Best way to increase chances at a specific university?

[randombetch]

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I am in love with UCLA! What motivates me the most to work hard is knowing that in order to have a realistic shot at getting into one specific med school, I have to be an incredible applicant to make pure luck as small of a factor as possible.

Anyway, I was wondering what I could do to specifically raise my chances at UCLA.

I have already spent a summer doing research there and the faculty member who was my PI loved me and said he'd love to write my letter of recommendation. I'm already planning on spending another summer after my junior year working at UCLA.

In addition, I plan on shadowing some doctors at UCLA when I'm home (in LA).

Are there any other ways I could raise my chances specifically at this one place?

 

[angst019]

Tell them, I think. It never hurts to send them a letter of intent after you interview.

 

[vman51]

just be an overall great applicant, working in/around UCLA may help..maybe set-up a meeting or email an assistant dean or someone in admissions just talk to them (during the off-peak, ie now would prob be a bad time), let them see your face, let them know youre interested

but be careful not to put all your eggs in one basket..especially if its a UC basket

 

[flip26]

just be an overall great applicant, working in/around UCLA may help..maybe set-up a meeting or email an assistant dean or someone in admissions just talk to them (during the off-peak, ie now would prob be a bad time), let them see your face, let them know youre interested

but be careful not to put all your eggs in one basket..especially if its a UC basket

Agree with all of this.

Strictly anecdotal, but having been around here a couple of years, I have noticed that most people who have ties to a specific med school in the ways you describe (employment, summer research, etc) don't fare any better in med admissions at that school than do other applicants...i.e., lots of disappointment on this front.

 

[rockaction]

Agree with all of this.

Strictly anecdotal, but having been around here a couple of years, I have noticed that most people who have ties to a specific med school in the ways you describe (employment, summer research, etc) don't fare any better in med admissions at that school than do other applicants...i.e., lots of disappointment on this front.

I did a summer of research at Vanderbilt, got a letter from my PI, shadowed docs there, and told my interviewer it was my top choice. Waitlisted. Very disappointing.

 

[J ROD]

I am in love with UCLA! What motivates me the most to work hard is knowing that in order to have a realistic shot at getting into one specific med school, I have to be an incredible applicant to make pure luck as small of a factor as possible.

Anyway, I was wondering what I could do to specifically raise my chances at UCLA.

I have already spent a summer doing research there and the faculty member who was my PI loved me and said he'd love to write my letter of recommendation. I'm already planning on spending another summer after my junior year working at UCLA.

In addition, I plan on shadowing some doctors at UCLA when I'm home (in LA).

Are there any other ways I could raise my chances specifically at this one place?

You could show your commitment to them by applying EDP to them..😀

That's what I did to the school I wanted to go...but you better have some stats...and balls 😱

 

[J ROD]

Tell them, I think. It never hurts to send them a letter of intent after you interview.

I think telling them is the best thing. Meet with the Director of Admissions and the Dean. Call and ask to shadow with some of their docs....etc.

Make yourself more than numbers and become a person to them!!

 

[J ROD]

Agree with all of this.

Strictly anecdotal, but having been around here a couple of years, I have noticed that most people who have ties to a specific med school in the ways you describe (employment, summer research, etc) don't fare any better in med admissions at that school than do other applicants...i.e., lots of disappointment on this front.

QFT. It still comes down to stats.....

 

[casillas]

You could show your commitment to them by applying EDP to them..😀

That's what I did to the school I wanted to go...but you better have some stats...and balls 😱

just be an overall great applicant, working in/around UCLA may help..maybe set-up a meeting or email an assistant dean or someone in admissions just talk to them (during the off-peak, ie now would prob be a bad time), let them see your face, let them know youre interested

but be careful not to put all your eggs in one basket..especially if its a UC basket

I would be very careful about applying to early decision programs. unless you are an amazing applicant chances are slim that you will get in through early decision even if you can get in through regular.

and as vman said, be careful not to put all your eggs in one basket. you might end up disappointed. and who knows when you apply to med school and get to interview at other schools you may decide that you like another school much better. If you haven't visited other schools you can't know for sure.

 

[flip26]

I would be very careful about applying to early decision programs. unless you are an amazing applicant chances are slim that you will get in through early decision even if you can get in through regular.

and as vman said, be careful not to put all your eggs in one basket. you might end up disappointed. and who knows when you apply to med school and get to interview at other schools you may decide that you like another school much better. If you haven't visited other schools you can't know for sure.

ED is very high risk.

And I agree with everything here, especially the bolded.

The take home msg is that nobody should fixate on one med school. The goal is "med school," not "X med school."

OP, just wait until you apply and you will see how freaking crazy and unpredictable this process is...do not place all your hopes and dreams on any one school.

 

[J ROD]

I was joking about EDP. I could only afford two schools and I hate one of them so EDP was an easy choice for me....

Dont do EDP unless you have some special situation....

 

[randombetch]

Yeah I'm definitely applying to many other schools lol. I am fully aware of how difficult it is to get into medical school.

Just want to maximize my chances of getting into UCLA!

If UCLA had an EDP program (and I felt like I was a strong enough applicant to apply and get in), I'd definitely do it!

 

[randombetch]

I did a summer of research at Vanderbilt, got a letter from my PI, shadowed docs there, and told my interviewer it was my top choice. Waitlisted. Very disappointing.

Wow, that's horrible!

I feel like UCLA's slightly easier to get into than Vandy for in-state applicants though.

 

[allinthecookies]

Wow, that's horrible!

I feel like UCLA's slightly easier to get into than Vandy for in-state applicants though.

But think of how many THOUSANDS of people instate are applying for UCLA. I mean I'd LOVE to go there but chances are pretty dodgy :-/. California, I love it and hate it at the same time.