2015-2016 University of California - San Diego Application Thread

[223sarahsmith]

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+1 got a secondary today after thinking I got screened out.
AMCAS received 7/20.
Maybe the wait time is exactly two weeks?

 

[Oh_Gee]

+1 got a secondary today after thinking I got screened out.
AMCAS received 7/20.
Maybe the wait time is exactly two weeks?

July 9 for me lol. This was a long shot for me anyway with my stats (3.2 and 29MCAT)
went here for undergrad and still living a block away from it. can't seem to get away from UCSD. weather kicks @$$. if anyone has questions about UCSD, La Jolla or San Diego, feel free to PM me

 

[blueeyedprincess]

Just got an interview invite! My first one in CA!
Verified primary 6/9
Received secondary 7/17
Submitted secondary 7/23
LizzyM ~ 70

 

[Oh_Gee]

Just got an interview invite! My first one in CA!
Verified primary 6/9
Received secondary 7/17
Submitted secondary 7/23
LizzyM ~ 70

pack sunglasses and sunblock!

 

[Mr Magpie]

II here as well!

It would be so nice to stay in California...

The MMI format should be interesting.

Submitted secondary 7/22, LizzyM ~ 73

 

[jojahtechpremed]

Also got an II today!! One of my top choices, so excited to hear from them this early in the cycle!

37 MCAT, 3.97 GPA, complete around 7/29, and OOS.

Good luck to everyone!!

 

[exacto]

How did you guys not use what was in your personal statement in your autobiography for SD???? Are we allowed to use the same ideas, but manipulate them a little?

help a brother out!!!!

 

[mordac21]

Just got an II. I actually like the secondaries with longer prompts (ie Duke, UCSD, Vandy) because I feel like I get to flesh out what I want to say.

OOS
LizzyM 74-77
Secondary submitted 8/6

 

[rukia013]

How did you guys not use what was in your personal statement in your autobiography for SD???? Are we allowed to use the same ideas, but manipulate them a little?

help a brother out!!!!

My PS focused on college and post-grad but my autobio was ~85% pre-college, and I very briefly talked about my college/post-grad experiences. In my autobio I mostly discussed experiences that I believe have helped to shape and prepare me for a career in medicine even though I didn't consider medicine until college. For example, I talked about extracurriculars that I was involved in and my most valued accomplishments and why.

 

[exacto]

My PS focused on college and post-grad but my autobio was ~85% pre-college, and I very briefly talked about my college/post-grad experiences. In my autobio I mostly discussed experiences that I believe have helped to shape and prepare me for a career in medicine even though I didn't consider medicine until college. For example, I talked about extracurriculars that I was involved in and my most valued accomplishments and why.

so for the other 15% of your autobio, did you repeat any ideas used in your PS or was it completely new and unrelated? Im just wondering how serious they are about not using PS writing in the autobio...

 

[rukia013]

so for the other 15% of your autobio, did you repeat any ideas used in your PS or was it completely new and unrelated? Im just wondering how serious they are about not using PS writing in the autobio...

I don't think I mentioned any of my PS--I was super brief and just said something like "During my college career, my intentions to pursue medicine fluctuated but after a series of events, I solidified my decision to become a doctor and have been set on that decision since." To be honest, I wrote so much pre-college stuff that I couldn't really expand much about college and post-grad anyway. If restating your PS helps with the flow of your autobio, I think it should be fine as long as you add new insight to it instead of just rehashing.

Edit: I just reviewed my autobio and the 15% included talking about some extracurriculars I did in college and what I have been doing since graduating from college.

 

[stvr]

Just got an II. I actually like the secondaries with longer prompts (ie Duke, UCSD, Vandy) because I feel like I get to flesh out what I want to say.

OOS
LizzyM 74-77
Secondary submitted 8/6

Wow, speedy.

 

[tardigradepower]

When I first signed up for an interview, there were also buttons on the main page that allowed me to request for a host/ sign up for a free clinic tour. But when I checked back today they're not there anymore. Does anyone else have the same problem?

 

[blueeyedprincess]

How did you guys not use what was in your personal statement in your autobiography for SD???? Are we allowed to use the same ideas, but manipulate them a little?

help a brother out!!!!

I actually did use my ideas from the PS in my autobiography. But definitely in a different context and it was only a small part of my autobiography, maybe like 15-20%. The rest was new.

 

[Mr Magpie]

Like ms. Kuchiki, I talked mostly about my pre-college life. I figured my primary application had all the relevant details from my college years--I lightly touched on my PS topics at the end of the sketch. This worked for me since my PS really didn't really dive into pre-college experiences.

 

[rukia013]

Like ms. Kuchiki, I too talked mostly about my pre-college life. Only just touching on/mentioning some of the topics I went into more detail on my primary application. I figured it would give them a broader picture so to speak.

Oho finally someone recognizes my username/avatar! 😀

 

[wintersrain]

When I first signed up for an interview, there were also buttons on the main page that allowed me to request for a host/ sign up for a free clinic tour. But when I checked back today they're not there anymore. Does anyone else have the same problem?

That happened to me too. I went back to the actual link they sent in the interview invite email, and when I used that link the host/tour buttons appeared again (idk why lol). You might want to try that!

 

[wintersrain]

Anyone have any tips for MMI interviews? I've never done one and I honestly have no idea what to expect. Do they have questions on like, current events/healthcare in addition to ethical questions and stuff? Also, are we allowed to bring a notebook/pen with us to jot down notes on what we want to cover during our response?

 

[Mr Magpie]

Oho finally someone recognizes my username/avatar! 😀

😉

Anyone have any tips for MMI interviews? I've never done one and I honestly have no idea what to expect. Do they have questions on like, current events/healthcare in addition to ethical questions and stuff? Also, are we allowed to bring a notebook/pen with us to jot down notes on what we want to cover during our response?

It'll be a combination of all of that... ethical dilemmas, hypothetical problems, etc.

I'd say it's generally hard to prepare for these since the prompts vary so much. It really is an exercise designed to see how you think on your feet. I suppose looking into real-world approaches to ethical dilemmas might be a start, but then again there is no uniform answer to a given issue. The methodology you take in your approach is what they're probably looking at--that is know the pros and cons of your argument. Avoid sweeping black and white distinctions etc.

I'm pretty sure they provide scratch paper and a pen to work with (I've had friends who interviewed here in previous cycles).

 

[justadream]

😉



It'll be a combination of all of that... ethical dilemmas, hypothetical problems, etc.

I'd say it's generally hard to prepare for these since the prompts vary so much. It really is an exercise designed to see how you think on your feet. I suppose looking into real-world approaches to ethical dilemmas might be a start, but then again there is no uniform answer to a given issue. The methodology you take in your approach is what they're probably looking at--that is know the pros and cons of your argument. Avoid sweeping black and white distinctions etc.

I'm pretty sure they provide scratch paper and a pen to work with (I've had friends who interviewed here in previous cycles).

So is it like:

1) Get the prompt and given a chance to read it and write down points on the paper (that you want to talk about)
2) Enter room and talk about it

 

[tardigradepower]

That happened to me too. I went back to the actual link they sent in the interview invite email, and when I used that link the host/tour buttons appeared again (idk why lol). You might want to try that!

I called the admissions office earlier and they said it was a mistake that those buttons appeared (they wouldn't work anyways) because they don't have all the student host info yet as the M1s are still going through orientation, but they'll have those information available by early September!

 

[wintersrain]

I called the admissions office earlier and they said it was a mistake that those buttons appeared (they wouldn't work anyways) because they don't have all the student host info yet as the M1s are still going through orientation, but they'll have those information available by early September!

I signed up for a student host actually, and they sent me a list of possible hosts and their contact info already... 😳

 

[tardigradepower]

Haha that's awesome. Are you interviewing during one of the first dates?

 

[Mr Magpie]

So is it like:

1) Get the prompt and given a chance to read it and write down points on the paper (that you want to talk about)
2) Enter room and talk about it

Yes

 

[666670]

II!
OOS/LizzyM 75
Secondary complete around 7/25

 

[wintersrain]

Haha that's awesome. Are you interviewing during one of the first dates?

Yup! October 1. You?

 

[mordac21]

I signed up for a student host actually, and they sent me a list of possible hosts and their contact info already... 😳

Funny, I signed up for student hosts as well and they sent me an empty list with no contact info at all...Maybe I should try again.

 

[blueeyedprincess]

.

 

[benjamin94559]

+1 II though I got it a little while ago.

 

[BeastfromtheMiddleEast]

.

 

[tardigradepower]

Yup! October 1. You?

Wow that's super weird. I'm currently scheduled for Sep 22 but did not see any student host sign-up whatsoever. Well I'm glad that at least you won't need to look for a hotel, etc!

 

[mackkdad]

Did anyone get the complete email from UCSD? Just wondering if they send out one once they've received all the LORs.

 

[Spector1]

Did anyone get the complete email from UCSD? Just wondering if they send out one once they've received all the LORs.

nope

 

[timeflies]

II just now!!

 

[donovank730]

Secondary received! LizzyM of about 69 OOS applicant. Its a stretch but this is my #1 choice I would die to go here. Anyone know just how strictly they screen for secondaries?

 

[exacto]

Secondary received! LizzyM of about 69 OOS applicant. Its a stretch but this is my #1 choice I would die to go here. Anyone know just how strictly they screen for secondaries?

no clue, but i got one with around your LS... not a URM...CA native...Tns of experiences in and out of hospital

 

[hypericum]

Just submitted UCSD's secondary. The difference between the quality of this secondary and my early ones is...astounding.

Is it just a numbers screen to get the secondary?

 

[donovank730]

no clue, but i got one with around your LS... not a URM...CA native...Tns of experiences in and out of hospital

I too have pretty good E.C's too so I don't know if that played a part. I also have instate ties. I am just going to give the essay my best and hope for a miracle! Good luck

 

[SDSUGrad]

II just now!!

Do you mind saying when you submitted your secondary?

 

[felixfelicis]

got II earlier today, complete 08/15—looks like they're speeding through these. I have a LizzyM below 85 but greater than 60. 😉

 

[mccaaatttt]

Anyone with an II in this thread apply to masters programs as well as MD?

 

[Dirtybird]

Secondary received! LizzyM of about 69 OOS applicant. Its a stretch but this is my #1 choice I would die to go here. Anyone know just how strictly they screen for secondaries?

Congratz!

I've read ~2000 applicants get placed on pre interview hold, out of 7000+ applicants... so def > 2000/7000? lol
I also know that some applicants just go through on a stats based screen according to the admissions office.

Would you mind sharing how long it took you to receive the secondary?

Still hoping for one myself, verified 8/12

 

[RudyRude]

didnt get my II invite yet, does anyone know what % of people get 2s or how closely they screen?

That sig brah. Mirn

 

[donovank730]

Congratz!

I've read ~2000 applicants get placed on pre interview hold, out of 7000+ applicants... so def > 2000/7000? lol
I also know that some applicants just go through on a stats based screen according to the admissions office.

Would you mind sharing how long it took you to receive the secondary?

Still hoping for one myself, verified 8/12

I submitted it my primary on the 16th maybe? Did you send them your ssn already?

 

[jbpsoccer]

Congratz!

I've read ~2000 applicants get placed on pre interview hold, out of 7000+ applicants... so def > 2000/7000? lol
I also know that some applicants just go through on a stats based screen according to the admissions office.

Would you mind sharing how long it took you to receive the secondary?

Still hoping for one myself, verified 8/12

Got my secondary yesterday. LizzyM 76-78. AMCAS verified 8/10

 

[timeflies]

Do you mind saying when you submitted your secondary?

Submitted 8/3

 

[que_bola]

Is anyone else having trouble with e-pay? It has been saying that the service is unavailable for some time now. I've submitted my app, but I can't pay.

 

[dreamer659]

Ok this sounds really dumb but I can't remember if I sent them my SS#. I just tried again, I went to the link provided and entered in my birthdate and AMCAS ID and it gave me this:

"Sorry, the information you entered could not be validated. Please check your entries and try again. If your application has recently been received, please allow 24 hours for your status to be available in the system.

If you still have problems, please contact the Admissions Office:
[email protected] or (858)534-3880"

Does that mean I already sent in my SS#? Is there any type of verification of this? I don't want to call and ask them because it's such a dumb question.

 

[goldenbear1738]

Does the one month deadline include letters of recommendation?

 

[benjamin94559]

I guess I should add I'm also interviewing on ze first