2014-2015 University of California - San Francisco Application Thread

[ridethecliche]

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Not having received a secondary, that would be my sign to head for the nearest bar. 😉

I just left one. Coincidence?

 

[Abstractions]

Oops I got a little too excited. LizzyM 69. I was going to type out my mcat and gpa then decided to lizzym and got distracted.

Thanks for the laugh though, sometimes this place is alright.

It would have been a much more interesting conversation if you got a secondary with a 39 LizzyM haha.

 

[milski]

I just left one. Coincidence?

Should not have left so fast. 😉

It would have been a much more interesting conversation if you got a secondary with a 39 LizzyM haha.

Well, there's always the 0.75 GPA applicant from UMich, if you are after that type of entertainment. 😉

 

[ridethecliche]

It would have been a much more interesting conversation if you got a secondary with a 39 LizzyM haha.

Yeah but the odds wouldn't have been in my favor anywhere...

I would have been a sad penguin.

 

[:))]

Should not have left so fast. 😉



Well, there's always the 0.75 GPA applicant from UMich, if you are after that type of entertainment. 😉

It looks like they took that out of their admissions data, might've been another typo unfortunately- also would've made for a good story.

 

[milski]

It looks like they took that out of their admissions data, might've been another typo unfortunately- also would've made for a good story.

That's too bad - would have been a nice legend. How are we to amuse ourselves while nervously waiting now?

 

[ridethecliche]

That's too bad - would have been a nice legend. How are we to amuse ourselves while nervously waiting now?

I think this is why people have cats.

 

[luzbrillante]

Anyone else here applying for the PRIME-US program?
And/or Does anyone know if the PRIME-US application is considered by a separate committee from regular admissions?

 

[prdv]

Anyone else here applying for the PRIME-US program?
And/or Does anyone know if the PRIME-US application is considered by a separate committee from regular admissions?

I applied to the PRIME program. I believe I read somewhere that it is considered by a separate committee, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[littlestar71]

Are people still waiting for secondaries (MD or MSTP)?
I'm not sure if UCSF's screening is too harsh, since I was verified late.

 

[sahmoc]

Are people still waiting for secondaries (MD or MSTP)?
I'm not sure if UCSF's screening is too harsh, since I was verified late.

I am!

 

[Tappinfool66]

Are people still waiting for secondaries (MD or MSTP)?
I'm not sure if UCSF's screening is too harsh, since I was verified late.

I definitely think they're still sending them out. I just got the secondary a few days ago and I was verified in early June. Some people get them rather quickly and for others it takes longer. I think someone said on here that UCSF says on their website that you should allow up to 10 weeks for consideration of your primary before they make a decision about sending you a secondary.

 

[threesparrows]

Are people still waiting for secondaries (MD or MSTP)?
I'm not sure if UCSF's screening is too harsh, since I was verified late.

I am! Added UCSF 8/1. LizzyM 75+

 

[brynmsmith]

Question for those who have completed or are working on the secondary:

For the research projects portion, are people entering specific research projects (for example, I work on 3 different projects in the lab I'm in now), or only one entry for each research/lab position?

I emailed both the MD and MSTP offices and got conflicting advice - MD said be specific, MSTP said be succinct. I'm hoping someone here has better insight than I do!

 

[jibblesNbits]

Question for those who have completed or are working on the secondary:

For the research projects portion, are people entering specific research projects (for example, I work on 3 different projects in the lab I'm in now), or only one entry for each research/lab position?

I emailed both the MD and MSTP offices and got conflicting advice - MD said be specific, MSTP said be succinct. I'm hoping someone here has better insight than I do!

Is that question specific to the MSTP application? I don't recall it in the solely MD secondary. If it is, I would go with whatever the MSTP office advised.

 

[crossingthefingers]

It said your most recent research project, right? So I would just pick one. Also 500 words is not that many.

 

[brynmsmith]

Is that question specific to the MSTP application? I don't recall it in the solely MD secondary. If it is, I would go with whatever the MSTP office advised.

It must only be on the MSTP portion... I hadn't thought of that since it seems like a seamless application online. Thank you for the advice!

 

[chepchep]

I am! Added UCSF 8/1. LizzyM 75+

I am as well, though after looking at last year's secondary/pre-secondary rejection schedule I'm pretty sure I'm going not going to get one anymore.

Verified 7/23. IS, LizzyM<70, non-trad.

Fingers crossed anyway!

 

[ridethecliche]

Do separate committees look at the application for MD, JMP, and PRIME? I'm tempted to apply to all three, but would probably drop PRIME if the committee is the same.

I might not apply to PRIME anyway, it seems a bit restrictive to begin with and is geared towards primary care and advocacy. College-me thinks it sounds amazing, but real world me doesn't like the narrow track.

I am as well, though after looking at last year's secondary/pre-secondary rejection schedule I'm pretty sure I'm going not going to get one anymore.

Verified 7/23. IS, LizzyM<70, non-trad.

Fingers crossed anyway!

I'm OOS and I submitted a primary on monday and got the secondary yesterday. I have a similar LizzyM score 65-70.

Now I'm confused.

 

[ColDocUSA]

I'm OOS and I submitted a primary on monday and got the secondary yesterday. I have a similar LizzyM score 65-70.

Now I'm confused.

Maybe their review really is holistic, or maybe the magic octopus liked your name...

 

[chepchep]

So I've gone full-blown neurotic on this thread, and it seems like there may be, at the very least, two sets of reviewers/reviewer groups. One of them gets secondaries out relatively quickly - we're talking hours to a couple days here. The other works slower at somewhere between 4-6 weeks. Thoughts?

(There should be a sign here: Don't feed the neuroticism.)

((But please do. Sigh.))

 

[ridethecliche]

Maybe their review really is holistic, or maybe the magic octopus liked your name...

My name sounds like a curse word in english, so probably the latter.

On second thoughts, I'm pretty sure I'm just going to do the regular app. The JMP is cool, but I'd be more interested in an MPH and there's little to no selection for that.

 

[FFH]

So I've gone full-blown neurotic on this thread, and it seems like there may be, at the very least, two sets of reviewers/reviewer groups. One of them gets secondaries out relatively quickly - we're talking hours to a couple days here. The other works slower at somewhere between 4-6 weeks. Thoughts?

(There should be a sign here: Don't feed the neuroticism.)

((But please do. Sigh.))

You probably right. I got my secondary within a couple of days after verification.

 

[Abstractions]

You probably right. I got my secondary within a couple of days after verification.

So jelly, IS Verified on 6/3 and still silence 🙁. I like your new penguin avatar btw 😀

 

[FFH]

So jelly, IS Verified on 6/3 and still silence 🙁. I like your new penguin avatar btw 😀

That's really strange, your shouldn't have been screened out. Consider how many schools already showed love for you. Did you try praying to the octopus?
Thanks I like it too, the not-sure-what's-going-on-and-not-so-impressed-with-current-situation expression on that penguin captured my state of mind quite well...
Best of luck! Maybe soon!

 

[chepchep]

So jelly, IS Verified on 6/3 and still silence 🙁. I like your new penguin avatar btw 😀

Fingers crossed for both of us! 👍

 

[threesparrows]

So I've gone full-blown neurotic on this thread, and it seems like there may be, at the very least, two sets of reviewers/reviewer groups. One of them gets secondaries out relatively quickly - we're talking hours to a couple days here. The other works slower at somewhere between 4-6 weeks. Thoughts?

(There should be a sign here: Don't feed the neuroticism.)

((But please do. Sigh.))

I like this theory because it gives me foolish hope.

 

[Nans]

3.5gpa /30 mcat. But grew up in the Bay Area, went to school in socal. Have research, some interesting ECs, worked a decent amount with underserved communities. Definitely did not expect a secondary...im honestly thrilled.

Me and you must be twins. I got my secondary a day or two after verification (08/04). LizzyM 69.

 

[chepchep]

I like this theory because it gives me foolish hope.

Well, when the pattern fits... 🙂 Might as well keep the hope alive while we can!

 

[littlestar71]

Me and you must be twins. I got my secondary a day or two after verification (08/04). LizzyM 69.

I also have a lizzym score of 69. My theory is that one of the reviewers is a pervert and is trying to send a message to sdn

 

[chepchep]

I also have a LizzyM score of 69. My theory is that one of the reviewers is a pervert and is trying to send a message to sdn

Ah yes - s/he must be the fast one. 😉

 

[ridethecliche]

Ah yes - s/he must be the fast one. 😉

Heyo!

 

[MrMe123]

I'm also a Lizzy 69

I think this is getting pretty romantic

 

[road2md]

Do separate committees look at the application for MD, JMP, and PRIME? I'm tempted to apply to all three, but would probably drop PRIME if the committee is the same.

I might not apply to PRIME anyway, it seems a bit restrictive to begin with and is geared towards primary care and advocacy. College-me thinks it sounds amazing, but real world me doesn't like the narrow track.

ridethecliche-- Congrats on getting a secondary as an OOS! Eventually, yes, separate committees. However, the initial screening is all the same -- MD. If you are offered an interview for the MD program, then they will give you more information about how you will further be evaluated for JMP and PRIME (e.g. by phone). You can always interview for one of these spots and decline after the interview. Remember - the interviews are for you to get more information to evaluate the program as well.

For those of you who are waiting on secondaries. If it's been awhile and you think you probably should have gotten it, don't hesitate to contact the office. Maybe someone misplaced your file, who knows. Take control over your future!

For those of you who now have bald spots from pulling your hair over what to do with the UCSF secondary (like I did around this time) -- not to worry. Only include information that is new (e.g. publication that was submitted has been accepted, I'm going to Honduras in January, etc.). You can include information about why you want to go to UCSF if your reason is extra-special (like fiancee is a grad student in SF), but otherwise, I wouldn't add a "why UCSF."

Good luck with all of this, and hope you all get that secondary and interview eventually. The interview season will creep up on you sooner than you think, so I'd get started on it slowly. Check out my blog for more information about how to prepare for interviews. www.road2md.com/#blog

Best of luck everyone!

 

[wibbleylever]

Just got the secondary invite ten minutes ago as well!! OOS, LizzyM ~75. Primary was verified 7/24

 

[F.Underwood]

Secondary today...

Ok it has officially been 6 weeks for you now. After completing the secondary, it said 4-6 weeks till they get back right? Doesn't that mean they should have gotten back to you by now then? Assuming you completed the same day.

 

[Holmwood]

Might as well join in I guess.

IS:

Primary Processed: 7/07
Secondary Received: 7/23

LizzyM: 66

 

[threesparrows]

Just got the secondary today! Still rooting for @chepchep
Primary 8/1
Secondary 8/23
LizzyM 75+

 

[pinkPEACE]

the closer the end of august gets, the more butterflies i get (knowing that that's when this heavenly institution sent out the first batch of IIs last year...)

 

[ridethecliche]

Oy. I think I'm just going to apply to the JMP. I've been reading up on it and I think I could tailor it to exactly what I want out of an MPH.

 

[HeLaDeala]

Just to send some hope your guys' way. It took 10 weeks before I got a secondary, there's still hope yet!
OOS
Primary 6/3
Secondary 8/22
LizzyM 70+

 

[chachi19]

I was thrilled to get a secondary with UCSF (got it at like 11pm), so you better believe I turned it in the next day!
Non-trad, IS
Primary verified 8/5
Secondary 8/20

 

[aabbcc1234]

Secondary received yesterday! Finally, I've been verified since 6/6. IS, URM.

 

[researchismymiddlename]

OMG I got a secondary today!!! LizzyM ~74.5 OOS with an upcoming graduate degree. Super excited!

There's still hope for those people waiting!

 

[researchismymiddlename]

Just got a secondary! OOS, verified 7/8, LizzyM 75. They must have heard me celebrating yesterday after turning in my "last" secondary. Hopefully Vandy does the same.

I hear you Kay293T! I'm still waiting for Vandy too. For a while I suspected I would get the silent treatment and rejection in March from UCSF as well as Vandy, but I suppose our luck is turning around!

 

[Kay293T]

I hear you Kay293T! I'm still waiting for Vandy too. For a while I suspected I would get the silent treatment and rejection in March from UCSF as well as Vandy, but I suppose our luck is turning around!

Glad to hear I'm not alone! Hopefully that luck includes interviews. I got my first II over a month ago, and haven't heard anything since.

 

[researchismymiddlename]

Glad to hear I'm not alone! Hopefully that luck includes interviews. I got my first II over a month ago, and haven't heard anything since.

It is still early in the cycle, that's how I console myself. I am sure you will get more II's in the next few weeks! 🙂

 

[Kay293T]

It is still early in the cycle, that's how I console myself. I am sure you will get more II's in the next few weeks! 🙂

Thanks! You look like you're in for an awesome cycle so far.

 

[researchismymiddlename]

Thanks! You look like you're in for an awesome cycle so far.

Thanks! I forgot to congratulate on your II! An II this early spells great news.

I know a comparatively "slow" cycle makes one wonder if there is something missing with their app, but I believe that some reviewers at certain schools are slower than others, and if we don't II's in the first batch, we can't read TOO much into the time we get II's.

 

[Kay293T]

Thanks! I forgot to congratulate on your II! An II this early spells great news.

I know a comparatively "slow" cycle makes one wonder if there is something missing with their app, but I believe that some reviewers at certain schools are slower than others, and if we don't II's in the first batch, we can't read TOO much into the time we get II's.

Thanks, you are totally right! Time to learn some patience. =)