I just got a Supplemental from UCSF!

[Sunspear]

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But what if I have nothing to write? I don't want to talk about my low GPA and anything else I say would pretty much be mirroring my personal statement and things that are already in my AADSAS. I suppose it doesn't really matter?

Why don't you elaborate on perhaps an extracurricular activity that has special significance to you, or perhaps some other volunteer experience that you didn't elaborate much on in your personal statement? I think that a thoughtful response in the Optional essay would show that you put a lot of thought and care into the supplemental. I agree with the above poster that you shouldn't leave it blank. To me that just seems lazy.

 

[Teeth12345]

Why don't you elaborate on perhaps an extracurricular activity that has special significance to you, or perhaps some other volunteer experience that you didn't elaborate much on in your personal statement? I think that a thoughtful response in the Optional essay would show that you put a lot of thought and care into the supplemental. I agree with the above poster that you shouldn't leave it blank. To me that just seems lazy.

Ok, now I agree with you. Would you guys think it's ok to elaborate on the second question (about leadership). I'm having a hard time fitting everything into 1500 characters so maybe I was thinking of using the 550 characters in the optional prompt to talk more about that particular leadership position.

 

[SpringDDS]

It's interesting, I chose to leave this one blank as well. Some may have read my backstory, but I left med school after a particularly rough patch in my life. The story of leaving med school is littered throughout my application and secondary, I just felt that there was not much more to add. So I left it blank as well.

My master's prof used to always advise me to "keep it simple." I had nothing more meaningful to contribute, so I just left it blank.

 

[Double Bonded]

Yeah I had the same question. I asked UCSF and they said to list the minimum number of classes that will satisfy the minimum number of units. For OCHEM I had a 5 unit semester class which only accounts for 7.5 quarter units. Since it was 0.5 units shy of the required 8 units I added my second term of OCHEM. Hope this helps.

are you sure this is what you're supposed to do?

 

[Teeth12345]

are you sure this is what you're supposed to do?

This is what I did too. Also for my AP class, it counted as all 8 credits. I wasn't sure if I should put in the english class I took in college too because it would technically be over the 8 credits. I mean, they're not gonna reject us just if we make a mistake like that, right? 😉

 

[lwj0128]

For the 8 units of OChemistry with Lab, do I need to insert 8 quarter units of OChem Lecture and 4 quarter units of OChem Lab?

or... do i need to insert 4 quarter units of lecture and 4 units of lab?

my school has lecture and lab as separate classes and im wondering whether the 8 units of ochem with lab means 8 total units for ochem lab and lecture or 8 units only for ochem lecture

 

[thewobblytooth]

But what if I have nothing to write? I don't want to talk about my low GPA and anything else I say would pretty much be mirroring my personal statement and things that are already in my AADSAS. I suppose it doesn't really matter?

If you have any hobbies or anything you like doing outside of school or community service, then put it down. I was reading a few of my friends that got into ucsf for d-school and they put a lot of personal things, like hobbies they love to death. A few of them did that, got in. I put stuff down about my car haha. Either way, they're going to read it, and they may remember you better for it. They read through like 1500 secondaries. They blaze through them.

I guess for the optional, you don't have to, but I feel like you should and it would help you.

 

[Graphire]

I'm just kinda confused on semester units and quarter units.
I'm from Canada so our school doesn't use anything like this.

When I was filling up my AADSAS application full year courses were 6.0 credits would that be 9.0 Quarter units for the UCSF application? (and 3.0 --> 4.5 QU for half year courses)

Just want to make sure before I submit things in

 

[SLOBrule]

I'm just kinda confused on semester units and quarter units.
I'm from Canada so our school doesn't use anything like this.

When I was filling up my AADSAS application full year courses were 6.0 credits would that be 9.0 Quarter units for the UCSF application? (and 3.0 --> 4.5 QU for half year courses)

Just want to make sure before I submit things in

I would call them to make sure. I think they are open until 5:00 PST. You can find their contact info online.

 

[drhygiene]

UCSF began reviewing apps TODAY!!!!!!!😱lord. although my gpa is not the best I believe my life experiences speak for themselves and my reason for struggling intially in college is true to the bones.

let's see what happens! **gulp**

 

[Sunspear]

UCSF began reviewing apps TODAY!!!!!!!😱lord. although my gpa is not the best I believe my life experiences speak for themselves and my reason for struggling intially in college is true to the bones.

let's see what happens! **gulp**

How do you know they started reviewing today? And when should we expect to hear back regarding interviews? (I submitted my supplemental last week)

 

[drhygiene]

i called them and they told me they are beginning review today!!! i could hardly contain myself. i didn't ask when we could expect to hear back but I'm guessing mid to late august and as they go along. Just kind of scary to know they are looking at them! I will be submitting my supplemental tonight! 😱

 

[Double Bonded]

My essays paragraphs are all getting clumped together so it looks like only one paragraph. Did anyone else have the format messed up?

 

[indigenoustw]

I wrote just one big chunk of paragraph for each section except the last, and I did notice that my spacing got condensed into one paragraph. However, base on the supplement record that you get after submission, my spacing was there. So I think while we see it gets condensed, your format is retained.

 

[Kab00sE]

I just got the UCSF supplemental today! I've looked over the comments in this thread, but is there anything else I should be aware of with this thing? I only have 13 days 21 hours 29 minutes and 3 seconds to do it! haha

 

[jc903719]

I also have concerns about UCSF supp! Should I assume that they have read the AADSAS essays before they read the supp essays? I'll be elaborating on pretty much the same subjects, but I don't want to waste characters repeating stuff...

 

[DrDientes]

Good Luck with your application to UCSF. I am glad I came here it has been a good first year. I answered everything for the supplement application in one 3 hour sitting. Then sent it off the following morning. Just write what you feel and be truthful trust me it goes a long way.

 

[Kab00sE]

Good Luck with your application to UCSF. I am glad I came here it has been a good first year. I answered everything for the supplement application in one 3 hour sitting. Then sent it off the following morning. Just write what you feel and be truthful trust me it goes a long way.

UCSF dent student.. nice! Did you fill out everything close to the 1500 character limit for each question or just answer as much as came to mind?

 

[dreamerndoer]

for the Organic Chemistry section, Organic 1 and Organic 2 lectures would suffice even without the lab right? this combination would give me 9 quarter units..
If I do Organic 1 lecture with Organic lab, I would only have 7.5 quarter units (UCSF minimum is 8)..

does anybody know? I think putting all 3 classes would be overkill since UCSF only wants the minimum.

 

[budda10000]

How long did it take from your mail out day of primary app so receive the secondary? I got all the secondaries from all my private school choices but havent heard anything from UCSF or UCLA?? I more than make their cutoff's for admission and im in state so whats up?

 

[dreamerndoer]

How long did it take from your mail out day of primary app so receive the secondary? I got all the secondaries from all my private school choices but havent heard anything from UCSF or UCLA?? I more than make their cutoff's for admission and im in state so whats up?

you should have heard back from UCSF about the secondary then.. I got an email from them the same day my application was sent out

 

[Double Bonded]

UCSF dent student.. nice! Did you fill out everything close to the 1500 character limit for each question or just answer as much as came to mind?

I wrote what I needed to and got the hell out after I said my piece.

I think adcoms can see through someones essay who just wrote more to add volume to their statement. Be complete and concise is what an adviser told me.

How long did it take from your mail out day of primary app so receive the secondary? I got all the secondaries from all my private school choices but havent heard anything from UCSF or UCLA?? I more than make their cutoff's for admission and im in state so whats up?

I got an e-mail the day that all the other schools I applied to said my application was complete.

Check your spam if you haven't already.

 

[FLOSS UR TEETH]

Still haven't heard back from UCSF. Applied June 3rd and took DAT Monday. Did you all have your DAT's updated on AADSAS before hearing back?

 

[budda10000]

i should probably mention my DAT scores were not submitted until yesterday on aadsas online ap

 

[Double Bonded]

Still haven't heard back from UCSF. Applied June 3rd and took DAT Monday. Did you all have your DAT's updated on AADSAS before hearing back?

Around a week to get on AADSAS after the DAT, around 3 more weeks for "application complete" e-mails from schools, and 5+ weeks to start getting interviews.

 

[dreamerndoer]

i should probably mention my DAT scores were not submitted until yesterday on aadsas online ap

that may be why.. they were probably waiting to see if you made the cut-off, which you mentioned you were well above 🙂

 

[Kab00sE]

How long did it take from your mail out day of primary app so receive the secondary? I got all the secondaries from all my private school choices but havent heard anything from UCSF or UCLA?? I more than make their cutoff's for admission and im in state so whats up?

e-submitted 7/21, mailed 8/5, got secondary 8/9. haven't heard from ucla. I'm in-state too.

 

[budda10000]

Ok I talked to the admissions coordinator over at UCSF. For me they have my app on file but are just waiting for my DAT scores. I suggest you just call the school and find out for yourself.

 

[remowilson]

.

 

[Coenobita]

If you meet the minimum gpa and dat requirements they automatically forward you a supplementary.

 

[nboogie]

Silly question:

Did anyone put anything in anything for sections H and I from the course prereq list from this page: http://dentistry.ucsf.edu/admissions/dentistry-dds/admissions-requirements ?

If so did you categorize them under English comp?

Thanks

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

For the 1500-character limit, do spaces count?

 

[brainache]

For the 1500-character limit, do spaces count?

yes.

 

[boohoo123]

for the optional portion do you guys think its better to adress a bad semester of grades (since we do have that portion of hte AADSAS applicaiton alreayd) a resesrach experience, or hobbies?

Theres so much I could write about I dont know which topic woudl be best.

Also, for tthe section about why they should choose you did you gusy write about why you wanted to go to the school or just your personal qualities. I wrote about what I woudl do as a dentist and a UCSF education but I'm not sure if that'll work

 

[TheIceCreamTruk]

for the optional portion do you guys think its better to adress a bad semester of grades (since we do have that portion of hte AADSAS applicaiton alreayd) a resesrach experience, or hobbies?

Theres so much I could write about I dont know which topic woudl be best.

Also, for tthe section about why they should choose you did you gusy write about why you wanted to go to the school or just your personal qualities. I wrote about what I woudl do as a dentist and a UCSF education but I'm not sure if that'll work

in my opinion, i think the optional portion should only be filled out if there is something relevant that you really really wanted to say. if you need to elaborate on relevant research experience or relevant hobbies, then fill it out. but if you're satisfied with the rest of your essays and only looking to take up space, then just leave it blank. sometimes saying a little too much can end up hurting you if it doesn't flow well with the rest of your statements.

 

[boohoo123]

what did u all put for the biology prereq requirement? what's considered "general biology"? did you guys put your lower division bio classes or uppper division ones??