1? Or better yet, is there an academic calendar that has our schedule?

Is there a break between MS2 and MS3?

They've probably already finalized the calendar so one of the current students can probably check on Merlin for you. (*tear* I've lost my access).

It should be about The third week of June to about mid August.

There is no official break between MS2 and 3 but they give you about 8 weeks of step 1 study time so if you are organized and don't procrastinated you could take it in 6 or 7 weeks and then have a week or two off.

 

[RySerr21]

Anyone know the exact dates of our summer break after MS1? Or better yet, is there an academic calendar that has our schedule?

Is there a break between MS2 and MS3?

The last two years summer started June 17th/18th. The summer has been shortened two weeks, so I think now you guys will be startin 2nd year the middle of august (same times as the first years start).

As far as the break between 2nd and 3rd year...they shortened the time to study for the step 1 to about 6 weeks, so if you want to have a break youve gotta be extra efficient. Most people had about a week off, some didn't take a break at all.

 

[alwaysaangel]

The last two years summer started June 17th/18th. The summer has been shortened two weeks, so I think now you guys will be startin 2nd year the middle of august (same times as the first years start).

As far as the break between 2nd and 3rd year...they shortened the time to study for the step 1 to about 6 weeks, so if you want to have a break youve gotta be extra efficient. Most people had about a week off, some didn't take a break at all.

Wow they start them 2 works early and they cut it all the way to 6 weeks? I thought they'd taken it from 10 to 8, not 8 to 6! When we studied we had 11 weeks. Thats crazy.

 

[gl0baltrader]

Any waitlist movement recently? I got the alternate list interest email from UCI like the 2nd week of June. Would calling the Office of Admissions be good, or is better to email them?

BTW, my friend got off the list at the end of May but withdrew. That was before UCI sent me the email.

Good luck to everyone! 🙂

Just withdrew my acceptance to UCI a couple of days ago.. It was an extremely hard decision. So somebody in the waitlist should get a call pretty soon.

 

[RySerr21]

Wow they start them 2 works early and they cut it all the way to 6 weeks? I thought they'd taken it from 10 to 8, not 8 to 6! When we studied we had 11 weeks. Thats crazy.

its actually 3 works earlier than what you had b/c they started us a week earlier than the previous years, now they are starting them 2 weeks earlier than we started.

 

[SMCmedicine]

Does UC Irvine have an active AOA chapter? If so, what are the requirements or how does a student become a junior or senior AOA?

 

[RySerr21]

Does UC Irvine have an active AOA chapter? If so, what are the requirements or how does a student become a junior or senior AOA?

damn, they start so young! i didnt even know what AOA was til sometime through my first year.

I dont know the exact details, but basically just do well in everything you do. The first two years is P/F, no honors. These first two years are not included in your overall ranking. You can get a letter of accommodation if you do really well in a course, or if you do well on a shelf exam, but they mean very little other than a pat on the back for your hard work.

3rd and 4th year are H/P/F. Along with your Step scores, your grades in your clinical courses count for 100% of your class rank and whether or not you get AOA.

I dont konw the difference between junior and senior AOA, except that very few people are junior AOA, many more are selected for senior AOA. I imagine the criteria is the same.

 

[SMCmedicine]

damn, they start so young! i didnt even know what AOA was til sometime through my first year.

I guess that's one of the beauties of SDN, we can read various threads and learn about what lays ahead.

The day is getting pretty close, first year starts in about a month!

 

[obgyny]

The day is getting pretty close, first year starts in about a month!

Can't wait!!! 😀

 

[RySerr21]

I guess that's one of the beauties of SDN, we can read various threads and learn about what lays ahead.

The day is getting pretty close, first year starts in about a month!

haha, AOA should be the furthest thing from your mind right now. Enjoy your 2nd to last summer!

 

[lizzie5987]

Hi! So I was wondering if you are a minority? I know you got into UCI now 😀 Congrats!

 

[SMCmedicine]

Hi! So I was wondering if you are a minority? I know you got into UCI now 😀 Congrats!

Interesting and unexpected question. When I was at the UCI second look event I noticed a lot of diversity. Then again, a diverse student body is present at almost every med school in CA. I don't know if being a minority really makes a difference in med school applications in 2011. I think it's based more on the hardships a person has had in his/her life. I mean look at the AMCAS, answering the questions that regard ethnicity and race are both optional. More so, an entire question on the AMCAS is devoted to identifying disadvantaged applicants.

 

[RySerr21]

who was that question directed to?

 

[pandaboo]

any wait list movement recently? still hoping.. ah

 

[RySerr21]

This isnt really that big of a deal, but I thought I'd mention it, the administration recently voted to bring back H/P/F for the 2nd year of school. They say it will 'increase professionalism,' which is just dumb. They were basically upset that nobody went to class. They think that by changing it to H/P/F this will scare people into going to class. They care more about their egos and less about the quality of education of the students. The truth is that students are going to learn the best way they know how. If the lectures aren't good, or aren't on material that we actually need to know, then students are not going to attend.

Don't let this impact your education or your interaction with your classmates. Honors reaaaaaaaaaally doesn't matter. It truly doesn't. At this point in your education, you shouldn't be worried about any grade or recognition from someone. You should be learning for yourself, learning things that will create a solid foundation for yourself as a young doctor. The sad truth is that they teach you a lot of crap that doesn't do this. This isn't unique to UCI - its eveywhere. Part of your job as a med student will be too figure out what is important and what is not important to learn. It sucks, but you just gotta deal. The best way to do that is to talk to upperclassmen to figure out what books to read and sources to use (often times professors will try and scare you into buying some 10000 page textbook for no reason). Along the way, you'll also figure out how you study best, whether it be going to class, reading on your own, watching videos, or whatever. Make sure you stick with that and don't let anybody else tell you how have to learn.

 

[rHinO1]

This isnt really that big of a deal, but I thought I'd mention it, the administration recently voted to bring back H/P/F for the 2nd year of school. They say it will 'increase professionalism,' which is just dumb. They were basically upset that nobody went to class. They think that by changing it to H/P/F this will scare people into going to class. They care more about their egos and less about the quality of education of the students. The truth is that students are going to learn the best way they know how. If the lectures aren't good, or aren't on material that we actually need to know, then students are not going to attend.

Don't let this impact your education or your interaction with your classmates. Honors reaaaaaaaaaally doesn't matter. It truly doesn't. At this point in your education, you shouldn't be worried about any grade or recognition from someone. You should be learning for yourself, learning things that will create a solid foundation for yourself as a young doctor. The sad truth is that they teach you a lot of crap that doesn't do this. This isn't unique to UCI - its eveywhere. Part of your job as a med student will be too figure out what is important and what is not important to learn. It sucks, but you just gotta deal. The best way to do that is to talk to upperclassmen to figure out what books to read and sources to use (often times professors will try and scare you into buying some 10000 page textbook for no reason). Along the way, you'll also figure out how you study best, whether it be going to class, reading on your own, watching videos, or whatever. Make sure you stick with that and don't let anybody else tell you how have to learn.

Will this be in effect for 2015? They shouldn't make changes like that after we have selected UCI based on the old philosophy/curriculum/standards.

 

[RySerr21]

Will this be in effect for 2015? They shouldn't make changes like that after we have selected UCI based on the old philosophy/curriculum/standards.

Yea. You guys will be P/F for the first year. Some students are trying to fight the change back to H/P/F, but i think its futile.

There will be changes every year in your schooling. Every year is different from the last in some way or another. The curriculum and standards are constantly being worked on. Some you will like, some you won't. Some you will be told about in advance, some you won't konw about until they happen.

another big change you may or may not have heard about is that Dr. Leonard, the long time anatomy professor and course director, retired this year.

 

[SMCmedicine]

Yea. You guys will be P/F for the first year. Some students are trying to fight the change back to H/P/F, but i think its futile.

There will be changes every year in your schooling. Every year is different from the last in some way or another. The curriculum and standards are constantly being worked on. Some you will like, some you won't. Some you will be told about in advance, some you won't konw about until they happen.

another big change you may or may not have heard about is that Dr. Leonard, the long time anatomy professor and course director, retired this year.

What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have to deal with honors/pass/fail during second year? This is really a blow below the belt. We had no warning about this when we selected UCI over other schools. I understand that every day has its changes, but going to P/F to H/P/F is not a change, it's a paradigm shift!

So who is going to teach anatomy now?

 

[rHinO1]

How does honors/grades impact applications for residency? In other words, are the grades reported, does it impact the dean's letter, both...?

I didn't pay attention to any of that, since I though we would be p/f.

 

[obgyny]

another big change you may or may not have heard about is that Dr. Leonard, the long time anatomy professor and course director, retired this year.

🙁 I heard he was such a great teacher from another med student.

 

[SMCmedicine]

How does honors/grades impact applications for residency? In other words, are the grades reported, does it impact the dean's letter, both...?

I didn't pay attention to any of that, since I though we would be p/f.

Well RySerr21 says that Honors really don't matter. From the reading I've done these last few days, to become AOA at most med schools you need to honors as many classes as you can and do a bunch of other stuff to show you're super human. But then again I don't know how AOA works at UCI since it's been P/F for awhile. I also read that residency directors do see your grades, whether it be a Honors, pass or fail. But this makes sense, since med school admin saw your undergrad grades.

I don't see getting honors as a bad thing, but I'm assuming that it will introduce so much stress and a feeling of communal competition that I was really hoping not to experience at UCI.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Well RySerr21 says that Honors really don't matter. From the reading I've done these last few days, to become AOA at most med schools you need to honors as many classes as you can and do a bunch of other stuff to show you're super human. But then again I don't know how AOA works at UCI since it's been P/F for awhile. I also read that residency directors do see your grades, whether it be a Honors, pass or fail. But this makes sense, since med school admin saw your undergrad grades.

I don't see getting honors as a bad thing, but I'm assuming that it will introduce so much stress and a feeling of communal competition that I was really hoping not to experience at UCI.

The H/P/F thing is pretty overrated. Honors year 1 and 2 are fairly worthless for residency, and UCI was always H/P/F for third and fourth year. They don't really see your first two year grades except for transcripts which matter very little. If you honor things it will be briefly mentioned in the deans letter.

Clerkship grades are. Highlighted in the deans letter along with the comments you got from attendings. These matter a lot for residency but aren't changing.

As far as how it will effect your deans letters...minimally to not at all. In fact, they have yet to write deans letters for students under the year 1and 2 P/F system. That was in place starting 2 years ago so the first P/F class is only in 3rd year.

 

[SMCmedicine]

Thanks alwaysaangel! This is good to know.

 

[RySerr21]

How does honors/grades impact applications for residency? In other words, are the grades reported, does it impact the dean's letter, both...?

I didn't pay attention to any of that, since I though we would be p/f.

well, youll still be P/F for the first year. alwaysangel's post pretty much sums it up. HOnors years 1 and 2 are worthless. People tend to either choose to ignore this or refuse to believe it so they stress themselves out unnecessarily. Your goal should be to learn as much as possible. If at the end of the year you happen to get an Honors as well, then great!

🙁 I heard he was such a great teacher from another med student.

Yea he was arguably (and in my opinion) the best aspect of the first year of medical school at UCI. Sad that he's gone, but great for him.

Well RySerr21 says that Honors really don't matter. From the reading I've done these last few days, to become AOA at most med schools you need to honors as many classes as you can and do a bunch of other stuff to show you're super human. But then again I don't know how AOA works at UCI since it's been P/F for awhile. I also read that residency directors do see your grades, whether it be a Honors, pass or fail. But this makes sense, since med school admin saw your undergrad grades.

I don't see getting honors as a bad thing, but I'm assuming that it will introduce so much stress and a feeling of communal competition that I was really hoping not to experience at UCI.

Getting honors isn't a bad thing, it just really isnt somethign to stress about it. It will get to some people, and will make them less willing to cooperate and share with their classmates. But, in general, I dont think most people will let i effect their school. As a 3rd year now that we have honors, I have still been sharing notes and hints and books with other classmates who I am "competing" with for a grade. Others have done this as well. It really is in your favor to work as a team. Those who distance themselves and are overly competetive with their classsmates really dont' come out on top at all - even if they do end up getting an honors.

 

[obgyny]

How does the H/P/F system work exactly?

The grades aren't based on a curve, right? And from what I heard, you get either P or F based on your grade percentage (i.e. P = 70% and above, or whatever is set by the class). Would Honors be based on your grade percentage (like H = 90% and above)? Or would only the top 5% of the class receive Honors or something?

Glad to hear Honors don't mean much in the preclinical years, thanks for all the info, RySerr and alwaysaangel 🙂. Just curious, are they going to change the grading system entirely to H/P/F (so next class will have the new system both years 1 and 2), or are they just changing the second year?

 

[RySerr21]

How does the H/P/F system work exactly?

The grades aren't based on a curve, right? And from what I heard, you get either P or F based on your grade percentage (i.e. P = 70% and above, or whatever is set by the class). Would Honors be based on your grade percentage (like H = 90% and above)? Or would only the top 5% of the class receive Honors or something?

Glad to hear Honors don't mean much in the preclinical years, thanks for all the info, RySerr and alwaysaangel 🙂. Just curious, are they going to change the grading system entirely to H/P/F (so next class will have the new system both years 1 and 2), or are they just changing the second year?

its just 2nd year as of now. Not sure what the difference is btw 1st and 2nd year, but thats what they voted on. I cant really comment on the H grading system b/c we didn't have it. We have it this year, but they've been reallly shady about the acctual grading policy. They try to tell us that a fixed % get honors for each rotation and that you are only compared to your cohort of students in that rotation with you, but the numbers say the exact opposite. For example, for surgery if you look at the number of people who honor per rotation, it says that over the last 5 years, only 3% of students have honored if taking it as their first rotation. In contrast, over 20% of students taking it as their last rotation end up honoring it. In that respect, it sounds like they admin are full of crap. I dunno what to think anymore, but im done caring. Just thought i'd relay to incoming peeps!

 

[RySerr21]

"Dear Medical Students:
The practice of medicine is not simply an occupation but the highest-level profession that demands excellence at every turn. Each of you endured a rigorous process and differentiated yourselves among others by gaining acceptance to medical school. Becoming a knowledgeable physician is key to success.Compassion is certainly of the utmost importance, but without sufficient knowledge, a physician cannot deliver competent medical care. In the practice of medicine, you will be judged upon your knowledge base
throughout your career—medical school, licensure examinations, residency placement, graduate medical education and maintenance of board certification. It is with this in mind that our school will be reinstating Honors/Pass/Fail grading in the MS2 year and will be considering reinstating such for MS1. By creating an environment that honors excellence in all aspects of medicine, our entire school is elevated; the ultimate beneficiaries will be the patients you serve."

Nicely worded smoke and mirrors.

 

[obgyny]

"Dear Medical Students:
The practice of medicine is not simply an occupation but the highest-level profession that demands excellence at every turn. Each of you endured a rigorous process and differentiated yourselves among others by gaining acceptance to medical school. Becoming a knowledgeable physician is key to success.Compassion is certainly of the utmost importance, but without sufficient knowledge, a physician cannot deliver competent medical care. In the practice of medicine, you will be judged upon your knowledge base
throughout your career—medical school, licensure examinations, residency placement, graduate medical education and maintenance of board certification. It is with this in mind that our school will be reinstating Honors/Pass/Fail grading in the MS2 year and will be considering reinstating such for MS1. By creating an environment that honors excellence in all aspects of medicine, our entire school is elevated; the ultimate beneficiaries will be the patients you serve."

Nicely worded smoke and mirrors.

All this just because not as many people go to class anymore? It seems silly to me.

Thanks for giving us a heads up though.

 

[RySerr21]

well, they'll never say that. But thats essentially what it boils down to.