2018-2019 University of California - Davis

[LukaDoncicLuk]

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Anyone who has interviewed at Davis care to share their experience or give general tips? 🙂

Haven't interviewed yet but I had to sign a NDA in order to sign up for an interview date.

I literally JUST got a secondary. (I thought it was going to be a rejection email). I submitted my primary mid-July. Anybody want to speculate on this??

The UCs (particularly Davis) seem to be moving slowly. I got a late secondary even though I was verified mid July. I would encourage you to send it in.

 

[futuredoctor77]

I literally JUST got a secondary. (I thought it was going to be a rejection email). I submitted my primary mid-July. Anybody want to speculate on this??

+1

 

[californiadreaming93]

+1

I recently got mine too. Go ahead and submit. You're one of the select that passed the screen 🙂

 

[notbougie]

II literally an hour ago (dates in late November and early December).

Primary verified late June, secondary received 9/19 and complete 9/19.

 

[Pre-medida]

Can anyone please let me know how do we send a message through the application portal? To me, it looks like there is nowhere I can compose an email at in the message center. Should I just reply to one of the emails they have sent me?

 

[medschool19]

Can anyone please let me know how do we send a message through the application portal? To me, it looks like there is nowhere I can compose an email at in the message center. Should I just reply to one of the emails they have sent me?

Yah might be an issue with the portal, but I couldn't find it either so I just replied back to an email they sent me! No issues at all. They responded promptly.

 

[Wahkoon]

Can anyone please let me know how do we send a message through the application portal? To me, it looks like there is nowhere I can compose an email at in the message center. Should I just reply to one of the emails they have sent me?

If you are trying to confirm your interview, you can follow the links below:
Status > Message Center > View Details for message "UC Davis SOM Interview Day – Reminder"

Otherwise, you can only respond to previous messages. If you want to send a new message to the adcoms, just send a regular email - they are very responsive.

 

[472lifers]

Quick question, when you say complete- are you referring to the date you completed the secondary or the day you received the application complete email? I just looked at the portal, and my application has a check next to application complete, but there is no date. TIA

 

[deleted949680]

Interviewed last week:
- Host program is a bit slow to get back to you (found out 2 days before my interview that I had a host, I already booked an AirBnB, I stayed with my host day two and he was super nice/helpful)
- Clinic tour is super cool, but staying an extra day kinda sucked, esp after the interview.
- School/Staff/Students were SUPER NICE. They really stressed how the school felt like a family and you could really feel that.
- This was my first time applying, first interview, and first MMI. I have no idea how they thought I performed but I can say they try their hardest to make it stress-free.
- Overall great interview experience (granted I have no baseline to compare it to)

Good luck to everyone who is waiting on an II, to interview, or for their decision!

What time was the tour of the student-run clinic on Saturday? I'm trying to book my flight early and want to make sure I will be able to attend if they have space for me in one of the tours. Thanks!

 

[djsbaseball2014]

Looking on my portal and just realized that one of my letters of rec got sent 3 times. Under document status it shows the same letter 3 times 2 with the same date and 1 with a different date. Should i contact them about this to make sure its not an issue or just take it as a glitch?

 

[foreverhopeful95]

Is the student tour required/recommend? Also how long is it?

 

[LAIsTheBestPlaceEver]

Is the student tour required/recommend? Also how long is it?

It states on the portal that it's one hour long and optional

 

[hopefulmdtobe]

UC Davis grad and still no secondary love :/

 

[758320]

UC Davis grad and still no secondary love :/

when were you verified?

 

[hopefulmdtobe]

when were you verified?

Amcas verification and UC Davis complete email on 8/23

 

[Dr.Lady123]

UC Davis grad and still no secondary love :/

+1

 

[jolo7010]

Prompts are same as last year's, but activity descriptions have been shortened to 500 characters instead of 750: You will have 30 calendar days to complete the secondary application from the day you received the Secondary Application request. The 30 calendar day deadline does not include the letters of recommendation.

Essay Questions Section
1. Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee.
2. Do you have a connection to Northern or Central California? (Yes or No)
3. If you answered 'yes' to having a connection to Northern or Central California, please explain below. If you answered 'no' type 'not applicable'.

Experiences Section
At UC Davis School of Medicine we realize that each applicant brings diversity and perspective from a broad range of experiences. In this section we give you the opportunity to describe in detail the 3 extracurricular activities or experiences that have been most influential in leading you to a career in medicine. We realize that many applicants have identified key experiences in the main application. However, some do not and others identify less than 3. We apologize for any redundancy - feel free to reproduce the comments from your Primary application and expand on them as appropriate.

My secondary appears to be different from what is posted here. Instead of an "Experiences" section, it has an "Activities" section. which doesn't have the statement you have above. Instead it has this:

Activities
Please list the activities you would like to be considered in your application to UC Davis. You may use your activities listed in your initial AMCAS application or select/add others that may be relevant to UC Davis. Please only list three.

Do you have any idea why my application is different? I have attached a screenshot of how my application looks on the Activities page.

I have attached a screenshot of how my sidebar and Activities section looks.

 

[758320]

Amcas verification and UC Davis complete email on 8/23

i was verified 8/27 and i'm getting worried but it seems like most ppl got secondaries 1-2 mos post verification.

 

[hopefulmdtobe]

i was verified 8/27 and i'm getting worried but it seems like most ppl got secondaries 1-2 mos post verification.

then it sounds like we have ~2 more weeks before we can officially start to worry haha I had a friend that just received his 2 weeks ago and submitted his primary about a month before I did. so what you said sounds about right. hopefully we hear back soon!

 

[jolo7010]

Has anyone gotten an II who put "N/A" for the first question:
"Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee."

I'm probably overthinking it, but I'm just wondering if they actually are looking for a self-critique and take it as a sign of humility/self-awareness.

 

[deleted949680]

Has anyone gotten an II who put "N/A" for the first question:
"Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee."

I'm probably overthinking it, but I'm just wondering if they actually are looking for a self-critique and take it as a sign of humility/self-awareness.

Yea I put that and still got an interview. I don’t think it was a trick question, so I wouldn’t worry about it!

 

[Wahkoon]

Has anyone gotten an II who put "N/A" for the first question:
"Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee."

I'm probably overthinking it, but I'm just wondering if they actually are looking for a self-critique and take it as a sign of humility/self-awareness.

I put N/A and received an interview. I would only write something if there is an aspect that really stands out

 

[foreverhopeful95]

Anyone else interviewing this Friday? Just curious.. lol

 

[ss2196]

I submitted my primary Late july and have not received a secondary yet. Is that bad news?

 

[wb100]

I submitted my primary Late july and have not received a secondary yet. Is that bad news?

Stats and do you fit the mission? That will tell you whether or not if you’ll get one.

 

[pepetown]

They said you should hear back 2-4 weeks after your inter

People that already interviewed- is it safe to expect we will hear back starting today?

They said you should hear back 2-4 weeks after your interview date.

 

[LadySea123]

Has anyone gotten a phone call with an admissions decision yet?

 

[deleted949680]

Has anyone gotten a phone call with an admissions decision yet?

Do they call? I assumed they email their decisions. I’ve been refreshing my email every 10 min or less. (More like every minute)

 

[LadySea123]

Do they call? I assumed they email their decisions. I’ve been refreshing my email every 10 min or less. (More like every minute)

At the end of my interview day they said they would call on Oct 15th if it was a "yes" from a (916) number.

 

[bigfloss]

At the end of my interview day they said they would call on Oct 15th if it was a "yes" from a (916) number.

I saw on UCDSOMs twitter that offer letters would be sent starting 10/17. Regardless I have my phone on full blast today

 

[Medicine MD]

Has anyone received a phone call yet?

 

[stargrrrl]

Anyone else interviewing this Friday? Just curious.. lol

I am interviewing Friday too 🙂 Super excited! I signed up for a student host + to shadow a student-run clinic, although I haven't received confirmation yet....Where are you planning to stay?

 

[LadySea123]

Has anyone received a phone call yet?

Nope not yet ☹️

 

[Medicine MD]

Nope not yet ☹️

Same 🙁

 

[Medicine MD]

Also, does anyone have any info about the waitlist decisions? Will we be informed if we're waitlisted now or will it be in May?

 

[aaronrodgers]

Last year, people received call and email. Sometimes the email comes first, sometimes the call comes first. If you are waitlisted you will be informed 2-4 weeks after your interview! Hope to hear some good news from you all 🙂

 

[DeadlyWarbler]

I submitted my primary Late july and have not received a secondary yet. Is that bad news?

I am in the same boat. My stats are well within their range and I am a Nor Cal resident, but I think the secondary is a pretty significant screen. Hoping for the best!

 

[bigfloss]

Last year, people received call and email. Sometimes the email comes first, sometimes the call comes first. If you are waitlisted you will be informed 2-4 weeks after your interview! Hope to hear some good news from you all 🙂

Would you happen to know what day UCDSOM usually contacts applicants of decisions? On the website it says decisions are released starting 10/15, but on Twitter it says 10/17

 

[aaronrodgers]

Would you happen to know what day UCDSOM usually contacts applicants of decisions? On the website it says decisions are released starting 10/15, but on Twitter it says 10/17

I don't have any access to that kind of info, sorry! I know the 2 day difference must feel like eternity for you guys...I have no idea when they will send out information.

 

[bigfloss]

I don't have any access to that kind of info, sorry! I know the 2 day difference must feel like eternity for you guys...I have no idea when they will send out information.

No worries! Thanks for the encouragement

 

[fugacitybrah]

Anyone know why UC Davis’ avg step 1 score is low compared to similarly ranked schools?

 

[foreverhopeful95]

I am interviewing Friday too 🙂 Super excited! I signed up for a student host + to shadow a student-run clinic, although I haven't received confirmation yet....Where are you planning to stay?

Nice! I have family up near the area so I'm staying with them the night before. I wouldn't worry about confirmation though until tomorrow or Wednesday. I've heard they get back a little late with confirmations!

 

[foreverhopeful95]

Anyone know why UC Davis’ avg step 1 score is low compared to similarly ranked schools?

Where did you find it? I can't find it on their website

 

[aaronrodgers]

Anyone know why UC Davis’ avg step 1 score is low compared to similarly ranked schools?

Rumor has it that the admissions committee didn’t weigh MCAT/GPA as highly in the past. Numbers were weighted more heavily for the current MS-1 and MS-2 as a way to increase step 1 score in response. Curriculum is well aware of the need to teach toward step 1 and there was a recent hire of a medical school curriculum dean toward this goal.

Remember though that step 1 is driven by the individual more than the school, exactly like how the MCAT was more about your personal study skills than the university you had attended!

 

[SoulReaver69]

Just got a secondary! I am a reinvention applicant so it feels good to get some love from cali 🙂

 

[SR71BLK]

Just got a secondary! I am a reinvention applicant so it feels good to get some love from cali 🙂

I’m hoping for the same! Also reinvention as well as reapplicant. Good luck to you!

 

[wb100]

Anyone know why UC Davis’ avg step 1 score is low compared to similarly ranked schools?

What’s their avg?

 

[jolo7010]

Just wondering, for the secondary, do people usually include future hours? I did on my primary, but I'm wondering if for the secondary they prefer a current number.

 

[Wahkoon]

What’s their avg?

220 was the most recent I have seen, which I believe is below national average. While I understand that step scores tend to be more student driven, schools have a large role in managing their students’ time. Ideally if the school covers the information in their curriculum students wouldn’t have to use more of their own time to cover it themselves. Also the school manages the duration of dedicated study time. I’m interested to see how the curriculum will be changing in the near future.

Just wondering, for the secondary, do people usually include future hours? I did on my primary, but I'm wondering if for the secondary they prefer a current number.

Yes. Always have your secondaries match your primary, unless the instructions explicitly state to only count completed hours.

 

[wb100]

220 was the most recent I have seen, which I believe is below national average. While I understand that step scores tend to be more student driven, schools have a large role in managing their students’ time. Ideally if the school covers the information in their curriculum students wouldn’t have to use more of their own time to cover it themselves. Also the school manages the duration of dedicated study time. I’m interested to see how the curriculum will be changing in the near future.


Yes. Always have your secondaries match your primary, unless the instructions explicitly state to only count completed hours.

Yes national average is around 230 I think... I wonder if they’re changing admissions as well and weighing stats higher. I went to an info session with their adcoms two years ago and they stressed that they’re holistic and stats are not high on their list. I have a good MCAT but low gpa so this makes me nervous lol