Incest at UCLA?

[ooklarom]

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I've heard from peers that UCLA does not like incest i.e. attending UCLA med after graduating from UCLA undergrad. Has anyone heard this from more reliable sources? Is this true for most undergrad/med schools?

 

[Law2Doc]

I've heard from peers that UCLA does not like incest i.e. attending UCLA med after graduating from UCLA undergrad. Has anyone heard this from more reliable sources? Is this true for most undergrad/med schools?

I think you need a new working definition of incest...
Many med schools will take some portion of the best students from their own undergrad. Additionally, you are more likely to have LORs from people the adcoms actually know, which probably helps.

 

[corbis11]

I would hope not

 

[mongrel]

There had to be a better way to put that...

 

[71263]

Man, this thread was disappointing. Way to get my hopes up, a$$hole! 😡

 

[JaggerPlate]

I'm an undergrad at UCLA right now and I've heard the same thing. When I first decided to go to LA I was under the impression that undergrads were put into a smaller pool for applying to the med school, but I'm almost positive that isn't true. Not sure if that rumor about the 'incest' is true, but I have heard it as well.

 

[coffeebythelake]

Man, this thread was disappointing. Way to get my hopes up, a$$hole! 😡

ROFL. 👍

 

[ekb1701]

Hahah the title cracks me up.

Random question: If I don't speak Spanish...well, un poco but no conversational...and live in Louisiana, is there any point in my applying to UCLA? Don't they want you to speak Spanish?

 

[souslepont]

Worst thread title ever!

 

[meowkat444]

i would instead say that actually, ucla grads are treated exatly like everyone else, and given that ucla med is so hard to get into, then there is probably neither an advantage or disadvantage.

that is true at some schools, though. for ph.d. programs, anyway.

 

[drizzt3117]

i would instead say that actually, ucla grads are treated exatly like everyone else, and given that ucla med is so hard to get into, then there is probably neither an advantage or disadvantage.

that is true at some schools, though. for ph.d. programs, anyway.

I would also point out that if you've done research for or worked with profs at UCLA med in a clinical setting(potentially ones on the admissions committee, or at least known to them) I imagine it certainly wouldn't put you at a disadvantage compared to students from other schools, of course, assuming that your interactions with them were positive ones.

 

[jochi1543]

I have heard before that schools take care not to take TOO many of their alums into grad/doctorate programs, b/c it means less in donation money (2 people will obviously donate more than one). I remember my friend/former prof was very surprised when he got into Columbia for his JD after doing undergrad there.

 

[sle3pyguii]

False advertising...😡

 

[PT2MD]

I don't know about California, but there does seem to be a good deal of salad-tossing within the Texas schools.

 

[71263]

Yeahh, Ive heard of several cases of 'pedophilia' in NY admissions office as well. What they do is 'proceed to take sexy kids to their bedroom' and then 'have intercourse with them'...

Uh oh, Ive said too much. 😱

 

[Blade28]

I believe that's called "homegrown," like the attendings at MGH or BWH who attended Harvard Medical School, then went to either MGH or BWH for residency.

 

[hamidace]

I have actually heard the opposite 🙂

 

[MahSpoon]

After speaking with a career counselor at UCLA, she denies that the urban legand is true. The adcoms probably have a better idea of what the background is like looking at UCLA applicant and can make a better decision.

According to this page: http://career.ucla.edu/GraduateSchool&PreProfessionalServices/UCLAMatriculantsToMedSchool.asp

Number of matriculants to each school from ugrads for the year 2005 (top 10):

UC San Diego School of Medicine 26
UC San Francisco School of Medicine 24
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA 22
UC Irvine School of Medicine 18
Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California 15
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science 15
Drexel University College of Medicine 13
Albany Medical College 10
Albert Einstein College of Medicine 10
UC Davis School of Medicine 10


It's probably safe to assume that much more than 22 got accepted and went on to other schools as well.

I don't have the source on me, but the largest ugrad school represented at UCLA SOM is UCLA I believe, followed by Cal, Stanford, UCSD (might not be that order)

 

[emttim]

I was expecting something totally different from this thread.

 

[Jaded03]

I've actually talked to a old ADCOM member before. Here are some clarifications:

1. UCLA does like UCLA alums, but it's also known world-wide. They try to mix it up. Having said that, they do have a higher percentage from UCLA supposedly. FROM OBSERVATION, I noticed a LOT of Cal kids. UCLA alums were mostly URM. Conclusion: The rumor is false. UCLA students are in higher proportions than any other university (except maybe Cal 😛).

2. UCLA has a LOT of pre-meds. So don't think your chances are really that favorable. Bank on your resume not your alma mater. 😛 It's just how it works.

3. UCLA favors the PhySci major. If you were curious. I was pissed. 😛 It is NOT the hardest major on campus. 😛 They don't favor PhySci per se. They allow GPA breaks. So a 3.7 equals a 3.8 in another major. (Don't shoot the messenger, I'm MIMG.)

4. I don't really remember. I tuned the guy out every time he opened his mouth. 😛 He did recommend we apply with at least a 3.6.

If you're even more curious, ask. Otherwise, I'd say just enjoy the trip and stop worrying about it. Believe you have a shot with everything you've done and said (on the secondary) and you'll have less gray hairs and a positive outlook on your interview.

 

[ooklarom]

Hooray! If I could get into UCLA SOM, I would never ask god for anything again. Too bad I already used that line to get into UCLA ug.

Sorry to all the disappointed people for the thread title, I didn't think anyone would misconstrue it🙄

 

[okay]

A reason why UCLA pre-meds tend to believe that their med school tends to not accept their own undergrads might have to do the following. Although UCLA med takes more students from its own school than from any other university, most UCLA undergrads are still rejected since it is competitive to get in regardless of what school applicants come from. Considering the fact that UCLA pre-meds are likely to hear mostly about whether their pre-med friends were able to get into UCLA med school, they come to the conclusion that since most of their friends didn’t get in, UCLA med must not prefer to take its own students.

 

[Jaded03]

Hooray! If I could get into UCLA SOM, I would never ask god for anything again. Too bad I already used that line to get into UCLA ug.

Sorry to all the disappointed people for the thread title, I didn't think anyone would misconstrue it🙄

You should do "ask God" things a bit better. Like, asking God to give you 99's on your medical board exams. This will guarantee you admittance and a great shot at a residency. 😛 UCLA can't be THAT amazing and this comes from someone who prizes the spot as much as you do. Just saying.

 

[ooklarom]

You should do "ask God" things a bit better. Like, asking God to give you 99's on your medical board exams. This will guarantee you admittance and a great shot at a residency. 😛 UCLA can't be THAT amazing and this comes from someone who prizes the spot as much as you do. Just saying.

But alas, such is life. After residency, you'll ask god for a nice specialization. After that, a higher promotion. After that, a wife who loves you despite your countless hours at work. Etc. Humans are selfish. We always want more.

Maybe it would help if I believed in god🙄

 

[Jaded03]

But alas, such is life. After residency, you'll ask god for a nice specialization. After that, a higher promotion. After that, a wife who loves you despite your countless hours at work. Etc. Humans are selfish. We always want more.

Maybe it would help if I believed in god🙄

LoL. I know. Haha. 😛 GL this cycle btw. Nice to know some sincere pre-meds at UCLA.

 

[ZagDoc]

Is it weird that my first thought on reading "incest" and "UCLA" in the title was Kevin Love?

 

[emttim]

Hooray! If I could get into UCLA SOM, I would never ask god for anything again. Too bad I already used that line to get into UCLA ug.

Sorry to all the disappointed people for the thread title, I didn't think anyone would misconstrue it🙄

Yeah, you really left us hanging. Thanks a lot, not even one picture. ;P j/k

 

[UCDavisdude]

dude..i waited off on reading this thread til there were enough responses. thought it was gonna be a good one. 😡

 

[Mister Pie]

Dang, 20+ sent to UCSF, UCSD, and UCLA? That's crazy.

After speaking with a career counselor at UCLA, she denies that the urban legand is true. The adcoms probably have a better idea of what the background is like looking at UCLA applicant and can make a better decision.

According to this page: http://career.ucla.edu/GraduateSchool&PreProfessionalServices/UCLAMatriculantsToMedSchool.asp

Number of matriculants to each school from ugrads for the year 2005 (top 10):

UC San Diego School of Medicine 26
UC San Francisco School of Medicine 24
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA 22
UC Irvine School of Medicine 18
Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California 15
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science 15
Drexel University College of Medicine 13
Albany Medical College 10
Albert Einstein College of Medicine 10
UC Davis School of Medicine 10


It's probably safe to assume that much more than 22 got accepted and went on to other schools as well.

I don't have the source on me, but the largest ugrad school represented at UCLA SOM is UCLA I believe, followed by Cal, Stanford, UCSD (might not be that order)

 

[Jaded03]

Dang, 20+ sent to UCSF, UCSD, and UCLA? That's crazy.

What can I say? Our school is full of gunners. I wouldn't think too highly of them. 😛

 

[UCDavisdude]

What can I say? Our school is full of gunners. I wouldn't think too highly of them. 😛

Fight on 😀

 

[Tenacity]

UC Davis has this policy, I believe. It is rare for Davis grads to get into Davis med, from what I hear from a former grad.

 

[UCDavisdude]

very true. but they call it "obtaining a diverse class"

UC Davis has this policy, I believe. It is rare for Davis grads to get into Davis med, from what I hear from a former grad.

 

[Jaded03]

Is it really a policy?

I know the UC system is a stickler for diversity. They don't like playing favorites. In the end, I don't believe schools actually play favorites or have such a policy. Numbers will soar from schools with strong, unique applicants regardless of schools.

If more UCLA students get accepted into UC Davis than Davis students, does that really mean that its harder for a Davis graduate to be accepted?

If more UCLA students get accepted into UCLA than Davis students, does that really mean it is easier for a UCLA graduate to be accepted?

 

[Foghorn]

Stats about preference of CA med-schools, from the 2007-2008 MSAR, with % of CA residents that matriculated last year (MD only):

USC:72.5%
Loma Linda: 47.9%
Stanford: 36.4%
UC Davis 95.6%
UC Irvine 98.0%
UCLA 84.1%
UCSD 91.7%
UCSF 81.6%

 

[Jaded03]

Stats about preference of CA med-schools, from the 2007-2008 MSAR, with % of CA residents that matriculated last year (MD only):

USC:72.5%
Loma Linda: 47.9%
Stanford: 36.4%
UC Davis 95.6%
UC Irvine 98.0%
UCLA 84.1%
UCSD 91.7%
UCSF 81.6%

Sounds about right. 80+% CA public, and less for privates. Diversity happens at an individual level if that's what you mean by these stats. 😛

 

[EyeballLove]

A reason why UCLA pre-meds tend to believe that their med school tends to not accept their own undergrads might have to do the following. Although UCLA med takes more students from its own school than from any other university, most UCLA undergrads are still rejected since it is competitive to get in regardless of what school applicants come from. Considering the fact that UCLA pre-meds are likely to hear mostly about whether their pre-med friends were able to get into UCLA med school, they come to the conclusion that since most of their friends didn’t get in, UCLA med must not prefer to take its own students.

I second this

 

[EyeballLove]

I thought UCLA was notorious for getting in with connections...odd for a public school...

 

[Jaded03]

I thought UCLA was notorious for getting in with connections...odd for a public school...

Wow. That would've been the last thing to finish off that humiliating documentary "The colors of UCLA". I pray that isn't the nation's opinion of UCLA. If so, they have a lot more problems than commercializing cadavers.

 

[Foghorn]

Sounds about right. 80+% CA public, and less for privates. Diversity happens at an individual level if that's what you mean by these stats. 😛

I didn't analyze what the #s mean, just reprinted what's in the MSAR.

 

[EyeballLove]

Wow. That would've been the last thing to finish off that humiliating documentary "The colors of UCLA". I pray that isn't the nation's opinion of UCLA. If so, they have a lot more problems than commercializing cadavers.

Hahahaha...oh yeah...can't forget about those cadavers...

 

[ooklarom]

Jaded03, can you explain what you mean by "a 3.7 equals a 3.8 in another major" for phy sci? Is this strictly for UCLA's SOM, or is there some sort of sliding scale that applies to your GPA for all schools?

This is good news, seeing that I was planning on switching to phy sci this year. (Upcoming sophomore, the year when the major changing begins! Currently, I'm MCDB.)

 

[Jaded03]

I didn't analyze what the #s mean, just reprinted what's in the MSAR.

Cool beans. 😛 I thought too hard.

 

[Jaded03]

Jaded03, can you explain what you mean by "a 3.7 equals a 3.8 in another major" for phy sci? Is this strictly for UCLA's SOM, or is there some sort of sliding scale that applies to your GPA for all schools?

This is good news, seeing that I was planning on switching to phy sci this year. (Upcoming sophomore, the year when the major changing begins! Currently, I'm MCDB.)

A past ADCOM MD told us that they gave some slack to the most difficult major at UCLA "Physiological Science." Do I think there is validity in this statement in the present cycle? No. You can believe him over me if you want to, but with the way the Physiological Science class is at the moment, it'd be very difficult for you to be unique in that major unless your scoring 98's on your exams. PhySci is one of the most doable majors because it doesn't NEED a curve. Averages are in their 80s. If you're banking off a GPA break, I'm not sure you can compete with the 3.9. Does that make sense?

Now in general, for choosing a major as a pre-med. Pick a major that you will do well in (or where you will get the highest GPA); this usually correspond with your interest, but not always. UCLA does a good job with the LS series.
LS1 - Bio/EEB
LS2 - PhySci/Neurosci
LS3 - MIMG/MCDB

Final comments:
Don't pick PhySci for the "impressive" material you will be learning and how it correlates to medical school material. Some schools also do not suggest it, like USC. In defense of PhySci, I believe its an excellent program, I wanted to double in it. The only drawback is that you aren't trained to think critically. On the other hand, they know more about the human body than I do at the moment. If this doesn't scare you, my professor in MIMG who was also an recent UCLA ADCOM wouldn't care if you were PhySci or not. 😛 I doubt he'd favor them more highly than those from his own department.

 

[Lukkie]

A past ADCOM MD told us that they gave some slack to the most difficult major at UCLA "Physiological Science." Do I think there is validity in this statement in the present cycle? No. You can believe him over me if you want to, but with the way the Physiological Science class is at the moment, it'd be very difficult for you to be unique in that major unless your scoring 98's on your exams. PhySci is one of the most doable majors because it doesn't NEED a curve. Averages are in their 80s. If you're banking off a GPA break, I'm not sure you can compete with the 3.9. Does that make sense?

Now in general, for choosing a major as a pre-med. Pick a major that you will do well in (or where you will get the highest GPA); this usually correspond with your interest, but not always. UCLA does a good job with the LS series.
LS1 - Bio/EEB
LS2 - PhySci/Neurosci
LS3 - MIMG/MCDB

Final comments:
Don't pick PhySci for the "impressive" material you will be learning and how it correlates to medical school material. Some schools also do not suggest it, like USC. In defense of PhySci, I believe its an excellent program, I wanted to double in it. The only drawback is that you aren't trained to think critically. On the other hand, they know more about the human body than I do at the moment. If this doesn't scare you, my professor in MIMG who was also an recent UCLA ADCOM wouldn't care if you were PhySci or not. 😛 I doubt he'd favor them more highly than those from his own department.

lol@most difficult major

its 100% memorization

only difficult part about it was the curves. since the major is 99.95% premeds its tough to get an A.

i just graduated PhySci with a 3.4, im pretty much screwed

 

[Jaded03]

lol@most difficult major

its 100% memorization

only difficult part about it was the curves. since the major is 99.95% premeds its tough to get an A.

i just graduated PhySci with a 3.4, im pretty much screwed

An honest PhySci major. Best of luck to you. See? I wasn't being bitter. 😀 Don't think you're screwed.

 

[Lukkie]

An honest PhySci major. Best of luck to you. See? I wasn't being bitter. 😀 Don't think you're screwed.

oh no, i'm totally satisfied about majoring physci. i loved the material a lot, especially the electives (come on, exercise physiology labs had us BENCHPRESS 😀 )

i only became interested in med school after i graduated (hell, during graduation actually) and now i'm considering what the best path to get in. I want to go to a UC school but they are so competitive

 

[ooklarom]

Well, I really don't see what premed class at UCLA *is* easy to earn an A. Regardless, Jaded03, what do see as the best major in terms of both difficulty of subject material and curves? (This is just out of curiosity. I would never choose a major based solely on those criteria. Personally, it's easy to get an A in something I enjoy that's difficult than something easy that I hate.)

 

[Jaded03]

Well, I really don't see what premed class at UCLA *is* easy to earn an A. Regardless, Jaded03, what do see as the best major in terms of both difficulty of subject material and curves? (This is just out of curiosity. I would never choose a major based solely on those criteria. Personally, it's easy to get an A in something I enjoy that's difficult than something easy that I hate.)

Smart statement. I wouldn't go throwing out "easy A" at UCLA, but you have the right idea. UCLA is a curved-based school. I can't say anything too much about any major without questioning that kind of institution.

PhySci is memorization heavy. It is a crowd favorite for those who just can't think outside the box. This does not mean that they cannot necessarily, but many never need to do so. (similarly Neuro)
MIMG is the opposite spectrum. It is for people who are forced to think experimentally and apply what they've learned. You can study all night and fail. (similarly MCDB)
Both are valid in the way they teach. You need both to learn medicine properly. Memorization comes a lot easier to people than critical thinking. This is why PhySci is THE most competitive major on campus, if you're trying to find a bell curve of students with the ability to memorize a set amount of information, you won't find many stragglers. Whereas MIMG has always been 70 averages, perfect bell curves. You wonder if we learned anything with the way they curve. You decide what you want to make out of your education. I just didn't want you to fall into thinking that there is an excuse for a lower GPA like the ADCOM rep mentioned. The proof is in the number.

I really recommend taking a look at your LS courses. They really are evident of the way they approach things. The difference between LS2 and 3 are memorization and critical thinking.

Having said ALL of that. Psychobio has self-proclaimed themselves as the easiest major in the life sciences. I don't think they're even ashamed. 😛 My friends are psychobio. 🙂

 

[ooklarom]

Haha great advice Jaded03! If you don't mind me asking, what year are you? You are very well versed in premed at UCLA. As of now, I have taken LS1 (hated it). Currently taking LS2 (should be studying for my final on friday). Overall, the course has been really enjoyable. I guess I'll just wait to see how LS3 turns out. Although I'm really good at memorization, I'd rather do more..

So, psychobio you say? I'll keep that in mind if I get scared of MCDB. Honestly though, the topic sounds somewhat dull.