Questions about UCSF?

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citygirl

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There was a similar thread last year for those interested. I'm an MS1 and am originally from San Francisco, so I would be happy to answer questions about the school and the area.
 
Hey citygirl,

I know that UCSF has a great reputation, but I was wondering about other reasons you chose UCSF. Also, have you been happy with your decision. Why?

Thanks
 
Oh UCSF, how you taunt me with your secondary, as if you were in reach...

I think UCSF is amazing and was suprised to get a secondary. I love it when schools give less than wonderful numbers a secondary. It really is an indication that they care somewhat about personality and acheivements. I have tremendous respect for the institution that has just grown these past few months as result of my own experiences.

We'll see how the rest of the process goes. If I get in, I will totally withdraw from all but 1 school!!
 
I am VERY happy with my decision. There were a number of reasons that I chose UCSF.....reputation, cost (I'm a California resident), and San Francisco is a great city with a lot to offer.

The school is extremely supportive of its students, personally and academically. There are numerous resources (all free) if you are having difficulties including tutoring, counseling, mentoring, etc.

The new integrated curriculum means there are usually no more than four hours a day of lecture and lab and this time is supplemented with "small groups" which are problem-solving sessions. We are already learning physical exam skills, have started preceptorships, and were interviewing hospital patients by our second week of school. There is a lot of time for independent study (that IS needed). The combination of small groups (that requires cooperation from your peers) and the pass/fail system has significantly reduced the pressure and the competitive nature of many schools.

There are always great speakers, from the faculty and as guests. I have heard Dr. Henry Lee speak about forensic science, Dr. Jay Levy about the early days of AIDS, and Dr. Stanley Prussiner about the discovery and characterization of prions.

This is really an amazing place. I didn't realize just how amazing until I got here.
 
To be fair I should add that San Francisco weather generally sucks and it is especially windy and foggy on the UCSF hill. Rent is also very high, but people usually have one or more roomies and manage their finances okay.
 
Trivia: UCSF's new curriculum is Pitt's old curriculum

P.S. that doesn't mean that UCSF isn't a fantastic place though 😉
 
Originally posted by Pinkertinkle
ahh sweet UCSF, how I love thee?
Click to expand...

Are you a current medstudent?
 
Originally posted by AlreadyInDebt
I think UCSF is amazing and was suprised to get a secondary. I love it when schools give less than wonderful numbers a secondary. It really is an indication that they care somewhat about personality and acheivements.
Click to expand...

or that they just want your $60 before they send you their stupid rejection letter... those bastards 😡

sorry, i'm just bitter after receiving their rejection last night. i am more or less just kidding. UCSF is a great school. i live in the neighborhood, and like it very much, despite the often cold and foggy weather. it is a nice excuse to wear a wide variety of scarves. i am sad that now we will have to move away from here.🙁
 
Originally posted by tonem
Trivia: UCSF's new curriculum is Pitt's old curriculum

P.S. that doesn't mean that UCSF isn't a fantastic place though 😉
Click to expand...

And OHSU started this type of curriculum about ten years ago. I guess it takes longer for an institutionalizied monster like a UC school to make sweeping changes. I'm glad they did, though.
 
Originally posted by citygirl
Are you a current medstudent?
Click to expand...

Oh no, I wish. I will be applying next year though. UCSF pediatric cardiology saved my life in middle school.
 
my rejection was by mail, about 7 weeks after my file was complete. the status page gave no indication that they had rejected me. 🙄

i am less upset today than i was yesterday. i have such a great support network.

the predominant response has been "what the hell were they thinking about?!?!?!" i love my friends and family.

😍 😍 😍
 
Thanks!

I understand how you feel because I got a post-secondary rejection from Mayo, and it really hurt my self-esteem for the day. But, now I am over it; there loss.
 
UCSF has always been my dream school. I have promised myself that If I dont get in this year, I am going to go there for residency.

I applied last year, was interviewed, and rejected (no waitlist). I don't think I deserved an interview in the first place, but it was a great experience. Walking into that anatomy lab, I just felt this feeling like I had really accomplished something by even getting interviewed.

I was pretty crushed when I got rejected, but hey, for a variety of really strange reasons I didnt end up going to med school this year, so I have one more shot.

Then I found out this last summer that AMCAS added an F to my transcript during the verification process unjustly (which was corrected this year). So, I'm just crossing my fingers that that is the reason I got rejected last year, and hoping to get an interview again.

Good luck everyone.
 
So, how's it going with UCSF interviews and secondary applications? This thread is pretty quiet but i see a lot of you guys in dark suits wandering around the hallways nowadays.
 
bumped on request
 
UCSF interviews about 500 applicants. Last year they offered 237 to fill the class of 141, so your 50% number was close enough.

If you have other real questions, please ask them in this thread or PM me as anything by SNS is a waste of time (except for a few good laughs).
 
Hey citygirl,
Thanks for starting this thread! I would love to go to UCSF, but it's sort of a long shot--I guess that's true for most people, but as an out-of-state student (I'm from CA orginally, but have lived in OR since I was 14) it seems highly unlikely for me. I was wondering how many non-residents there are in your class, and what they're like--are they all 4.0, 38+ MCAT students, or is there any hope for more regular applicants (say, 3.75 GPA and 30+ MCAT) to get in, even if they're not CA residents? Also, what does UCSF value in an applicant? I have heard they take more non-trads and focus more on EC's and life experiences than some schools. I have almost 6 years of clinical experience, although I am more or less a traditional applicant (I'm taking a year off), so I don't know if I'm what they're looking for or not. What do you think a non-resident needs, in terms of both stats and other qualifications, to have a decent shot at UCSF?
 
thanks citygril!!
i really appreciate all your insights on this thread.
i didn't get a good feeling after one of my interviews..but i'll just have to wait and see!
 
Originally posted by Mistress S
Hey citygirl,
Thanks for starting this thread! I would love to go to UCSF, but it's sort of a long shot--I guess that's true for most people, but as an out-of-state student (I'm from CA orginally, but have lived in OR since I was 14) it seems highly unlikely for me. I was wondering how many non-residents there are in your class, and what they're like--are they all 4.0, 38+ MCAT students, or is there any hope for more regular applicants (say, 3.75 GPA and 30+ MCAT) to get in, even if they're not CA residents? Also, what does UCSF value in an applicant? I have heard they take more non-trads and focus more on EC's and life experiences than some schools. I have almost 6 years of clinical experience, although I am more or less a traditional applicant (I'm taking a year off), so I don't know if I'm what they're looking for or not. What do you think a non-resident needs, in terms of both stats and other qualifications, to have a decent shot at UCSF?
Click to expand...

About 20% of the class is from out-of-state and that is the norm each each year. Not everyone has superstar stats, whether from out of state or not, and UCSF does value other life experiences. Your clinical experience will take you far in that regard. I've worked in the medical field for a long time and I think that was my "in". My stats were good but not super (3.8 and 31). There are some in my class who have lower stats, so that alone won't keep you out.

My classmates come from very diverse backgrounds and UCSF likes to have a class that is comprised of all different ages and experiences. They believe that it brings something to the whole class and I would have to agree. It is hard to say that there is any one thing that UCSF likes in an applicant. We have music majors, political science majors, one JD, along with other nonmedical majors. The majority are still bio and chem, though. There are a lot of nontrads (me being one) but the average age is 25 and most of the students are in their early 20's.

So, do I think you have a shot? Sure you do. Just as much as any of us that did make it. Keep me posted.
 
Thanks for the quick response! It is encouraging to hear that I may have a shot at what would probably be my top choice school. I'm an English major, it's good to know that they value diversity in their class as that is something I would enjoy in my future classmates. I will be applying in June, so we'll see what happens then! Thank you again for the info and the encouraging words. 🙂
 
yeah ucsf has always been a dream for me, but they shattered that like a fine porcelain vase haha.

but its cool. I am just gonna work my ass off at med school and try and get a residency there. i gotta go back to the bay area. 😉
 
Originally posted by jlee9531
yeah ucsf has always been a dream for me, but they shattered that like a fine porcelain vase haha.

but its cool. I am just gonna work my ass off at med school and try and get a residency there. i gotta go back to the bay area. 😉
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about UCSF, jlee. But you are in somewhere and that is more than many applicants can say at this point!
 
Hey guys, I was just sent a letter from UCSF telling me that I am on 'hold' for an interview. They said that it could be upto April 15th before I get my interview........is all hope lost? 😱
 
After visiting UCSF (and considering the current state of mind i am in at this moment) i would have to place it in my top 3-4 choices. Actually because of the location it could very easily be my #1 choice. But i don't keep my hopes up as i am out of state 🙁
 
you should keep your hopes up tezz....we have about a 50% chance at this point in the game!!!! As a fellow out of stater, i also really liked ucsf....i thought their view in the librabry of the the bridge was amazing....and apparently a great place to nap considering the dozens of people snoozing on the couches facing the view!!! 🙂

Originally posted by Tezzie
After visiting UCSF (and considering the current state of mind i am in at this moment) i would have to place it in my top 3-4 choices. Actually because of the location it could very easily be my #1 choice. But i don't keep my hopes up as i am out of state 🙁
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by felipe5
Hey guys, I was just sent a letter from UCSF telling me that I am on 'hold' for an interview. They said that it could be upto April 15th before I get my interview........is all hope lost? 😱
Click to expand...

Definitely don't give up hope. I don't know how many of the current class were on hold first, but I know there were a lot of us that interviewed pretty late, including a few who interviewed the very last week.
 
Originally posted by loomis
you should keep your hopes up tezz....we have about a 50% chance at this point in the game!!!! As a fellow out of stater, i also really liked ucsf....i thought their view in the librabry of the the bridge was amazing....and apparently a great place to nap considering the dozens of people snoozing on the couches facing the view!!! 🙂
Click to expand...

And how about that view from the 13th floor anatomy lab?
 
Originally posted by felipe5
Hey guys, I was just sent a letter from UCSF telling me that I am on 'hold' for an interview. They said that it could be upto April 15th before I get my interview........is all hope lost? 😱
Click to expand...

I interviewed on the third to last day of the interview season and I got in off the waitlist as a high-priority applicant. You should keep the following in mind though, I received my interview invite much sooner than April 15th. I do not know if the date of the interview invite or the date of the actual interview is more important. It goes without saying that you can knock earlier interviewees down the waitlist hierarchy if you have stellar interviews, even if you interview during the last week. Best of luck.
 
Thanks for your input citygirl and ADOR.........it is well appreciated! Did you guys have an overall good interview experience at UCSF? It seems to be a pretty laid back experience from what I have read on SDN.....Good luck to you all

😀
 
Felipe,

I'm in the same boat as you are too. "Hold" status doesn't seem enticing...i feel like a "boyfriend-in-waiting" who will actually never get the chance to cash in on being a boyfriend...😛

-Ice
 
hey ice..........yeah, it kinda sucks to be us, but at least we got this far! I know people who didn't even get secondaries. Ya never know what could come out of this, so we might as well take it with a grain of salt.🙄 🙄 🙄

Good luck to you
 
Originally posted by felipe5
Thanks for your input citygirl and ADOR.........it is well appreciated! Did you guys have an overall good interview experience at UCSF? It seems to be a pretty laid back experience from what I have read on SDN.....Good luck to you all

😀
Click to expand...

Everyone I have talked to from our class and those who have just interviewed said the interviews were very relaxed (on the interviewer's part). Some interviewees felt they didn't do very well or "blew it", but a lot of people feel that way in hindsight. We tend to be very critical of ourselves, eh? It really is the philosopy of the Admissions Dept. to provide a good interview experience.
 
Originally posted by vikas
UCSF has always been my dream school. I have promised myself that If I dont get in this year, I am going to go there for residency.

I applied last year, was interviewed, and rejected (no waitlist). I don't think I deserved an interview in the first place, but it was a great experience. Walking into that anatomy lab, I just felt this feeling like I had really accomplished something by even getting interviewed.

I was pretty crushed when I got rejected, but hey, for a variety of really strange reasons I didnt end up going to med school this year, so I have one more shot.

Then I found out this last summer that AMCAS added an F to my transcript during the verification process unjustly (which was corrected this year). So, I'm just crossing my fingers that that is the reason I got rejected last year, and hoping to get an interview again.

Good luck everyone.
Click to expand...

Vikas from webb?
 
I asked the same question on the hold for an interview thread, but how do you know your status if you are on hold? Is it on the website, or were you contacted?
 
hi citygirl!

i interviewed at ucsf in oct., and now, having completed most of my interviews, i can definitely say that UCSF is one of my top choices. but i can't say for sure that it's my #1 choice.

do you know if ucsf highly considers letters of interest? should i keep sending update letters every now and then?

also, do you know when the 1st batch of acceptances go out?

thanks!
 
Does anyone know what is considered an early interview for UCSF?
 
Originally posted by medhopeful08
hi citygirl!

i interviewed at ucsf in oct., and now, having completed most of my interviews, i can definitely say that UCSF is one of my top choices. but i can't say for sure that it's my #1 choice.

do you know if ucsf highly considers letters of interest? should i keep sending update letters every now and then?

also, do you know when the 1st batch of acceptances go out?

thanks!
Click to expand...

Since UCSF interviews and offers so many slots later in the process I would recommend sending a letter of intent after the first of the year and then follow it up if anything changes (ie: additional experiences).

Contrary to what you may have heard...ahem....the first batch of acceptances go out on or around Dec 15th and then on or around the 15th of each month thereafter. Many of the early applicants get waitlisted, so don't be discouraged if this happens to you. Even though they are on rolling admissions they don't want to fill all their slots too early in the process.

Good luck and keep me (and SDN) posted.
 
Originally posted by chapinsita
Does anyone know what is considered an early interview for UCSF?
Click to expand...
Anything before January.
 
Hey citygirl. Do you know how many people were interviewed off the hold list last year? Thanks.

kwanny
 
Kwanny, when were you complete? I have been complete since the first of October. I haven't heard anything, but I figure it is probably not good news, since I am out-of-state.
 
Originally posted by Giving My .02
Kwanny, when were you complete? I have been complete since the first of October. I haven't heard anything, but I figure it is probably not good news, since I am out-of-state.
Click to expand...

Nah, man. Time doesn't really have to do with anything. It usually takes about 6-8 weeks to hear back from them post-secondary. I was complete in mid october... and I heard back last week. Hope u have better luck.
 
HEY! UCSF is my top choice but I didn't apply since when I suggested the idea to my "pre-med" advisorm, she pointed her finger at me, giggled continously for 20 minutes and told me to go get drunk. I guess in retrospect, I should have applied.
 
You should NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVVVEEEERRRRRRRRRRR listen to your premed advisors. If I had followed their advice, I would probably be establishing my career as an administrative assistant right now. Among the ridiculous things they advised was that I should stop doing research because too much would look bad to med schools, take the MCAT again because anything below a 33 would be impossible, not go abroad and do post-bac for a year. Instead, I followed my own intuition, did nothing she told me to do, and have been admitted to a UC with an interview at my DREAM school next week (UCSF of course!)

May this be of help to all those young'uns that are still in time to ignore their advisors.
 
Originally posted by chapinsita
You should NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVVVEEEERRRRRRRRRRR listen to your premed advisors. If I had followed their advice, I would probably be establishing my career as an administrative assistant right now. Among the ridiculous things they advised was that I should stop doing research because too much would look bad to med schools, take the MCAT again because anything below a 33 would be impossible, not go abroad and do post-bac for a year. Instead, I followed my own intuition, did nothing she told me to do, and have been admitted to a UC with an interview at my DREAM school next week (UCSF of course!)

May this be of help to all those young'uns that are still in time to ignore their advisors.
Click to expand...

Well, since that's the only one I took off my list, I'm glad to hear what you have to say b/c my pre-med advisor made fun of me for most of the schools I applied to. But then again, my UG limits the number of schools we apply to--they won't send your LORs/transcript to more than the alotted number. It sucks b/c nobody is ever sure they're going to get into ANY particular school.
 
chapinsita:

forgot to say congrats 🙂
 
Originally posted by chapinsita
Instead, I followed my own intuition, did nothing she told me to do, and have been admitted to a UC with an interview at my DREAM school next week (UCSF of course!)
Click to expand...

Sweet. Congrats, chapinsita.
 
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