2014-2015 University of California - San Diego Application Thread

[gettheleadout]

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Please PM the essays or lack thereof to me when the secondary is available and I will update this.

Good luck to everyone applying!

 

[Bbroush]

Applying here! OOS, although my family has lived in Orange County for the last 4 years. I love the La Jolla area! Good luck to everyone applying!

 

[sunflower18]

i'm applying here too! i have family in northern california, but no real ties to san diego. OOS as well. this looks like such a fantastic school in a great area. i hope i get love from ucsd!

 

[LaceyMD]

Hey @sunflower18 we must have very similar school lists, I keep seeing your name on the threads for all my schools!

 

[sunflower18]

Hey @sunflower18 we must have very similar school lists, I keep seeing your name on the threads for all my schools!

That's awesome!! 🙂 my full list is on my mdapps!

Best of luck to you!!!

 

[LaceyMD]

That's awesome!! 🙂 my full list is on my mdapps!

Best of luck to you!!!

I always forget about MDApps...gotta remember to go update mine! Looks like we've got at least 7 of the same schools; I'm still working on my list, won't get my MCAT score for about a week and a half, so I haven't finalized it yet. Best of luck to you as well! With any luck, we'll "see" each other out on the application trail this year! 🙂

Have you spent much time in San Diego? It's one of my favorite parts of my home state!

 

[sunflower18]

I always forget about MDApps...gotta remember to go update mine! Looks like we've got at least 7 of the same schools; I'm still working on my list, won't get my MCAT score for about a week and a half, so I haven't finalized it yet. Best of luck to you as well! With any luck, we'll "see" each other out on the application trail this year! 🙂

Have you spent much time in San Diego? It's one of my favorite parts of my home state!

That makes sense!!! Good luck on the mcat 🙂 what score are you hoping for if you don't mind me asking? And definitely! It'll be funny if I run into any SDN people. I'm sure I will -- whether it know it or not is the real question!

I've honestly never been there! My cousin lives there actually, but I've never been. I've always wanted to go though!

 

[LaceyMD]

That makes sense!!! Good luck on the mcat 🙂 what score are you hoping for if you don't mind me asking? And definitely! It'll be funny if I run into any SDN people. I'm sure I will -- whether it know it or not is the real question!

I've honestly never been there! My cousin lives there actually, but I've never been. I've always wanted to go though!

Yup, we may not know it, but I'm sure we'll cross paths with SDN people! San Diego is beautiful; in my opinion, it's the perfect California city. The weather's awesome, the beach is close, there's a ton going on...but it doesn't have nearly as many of the drawbacks of LA or San Francisco (traffic, pollution, etc - it's got some, but not on the same level). Of course, that's a personal thing, lots of people do love LA and San Francisco too!

I have a good friend from undergrad who went to med school at UCSD and she loved the program (one of the benefits of being a non-trad, I get to pick the brains of all my friends who are now in residency). I'm really excited to apply...have you started the secondary yet?

re: MCAT, I'll be happy with anything over 30, but I built my tentative school list based on a 32. I was averaging 33-35 on my last few practices, but I felt very unsure about the PS section on my actual test day. But then again, I never felt great about PS on the practices and was always surprised when the score report came up. I just wish we could have gotten the scores that same day like they do for the GRE! Ah well, I get the feeling I'll be doing a lot of not-so-patiently waiting during the application cycle 🙂

 

[kjj17]

One of my top choices! My GPA isn't great though, and I'm OOS which just about buries what little chance I had. One of the main reasons I am applying to California schools is because my boyfriend is from California and wants to do school/residency/practice in CA (we are both applying this current cycle) - we are going to stay together even if we end up on opposite coasts, and see how things go, but if we can both get into California schools we will almost certainly plan on getting married and, hopefully, eventually settling down & practicing in CA.

From my understanding, a large purpose of IS preference for public schools is because they want to train doctors to practice in that state... thus, since I do intend on practicing in California eventually, I would like to mention that on my secondary (based on last year's prompt, it will be a long, open-ended prompt so I can probably work it in briefly), but realize that talking about significant others is generally advised against. Thoughts??

 

[Bbroush]

One of my top choices! My GPA isn't great though, and I'm OOS which just about buries what little chance I had. One of the main reasons I am applying to California schools is because my boyfriend is from California and wants to do school/residency/practice in CA (we are both applying this current cycle) - we are going to stay together even if we end up on opposite coasts, and see how things go, but if we can both get into California schools we will almost certainly plan on getting married and, hopefully, eventually settling down & practicing in CA.

From my understanding, a large purpose of IS preference for public schools is because they want to train doctors to practice in that state... thus, since I do intend on practicing in California eventually, I would like to mention that on my secondary (based on last year's prompt, it will be a long, open-ended prompt so I can probably work it in briefly), but realize that talking about significant others is generally advised against. Thoughts??

I'd love to see an answer for your question. Very similar situation for me. My family and my wife's are both from Southern California, and we want to stay in California. Unfortunately I'm applying OOS. I hope those ties are advantageous. We'll see what everyone says!

 

[kjj17]

I'd love to see an answer for your question. Very similar situation for me. My family and my wife's are both from Southern California, and we want to stay in California. Unfortunately I'm applying OOS. I hope those ties are advantageous. We'll see what everyone says!

I think for you it's definitely legit to mention, because you're already married and very firmly connected! For me it's more tenuous because we're not even engaged yet, so talking about boyfriends sounds a little silly to me haha

 

[hellanutella]

Shout-out to all the poor souls pre-writing this secondary.

I spent two hours on it yesterday and couldn't get beyond the first paragraph -____- Looks like I won't be writing a fully-fledged autobiography any time in the near or distant future.

 

[emperorsnewgroove]

Shout-out to all the poor souls pre-writing this secondary.

I spent two hours on it yesterday and couldn't get beyond the first paragraph -____- Looks like I won't be writing a fully-fledged autobiography any time in the near or distant future.

Would you mind posting the secondary prompt?

 

[hellanutella]

Would you mind posting the secondary prompt?

No problem!

This should be a true autobiographical statement. Topics to be included are family, childhood, primary and secondary school years, undergraduate years, and, if applicable, what you've done since completing your bachelor's degree. You should also discuss the motivational factors which led you to a career in medicine including any disadvantages or obstacles which might put your accomplishments into context. A repeat of your AMCAS statement will not be acceptable. (6000 characters)

 

[khrisskhoras]

any word from here yet?

 

[LaceyMD]

any word from here yet?

Not yet. Last year, the first batch seems to have come out around the 15th, so I'd guess we've got another week or two before they start.

 

[Abstractions]

Just got a request for my SSN. According to the email, they're still in the process of screening for secondaries (no new info about when they'll be sent out).

 

[4563728]

Just got the request for my SSN!

 

[Dcr108]

I got the email too and I'm a little sketched out lol

 

[sunflower18]

i got the email too! looks like it'll be quite a while before secondaries are sent out (6-8 weeks)

 

[ConsultantMD]

I got the email too and I'm a little sketched out lol

Definitely had to scope it out first before doing it. I guess it kind of makes sense that they wouldn't be transmitting that of all things.

 

[Dcr108]

It looks like they did the same thing last year, and the first secondaries were received on July 15. shouldn't be too long hopefully!

 

[CCrown]

I got this SSN request too. I'm questioning if it's legit, but Brian Zeglen is listed on the UCSD website as director of admissions...

 

[soccerusa]

+1. Looking back at last years thread they did the same thing in wanting the SSN numbers. I think that and the fact that the website is a ucsd.edu website makes it legit.

 

[SoonToBeDrG]

The request is legit, this request is identical to the one from Zeglen last year. This is how they make an account for you through UCSD TritonLink Portal.

 

[onceawolverine]

got the ssn request. but it looks like people think this is valid?

 

[LaceyMD]

got the ssn request. but it looks like people think this is valid?[/QUOTE

Yes, the request is legit. They requested the same info last year.

 

[4forsmores]

I got a request for my social security number, blood type, credit card #'s, and a small locket of hair? Is this legit? haha! But seriously I was so excited when I saw UCSD, I thought I made it through the screen! Guess I'll just have to continue waiting!

 

[invissideways]

People left that check-box above the two boxes where you type in your SSN blank, correct?

 

[mrh125]

People left that check-box above the two boxes where you type in your SSN blank, correct?

check em all.

 

[slopes23]

I left the last one unchecked. It had very strange wording. Something about "change SSN, (sorry this is not an option)" I don't know... But I didn't check that one, and my status still says SSN received, so I am not stressing out about it.

 

[slopes23]

I left the last one unchecked. It had very strange wording. Something about "change SSN, (sorry this is not an option)" I don't know... But I didn't check that one, and my status still says SSN received, so I am not stressing out about it.

Just called about this to confirm, and they said not to check it if it is your first time entering the SSN.

 

[rhythmisadancer]

Just called about this to confirm, and they said not to check it if it is your first time entering the SSN.

Called them, and they said that the box allows you to make a correction if you made a mistake in providing your SSN. Not a big deal either way if you checked it off or not.

 

[mrh125]

So anyone know what UCSD does with our social security numbers if they don't send us secondaries? 😛 sketchy

 

[CCrown]

"We need more info!" "and other things down the road" "Thus we need you to enter your SSN" "but this screening will not be done until you've entered your SSN" Then right after that it says "We understand many people are hesitant to provide this information on-line. You may contact us by phone at 858-534-3880 or by email at[email protected] should you have further questions."

It seems from last year's and this year's thread that the email is legit. But the way they worded everything is like it's almost intentionally super sketchy. Maybe it's a test to see if applicants will contact the admissions office before responding to a suspicious email.

(...or maybe filling out so many Secondary apps is making me go crazy )

 

[mrh125]

"We need more info!" "and other things down the road" "Thus we need you to enter your SSN" "but this screening will not be done until you've entered your SSN" Then right after that it says "We understand many people are hesitant to provide this information on-line. You may contact us by phone at 858-534-3880 or by email at[email protected] should you have further questions."

It seems from last year's and this year's thread that the email is legit. But the way they worded everything is like it's almost intentionally super sketchy. I mean come on, "We need more info!"- There's got to be a better way of writing that, UCSD! Maybe it's a test to see if applicants will contact the admissions office before responding to a suspicious email.

(...or maybe filling out so many Secondary apps is making me go crazy )

yea im thinking it's another hoop and way to weed out people who dont check their email or get worried by stuff such as this..

 

[invissideways]

Called them, and they said that the box allows you to make a correction if you made a mistake in providing your SSN. Not a big deal either way if you checked it off or not.

Thanks rhythmisdancer and slopes23 -> that's the box I was talking about. I went ahead and left it unchecked and it's seems fine as well. Definitely had strange wording, though.

Good luck to all!!

 

[mrh125]

urgh did anyone else get another email from san diego that isnt the secondary? IDK why they can't just do it like every other school where they dont email us until they send us our actual secondaries.

 

[LaceyMD]

urgh did anyone else get another email from san diego that isnt the secondary? IDK why they can't just do it like every other school where they dont email us until they send us our actual secondaries.

Yup, I got it too. It's a little annoying, but I guess every school likes a different system. UCSD is pretty high on my list, so I'll just keep on jumping these hoops...

 

[Abstractions]

urgh did anyone else get another email from san diego that isnt the secondary? IDK why they can't just do it like every other school where they dont email us until they send us our actual secondaries.

Seriously... Watch our next email is something to the effect of:

"Now that we have your SSN and you've created a UCSD ID, please fill out our pre-secondary information form."

 

[hellanutella]

I love you UCSD and I'd pretty much deed you my first-born child for an acceptance, but these e-mails seem kind of shady at first glance.

I'm half-expecting the next e-mail to read something like this:

I will introduce myself I am Mr.Brian zelgen working in a school in san Diego Until now I am the application officer to most of the san Diego medicalschool and I have since discovered that most of the application are considered unworthy of "secondaries." On further investigation I found out that one particular applicaton belong to YOU is very desirable and as application officer I hope to extend a "secondary."

My proposal is that since I am the application officer I will extend "secondary" to YOU. However due to computer error $48 million US dollars is require to activate application for "secondary" and that you should provide funds immediately. However the $48 million US dollars will be return to your account when "secondary" is completed.

Please if this is okay by you I will advice that you contact me through my direct email address. Please this transaction should be kept confidential.

Your reply will be appreciated,

Thank you.
Brian zelgen

 

[cartman11]

Why do you guys think these e-mails are so sketchy? They are from legit adcom addresses at UCSD and link to obviously legit sites. It's not like htey are full of grammatical errors and asking for unreasonable info...

 

[mrh125]

Why do you guys think these e-mails are so sketchy? They are from legit adcom addresses at UCSD and link to obviously legit sites. It's not like htey are full of grammatical errors and asking for unreasonable info...

because you really have to wonder what they're going to do with our social security numbers if they dont accept us lmao.

 

[Osteoth]

Got the email, hoping for some love, San Diego is beautiful!

 

[asyouwish]

I dedicate this to UCSD and their emails.

 

[Abstractions]

Secondary Received!

 

[Dcr108]

I got my secondary as well!

 

[Hermione L Knope MD. Ph.D]

OOS secondary for MSTP 🙂

 

[gastronome]

bonus points for email ocd! Secondary Received.

 

[andrewRA4]

OOS S received. Does anyone know how many people receive secondary/interview/and accepted for OOS?