2013-2014 University of California - Irvine Application Thread

[jnnchen]

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I've been under review since 7/19 and I got an II on September 1 (Sunday)!

So for those who have been under review for forever, there is still hope!

I have 3.8 GPA, 35 MCAT and am IS

 

[DocOpotamus]

I've been under review since 7/19 and I got an II on September 1 (Sunday)!

So for those who have been under review for forever, there is still hope!

I have 3.8 GPA, 35 MCAT and am IS

Congrats!! Did you get an email?

 

[BruinBear13]

I've been under review since 7/19 and I got an II on September 1 (Sunday)!

So for those who have been under review for forever, there is still hope!

I have 3.8 GPA, 35 MCAT and am IS

You give me hope =]. Fingers crossed...

 

[jnnchen]

Congrats!! Did you get an email?

Yup they notified me via email that I got an II and told me to sign into my account to select a date.

 

[Noggin]

Yup they notified me via email that I got an II and told me to sign into my account to select a date.

What date did you select? I also got an interview but they never emailed me about it. I just saw the status change on the website. Feel free to PM me. 🙂

 

[savetheworld]

Hi. I was wondering for the personal accomplishment essay is it okay to write about completing my honor's thesis (the whole experiment and all) or are they looking for something outside of the classroom?

 

[TooFoolForCool]

Hi. I was wondering for the personal accomplishment essay is it okay to write about completing my honor's thesis (the whole experiment and all) or are they looking for something outside of the classroom?

If you truly consider it as your greatest personal accomplishment then by all means go for it. But if the significance of this accomplishment is already detailed somewhere else in your application, namely in your AMCAS, then I would try thinking about another accomplishment to give the adcom more information about.

Above all else though, just be honest. chances are you'll write a better essay about what you really FEEL is your greatest accomplishment than trying to force the issue on another one.

 

[Hipocrates]

Anyone know the statistics for the interview to acceptance ratio for in state applicants?

Per USNWR for 2013:

In state:

Applications: 4125
Interviewed: 489
Accepted: 230
Enrolled: 92

 

[eleveneleven]

Anybody going to the pizza dinner tomorrow night? If so, I'll see ya there!

 

[indianjatt]

Anybody going to the pizza dinner tomorrow night? If so, I'll see ya there!

Does Irvine normally have a pizza dinner the night before the Interview? Just curious (I didn't receive an II)

 

[zipideedoodah]

Quick question about the directions for the last secondary question... "You may list them in chronological order or you may incorporate them into an essay, stating why you chose particular activities. (1,500 characters with spaces)."

I interpreted this as either 1) make a list, or 2) write an essay that states why you chose certain activities. So I just decided just to make a bullet form list with dates. Or did I read the directions wrong? Was I supposed to state my reason for choosing the particular activities whether I did it in essay or bullet form?

 

[TooFoolForCool]

Quick question about the directions for the last secondary question... "You may list them in chronological order or you may incorporate them into an essay, stating why you chose particular activities. (1,500 characters with spaces)."

I interpreted this as either 1) make a list, or 2) write an essay that states why you chose certain activities. So I just decided just to make a bullet form list with dates. Or did I read the directions wrong? Was I supposed to state my reason for choosing the particular activities whether I did it in essay or bullet form?

I wondered the same thing but I took the essay route anyway. Even if you did list your activities, you probably should have included your reasons, especially if the reasons of your post grad activities aren't obvious or could be interpreted in different ways. Regardless, I wouldn't worry too much about it seeing as how you probably already explained these activities in your AMCAS.

 

[deleted404486]

Got rejected 1 day after submitting a secondary. Why did I even bother? Was my application even read?

i had low stats GPA and MCAT wise however some unique experiences.

 

[Lexipi]

Those who got II, how long did it take from the time you submitted your secondary? I submitted my secondary on 8/26 and don't know if I should be worried

 

[deleted404486]

Those who got II, how long did it take from the time you submitted your secondary? I submitted my secondary on 8/26 and don't know if I should be worried

i would log in and check status. i did not get an email when i was rejected.

 

[Lexipi]

i would log in and check status. i did not get an email when i was rejected.

Cool, I'll keep checking.
Sorry to hear about your situation. I wish you luck with the rest of the schools! I'm worried cause I have a low MCAT too

 

[TooFoolForCool]

Those who got II, how long did it take from the time you submitted your secondary? I submitted my secondary on 8/26 and don't know if I should be worried

I haven't received an II but if you submitted 8/26, theres no reason to even remotely be worried at this point. Even if you are IS, I doubt they even got to reviewing your application yet.

 

[Lexipi]

Hmm, I guess I'll just sit tight. Thanks for the responses guys

 

[DocOpotamus]

I have been complete since 7/23 and haven't heard anything :/

Now thats probably a bad sign...

At least you didn't get the axe, chin up ; )

 

[mberr]

Did everyone else get rejected the day following secondary application submission? I feel like that was almost an automatic rejection...

I wonder if someone really went through the primary before sending out a secondary, or if it was only a computerized screening.

 

[Groovin]

Did everyone else get rejected the day following secondary application submission? I feel like that was almost an automatic rejection...

I wonder if someone really went through the primary before sending out a secondary, or if it was only a computerized screening.

That's brutal. 🙁 Someone else above mentioned that they also were rejected a day later. It may be more common than what you see on SDN. Good luck with your other schools!

 

[TooFoolForCool]

Did everyone else get rejected the day following secondary application submission? I feel like that was almost an automatic rejection...

I wonder if someone really went through the primary before sending out a secondary, or if it was only a computerized screening.

Yeah that really stumped me too. I was trying to come up with a logical explanation of why someone would receive a secondary at a school that screens and then get rejected a day after submitting the secondary.

The only thing I could come up with was that perhaps there was a computerized screen based purely off numbers for secondaries and then some other computerized screen after secondary submission that scans for a particular type of activity (ie clinical experience) or perhaps presence of a red flag such as criminal conviction?

I find it hard to believe that they would open up and review your appilication with full consideration the day after you submit it.

UNLESS they assign applications as they are submitted to particular individuals in the committee with each individual responsible for reviewing the apps assigned to them and one of them just happens to be on top of his/her game and reviews them super quickly hence the next day rejection.

As you can tell, I am so incredibly bored at work right now.

 

[mberr]

That's brutal. 🙁 Someone else above mentioned that they also were rejected a day later. It may be more common than what you see on SDN. Good luck with your other schools!

yeah, it sucked to get rejected so quickly. you're right, it may be more common than we see here. Thanks, and good luck to you too.

Yeah that really stumped me too. I was trying to come up with a logical explanation of why someone would receive a secondary at a school that screens and then get rejected a day after submitting the secondary.

The only thing I could come up with was that perhaps there was a computerized screen based purely off numbers for secondaries and then some other computerized screen after secondary submission that scans for a particular type of activity (ie clinical experience) or perhaps presence of a red flag such as criminal conviction?

I find it hard to believe that they would open up and review your appilication with full consideration the day after you submit it.

UNLESS they assign applications as they are submitted to particular individuals in the committee with each individual responsible for reviewing the apps assigned to them and one of them just happens to be on top of his/her game and reviews them super quickly hence the next day rejection.

As you can tell, I am so incredibly bored at work right now.

Hmmm... no. the only thing I can think of is if they do a more thorough computerized screen after secondaries. Maybe the first screen is for MCAT and/or GPA and the second screen is for a higher cutoff or a combination of the MCAT and GPA. I can only speak for myself, but I have more than enough research, clinical, volunteer, and work experience. I have enough leadership experience too, and I think being URM would positively affect my application. MCAT was on par w/ the school average but my GPA was definitely on the low end though (although if they had bothered to read my secondary, my low GPA would have been addressed).

So in total, it was either a 2nd round of computerized screening w/ a higher cutoff, or something like you said about the reviewer. I have half a mind to email them and ask them for feedback but I wouldn't know exactly what to ask ("can you explain to me why/how you decided I'm not worthy of your school in 23 hours?" doesn't seem like a good question).

Good luck on your apps.

 

[TooFoolForCool]

yeah, it sucked to get rejected so quickly. you're right, it may be more common than we see here. Thanks, and good luck to you too.



Hmmm... no. the only thing I can think of is if they do a more thorough computerized screen after secondaries. Maybe the first screen is for MCAT and/or GPA and the second screen is for a higher cutoff or a combination of the MCAT and GPA. I can only speak for myself, but I have more than enough research, clinical, volunteer, and work experience. I have enough leadership experience too, and I think being URM would positively affect my application. MCAT was on par w/ the school average but my GPA was definitely on the low end though (although if they had bothered to read my secondary, my low GPA would have been addressed).

So in total, it was either a 2nd round of computerized screening w/ a higher cutoff, or something like you said about the reviewer. I have half a mind to email them and ask them for feedback but I wouldn't know exactly what to ask ("can you explain to me why/how you decided I'm not worthy of your school in 23 hours?" doesn't seem like a good question).

Good luck on your apps.

You should definitely email them. Someone posted earlier in the thread that they emailed admissions after a rejection and admissions replied with some feedback.

 

[Medicalhopeful]

I was verified on Thursday and just got my secondary for UCI. Do they screen? How does the process work? Once I submit secondary will I have to wait for them to request LORs?

Thanks!

 

[sshung]

You should definitely email them. Someone posted earlier in the thread that they emailed admissions after a rejection and admissions replied with some feedback.

Who should we email to? I was rejected 10 days after I submitted my secondary.

 

[RoseHelene]

I tried to get feedback from this school when I was rejected last year with no success.

So... you can try, but I don't think feedback is likely from any school. I didn't get any. 😛

 

[Noggin]

Who is going to the pizza dinner?!?

 

[JediOchoa]

Interview Invite last night for the Prime Program. Excited but also a bit nervous of the Spanish interview.

 

[Jennyfishy]

Interview Invite last night for the Prime Program. Excited but also a bit nervous of the Spanish interview.

Congrats!! I also applied to PRIME. Would you be willing to share abt your experiences, esp. The Spanish part of the interview?

 

[Jennyfishy]

I was verified on Thursday and just got my secondary for UCI. Do they screen? How does the process work? Once I submit secondary will I have to wait for them to request LORs?

Thanks!

All the UCs screen, i believe UCI gives half of its applicants Secondaries and liike 500 of those interviews. Letters are auto received from AMCAS if you added them

 

[JediOchoa]

Congrats!! I also applied to PRIME. Would you be willing to share abt your experiences, esp. The Spanish part of the interview?

Sure. It is not until Nov. 4th though. I think its so late due to the PRIME interview.

 

[Jennyfishy]

Sure. It is not until Nov. 4th though. I think its so late due to the PRIME interview.

In that case, hopefully I hear good news from them before your interview date.

 

[Pandaeac]

did anyone else get a link on their secondary status page to activate a UC Inet ID? it just showed up recently I think. (submitted secondary and under review for interview status right now).

 

[Jennyfishy]

I also noticed that and thought we had to register, but it won't let me anyway

 

[DrZeezan]

I don't remember seeing the link there before... Good news? I hope so!!

 

[LuciusVorenus]

I wouldn't look too much into it I got the link as well even though I went here for undergrad and already have a netID. I'm pretty sure you need a student ID number for it anyways?

 

[blurrededges]

I don't remember seeing the link there before... Good news? I hope so!!

+1

Yeah, I also have a student ID suddenly at the top. Did anyone NOT get this update?

Fingers crossed...

 

[BillrothI]

I don't remember seeing the link there before... Good news? I hope so!!

+2

However, I can't seem to register (it doesn't recognize the provided student ID number). Everyone else in the same boat?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[calgirl1234]

yeah i got it too. was really excited, but then i looked down and my interview status is still under review 🙁

 

[alpharez]

Does it always say "under review" post-secondary?

 

[TooFoolForCool]

Does it always say "under review" post-secondary?

Yup.

 

[LALFL]

Those links don't mean anything. Sorry guys

 

[nikkitries]

x

 

[LuckandthenSome]

yeah, it sucked to get rejected so quickly. you're right, it may be more common than we see here. Thanks, and good luck to you too.



Hmmm... no. the only thing I can think of is if they do a more thorough computerized screen after secondaries. Maybe the first screen is for MCAT and/or GPA and the second screen is for a higher cutoff or a combination of the MCAT and GPA. I can only speak for myself, but I have more than enough research, clinical, volunteer, and work experience. I have enough leadership experience too, and I think being URM would positively affect my application. MCAT was on par w/ the school average but my GPA was definitely on the low end though (although if they had bothered to read my secondary, my low GPA would have been addressed).

So in total, it was either a 2nd round of computerized screening w/ a higher cutoff, or something like you said about the reviewer. I have half a mind to email them and ask them for feedback but I wouldn't know exactly what to ask ("can you explain to me why/how you decided I'm not worthy of your school in 23 hours?" doesn't seem like a good question).

Good luck on your apps.

For sure they don't do a second screen of a higher cutoff for GPA/MCAT because my GPA is 3.1 and MCAT is 34 and its been a few days since I submitted my secondary.

 

[lall]

what's the general turnaround been on how long its taking the not-auto-screened in secondaries to come in?

i'm a reapplicant and was rejected last year after a day without a secondary 🙁

i was really late (like october verified) so thats something. but this year i've been waiting a while. i see rejections happening, so i was just wondering how long its been taking for that to happen/to get a secondary

It took me 12 days after they acknowledged receipt to get a secondary. If you're good in terms of mcat score, you'll probably get one.

I've heard they screen out any subscores of less than 10. (I could be wrong, but its what I heard and seems to match up to MSAR reports for 10th percentile--if there's nothing below 10, 10th percentile is 10, correct? I don't know, my math/stats isn't the best).

 

[lall]

I had a 9 and wasn't screened.

Oh well there goes that theory lol

 

[TooFoolForCool]

I had a 9 and wasn't screened.

Yeah to add to that, one of my good buddies who is OOS has an 8 for one his subscores and he told me he received a secondary within the same day of verification. Then again his other two subscores and GPA are within the 90th percentile for UCI so that may have had something to do with it haha.

 

[jadedenvy]

Last year I did not receive a secondary. My MCAT was 29S (9/11/9) and my GPA was 3.9. I am instate.

This year I have received a secondary, and the only thing has changed is my MCAT score has improved to a 33 (10/11/12).

So...I would be inclined to say that they screen out MCAT, but perhaps they look at overall score instead of subscores?

 

[Medicalhopeful]

I was verified last week and received a secondary the next day. I have an mcat below a 30.

just submitted my secondary today for UCI and prime!

Best of luck to all!