Anyone applied to UCSF?

[fatevsdestiny]

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Hi everybody,

I'm just wondering if anybody applies to UCSF this year? I am currently a P1 UCSF pharmacy student. Remembering last year, I was pretty much stressed out applying to pharmacy schools. While doing so, I turned into SDN alot for help, info, and support.

As a way of returing the support to the forum, I'm posting this thread to see if anybody need any info regarding applying to UCSF this year? Anybody has question with the supplementation application? (the human condition question?) I've been to orientation and spoken to many falcuties of this school, so I kind of figuring out the common trend that UCSF is looking for from their students.

Good luck on your application this year.

 

[koercive]

Hi everybody,

I'm just wondering if anybody applies to UCSF this year? I am currently a P1 UCSF pharmacy student. Remembering last year, I was pretty much stressed out applying to pharmacy schools. While doing so, I turned into SDN alot for help, info, and support.

As a way of returing the support to the forum, I'm posting this thread to see if anybody need any info regarding applying to UCSF this year? Anybody has question with the supplementation application? (the human condition question?) I've been to orientation and spoken to many falcuties of this school, so I kind of figuring out the common trend that UCSF is looking for from their students.

Good luck on your application this year.

hi. how long / in depth were you essays? I've submitted my pharmCAS, and now I am working on my LOR and my supplementals.

what kind of LOR did you use?

 

[busyizzy]

figuring out the common trend that UCSF is looking for from their students.

What kind of trends do you see? What would you suggest to people to imrpove their application for UCSF? I'm interested in seeing a student's prespective on this.

Also, just a general question, how difficult is the UCSF curriculum? How much free time are you getting?

 

[lee0539]

what kind of unique features do they like? Are they looking for more leadership examples? Examples of care, compassion, religion? More about how you grew up before college (like someone who has had a big influence in my life)?

Been stuck on trying to figure out what would be a good unique personal characteristic to write about. If I should focus on one aspect or discuss multiple characteristics.

I just feel like talking about what I did in college will just be a bit too similar to my personal statement which has all the information about experiences, leadership, and community services during college.

 

[Pharm Buddy]

Yes, please! Finally, there is someone here can help me with UCSF application. I am so frustrated now.
I am kinda stuck at the "human condition" question. I have googled the term and read books from library. Yeah, I now sort of know what it means. But I still don't know if my understanding and my answer is what UCSF admissions committee is looking for. Would you please give me some hints here?

 

[triplerox]

i'm applying next year. its my dream school! how were your grades like when you applied? what kinda extracurrirular do you have? I'm having trouble finding those in my part..

 

[dt30]

Finally finished mine tonight! I feel like I've been working on those questions since spring (I used last years questions to get started brainstorming early), and in the end I really like the directions I went in.

For the human condition question I think I tried at least three different overall concepts till I found one that worked perfectly.

I definitely like that they give you a chance through their supplemental and range of questions to really show your whole personality..

good luck to all!

 

[fatevsdestiny]

Hi all,

Koercive: My personal essay to pharmcas did not exceed the limit, but very close. My supplemental application answers were within the space provided. For supplemental application, I think as long as you answer straight to the point, it should be fine. Good luck with your supplementals!

Busyizzy: The trend I that I've been seeing, especially after orientation and talking to alot of P1 and P2 students, they are looking for WELL ROUNDED applicants, and that make them unique. My friend apply with a 4.0 and 3 months of pharmacy experiences and got rejected. I apply with less than a GPA but with experiences and EC and got accepted. And one way to show them you're well rounded by not only presenting your experiences on pharmacas but also providing your insights to the field in your supplemental application.The people I met this year are so diversed and interesting. One was drum player, one was dancer, just for example, but obviously they must have something unique in them not only as an individual but also their perspective and insights to pharmacy.

UCSF CURRICULUM? pretty heavy, but alot of focus on clinical pharmacy, alot of shadowing/community service/outreach during 1st and 2nd year. Interns during summer. The school also offers tons tons of EC activities that I found very rewarding and beneficial to society.

PharmBuddy: The human condition question, FOR ME, is a very tricky question. It is open to such a broad area, I'm sure alot of you are like :"what the heck?" Okay, so how I think you should present this question. First of all, define what does "human condition" mean in your own terms. Then expand from it. What they expect from this question is the issue of "diversity". With that being said, you should think of how the issue of difference is socialeconomic backgrounds, beliefs, race, religion could potentiallly affect a person in receiving health care in our healthcare system. Provide your own examples. If it didn't happen to you, take it from ur friends, cowokers, other professionals' scenerios, or even make up one. We have 4 hours of diversity orientation. I beleive UCSF believes strongly on the issue of diversity. So I strongly recommend you prepare well on the human condition question.

 

[fatevsdestiny]

Triplerox: I have one year in computation chemistry reseach in Malaria and 5years of working in a medical office (pain management), I attened health fair twice.

PharmBuddy: Please read my reply in the Human Condition post.

 

[triplerox]

thanks for the posts. i learned a lot.

from what i gathered, it's important to have something unique, something that makes you standout. since i'm going to be a sophmore this year and i plan on applying my junior year after i finish my prereqs, it leaves me a little bit more than a year before i apply. within this year i need to start getting things together. i thought about what's something unique i have and i came up with the fact that i like bodybuilding a lot and it's what influenced me to become interested in pharmacology. do you think there's anything that i can do with that to make it more appealing to the school when i apply?

 

[yoonda]

gosh, i thought i was the only one struggling with those ucsf supp questions. anyone from oregon?

 

[koercive]

thanks for the posts. i learned a lot.

from what i gathered, it's important to have something unique, something that makes you standout. since i'm going to be a sophmore this year and i plan on applying my junior year after i finish my prereqs, it leaves me a little bit more than a year before i apply. within this year i need to start getting things together. i thought about what's something unique i have and i came up with the fact that i like bodybuilding a lot and it's what influenced me to become interested in pharmacology. do you think there's anything that i can do with that to make it more appealing to the school when i apply?

You should be careful when talking about bodybuilder and pharmacology as in the mind's of the adcom it could bring up the wrong associations of illegal steroid use.

to the OP,
I feel as though my supplementals could come off as sounding cocky when listing my credentials, experience, uniqueness, and EC. I tried to change up some of the words so it doesn't seem that way. Do you have any advice?

also, how is ucsf compared to usc? Do you have any friends that attend USC? Are any doing the dual degree program? Those 2 schools are my top choices.

 

[fatevsdestiny]

You should be careful when talking about bodybuilder and pharmacology as in the mind's of the adcom it could bring up the wrong associations of illegal steroid use.

to the OP,
I feel as though my supplementals could come off as sounding cocky when listing my credentials, experience, uniqueness, and EC. I tried to change up some of the words so it doesn't seem that way. Do you have any advice?

also, how is ucsf compared to usc? Do you have any friends that attend USC? Are any doing the dual degree program? Those 2 schools are my top choices.

They key is NOT to list, but providing insights from ur experience. Want an example?
Listing: during summer 2007, I have had a chance to attend the health fair where I provide information regaring 'osteoporosis" (as an example).
Proving Insight: From the health fair I attened during summer 2007 regarding the information on osteoporosis, I've learned that patient education plays an essential role in the healthcare system.
Those are just examples, so they are not perfect,but to give you an idea.

With USC, you just have to apply very early, it definely will give you more advantage. Alot of people i know got accepted to UCSF got rejected from USC and vice versa. Ofcouse there are people get accepted at both. But there is a chance that each of the school catagorizes and weighs their applicants differently. USC is much more expensive, but also a very well respected pharmacy school in the nation.

Good luck!

 

[airen]

hi fatevsdestiny,

how can we get involved in health fairs? I would like to get involved but don't know where to start. your advice is greatly appreciated.

thanks,

airen

They key is NOT to list, but providing insights from ur experience. Want an example?
Listing: during summer 2007, I have had a chance to attend the health fair where I provide information regaring 'osteoporosis" (as an example).
Proving Insight: From the health fair I attened during summer 2007 regarding the information on osteoporosis, I've learned that patient education plays an essential role in the healthcare system.
Those are just examples, so they are not perfect,but to give you an idea.

With USC, you just have to apply very early, it definely will give you more advantage. Alot of people i know got accepted to UCSF got rejected from USC and vice versa. Ofcouse there are people get accepted at both. But there is a chance that each of the school catagorizes and weighs their applicants differently. USC is much more expensive, but also a very well respected pharmacy school in the nation.

Good luck!

 

[fatevsdestiny]

hi fatevsdestiny,

how can we get involved in health fairs? I would like to get involved but don't know where to start. your advice is greatly appreciated.

thanks,

airen

hello,
I actually worked for a medical office and we were once invited to represent our clinic at the local health fair. So I kind of represented ours under the supervision of my doctor. I don't know whether you work at a medical office/pharmacy but it doesn't hurt to ask if they have any opportunities like this and ask to participate.

 

[triplerox]

You should be careful when talking about bodybuilder and pharmacology as in the mind's of the adcom it could bring up the wrong associations of illegal steroid use.

seriously? there are really going to come up with something like that?!

hello,
I actually worked for a medical office and we were once invited to represent our clinic at the local health fair. So I kind of represented ours under the supervision of my doctor. I don't know whether you work at a medical office/pharmacy but it doesn't hurt to ask if they have any opportunities like this and ask to participate.

how did you get a job in a medical office! what position were you holding?

 

[fatevsdestiny]

I'm a back and front medical secretary/assistant. I am not a licensed medical assistant though. At 17, I went to several offices to ask if they were hiring. Got rejected at several ones. Luckily, there was one doctor that gave me a chance. I had no experience at that time, and I ended up learing alot by staying for over 5 years.

 

[screwcancer]

...

 

[DrEaMeRcHiCk]

Hi Favesdestiny,

First I wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to help us. You guys just started school and I can't believe you still make the time for sdn. Students like you are one of the reasons I want to attend ucsf. Now to my question:

When doing the supplemental questions like the one about personal charcteristics and the optional section, is it wise to relate them to pharmacy? I found myself going: "learning valuable clinical skills during this program not only gave me insight into the role I will be playing, but also of what to expect of my future role as a pharmacist" a lot. I didn't do it intentially, I just sort of automatically linked my experiences or ideas to my future role in pharmacy. Is this ok or should I purely stick to writing about who I am rather than who I am in regards to how I will be as a pharmacist?

Thanks so much!!

 

[alswl]

Hi Favesdestiny, or anyone else who could answer my question 🙂

I have been thinking about the human condition question.. and everyone seems to link their definition of "human condition" into the human health condition, or simply the biological, or various disease states of human beings..

I was wondering if it would be inappropriate for us to think of it in other direction.. health does play a huge role in improving/deteriorating human condition, but can we put more emphasis on other constituents that make up human condition....? (ex. social, economic, religion, etc.)

What do you think??

Thanks,

Min Kang

 

[PharmDY]

Hi Favesdestiny, or anyone else who could answer my question 🙂

I have been thinking about the human condition question.. and everyone seems to link their definition of "human condition" into the human health condition, or simply the biological, or various disease states of human beings..

I was wondering if it would be inappropriate for us to think of it in other direction.. health does play a huge role in improving/deteriorating human condition, but can we put more emphasis on other constituents that make up human condition....? (ex. social, economic, religion, etc.)

What do you think??

Thanks,

Min Kang

I attended UCSF's supplemental application workshop and the admissions assistant (Scott Ellis) said that the human condition question has no right or wrong answer. It is up to you to interpret what human condition means to you, and basically not two people will have the same answer unless they were working on it together. He told us that the dean wrote this question himself, just to emphasize how critical this question is, and that your response to this may make or break you, in terms of being invited for an interview. Good luck!

 

[fatevsdestiny]

Hi screwcancer, not only we have out of state students, we have 3 international students, I believe 2 are from Africa ane 1 is from Japan. Out of states people are in our class, I don't know the exact number, roughly 12-13% of the class. Personally, I don't really think instate or outstate matters once you have the unique and qualified characteristics suitable for the field. Your stats are very good, and make sure you put efforts into deep thought about the field based on your experience (what you see negative, positive in healthcare, how pharmacist plays as part of the team in the multidisplinary system, etc) Good luck!

Hi DReaherchick, cool name by the way, -)
For me on the optinal portion, I did utilize it as an advantage for them to get to know more about me as a person. I started with the early stage of my life, how I learned, succeeded . I did relate to pharmacy though, as I mention what the moment was like when I realized I am suitable for the profession. But mostly I showed them how much I learned and mentally mature for the program, etc. Good luck.

Hi alswl, like the other peson said, and I once mentioned this question is extremely broad and we can come up with many answers. I remember there what a post by sdn1977 (? not sure) once explained this question very very well and she also had the same idea as I presented. Human condition, as you mentioned, can be intepreted very well with how health care system as well as the role of pharmacist can improve a patient health. Again, we have so many directions to answer this question, and as well as we incorporate well into the field strongly, I think it is very good.

 

[chibipinkbunny]

Hey ya fatevsdestiny,

Ha, ha, I'm a P1 at UCSF too so maybe we know each other 😉. Anyway, for the human condition question. Yeah that one was really hard. . . I remember asking my dad what he thought about it, and then we watched this movie about a poor immigrant family struggling in America. I didn't write about that, but it did get me thinking about humanity in general and I began reflecting on life. Why are we different than other creatures and life in general? Why is it that all living things fight to live? What makes human death so much more tragic? I also thought about the people that I worked with. What were factors that helped us get along, and why did disagreements happen? I also thought about what motivates people in their everyday lives, and what gets people through their day. Ummm, yeah those were just some of the questions that helped spur my essay. I didn't write about life and death, but it did help me think about other issues in the human condition. Ha, ha, though I think sdn1977 has a better summary of it all somewhere on file at this forum. As for the out of state applicants, I was under the impression that they stood on equal ground with in-state applicants as far as admission goes. I guess thats it for now, but if anyone has any other questions I can try and answer them too 🙂

 

[fatevsdestiny]

Hey chibipinkbunny, so..this is funny! Now I can't sleep trying to figure out who you are among 122 others, lol, jk.
Well said Bunny. I think that should give more options and insights regarding the human condition to this year applicants. Thanks alot -)

 

[chibipinkbunny]

Ha, ha, ha, I'll give you a hint. I'm pretty tall, and I'm a girl. That pretty much narrows it down 😛

 

[jciv03]

Just a question out of curiosity, what is the approx % of males and females for the P1?

 

[alswl]

hi,,

I have been going crazy over the "human condition" question.. I thought I sorta figured it out, what direction i would go to.. but as I began to write.. everything got mixed up and it doesn't even make sense now..

In addition to my understanding of human condition... (which is pretty confusing to me still..) do they want to know how I can contribute in improving human condition as a future pharmacist? I wasn't sure about that..

Sorry I guess I'm just posting this to comfort myself. . 😕

 

[fatevsdestiny]

I think, forgive me if I'm wrong, you want to relate the human condition as a patient's physical being or disease, right? and how you would improve the human condition as a future pharmacist. Then you can relate to a pharmacist's role in the multidisplinary system to help improve health care. But I do think that it is necessary that we need to be aware of the "human condition" as a "diversity issues"- anything that coupld potentially affect a person in receiving care and treament in our health care system.

 

[Pharm Buddy]

Triplerox: I have one year in computation chemistry reseach in Malaria and 5years of working in a medical office (pain management), I attened health fair twice.

PharmBuddy: Please read my reply in the Human Condition post.

fatevsdestiny, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your reply. I will read it and see how much I can find out about "human condition" from your hints.

 

[chibipinkbunny]

I just looked over my response to the "Human Condition" question from last year and I didn't address pharmacy or health related issues directly. I guess I've always been observant of people, and humans, so I just put down my thoughts about humanity. I wrote about 3-4 observations on the human condition and one seemed to flow into the next. For example, one thought came to my head about how I used to work in study groups. However I was taken advantage of rather easily because I was too nice, and I wanted to help everyone. In the beginning everyone seemed to work together well, but then when people saw that I always knew the answers they got rather lazy and wouldn't do any work themselves. Well, that's the human condition. People will often taken advantage of other people if they can or the other person lets them. I was just trying to be nice. . . So how do you respond to something like that. I wrote about the fact that since I had experienced this feeling before I was very careful not to take advantage of others knowing that this is a general tendency of humanity. I wrote it a lot more eloquently than that for my essay, and that was only one point of mine. I also drew upon my experiences working with ballet students and dealing with their parents. There were some general trends that I noticed, and then I wrote about how I responded in a favorable way so that everyone was happy. The dean spoke to us about this question, and said something to the extent that they just wanted to see who you were. Your thoughts on the human condition are such an integral part of your psyche. I think they really want to know YOUR thoughts. That's the best advice my dad gave me is to be yourself. Don't necessarily write what you think they want to hear, but write what you feel . Ha, ha, I guess I should revise it to keep in mind what you think they might want to hear, but write what you feel. That's just my advice, but everyone is different.😛