2013-2014 University of California - Los Angeles (Geffen) Application Thread

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CaptainWho said:
Just received an email from financial aid congratulating me on my acceptance before getting an actual letter. On my status page, it says decision letter sent 5/8. I'm guessing this is common?
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Congratulations! You are almost certainly accepted. Yes, this is common unfortunately. Look for the accepted students checklist on your status page.
 
alt12345 said:
Congratulations! You are almost certainly accepted. Yes, this is common unfortunately. Look for the accepted students checklist on your status page.
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Yeap the accepted student checklist is there! Thanks! I interviewed on 2/6 IS, if anyone was wondering.
 
I didn't get to be there for the second look, so I have a few questions;-)
1. For pre-clinical tests do they use NBME? If not, is it all MC?
2. Are there midterms or just one final at the end?
3.What are other activities usually MS1 are involved in? Shadowing/grand rounds???

Thank you
 
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Cinabonchik said:
I didn't get to be there for the second look, so I have a few questions;-)
1. For pre-clinical tests do they use NBME? If not, is it all MC?
2. Are there midterms or just one final at the end?
3.What are other activities usually MS1 are involved in? Shadowing/grand rounds???

Thank you
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1. We haven't used any NBME in first year as far as I am aware-- it's possible our professors use their questions without us knowing I guess, but NBME has never been mentioned. Not sure if this holds true for 2nd year. All written exams are MC, anatomy practical is short answer.

2. No midterms, just weekly self-assessments that are scored but the grade doesn't count. I like this setup because the quizzes are low-stress and I only have to go hard-core studying once every 6 or 9 weeks instead of once a month (because our blocks are either 5 or 8 weeks long). The final grade consists of written exam (usually around 65-75%), OSCE (10%), and anatomy practical in blocks 2-4 (~25%). In blocks 1 and 5, there is no anatomy practical, so written exam is prob closer to 85% and OSCE 15%. You have to pass each component to pass the block.

3. People do tons of shadowing. We have an online program called Virtual Advisor where faculty sign up to say they are available for shadowing and a lot of students use that. We are also invited to grand rounds, heard of a few people going (but those are usually early in the morning). I've gone to similar things (tumor board) which are fun. Other activities include a community outreach/education program (SAYHI/OSalv), free clinics, med student council, well-being committee, DGSOM tour guide, etc. I'd say the average person is involved in 2 things outside of class (a lot of people do free clinic or are tour guides).
 
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lostintranscrip said:
1. We haven't used any NBME in first year as far as I am aware-- it's possible our professors use their questions without us knowing I guess, but NBME has never been mentioned. Not sure if this holds true for 2nd year. All written exams are MC, anatomy practical is short answer.

2. No midterms, just weekly self-assessments that are scored but the grade doesn't count. I like this setup because the quizzes are low-stress and I only have to go hard-core studying once every 6 or 9 weeks instead of once a month (because our blocks are either 5 or 8 weeks long). The final grade consists of written exam (usually around 65-75%), OSCE (10%), and anatomy practical in blocks 2-4 (~25%). In blocks 1 and 5, there is no anatomy practical, so written exam is prob closer to 85% and OSCE 15%. You have to pass each component to pass the block.

3. People do tons of shadowing. We have an online program called Virtual Advisor where faculty sign up to say they are available for shadowing and a lot of students use that. We are also invited to grand rounds, heard of a few people going (but those are usually early in the morning). I've gone to similar things (tumor board) which are fun. Other activities include a community outreach/education program (SAYHI/OSalv), free clinics, med student council, well-being committee, DGSOM tour guide, etc. I'd say the average person is involved in 2 things outside of class (a lot of people do free clinic or are tour guides).
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Thank you very much;-)


Accepted! Class of 2018!!! Go Bruins!
 
lostintranscrip said:
No midterms, just weekly self-assessments that are scored but the grade doesn't count. I like this setup because the quizzes are low-stress and I only have to go hard-core studying once every 6 or 9 weeks instead of once a month (because our blocks are either 5 or 8 weeks long). The final grade consists of written exam (usually around 65-75%), OSCE (10%), and anatomy practical in blocks 2-4 (~25%). In blocks 1 and 5, there is no anatomy practical, so written exam is prob closer to 85% and OSCE 15%. You have to pass each component to pass the block.
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Is any portion of the grading in years 1-2 internally ranked? If not, how does UCLA do stuff like invite for AOA or have a Dean write a residency letter?

I am just curious as to how the system works because many schools claim to be pass/fail, but have internal ranking (like Keck). There is some merit to this concept, but my understanding is that Geffen is a "true" pass/fail with grades only available to staff in extraneous situations like if you are doing very poorly and need support in classes, etc. I thought this was true, but then someone I was talking to denied that there is no internal ranking: said that there are categories like "top 5%" and "top 25%" but she was not a Geffen student, so I am not convinced. Can someone set the record straight?
 
catzzz88 said:
Is any portion of the grading in years 1-2 internally ranked? If not, how does UCLA do stuff like invite for AOA or have a Dean write a residency letter?

I am just curious as to how the system works because many schools claim to be pass/fail, but have internal ranking (like Keck). There is some merit to this concept, but my understanding is that Geffen is a "true" pass/fail with grades only available to staff in extraneous situations like if you are doing very poorly and need support in classes, etc. I thought this was true, but then someone I was talking to denied that there is no internal ranking: said that there are categories like "top 5%" and "top 25%" but she was not a Geffen student, so I am not convinced. Can someone set the record straight?
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On our interview day, current students told us that there is internal ranking, but maybe current students can elaborate on that.
Honestly I don't really care if there is ranking, I'll just do my best regardless;-)
 
I am under the impression that since DGSOM only elects to AOA right before 4th year, the only grades that are used are clinical grades (and not preclinical grades), in addition to Step 1 score, activites/etc. Otherwise, DGSOM couldn't advertise itself as a "true P/F" institution. Maybe we can get some upperclassmen to comment on this @dbeast @Pons Asinorum

Here's the UCLA chapter website: http://alphaomegaalpha.org/ucla_chapter_info.html
 
Just dropping by to let everyone know that, unfortunately, I have withdrawn from UCLA. Another spot opens! Good luck to everyone waiting to hear back! 🙂
 
Its so freaking hot in SoCal this year, wouldn't you guys that have acceptances to cooler places go there instead? Go there and don't melt. Just a friendly PSA and totally not trying to get you guys to go somewhere else so I can be taken off the waitlist or anything like that at all :whistle:
 
lostintranscrip said:
I am under the impression that since DGSOM only elects to AOA right before 4th year, the only grades that are used are clinical grades (and not preclinical grades), in addition to Step 1 score, activites/etc. Otherwise, DGSOM couldn't advertise itself as a "true P/F" institution. Maybe we can get some upperclassmen to comment on this @dbeast @Pons Asinorum

Here's the UCLA chapter website: http://alphaomegaalpha.org/ucla_chapter_info.html
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Yeah I agree. From what I have been told from 4th years is this essentially.
 
catzzz88 said:
Is any portion of the grading in years 1-2 internally ranked? If not, how does UCLA do stuff like invite for AOA or have a Dean write a residency letter?

I am just curious as to how the system works because many schools claim to be pass/fail, but have internal ranking (like Keck). There is some merit to this concept, but my understanding is that Geffen is a "true" pass/fail with grades only available to staff in extraneous situations like if you are doing very poorly and need support in classes, etc. I thought this was true, but then someone I was talking to denied that there is no internal ranking: said that there are categories like "top 5%" and "top 25%" but she was not a Geffen student, so I am not convinced. Can someone set the record straight?
Click to expand...

The dean repeated tells us there are no internal rankings. I take him for his word and have operated under the past 3 years as if there are no internal rankings, at least the type where we are numbered from 1-180. Maybe there are some tracking of groups like top 25% or top 10%, based of 3rd year evaluations and # of Letter of Distinctions (LOD), but probably not 1st and 2nd year or how high you score on your 3rd year shelf exams. They tell us that in our dean's letter there will be like 1 paragraph summarizing our years 1 and 2 performance, and then pages of evals from 3rd year.

AOA is based off clinical year performance (# of LOD's mainly), Step 1 score, activities, and then overall resume and application. Obviously for future years with clinical grades, that may be factored more than the elusive current LOD.
 
SilentSoldier said:
Its so freaking hot in SoCal this year, wouldn't you guys that have acceptances to cooler places go there instead? Go there and don't melt. Just a friendly PSA and totally not trying to get you guys to go somewhere else so I can be taken off the waitlist or anything like that at all :whistle:
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There's like nothing to do in LA either.
 
I'm a bit confused about what May 15 signifies. I interviewed at UCLA in October and haven't heard a peep since. Was expecting either a rejection or a wait list update by the 15th, but nothing has shown up on the status page. I'm a CA resident trying to figure out if I'm moving across the country or not, and it's pretty frustrating to be strung along for this long, so if anyone could shed some light on the situation I would appreciate it! Thank you!
 
hellahealth said:
I'm a bit confused about what May 15 signifies. I interviewed at UCLA in October and haven't heard a peep since. Was expecting either a rejection or a wait list update by the 15th, but nothing has shown up on the status page. I'm a CA resident trying to figure out if I'm moving across the country or not, and it's pretty frustrating to be strung along for this long, so if anyone could shed some light on the situation I would appreciate it! Thank you!
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you potentially won't hear back until the day before classes start.
 
Bruinmarcher said:
The dean repeated tells us there are no internal rankings. I take him for his word and have operated under the past 3 years as if there are no internal rankings, at least the type where we are numbered from 1-180. Maybe there are some tracking of groups like top 25% or top 10%, based of 3rd year evaluations and # of Letter of Distinctions (LOD), but probably not 1st and 2nd year or how high you score on your 3rd year shelf exams. They tell us that in our dean's letter there will be like 1 paragraph summarizing our years 1 and 2 performance, and then pages of evals from 3rd year.

AOA is based off clinical year performance (# of LOD's mainly), Step 1 score, activities, and then overall resume and application. Obviously for future years with clinical grades, that may be factored more than the elusive current LOD.
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Thank you for clarifying it!
 
Yeah for anyone who hasn't heard back yet, you are unofficially waitlisted. I'm not sure why DGSOM doesn't just come right out and call it a waitlist but that's why I'm not in charge. I would try to focus on the school you've committed to at this point but write DGSOM a letter of interest/intent if you really want to come here. People do get accepted into the summer so they haven't rejected you yet for a reason.
 
I have no idea how AOA works here. My recommendation is to not worry about it.
 
lostintranscrip said:
Yeah for anyone who hasn't heard back yet, you are unofficially waitlisted. I'm not sure why DGSOM doesn't just come right out and call it a waitlist but that's why I'm not in charge. I would try to focus on the school you've committed to at this point but write DGSOM a letter of interest/intent if you really want to come here. People do get accepted into the summer so they haven't rejected you yet for a reason.
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Does this apply to people who are only on WL with no acceptances yet? I know that some of the adcom posters on SDN say that such letters are worthless if you don't currently hold an acceptance at a potentially "better" or cheaper school and will come off as desperate
 
@hellahealth According to last year's school specific thread a big wave of acceptances went out on May 28th, then waitlist letters went out around the first week of June, rejections went out in the middle of June, and finally people started getting pulled of the waitlist in late June into July.
 
pDeluxe said:
Does this apply to people who are only on WL with no acceptances yet? I know that some of the adcom posters on SDN say that such letters are worthless if you don't currently hold an acceptance at a potentially "better" or cheaper school and will come off as desperate
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I more specifically meant to send in any updates in a letter saying you really want to come here. I'm not saying it'll get you in but at the end of June when they're looking for someone to pull off the waitlist, wouldn't you want to pull someone who you know wants to come here? I doubt it would be taken negatively. But hey, it's completely up to you. I have no idea if current members of the class who were waitlisted did this or didn't do this.

Good luck to everyone waiting!
 
Is it too late to send an additional letter of recommendation? Also where would I send it? I see on their site that they only take letters via AMCAS, so does that mean there is no chance of submitting an additional letter?

I had sent in a letter of intent in March, should I send another? This wait is killing me!
 
THE OG BEAN said:
Is it too late to send an additional letter of recommendation? Also where would I send it? I see on their site that they only take letters via AMCAS, so does that mean there is no chance of submitting an additional letter?

I had sent in a letter of intent in March, should I send another? This wait is killing me!
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You can send it to the admissions e-mail. I called before I sent mine in to make sure it was ok. As far as additional letters goes... who knows, I am in the same boat as you but wish you the best!
 
I wouldn't send a new letter of intent unless you have additional significant updates to your application. I have no info about sending new LOR.
 
Additional LOR's is an interesting case... One doctor who was a UCLA grad who I got to know really well during my application year offered to send a letter, but it was only because he went to UCLA and emphasized how the school would be a good "fit" for me. It only went to UCLA and by that time I knew it was my top choice. A generic letter may or may not do much.
 
dbeast said:
Additional LOR's is an interesting case... One doctor who was a UCLA grad who I got to know really well during my application year offered to send a letter, but it was only because he went to UCLA and emphasized how the school would be a good "fit" for me. It only went to UCLA and by that time I knew it was my top choice. A generic letter may or may not do much.
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The rec letter I have is written specifically for why I would be a good fit for UCLA. I'm going to call on Monday and I'll let you guys know if an additional rec letter can be sent.
 
Anyone know about the "waitlist" situation this year? Looks like last year they accepted a few people on May 28th.

I interviewed over 7 months ago they really should just make a decision already.
 
alpharez said:
Anyone know about the "waitlist" situation this year? Looks like last year they accepted a few people on May 28th.

I interviewed over 7 months ago they really should just make a decision already.
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I'm inclined to believe (hope?) that they'll follow the same schedule as last year and issue the first "wave" of post-traffic day acceptances next week. I'm at 6 months, 1 day since I interviewed...
 
The sad thing is that probably MOST of the interviewed applicants are still in no-decision limbo. What a joke!
 
alpharez said:
Anyone know about the "waitlist" situation this year? Looks like last year they accepted a few people on May 28th.

I interviewed over 7 months ago they really should just make a decision already.
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I called them today, and the lady who answered said that we should expect movement at the end of the month. I think it'll be exactly like last year.
 
Entadus said:
The sad thing is that probably MOST of the interviewed applicants are still in no-decision limbo. What a joke!
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Seriously, every post interviewed applicant that wasn't accepted are in limbo. UCLA pls
 
ccw3rr said:
Hey guys! I'm applying the 14-15 cycle -- their rec policy is a little confusing to me. They said they'll request it after initial review... so do I not submit any recommendation with my AMCAS app?
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UCLA screens for the secondary, and the secondary application is when you can send the letters through AMCAS. You can still send the letters to them through AMCAS when you submit your primary tho, so its really no big deal.
 
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