Jan. UCSF interview advice

[feliou]

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hey anyone have any advice for UCSF interview?

What UCSF is looking for in applicants? What UCSF focuses on? (i.e. Community service/research)

What the interview process is like there? I heard you had to write an essay.

Also any advice on where to stay??

thanks all

 

[mack92707]

The Carl Hotel is a small place within walking distance (10 min.) of UCSF or you can take public transportation (the N-Judah) from any hotel downtown within 30 min.

The interview starts I think at 8am with breakfast and some welcome info about the program, financial aid, etc. After lunch expect 2 interviews and an essay question. 1 interview with a faculty member and 1 with a student and another candidate. The essay will be on a random quote. The faculty is diverse as are the students so it's hard to say what they're looking for.

Good luck!

 

[peerless218]

Smile a lot, a lot of people I met during my interview straight up put on poker faces the whole time we're there. A lot of them didn't seem very personable b/c they're nervous. Just be yourself.

 

[playa2652]

I would know your research really well. Several applicants who sat next to me during the interview came out of their faculty interview really shocked and scared because they didn't realize how much detail the faculty interviewer was going to throw at them. So know your research well. Also, don't make stuff up, if you don't know something, be honest and say that you're not sure, but you can definitely find out that information later on. The school is looking for honest, hard-working applicants, not BSers.

The essay is based on a topic that Dean Featherstone talks about during the interview day. If you pay close attention to what he says throughout the day and think about stuff to write about along the way, you will be set when they give you a quote to write about.

Finally, please smile =) I saw like a bunch of nervous applicants roaming thru the 4th floor sim lab halls and I had to tell them to smile because they looked so sad. It's your interview day, make the best of it, because an interview here means you have a shot at coming to our school. Hope that helps.

 

[drm85]

The environment had a very competitive feeling overall. There were a few applicants who would not make eye contact with others, kind of awkward. Overall, I was impressed with the school. Nice facilities, nice location, excellent education. The interviews are closed file. The people interviewing you have never seen or heard of you before.

One thing that was interesting for me was that for my student interview we went outside and sat by the street (very unique and odd). It is difficult to prepare for the essay, just be relaxed and have clear thoughts.

 

[DDS13]

be friendly to everyone. be honest and know that you have a high chance. alot of people in our class interviewed in january. best of luck

 

[DrDientes]

Hey when you say that the interview is closed file, does that mean they won't have any of our information on them when they interview us? Or will the have a file with our info, but that would be the first time they will be seeing data on us.

 

[drm85]

Hey when you say that the interview is closed file, does that mean they won't have any of our information on them when they interview us? Or will the have a file with our info, but that would be the first time they will be seeing data on us.

All they have is your name.

 

[DrDientes]

So all your data isn't on them? So they really just try and get to know you as a person?

 

[drm85]

So all your data isn't on them? So they really just try and get to know you as a person?

yep

 

[jj007]

I like to get suggestion on what hotels interviewees usually stay at. Are hotels downtown better than closer/smaller hotels, such as the Carl?

BTW, what is the best way to get to the airport from UCSF? I need to catch a flight out right after the interview.

 

[stk]

I like to get suggestion on what hotels interviewees usually stay at. Are hotels downtown better than closer/smaller hotels, such as the Carl?

BTW, what is the best way to get to the airport from UCSF? I need to catch a flight out right after the interview.

I stayed at a hotel in Union Square, and I couldn't sleep well because drunk ***** people yell at night. You take a cab right after.

 

[Jongho Yoon]

I like to get suggestion on what hotels interviewees usually stay at. Are hotels downtown better than closer/smaller hotels, such as the Carl?

BTW, what is the best way to get to the airport from UCSF? I need to catch a flight out right after the interview.

I stayed at the cheapest one shown on the pdf file ucsf provides. It is called moffatt house. If you don't mind staying at the inn with shared bathroom (2 room share 1 bathroom), that will be the cheapest one ($80). From UCSF to airport, I rode a bus looking train to get to one of the stations that are connected with BART, and I took BART to get to the air train, then airport. I think it took me about an hour and half to get there.

 

[jj007]

Thank you for the information. I hope your interview went well.

I stayed at the cheapest one shown on the pdf file ucsf provides. It is called moffatt house. If you don't mind staying at the inn with shared bathroom (2 room share 1 bathroom), that will be the cheapest one ($80). From UCSF to airport, I rode a bus looking train to get to one of the stations that are connected with BART, and I took BART to get to the air train, then airport. I think it took me about an hour and half to get there.