2011-2012 University of California - San Francisco Application Thread

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EyeLuvRcadeFyre said:
Not my intention to start a flame war. You should go where you feel most comfortable. As a financial analyst for biotech/pharma, my last point is this: UCSF receives over 90% of its funding from private sources; however it has been disbursing funds (as can be seen by anyone looking at their publicly filed financials) to projects that will not contribute to its long-term financial health. The SDH committee is exploratory, and she has a number of enemies in the regents. I think she's awesome, and that she was the first competent outside hire they've had in a while, but the decisions by many of her predecessors were pretty stupid. I stand by my original claim about UCSF's management. I'm also gung-ho about UCSF, which is why I've taken it upon myself to look at it through a microscope.
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Sorry, I couldn't keep quiet anymore. As someone who has been with UCSF for a while, I understand where you're coming from with this. That being said, every school has its pros/cons--Stanford included. Yes, there are some managerial issues at this school, but it's kind of amazing that it works--let alone with California's fiscal crisis! If it's not for you, then it's not for you. I'm just amazed by the proactive attitude they have here about "things will get better." You're also so lucky to get an offer!!! Some of us *cough* may have to move to the Mid-West for our medical education...unless the alternate list gets moving. So yes! You should all decline your acceptances for my benefit 😀
 
OldMan707 said:
I've heard the same thing about UCSF students, but really, these are all just like you said, "dismissive generalizations" and just one person's opinion. I truthfully don't think you could ever go wrong with either school, I mean, let be real, they're both fantastic and all of us would be lucky to attend either one.

Also, half the time when these doctors are sharing their ideas about either school, they're based on the way the schools were run 5, 10 or even 15 years ago, or on one bad experience they had with a graduate, so how valid are they really.
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It just goes to show that pretty much any school will likely receive this type of criticism from some people - that the school is overrated or whatever. Maybe some schools do emphasize certain skills over another, but I'd think any highly regarded school would offer excellent training and opportunities.
 
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Most med schools are good schools. A lot of them are great schools. But when you are fortunate enough to be making a decision about where to attend (an investment of four years and hundreds of thousands of dollars), you owe it to yourself to be discerning and to dig up as many perspectives as possible.

You don't have to agree with everything everyone says (and who does?), but look for grains of truth, develop questions and go to multiple sources to seek answers.

I find it interesting and refreshing when not everyone drinks the Kool-Aid and puts schools like this on a pedestal.

Full disclosure: I'm psyched that I got in. It's an amazing school and my main concern is that it will be way more expensive than other options I have..... Good luck to all!
 
Nope ... they said late February on my interview date (early January) so I'm hoping we'll hear something next week.
 
Member 10000 said:
Nope ... they said late February on my interview date (early January) so I'm hoping we'll hear something next week.
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Same here... Interviewed in early January and I can't wait to find out. The waiting is killing me. :scared: Hopefully next week will be our week! It will not be fun to have to wait another month in case our files are not reviewed in Feb's EX COM meeting. :luck: :xf:
 
Fawn Leibowitz said:
I'm interested in hearing all perspectives on UCSF, however, the most useful perspectives rely on specific facts and not on value judgments/ad hominem attacks. To me, calling others "sub-par" and generalizing non-specified decisions as simply "pretty stupid" suggests black/white thinking rather than nuanced judgment. It makes the speaker seem arrogant and biased. If you want to write about specific decisions that believe will undermine UCSF's strength as an institution, I would love to hear your thoughts -- but please rely on facts, rather than on dismissive generalizations.

Also, for what it's worth, I've heard lots of criticism of Stanford vs. UCSF. I work at a Stanford-affiliated institution, with physicians who have taught at both schools. One physician/professor told me that the classes at UCSF were much more organized than the Stanford classes and that the students seemed happier at UCSF. Several physicians and lab employees have told me that they are not impressed with Stanford students' lab skills, critical thinking, and clinical notes, when compared with students at other schools. At least three people have told me that Stanford likes applicants who have a "story" (overcame major life challenges, etc) and values that over academic/clinical/research abilities.

I share this not to bash Stanford or its students (I only know a couple myself), but simply to balance the discussion when comparing schools. .There will always be people who are down on one school or another, for whatever reason. But the fact that both Stanford and UCSF are generally highly regarded and sought after probably means that you can’t go wrong with either one, it just comes down to individual choice and fit (e.g., urban vs. suburban, larger vs. smaller, etc)..
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This is a fair point. I didn't want to give out specifics and call specific clinicians/admins/heads out as that would be kind of mean and might identify me more than I already have...although it's late enough in the cycle for me not to care.When it takes six months for a MTA to come through that was waiting for a clinical department head signature...that's f*****g unacceptable (at least in industry). It turned out that the backlog was because the departmental head didn't understand the medical/scientific rationale for the project, and it wasn't insightful skepticism...it was plain stupidity. It took about five clinical fellows explaining the project to him/her to finally get it through. I know I didn't call out anything on the finances, but it would have been too obvious who I was talking about if I called out specific decisions. Again...every school has *****s on its steering committee, and I'm not pretending like Stanford is the holy grail of Medicine. I'm sure someone could call out dumb **** at other institutions. I just happen to be more familiar with UCSF's issues. I'll stop railing on UCSF. I know they're in a difficult position, and trying as hard as they can.
 
Status update - waitlist 🙁

What are the chances of being accepted off the waitlist? Really bummed. So so sad!
 
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spring37 said:
Status update - waitlist 🙁

What are the chances of being accepted off the waitlist? Really bummed.
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Same here. I kind of wanted a resolution just so that I could move on. Darnet! Hey, at least we weren't rejected so that is kind of good. 😉 Same question here for other people who might have been accepted off the alternate list.

BTW, I had to check the website status since no email was sent.
 
Me too, no email. Checked the website, have been checking it on the hour since last week.
 
Me three! Ah well. Now it's time to get psyched about the places we'll be actually matriculating. I know wait lists move, but i don't want to plan on it.
 
Did you guys get alternate listed or high priority waitlist?

and good luck the chances are still good! lots of people get rejected post-interview 😉
 
Alternate list in my case. I agree, we haven't heard of a high priority list this year.
 
I was early December. I think they are running one adcom meeting behind schedule, based on SDN outcomes.
 
I interviewed mid January. I guess they accepted close to 50 people off the waitlist last year so that is promising??
 
spring37 said:
I interviewed mid January. I guess they accepted close to 50 people off the waitlist last year so that is promising??
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May I ask how you know they accepted 50 off the waitlist last year?
 
I seriously wonder if they have a high priority waitlist this year...if then that will be tough. But if not then us alternate listers should have a great chance, and the 50 off the waitlist may not apply this year.
 
Alternate listed today as well. Interviewed in early January. Needless to say, I'm fairly disappointed that it's not an outright acceptance. I loved this school. Not because of the prestige and recognition it has, but because it just felt right for me. I hope there's not a high priority list, and that we see some good movement from the AL.
 
I called and was told there is no high priority waitlist this year. The number that get off the waitlist varies from year to year, last year nearly 50 were taken off the waitlist, I heard. There could be as many as a 100 on the waitlist this year. So as we have no idea where we stand, I guess it is a waiting game.

I also went back and checked the 2009 thread and looked like there were 60 or 80 waitlisted. I guess that year 30 to 40 people got off the waitlist.
 
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spring37 said:
I called and was told there is no high priority waitlist this year. The number that get off the waitlist varies from year to year, last year nearly 50 were taken off the waitlist, I heard. There could be as many as a 100 on the waitlist this year. So as we have no idea where we stand, I guess it is a waiting game.

I also went back and checked the 2009 thread and looked like there were 60 or 80 waitlisted. I guess that year 30 to 40 people got off the waitlist.
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You are a gentleman(lady?) and a scholar. Thanks for calling!
 
spring37 said:
I called and was told there is no high priority waitlist this year. The number that get off the waitlist varies from year to year, last year nearly 50 were taken off the waitlist, I heard. There could be as many as a 100 on the waitlist this year. So as we have no idea where we stand, I guess it is a waiting game.

I also went back and checked the 2009 thread and looked like there were 60 or 80 waitlisted. I guess that year 30 to 40 people got off the waitlist.
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Thanks! So us alternate listers must have a really good chance. I haven't heard of too many ppl being rejected post-interview yet though..
 
For those of you who heard back, how early in January did you interview? I interviewed the 10th and I know I should just chill, but it's hard when this is my dream school.
 
any waitlist updates?

when can we expect to hear something? (besides may 15 duh)
 
Thanks, mdhopeful65 🙂

bipo1arbear, I interviewed mid January.

Waiting hopefully.......
 
😍 acceptance email just now!!! 5:06pm pst. interviewed 1/23.

...roller coaster day ended on the upswing because i was disappointed that I didn't get an email from hms today along with accepted SDers. but UCSF made came to the rescue. good luck all :luck:
 
oscarmayer said:
😍 acceptance email just now!!! 5:06pm pst. interviewed 1/23.

...roller coaster day ended on the upswing because i was disappointed that I didn't get an email from hms today along with accepted SDers. but UCSF made came to the rescue. good luck all :luck:
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Congratulations oscarmayer! Don't worry about HMS... I live in Boston right now, and I can tell you that, while it's a great city, it pales in comparison to SF. Hope I can join you next year at Parnassus!
 
Hey everyone, I also received an acceptance email today! It was sent around 5pm PST. I also received a financial aid letter about a month ago in case some people got it and was hoping that it was a good sign. Hope to see many of you at UCSF in Fall 2012! Oh and I interviewed first week of December. My online status has not changed, but I'm not too worried about that! Reply if you have any questions =) Thanks for updating the forums throughout the interview cycle....I thought it was about time I contributed lol.
 
😍 Time to book a flight for the second look weekend! I just read my email and kept opening and closing my eyes to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
 
runhills said:
Hey everyone, I also received an acceptance email today! It was sent around 5pm PST. I also received a financial aid letter about a month ago in case some people got it and was hoping that it was a good sign. Hope to see many of you at UCSF in Fall 2012! Oh and I interviewed first week of December. My online status has not changed, but I'm not too worried about that! Reply if you have any questions =) Thanks for updating the forums throughout the interview cycle....I thought it was about time I contributed lol.
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Congrats runhills!!
 
Rooney124 said:
Congratulations oscarmayer! Don't worry about HMS... I live in Boston right now, and I can tell you that, while it's a great city, it pales in comparison to SF. Hope I can join you next year at Parnassus!
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Thanks for the kind words, Rooney. I spent 4 days in the (below) freezing cold in beantown and loved it. As a bay area kid, though, I know SF is one of a kind. Hope to see you in the fall maybe?
 
Sorry if this is redundant but does anyone know when those of us who interviewed in early February are supposed to hear back? I was there on 02/06 and am hoping/praying/performing various animal sacrifices for an acceptance.
 
Has anyone gotten a rejection this time around? All I've seen are waitlists and acceptances (congrats, btw!). I interviewed 1/24, which was apparently the day after the January adcom meeting, just my luck, but now I'm worrying that since I haven't been waitlisted or accepted I'm going to be rejected. Or, the more hopeful part of my brain thinks they may just be a month behind and I'll hear something good in early April. Anyone who interviewed 1/24 or later heard anything?
 
Hm, I interviewed during the first week of January and haven't heard anything despite the fact that Wofsy said we would heard during the second half of February. Has anyone else interviewed around that time or before me and not heard yet?
 
gloeotrichia said:
Has anyone gotten a rejection this time around? All I've seen are waitlists and acceptances (congrats, btw!). I interviewed 1/24, which was apparently the day after the January adcom meeting, just my luck, but now I'm worrying that since I haven't been waitlisted or accepted I'm going to be rejected. Or, the more hopeful part of my brain thinks they may just be a month behind and I'll hear something good in early April. Anyone who interviewed 1/24 or later heard anything?
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I feel your pain - interviewed a little earlier in January, and have a dreadful feeling that a rejection email is headed my way some time this week...They did say that if both your interviewers were not present at the committee meeting, then they would postpone deliberations until the next one, so that may be an explanation for both of us. Or we who follow SDN think there is a pattern to their batches of acceptances and waitlists because of what we see on the forums, when in fact things trickle out at different times.

It's times like these I really wish I had never known about this site's existence...

Congratulations to those accepted!
 
Rooney124 said:
I feel your pain - interviewed a little earlier in January, and have a dreadful feeling that a rejection email is headed my way some time this week...They did say that if both your interviewers were not present at the committee meeting, then they would postpone deliberations until the next one, so that may be an explanation for both of us. Or we who follow SDN think there is a pattern to their batches of acceptances and waitlists because of what we see on the forums, when in fact things trickle out at different times.

It's times like these I really wish I had never known about this site's existence...

Congratulations to those accepted!
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Yeah, every time my boyfriend sees me on this site he tells me to stop torturing myself - but I can't! I know it's here now, I can't give it up!

Good luck to you, hopefully we'll both get some good news.
 
Person X said:
Were you OOS? Was that the primary reason why it was going to be more expensive for you? I am hoping that they do not cut a lot of the scholarships due to California's budget problems. I am also relying on that extra help to cover expenses.

Good luck at Stanford! It is also a great school!
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Does UCSF do many scholarships? I am also OOS and even though I'll apply for residency 2nd year, it would be nice to have some help during the first year

:luck:
 
aaa131 said:
Does UCSF do many scholarships? I am also OOS and even though I'll apply for residency 2nd year, it would be nice to have some help during the first year

:luck:
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From what I've gathered they have Regents scholarships, which total something like $24k over four years (someone else should confirm this). That doesn't really seem like much...

I haven no specific details on the quality of their need based aid.

I spoke to the financial aid office this past week and they told me they would probably begin to look at financial adi documents next week and start awarding financial aid packages 2-3 weeks after applicants have all their documents in. So if money is important to you and you will be applying to need based in, try and get it in asap!
 
do you have to file a FAFSA for the regents scholarship / apply for fin. aid?
this is merit-based right? when do they announce the recipients?
 
Can any current med student help me out with a few housing questions:
Do you know if most medical students live in university housing or off-campus housing? I was hoping for university housing (seems more convenient and affordable) but I'm not sure what the chances of getting a spot are. UCSF Housing said there is no guarantee but couldn't be any more specific. In terms of off-campus housing- for someone not currently living in CA or able to make second look- any good ideas for how to find an apartment/roomate?
 
I could be wrong, but I don't think there are any merit-based scholarships at UCSF. I think the regents scholarship is for undergraduates...
 
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