2015-2016 Loma Linda University Application Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
In the completion email it says "you will be notified of our decision by letter".
So does that mean they will send II's via snail mail? the last thing I need is to compulsively check my mailbox as well lol
 
In the completion email it says "you will be notified of our decision by letter".
So does that mean they will send II's via snail mail? the last thing I need is to compulsively check my mailbox as well lol
From everything I've read from years past, it's email notification..
 
is it different for sda's and other denominations?

If you go to an SDA college, you will usually be interviewed at your school in the early fall. For people attending all other schools, you will usually be notified in mid-October.
 
Hello all excited LLU applicants,

Here is another installment of the behind-the-scenes details about life as an MS1 at LLU- details that will hopefully make you want to come here even more!

The 2 weeks of clinical wards are over, which means basic science classes have started. The 2 weeks of clinical wards are designed to give you an appreciation for medicine and the health care team, an to show you the basics of patient care and working in a health care team. with no basic science classes, they also provide a lot of time to bond with your fellow classmates before you are all thrown into the storm. I like this a whole lot, as I feel we as a class are much more connected and know each other much better starting basic science classes when you need to begin forming study groups and so on.

Now, for some more details about why LLU is so great.

The faculty are AWESOME here. Almost every faculty member opens up their house for interest group meetings (meetings to learn more about different specialties of medicine from the faculty in those specialties). Needless to say, interest group meetings are now a great way to hang out at faculty homes and eat great food. We seriously have so many free food events; the joke is you could go a whole week without groceries if you attended every club and interest group event on and off-campus.

The faculty also host the first years at their house for a dinner before basic science classes, which is a great way to get to know your faculty and their families. I fortunately got to visit Dr. Roddy's house (she is the admissions dean if you didn't know). Doctors live in really nice houses (mansions really), and they also make great hosts! All the good food certainly doesn't hurt either. I have been very impressed with how open the faculty are to students. One of our professors actually told us in class to call him 24/7 if you have a question about the class or need a meal (haha).

The faculty also take time off their busy schedule to lead small group discussions in our religion classes, which is another great way to connect with our faculty and learn from their experiences. The fact that most of our professors are showing their family pictures during lecture and talking about their personal lives outside medicine and studying also is nice.

Alright, back to studying. We had 17 lectures this week, so back to studying anatomy of the neck.

-On Eagle's Wings
 
Hello all excited LLU applicants,

Here is another installment of the behind-the-scenes details about life as an MS1 at LLU- details that will hopefully make you want to come here even more!

The 2 weeks of clinical wards are over, which means basic science classes have started. The 2 weeks of clinical wards are designed to give you an appreciation for medicine and the health care team, an to show you the basics of patient care and working in a health care team. with no basic science classes, they also provide a lot of time to bond with your fellow classmates before you are all thrown into the storm. I like this a whole lot, as I feel we as a class are much more connected and know each other much better starting basic science classes when you need to begin forming study groups and so on.

Now, for some more details about why LLU is so great.

The faculty are AWESOME here. Almost every faculty member opens up their house for interest group meetings (meetings to learn more about different specialties of medicine from the faculty in those specialties). Needless to say, interest group meetings are now a great way to hang out at faculty homes and eat great food. We seriously have so many free food events; the joke is you could go a whole week without groceries if you attended every club and interest group event on and off-campus.

The faculty also host the first years at their house for a dinner before basic science classes, which is a great way to get to know your faculty and their families. I fortunately got to visit Dr. Roddy's house (she is the admissions dean if you didn't know). Doctors live in really nice houses (mansions really), and they also make great hosts! All the good food certainly doesn't hurt either. I have been very impressed with how open the faculty are to students. One of our professors actually told us in class to call him 24/7 if you have a question about the class or need a meal (haha).

The faculty also take time off their busy schedule to lead small group discussions in our religion classes, which is another great way to connect with our faculty and learn from their experiences. The fact that most of our professors are showing their family pictures during lecture and talking about their personal lives outside medicine and studying also is nice.

Alright, back to studying. We had 17 lectures this week, so back to studying anatomy of the neck.

-On Eagle's Wings

Thank you so much for sharing
 
Hi there! Quick question - has anyone heard back about their fee waiver being applied to their application? On the website it says that it takes about 2-3 weeks for a fee waiver to be posted before you can submit your secondary application, but I have yet to hear anything :/ I'm wondering if I should just submit my application and for the payment option select "pay by check"? What did you guys do? Did you contact anyone and if so, who in particular?
 
Hi there! Quick question - has anyone heard back about their fee waiver being applied to their application? On the website it says that it takes about 2-3 weeks for a fee waiver to be posted before you can submit your secondary application, but I have yet to hear anything :/ I'm wondering if I should just submit my application and for the payment option select "pay by check"? What did you guys do? Did you contact anyone and if so, who in particular?
I was verified 8/22
Secondary 8/26
Fee Waiver Notification 9/1
Submitted 9/1

If you're worried it probably wouldn't hurt to call them!
 
Just got an email from LLU and I was so excited then I realized it was just about their values. I likehearing about their values, but I would also love an interview invite! haha
 
Just got an email from LLU and I was so excited then I realized it was just about their values. I likehearing about their values, but I would also love an interview invite! haha

Hahaha, same thing here! That was brutal...
 
For the secondary, is 750 characters max including spaces just like the ones in amcas?
 
For the secondary, is 750 characters max including spaces just like the ones in amcas?

I am not 100% sure, but I included spaces in my character count when I filled them out. That is generally what I have seen done by everyone else who has submitted LLU secondaries, so I think it is a safe rule to follow.
 
Is it necessary/very helpful if you have a letter from a pastor or someone else that can speak on the extent of your spiritual maturity? Or to put it in other words, is it disadvantageous if you did not include a letter from a pastor?
 
Is it necessary/very helpful if you have a letter from a pastor or someone else that can speak on the extent of your spiritual maturity? Or to put it in other words, is it disadvantageous if you did not include a letter from a pastor?

Knowing what I know now having been here for almost 6 weeks now, I think the letter is now much more necessary than I originally thought. Practically everyone in my class (2019) is either Christian or SDA, and there is a lot of religion classes and faith in general here. Many people in my class have gone on mission trips and were active in faith-based organizations. I don't think the letter must necessarily focus on spiritual maturity though. My letter in fact, was from a minister of missions who planned the church's mission trips. I went on several mission trips with him, and he was also a minister (non-ordained) of the church, so he wrote my clergy letter.

I do think it is somewhat to your disdavantage not to have the clergy letter, because faith is such a big part of this institution. This school places a heavy emphasis on if you will be a good fit here, because our entire medical education is Christian-based and it is part of our culture. I would not let that deter you from applying here, but I would try to at least find a clergy member, a missionary, or someone involved in the church or missions to write a letter of rec for you.

This is how I personally view it based on my experiences. Is it a real disadvantage and to what degree? Only the admissions committee could tell you that.
 
@On Eagle's Wings
You're a blessing to this blog! Hope I am privileged with an interview at this amazing school, above and beyond anything I could ask or think in a medical school.
 
Last edited:
Is it extremely helpful/necessary to have international missions trips experiences? I know that long term missions are definitely on my heart to do, but I have not found the opportunity in my undergraduate career for various reasons (MCAT retakes/studying, work, financial).
 
Last edited:
Is it extremely helpful/necessary to have international missions trips experiences? I know that long term missions are definitely on my heart to do, but I have not found the opportunity in my undergraduate career for various reasons (MCAT retakes/studying, work, financial).

It is extremely helpful to have missions experience, but it is by no means necessary. A lot of people I know in my class (especially the SDA's) have at least short-term mission experience, and many of them have actually done a year long mission trip. At our white coat ceremony, they listed the nations that our class served in, and it was probably almost every 3rd world nation out there (she listed so many countries).

Obviously though, time and money can prevent people from being able to do missions, even if they really have a heart for it. My advice would be to get involved in missions in your own community. Not everyone has to go overseas for mission work; there is plenty to do close to home. I would start by finding some organizations (churches are a good place to start, but there are other community organizations as well) that serve people in your community. Your mission field can be right outside your back door, and this is a great place to begin since you would not have to worry about the big time commitment or finances of an overseas trip.

I have a lot of short term mission experience overseas, but I also complemented it with a lot of mission work in my community. Some ideas for you to start with that I personally listed on my app: running a VBS at a Native American reservation, nursing home music ministry, 1 day medical mission trips to slums in Tijuana (I live close to the border).

It is great that you are passionate about missions, as LLU really looks for people who have a heart for missions and want to "continue Jesus' healing and teaching ministry". I know that time and finances make it tough for people, but hopefully these are some ideas that you can think about. Best wishes!
 
1. Describe the extent and source of your knowledge of Loma Linda University School of Medicine (LLUSM). (750 characters max)
For this question, would it be beneficial to write about what I know about LLUSM as well?
 
1. Describe the extent and source of your knowledge of Loma Linda University School of Medicine (LLUSM). (750 characters max)
For this question, would it be beneficial to write about what I know about LLUSM as well?
To answer the question of the extent of your knowledge of LLUSM, yes. Just talk about the parts of LLU you find most attractive to you and don't sound like you are just quoting the website. It helps if you know someone who goes to LLU or have visited the campus, but if the website is your only source of knowledge, just make sure you don't just quote it.
 
To answer the question of the extent of your knowledge of LLUSM, yes. Just talk about the parts of LLU you find most attractive to you and don't sound like you are just quoting the website. It helps if you know someone who goes to LLU or have visited the campus, but if the website is your only source of knowledge, just make sure you don't just quote it.
I talked about the aspects of LLUSM that I find most attractive to answer the second question so I hope I don't sound too redundant. Thank you for your advice!
 
I talked about the aspects of LLUSM that I find most attractive to answer the second question so I hope I don't sound too redundant. Thank you for your advice!
Good! I actually forgot about the second question when I replied to your post, so good thing you notice that. (Test week right now will do that to your memory (It is actually not that bad-maybe I'll talk about it in a later post)).

I think I did the same thing where the first essay was about what I knew and the sources of that info, and the second essay was what I really liked about LLUSM based on my knowledge.
 
"This is to advise that all of your recommendations have been received and your file is now complete. When your file has been reviewed, you will be notified of our decision by postal mail."

Anyone else get this? I submitted these 2 months ago and I thought I was already complete... Weird
 
"This is to advise that all of your recommendations have been received and your file is now complete. When your file has been reviewed, you will be notified of our decision by postal mail."

Anyone else get this? I submitted these 2 months ago and I thought I was already complete... Weird
was that an email or something you had to check on the portal
 
More info about LLUSM:

We just completed our first exam cycle. Exams here last an entire week. The week before exams, they give you most of Thursday and all of Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday to study. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of exam week, you sit for a 2 hour computerized multiple choice exam. The exam questions for all your classes are combined, scrambled, and then divided up over 3 days. It averages to around 70 questions a day. Each lecture hour gets 3-4 questions on the exam. Also, since the questions are combined and scrambled, each subject is tested every day. The questions are all mixed on the exam, so the first questions could be anatomy, the second question on histology, and the next one biochem and so forth.

On Friday, you take an anatomy practical and a histology slide test.

The nice thing about exam week is that the second year class provided free food events after exams. The second exam day, they provided an ice cream party. The third day, it was a desert buffet. The second year class is extremely supportive of all of us first years (hopefully, my class is that awesome when you all get here next year).

The school of medicine then provides a FREE retreat for all students to go to the weekend after your first exam cycle. The retreat is up in the mountains. It is a great chance to go hiking, play in the outdoors, and spend time with your classmates. There is also vespers and a church service on Saturday. It is a great event to relax at after a crazy week of exams.

I cannot think of anything else right now about life as a first year here. If you have any other questions about anything about LLUSM, please post a question below and I'll try to answer it.
 
More info about LLUSM:

We just completed our first exam cycle. Exams here last an entire week. The week before exams, they give you most of Thursday and all of Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday to study. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of exam week, you sit for a 2 hour computerized multiple choice exam. The exam questions for all your classes are combined, scrambled, and then divided up over 3 days. It averages to around 70 questions a day. Each lecture hour gets 3-4 questions on the exam. Also, since the questions are combined and scrambled, each subject is tested every day. The questions are all mixed on the exam, so the first questions could be anatomy, the second question on histology, and the next one biochem and so forth.

On Friday, you take an anatomy practical and a histology slide test.

The nice thing about exam week is that the second year class provided free food events after exams. The second exam day, they provided an ice cream party. The third day, it was a desert buffet. The second year class is extremely supportive of all of us first years (hopefully, my class is that awesome when you all get here next year).

The school of medicine then provides a FREE retreat for all students to go to the weekend after your first exam cycle. The retreat is up in the mountains. It is a great chance to go hiking, play in the outdoors, and spend time with your classmates. There is also vespers and a church service on Saturday. It is a great event to relax at after a crazy week of exams.

I cannot think of anything else right now about life as a first year here. If you have any other questions about anything about LLUSM, please post a question below and I'll try to answer it.

So many wonderful nuggets about llusm. Thanks man!
 
Can anyone talk more about the interview questions that will be asked at LLU? Is it at all frowned upon to talk more in depth about your spirituality in the interview if you are not SDA?
 
Can anyone talk more about the interview questions that will be asked at LLU? Is it at all frowned upon to talk more in depth about your spirituality in the interview if you are not SDA?

I was waiting to disclose all this info until interviews came out later this month, but I will tell you some details now. You might want to tag this post for when you get an interview. Now for the details:

The interview is completely open-file. They can see everything: your GPA, MCAT score, activities, personal statement, etc. It is one on one with a faculty member. They can ask you anything they like, but here are some common ones that I got.

Tell me about yourself.
Why medicine?
Tell me about this activity (most common)
What exposure to health care have you had?
Why Loma Linda?
What social interactions do you have outside of class?

Overall, pretty standard questions. I talked a lot about my faith and spirituality, and I do not think it is frowned down upon at all, even if you are non-SDA. My interviewer for one told me at the end of the interview that not everyone here at LLU is a saint and that I could still go to Harvard for medical school and keep my faith (wawawa what?). Keep in mind that LLU interviews very few people (around 400), so your odds of getting in are fairly good if you get an II.
 
@On Eagle's Wings it's early October 😀 any more nuggets as we eagerly wait to hear from the wonderful llusm?

So, interview season at LLU is just about to start again. For the record, I received my II via email on Tuesday, October 14 at 2:49 pm. The years prior, the II have usually been sent out around this date and day of the week (check the prior LLU threads from year's back to confirm).

Once you get an II in your email, you need to call their office back AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to book a date. There is no online scheduling; you have to call to schedule your interview. When you call, have your calendar open in front of you, as they will tell you a date and time and ask if it works for you. It will likely be a date in December, possibly November. They begin actual interviews at LLU in November, but it seems like the November slots are given to SDA's and the December ones to non-SDA's. This is unconfirmed surveying, however.

After booking an interview, they will also send you an email with info on our home stay program. This is a great med student-run program that offers interviewees a place to sleep during your visit to LLU. They will give you the info in an email they send after you book a date, and you can contact one of the students listed to find a student host for you.

Right now, they are interviewing applicants at the SDA colleges in the U.S. Your turn will come soon enough; you get priority interviewing if you are from an SDA school.

If I find more time later, I may post more info about classes or other random topics about LLU. But this should give you a good idea of how II and interviews are handled here.

Watch and pray!
 
Drumroll, please...

II should be coming out very soon! This afternoon is the one day anniversary of me receiving an II from LLU.

Best wishes to everyone waiting! The long wait is about to end...
 
Drumroll, please...

II should be coming out very soon! This afternoon is the one day anniversary of me receiving an II from LLU.

Best wishes to everyone waiting! The long wait is about to end...
Would love to hear back! Being from a non-SDA however, I may have to wait a little longer correct? Blargh.
 
Just got an email from LLU:
Subject: Recommendations

Body:
This is to advise that all of your recommendations have been received and your file is now complete.

When your file has been reviewed, you will be notified of our decision by postal mail.

Office of Admissions
School of Medicine
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350
909-558-4467

Submitted my secondary on 7/9, received a complete email on 9/4, and now recommendation received letter 10/13.
 
So on September 4, I got an email saying "When your file is complete and has been reviewed, you will be notified of our decision by letter" and today I got "This is to advise that all of your recommendations have been received and your file is now complete.

When your file has been reviewed, you will be notified of our decision by postal mail."
Does this mean I'm not good enough for an II right now?
 
I just got the same email about the LOR. I guess we will see what happens
 
They may be running a bit late this year, since the assistant dean for admission retired in August and they just got a replacement. I received this exact "recommendations"email on September 19 last year. I was complete 7/20 last year.

This seems to be a default email you receive if you apply, so don't worry about interpreting it.
 
"This is to advise that all of your recommendations have been received and your file is now complete. When your file has been reviewed, you will be notified of our decision by postal mail."

Anyone else get this? I submitted these 2 months ago and I thought I was already complete... Weird

I got the same email today. Odd, I though I was complete as well. Anyways, onward we go!
 
Maybe with all of the acceptances going out at other schools we'll have Loma Linda send out a few II's today!
 
Just got that recommendations letters are complete email. It says I will be notified about the interview by postal mail. POSTAL MAIL? Lol
 
They didn't start interviewing yet did they? Cuz I know someone who had an interview with Loma in October two years ago
 
II are usually by email; at least it was that way last year. Maybe they are changing things this year. It is odd that there have been no II, as this is much later than last year.

I know people in my class who interviewed in October, and they were SDA's who went to an SDA school but chose to interview here instead of at their school. A lot of them are SDA's who live in the Loma Linda area. Many of them have parents who are physicians here.

For the rest of us, the earliest interviews are usually in November and December.
 
Top