Does UCLA Screen Applicants prior to Sec? Advice?

[nabeel76]

Does UCLA screen applicants prior to sending secondary?

I just recieved my MCAT scores from Sept 4 MCAT two days ago and they were absolutely horrible. I got a xxM which is about xx pts lower than my AAMC 3-10 averages.

I was sick the day I took the MCAT and have almost since decided to possibly forego submitting secondaries this year and retake the MCAT in January and apply next year. However, I just today recieved an invite to complete the secondary at UCLA? I am not even a Cali resident? Does this imply that I might still be a competitive applicant?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Does UCLA screen applicants prior to sending secondary?

I just recieved my MCAT scores from Sept 4 MCAT two days ago and they were absolutely horrible. I got a 24M which is about 8-10 pts lower than my AAMC 3-10 averages.

I was sick the day I took the MCAT and have almost since decided to possibly forego submitting secondaries this year and retake the MCAT in January and apply next year. However, I just today recieved an invite to complete the secondary at UCLA? I am not even a Cali resident? Does this imply that I might still be a competitive applicant?

Moving to School Specific Discussions.

However, without having firsthand knowledge, I would strongly suspect that they either don't screen secondaries or that they do so very lightly; it is fairly common practice for schools to still offer secondaries to everyone who submitted the AMCAS to their school simply because they might as well collect the secondary application fees. Unfortunately, I can't imagine that you're going to be competitive there with that MCAT 🙁

 

[Segovia]

Pretty sure UCLA screens, but maybe they use a metric other than GPA/MCAT? I am in-state, 34 MCAT......no secondary. I have heard of people with higher numbers than myself and in-state not receiving secondaries either. Maybe they liked something about your ECs?

 

[FallenHero]

Pretty sure UCLA screens, but maybe they use a metric other than GPA/MCAT? I am in-state, 34 MCAT......no secondary. I have heard of people with higher numbers than myself and in-state not receiving secondaries either. Maybe they liked something about your ECs?

same here! 34 mcat, no secondary.

 

[Bbon]

UCLA does have a pretty significant screen. But honestly, with a 24 MCAT and a school as competitive as UCLA (or really just about any medical school), it's a longshot that you'll get beyond the first screen. I'd say go with your plan of retaking in January and wait another year.

 

[nabeel76]

UCLA does have a pretty significant screen. But honestly, with a 24 MCAT and a school as competitive as UCLA (or really just about any medical school), it's a longshot that you'll get beyond the first screen. I'd say go with your plan of retaking in January and wait another year.

Are you sure that they have a significant screen? What do you mean by 1st screen, are you referring to the screen prior to sending secondary or another screen after that? Well I have already recieved their secondary so would that imply that I have already made it past the first screen?

I know a xx is pretty low and I'm intending on taking the MCAT again in January anyways. However, since I dropped over a G on the primary apps this cycle I figure I might as well at least apply to 4 or 5 schools. So I was only going to apply to the VA and DC schools since those are in my area, but now that I have recieved the UCLA invite for secondary, I am wondering if it might be worth my time to send one their as well.

 

[Bbon]

Are you sure that they have a significant screen? What do you mean by 1st screen, are you referring to the screen prior to sending secondary or another screen after that? Well I have already recieved their secondary so would that imply that I have already made it past the first screen?

I know a 24 is pretty low and I'm intending on taking the MCAT again in January anyways. However, since I dropped over a G on the primary apps this cycle I figure I might as well at least apply to 4 or 5 schools. So I was only going to apply to the VA and DC schools since those are in my area, but now that I have recieved the UCLA invite for secondary, I am wondering if it might be worth my time to send one their as well.

If you're going to go on with this cycle, sure send in the secondary to UCLA. It's what, an extra $70 or something? But yeah, UCLA has a fairly substantial screen for secondaries. I think roughly 55% or so of all the applicants get a secondary. And as you can see, some people with more than decent numbers haven't gotten one yet. Should be proof enough. And by first screen, I did mean receiving the secondary. I was saying that it's difficult to imagine moving beyond that, as in receiving an interview invite. But again, my advice was based on the assumption that you were considering backing out altogether. If you're still planning on applying this cycle anyway, then yeah, you might as well go ahead with ucla too even if it's a longshot.

 

[nabeel76]

Pretty sure UCLA screens, but maybe they use a metric other than GPA/MCAT? I am in-state, 34 MCAT......no secondary. I have heard of people with higher numbers than myself and in-state not receiving secondaries either. Maybe they liked something about your ECs?

I guess they actually do read the primary statement then. I have a solid GPA and 2 undergraduate degree's (BA Biology / BS Chemistry) but I am certain my EC's are what makes me stand out. My personal statement is about living in war-torn Afghanistan during my early childhood, and I've also had a 10 year career as a computer engineer in which I was in senior management at a very large company towards the end of that career. It's all in my PS so I'm glad they actually do read these things as opposed to sticking to some computer generated cutoffs for mcat scores etc...

 

[islandprincess]

I'm starting to think UCLA sends secondaries to every applicant that applies as disadvantaged. Did you apply as disadvantaged on your amcas? I had a similar situation my self.

 

[nabeel76]

I'm starting to think UCLA sends secondaries to every applicant that applies as disadvantaged. Did you apply as disadvantaged on your amcas? I had a similar situation my self.

Yes I did apply as disadvantaged. They did however wait till my MCAT score which wasn't out till Oct. 5th was recieved prior to sending the secondary out. So I guess that would imply that they still at the very least screened out that score for us?

What was your situation? I am guessing you recieved their secondary as well despite a low MCAT?

 

[Appless]

I'm starting to think UCLA sends secondaries to every applicant that applies as disadvantaged. Did you apply as disadvantaged on your amcas? I had a similar situation my self.

They seem to send near every minority or disadvantaged applicant a 2ndary but i know of someone here who has not recieved a 2ndary and did apply disadvantged...their mcat was a 28. I have a low mcat (29), applied disadvantaged and got one a long time ago when the 1st started going out but have heard nothing...so idk whats going on

 

[islandprincess]

Yes I did receive their secondary after my august scores came out and I did have a low score. I sent it in so I guess we will all wait and see what happens.

 

[Optimalsauce]

Proof they at least screen somewhat.

"Last year 5,678 applications were received. The Admissions Committee requested supplemental information from approximately 3,000 applicants and interviewed close to 600 students. The remainder were thoroughly evaluated, but not invited for an interview. Preference is given to students who present high achievement in college and a capacity to develop mature interpersonal relationships. The Admissions Committee makes an effort to seek out qualified applicants. When supplemental information is requested, a processing fee of $70.00 will be required. Fee waivers, based solely on economic need, are granted only to applicants who have qualified for an AMCAS Fee Waiver."

 

[nabeel76]

My interviewer at UCLA certainly read my primary essay, and I'd guess my reviewers did too. However, it's hard to count on your primary being looked at when they're screening such massive application counts.

I wish you the best of luck, but I have to warn you that your Afghan background is in all likelihood not going to ameliorate your low MCAT score when it comes to acceptance at UCLA, nor is your non-traditional background. If you're going ahead with applying for this year, then definitely fill out UCLA's app.

Thanks for the advice. I am going to go ahead and send an app anyways just to see what happens. I can't retake the MCAT till January anyways so theirs not much I can do about it this cycle. I figure I might as well send an app to see what happens.

This really sucks cause I was starting to average about 34 on my last 3 AAMCs, I guess I shouldn't of waited till sept to take it..

 

[islandprincess]

UPDATE: I got an interview to UCLA!!
POINT: Submit your app, you never know!