Getting into UCSF: What does it take?

[Cambrian]

Ok, I got rejected from UCSF post-secondary.
Here are my stats:

AMCAS GPA: 3.89
BCPM: 3.88
AO: 3.93

MCAT: V9, P11, B10

EC: 2 years of research, 1 year of local clinic volunteering, officer in honors club, internship coordinator for an environmental organization for one year, ochem tutor, and other stuff.

Accepted: SUNY Upstate, Medical College of Wisconsin, UC San Diego.

Now, I know that there's no way in hell I'm getting into UCSF with that MCAT. But what I want to know is there anybody from SDN or people you know who got into UCSF with stats similar to mine. If so, how? I'm asking because I'm thinking of drafting an appeal letter.

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[lady in red]

I have much lower stats than yours, I did not get in yet, but I had an interview.

 

[Cambrian]

What the $#@#%%#@. I don't get it!!
Why does UCSF hate me so much.

 

[none]

You get to stay in CA. Time to get over it.

 

[mpp]

Perhaps they were looking at the needs of the many and comparing it to the needs of the few...

 

[ConstantlyWaiting]

It's not all about numbers. I know people with 36+ MCATs getting rejected from UCSF. I also know some with 28 and 29 getting in, albeit a few. They get so many highly qualified applicants that they can't just base it on numbers. Plus they are very selective in their interviews. They only interview 500 people and of the 500 accept about 250 of them. Plus, you already got into UCSD, which is a great school. At this point it shouldn't even be a concern. You win some, you lose some.

 

[Scooby Doo]

Originally posted by lady in red:
•I have much lower stats than yours, I did not get in yet, but I had an interview.•••


But you also have had better life experiences I believe right?
You are disadvantaged also I believe.

Plus, you are a lady...in red...

 

[killerrabbit]

Yeah I found sleeping with the directors of admissions has really helped my application

 

[lady in red]

Scooby,
there is no such thing as 'better' life experiences. mine were just unusual, thats all.
the fact that i am a lady does not matter b/c my interviewers were both women.

 

[Thewonderer]

Either you have an unusual life experience or you have 38+ MCAT and 3.9+ GPA or you have a first authorship on some publication.

 

[Scooby Doo]

Originally posted by lady in red:
•Scooby,
there is no such thing as 'better' life experiences. mine were just unusual, thats all.
the fact that i am a lady does not matter b/c my interviewers were both women.•••


BUT YOU WEAR RED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lady in red]

Ok, I give up Scooby, you are IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!! <img src="graemlins/pissy.gif" border="0" alt="[Pissy]" />

 

[deleted7807]

Thewonderer Either you have an unusual life experience or you have 38+ MCAT and 3.9+ GPA or you have a first authorship on some publication.

I don't have any of that and I still got an interview.

 

[lady in red]

I think it's the essay. I think it is the only thing about my application that is good.

 

[Weeble]

cambrian, I feel your pain. I don't think it's necessarily the MCAT keeping you out. I got rejected post-secondary as well with similar GPA, interesting/unusual (whatever that means) ECs, and a 12v, 13p, 13b, so who knows what they want. And I know this doesn't make you feel any better but... Dude! 3 acceptances! That's awesome!

 

[Cambrian]

Weeble, thanks for your comments. Wow, I can't believe that they rejected you post-secondary. I mean, you have amazing scores. Did you have any research experience? Perhaps there was a mistake in your application. I just can't believe you didn't get in with those stats.

 

[Weeble]

nope, no research experience. maybe that's it? I'm more of a humanities type anyway; started a kindergarten in Costa Rica, played rugby for the US in crazy places, stuff like that. Anyways, I appealed in early Jan., haven't heard back yet, pm me about it if you want. Of course, I'm not sure I'd know how to check it if you did.
Anyhoo, good luck to you!

 

[vkrn]

Weeble! That is so neat (your ECs). All med school stuff aside---how the hell did you start a kindergarten in Costa Rica? I'm blown away. That is so neat. (I tried to PM you but couldn't.)

UCSF is screwed in the head if they didn't take you ASAP. They are seriously random.

 

[Weeble]

Hey thanks for the encouragement vkrn!
I'm feeling pretty beaten up by the whole process. no acceptances, no interview invites from any reaches, or weirdly enough, any "safeties" (I know, I know, there's no such thing. )

The kindergarten experience in Costa Rica was AWESOME. I'll PM you about it, (and try and figure out how to enable mine.)

 

[rajneel1]

i am not sure about UCSF. I have an interview there but my numbers are normal. nothing spectacular. alot of EC's and research though. my friend who has similar ECs (no research) and better numbers is on hold for an interview. so i am confused. don't worry over it though, your acceptances are good!

 

[Vader]

cambrian,
I'm curious as to the quality of your personal statement and letters of recommendation. They play an extremely important role in the admissions process, especially at a place like UCSF that does considerable pre-interview screening.

 

[Cough]

What do you guys think about "early decision?" It seems risky since you can end up entering the general applicant pool somewhat late in the game (if not accepted), but I've never heard anyone talk about it. Basically, I want to go to UCSF, all other schools be damned (kidding). UCSF students? Let's hear it!

Thanks

By the way I'm not really in the military or anything. I think impersonating an officer is a felony? Unless you're in Texas...then you're in real trouble. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Wowie]" title="" src="graemlins/wowie.gif" />

 

[The Fly]

I too was rejected post-secondary a few weeks ago from SF, LA and Stanford--all without interviews. I have to admit that although I never thought that I'd get into all these schools, I did think I'd get an interview at at least one.

Stats-

GPA- 3.86
Science- 3.92
MCAT: 11V,11P,12B T

I have good ec's, taking a year off to do clinical & research work...

I am SO confused as to why at all three I was summarily rejected...at least I have one acceptance (U Rochester).

Any thoughts?

 

[italianlove]

Hey cambrian,

Not sure if this helps, but one of my good friends at Wash. U. undergrad has 3.9+ bcpm and received 10-13-14 on his MCAT, has good EC's, was granted interviews at 9 of the 10 top schools (he flew from his Harvard interview on Monday to his Stanford interview the same week, he makes me sick! ) and was rejected pre-secondary at UCSF because of his insufficient "life experiences." That's awesome that you landed a UCSD acceptance! Congratulations! Good luck to you. Ciao.