2011-2012 University of California - San Francisco Application Thread

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kosasaurusrex said:
i don't understand why people with low stats apply to schools like ucsf. please, if you're dumb, apply to low tier schools. don't crowd the good schools, you won't get in. don't waste the admissions committee's or your own time. to the geniuses with 28-32 mcat, and 3.3 gpa: apply to loma linda.

ucsf #1
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And if you're an ***hole, don't crowd the good schools either. Nobody will want a doctor, student, or peer like you.
 
The secondary picture doesn't have to be a passport photo for San Fran, right? 🙂
 
If you wish to update or expand upon your activities, you may provide additional information below. (500 word limit)

How are you guys dealing with this question? Is it something you're only supposed to fill out if you've had significant updates to your activities since you submitted your primary (something like a paper being accepted)? I've considered talking about some of my clinical experiences in more detail than I did on my primary, or perhaps talking about more of my background info/activities from childhood. Any thoughts?
 
sharpie1006 said:
And if you're an ***hole, don't crowd the good schools either. Nobody will want a doctor, student, or peer like you.
Click to expand...

But on the other hand, its very arrogant to apply to UCSF with an mcat of 28-32.
 
DrAnteater said:
But on the other hand, its very arrogant to apply to UCSF with an mcat of 28-32.
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Not arrogant, just ill-advised - because of the secondary screen.

I just don't think we should pass judgment on a person's intelligence or personality from one test score. From his or her whole application, maybe.
 
is it very arrogant to apply to UCSF without research experience? 😛
 
Entadus said:
is it very arrogant to apply to UCSF without research experience? 😛
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I won't say the exact number for fear of copyright issues, but MSAR states UCSF has a very, very, very high percentage of successful applicants that list research (depth of which is unknown).

I'm obviously a premed as well, so take my word with a grain of salt.

I don't know if its arrogant, but be aware that a Top 5 research school might be looking for those who have at least explored it.

Btw, you seem to have a lot of research heavy schools on your list. Are you sure those types of schools are where you want to go?
 
DrAnteater said:
But on the other hand, its very arrogant to apply to UCSF with an mcat of 28-32.
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I have no idea where this is coming from. You can easily see who gets into their school with MDapps:
1) http://mdapplicants.com/search.php
2) Click "accepted" and select UCSF, search
3) Look at the wide range of scores people have

UCSF, like many other top schools, are very likely to consider the candidate as a whole rather than be number hungry. Everyone needs to get off their high horse with their scores.
 
Btw, you seem to have a lot of research heavy schools on your list. Are you sure those types of schools are where you want to go?
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I have applied mainly on the basis of location. If you have more school suggestions I'm all ears
 
Entadus said:
I have applied mainly on the basis of location. If you have more school suggestions I'm all ears
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Location is super important, I agree. I don't know what you're looking for in a medical education, how many schools you want to apply to, or how competitive your app really is. But its important to be realistic with where you want to go. If you haven't already, I really suggest buying the online MSAR (its super cheap for online only, and the book is no good) and looking for schools that are within your stats range and also have less of a research emphasis (you'll find this information there as well - it says how many % of applicants listed research, clincal volunteering, etc...)

I suggest making a post in the "What are my chances?" section, where more seasoned posters can give a look of where you stand. I'm no expert, and still going through this process with you, so that's the best I can have. I only suggest including many more safties. No UC school can be considered a safety, for anyone, regardless of your stats.
 
TauParticle said:
If you wish to update or expand upon your activities, you may provide additional information below. (500 word limit)

How are you guys dealing with this question? Is it something you're only supposed to fill out if you've had significant updates to your activities since you submitted your primary (something like a paper being accepted)? I've considered talking about some of my clinical experiences in more detail than I did on my primary, or perhaps talking about more of my background info/activities from childhood. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Bump🙂
 
Location is super important, I agree. I don't know what you're looking for in a medical education, how many schools you want to apply to, or how competitive your app really is. But its important to be realistic with where you want to go. If you haven't already, I really suggest buying the online MSAR (its super cheap for online only, and the book is no good) and looking for schools that are within your stats range and also have less of a research emphasis (you'll find this information there as well - it says how many % of applicants listed research, clincal volunteering, etc...)

I suggest making a post in the "What are my chances?" section, where more seasoned posters can give a look of where you stand. I'm no expert, and still going through this process with you, so that's the best I can have. I only suggest including many more safties. No UC school can be considered a safety, for anyone, regardless of your stats.
Click to expand...

Man the battle-stations! Let's kick some ass! 😎 👍 :xf:
 
If you wish to update or expand upon your activities, you may provide additional information below. (500 word limit)

How are you guys dealing with this question? Is it something you're only supposed to fill out if you've had significant updates to your activities since you submitted your primary (something like a paper being accepted)? I've considered talking about some of my clinical experiences in more detail than I did on my primary, or perhaps talking about more of my background info/activities from childhood. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Well, I will be updating them a little with my current activities (post primary) and my plans for the upcoming year (prior to matriculation)

I am also adding a little bit of explanation to my EC's
 
sharpie1006 said:
Not arrogant, just ill-advised - because of the secondary screen.

I just don't think we should pass judgment on a person's intelligence or personality from one test score. From his or her whole application, maybe.
Click to expand...
Are you saying that someone with MCAT=32 shouldn't even bother applying to UCSF??
😱
I know that a 32 isn't superb, but shouldn't it be considered "decent?"
They screen out anyone with MCAT scores below 32 for secondaries?
 
👍
monkeyMD said:
Are you saying that someone with MCAT=32 shouldn't even bother applying to UCSF??
😱
I know that a 32 isn't superb, but shouldn't it be considered "decent?"
They screen out anyone with MCAT scores below 32 for secondaries?
Click to expand...

Naw, that's not what I meant. :laugh:

I was just responding to the original complaint that someone who applies to UCSF with a 32 is "arrogant." I meant that it's not arrogant, just ill-advised, if you're applying with 32 + OOS + don't really know what you're doing, etc., and bank on getting in.

On the other hand, if you know what you're doing, more power to you. Apply away. 👍
 
ANYWAYSSS...

Has anyone received a secondary today? I got an email saying they are screening last week but haven't heard anything since.
 
rxnfiend said:
Has anyone received a secondary today? I got an email saying they are screening last week but haven't heard anything since.
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If you don't mind, when was your AMCAS verified?
 
I got verified on 7/1 and have not heard anything from the school.....
 
i received a secondary today! i received both emails at approx the same time
fyi, i'm a cali resident
 
Anybody willing to post some stats, if they received a secondary.
 
Still no confirmation email or secondary, 3.8+ cGPA, 3.9+ sGPA and 30+ MCAT, hmmmmmmm hopefully they're just slow!
 
6,000+ primaries ---> ~1,500 secondaries ---> 500-600 interviews ---> 125 matriculants

:luck:
 
Did everyone who got secondaries have their letters submitted to UCSF already?
 
I got a note that my application was received by UCSF at midnight. I got verified on the 29th, so I guess they are attacking each app they received in chronological order.

GPA 3.9x, MCAT mid-30's and IS (actually local) - so hoping for a secondary!:xf:
 
Have any previous applicants received secondaries yet? I was verified 6/10, 3.74 and 37 MCAT, and haven't gotten one yet 🙁
 
Tep said:
Have any previous applicants received secondaries yet? I was verified 6/10, 3.74 and 37 MCAT, and haven't gotten one yet 🙁
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re applicant also, haven't gotten one yet and received one last cycle. Verified 6/3
 
I wouldn't base whether you get a secondary or not on your numbers alone.

"At UCSF, an 80-member committee of faculty and medical students review the applications, bringing a variety of perspectives to the selection process."
 
DrAnteater said:
But on the other hand, its very arrogant to apply to UCSF with an mcat of 28-32.
Click to expand...

That is hysterically incorrect. While the average MCAT of those accepted to UCSF is about 34-35, they definitely take a lower range too. I've talked to a few UCSF students - one of them had a 30, and the rest implied that scores around there aren't unheard of for their campus. They really do look at the whole picture.
 
I know some people who had interviews with 29 MCAT...
 
sharmi said:
I got a note that my application was received by UCSF at midnight. I got verified on the 29th, so I guess they are attacking each app they received in chronological order.

GPA 3.9x, MCAT mid-30's and IS (actually local) - so hoping for a secondary!:xf:
Click to expand...

I don't think they are... I have similar stats to you (and in state) and verified 6/6 but haven't heard anything from them.
 
I haven't heard anything this year but I just wanted to add that I got a secondary last year, OOS, with a 30 on my MCAT 😛 so it's not unheard of.


Then again, a secondary is no interview 🙁
 
anyone receive a secondary who was verified 6/23 or before?

edit:

I meant after 6/23 😛
 
Last edited:
Secondary received on 7/11, AMCAS verified 6/7, MCAT 34, GPA 3.7, in state

definitely do not think it's chronological.
 
nucleophilic said:
That is hysterically incorrect. While the average MCAT of those accepted to UCSF is about 34-35, they definitely take a lower range too. I've talked to a few UCSF students - one of them had a 30, and the rest implied that scores around there aren't unheard of for their campus. They really do look at the whole picture.
Click to expand...

I will rephrase my original statement then. Its stupid to apply to UCSF with a 32, let alone a 30.
 
DrAnteater said:
I will rephrase my original statement then. Its stupid to apply to UCSF with a 32, let alone a 30.
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This is assuming the MCAT is the only thing they look at. What if an applicant got a 30 but has found a cure for AIDS? At such a research oriented school I wouldn't put so much emphasis on the MCAT score being the make or break thing. Be careful with your use of the word "stupid"... you don't know everyones story.
 
mogeyman said:
This is assuming the MCAT is the only thing they look at. What if an applicant got a 30 but has found a cure for AIDS? At such a research oriented school I wouldn't put so much emphasis on the MCAT score being the make or break thing. Be careful with your use of the word "stupid"... you don't know everyones story.
Click to expand...

My job is actually AIDS vaccine development.
 
DrAnteater said:
I will rephrase my original statement then. Its stupid to apply to UCSF with a 32, let alone a 30.
Click to expand...

And I suppose you must be a genius to apply with a score higher than that. Well, I honestly wish you the best of luck. Let us know the good news. 👍
 
rxnfiend said:
Don't you mean HIV vaccine development? 😉 Anyways, I digress...
Click to expand...

Yes, but what's a couple hundred white blood cells per cubic centimeter of blood between friends?
 
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