Top Cali schools and OOSers.

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Leonidas93

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Specifically in regard to the top tier cali schools (stanford, SF, etc)... is it really that hard to get in if your arent a resident? Ive heard kids with 4.0 and 40MCAT's saying its a "shot in the dark" for them to get into a cali school but not for other top tiers ( harv, jhop, etc). Thanks.
 
Stanford does not have a preference for CA residents. Neither does UCLA.
 
Most of the Cali schools are a shot in the dark,but I wouldn't say being OOS really adds much to that. In addition to USC and Stanford, UCLA and I think UCSF have no in state preference. I managed to get interviews at USC and UCLA as an OOSer and my stats are definately not amazing nor did I attend an Ivy league-esque undergrad.

Nonetheless, there are many applicants that do find better luck at hopkins, harvard, etc. than in California and I think it really has to do with the fact that there are a lot of applicants that actually DO want to go to a Cali school over an ivy-league one (probably due to residency preferences, weather, big cities, etc.)

I cant speak for UCSF or Stanford, but if you look at the average matriculant stats for USC and UCLA (which are both very top notch schools), they are actually much lower than for many of the prestigious East Coast schools despite the fact that many students have better luck getting in to the latter. I would say that California schools put significantly more emphasis on ECs and application essays than most other schools so if you really have that going for you then its totally worth a shot.

From personal observations, I'd say if you have a lot of experience working with the Spanish speaking community, especially in a healthcare setting, that would really benefit you the most in Cali school admissions, and would probably make you stand out more than 3.9/40+ applicants without that background.
 
I think UCSF have no in state preference.
False. From the FAQ(http://medschool.ucsf.edu/admissions/faqs/#gettingstarted):

Does UCSF School of Medicine give preference to California residents?
-Yes. The Committee on Admissions gives preference to California residents, who make up about 80 percent of the entering class annually.


Also, njpxcrnr made a good point about Spanish speaking population service. Since there is a big Spanish speaking population in southern California, being able to show experience working with those types of underserved patients helps. Being fluent in Spanish is also a plus 👍
 
As a California resident, I just hope you know that it is a shot in the dark for us too...
 
Specifically in regard to the top tier cali schools (stanford, SF, etc)... is it really that hard to get in if your arent a resident? Ive heard kids with 4.0 and 40MCAT's saying its a "shot in the dark" for them to get into a cali school but not for other top tiers ( harv, jhop, etc). Thanks.

School's like UCLA and Stanford are some of the best in the country. It's a shot in the dark for anyone.
 
Specifically in regard to the top tier cali schools (stanford, SF, etc)... is it really that hard to get in if your arent a resident? Ive heard kids with 4.0 and 40MCAT's saying its a "shot in the dark" for them to get into a cali school but not for other top tiers ( harv, jhop, etc). Thanks.
In this case they're probably talking about UCSF specifically. With a huge in-state bias as a top 10 medical school, UCSF gets applications from some of the most competitive applicants in the country and still many get turned away. For example, SDN users Chronicidal and Tsiana both had 40+ MCAT scores and 3.9-4.0 GPA's coming from elite undergrads, and though both were accepted to a number of top med schools with scholarships, they were not Cali residents and neither received an interview at UCSF.
 
In this case they're probably talking about UCSF specifically. With a huge in-state bias as a top 10 medical school, UCSF gets applications from some of the most competitive applicants in the country and still many get turned away. For example, SDN users Chronicidal and Tsiana both had 40+ MCAT scores and 3.9-4.0 GPA's coming from elite undergrads, and though both were accepted to a number of top med schools with scholarships, they were not Cali residents and neither received an interview at UCSF.

That's odd they should of gotten at least an interview from UCSF.
 
That's odd they should of gotten at least an interview from UCSF.

wtf 131 posts in less than 2 weeks? Try applying to college before attempting to give advice about medical school admissions. Also, please do something about your grammar.
 
Why do you say that?


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It just seems with that GPA and MCAT they should of got an interview.

I'm not sure you understand the admissions process enough to be giving advice about applying to med school.

Asking a question and giving advice are two different things. I know when I can give advice and when I don't know enough so I don't say anything.
 
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It just seems with that GPA and MCAT they should of got an interview.



Asking a question and giving advice are two different things. I know when I can give advice and when I don't know enough so I don't say anything.



Aww that's a pretty big reject list... http://mdapplicants.com/profile.php?id=23045... Good luck in SUNY Buffalo.

Hey, don't be an ass, especially to people who are in medical school/have gone through the process and know much more than you.
 
Hey, don't be an ass, especially to people who are in medical school/have gone through the process and know much more than you.

I'm not being an ass especially to the medical student. I asked one question, why didn't they get an interview and I got 3 negative responses and 1 that was just unnecessary from kpcrew.
 
I looked through your post history and you've been trying to give advice to college students about how to improve their application chances when you haven't even started your senior year of high school yet. You have no idea what applying to medical school is like, try applying to college first so you can get a taste of what it's like. It's disrespectful and misleading to masquerade as someone knowledgeable when you don't even know how a Caribbean school differs from a US medical school. Good luck in community college, if you even get in.
 
It just seems with that GPA and MCAT they should of got an interview.
Which shows exactly that you do not understand the admissions process.
Asking a question and giving advice are two different things. I know when I can give advice and when I don't know enough so I don't say anything.
No, you don't actually know when you can give advice or not. You don't have any experience whatsoever about applying to college or medical school. I don't say that to be mean or condescending to you, but that's the truth of the matter.
That's a pretty big reject list... http://mdapplicants.com/profile.php?id=23045... Good luck in SUNY Buffalo.
Really uncalled for, you haven't even graduated from high school yet. You have no basis to make a snide remark about anyone on this forum (as just about everyone here have all accomplished more than you have). You aren't better than anyone, so don't act like you are.
 
I looked through your post history and you've been trying to give advice to college students about how to improve their application chances when you haven't even started your senior year of high school yet. You have no idea what applying to medical school is like, try applying to college first so you can get a taste of what it's like. It's disrespectful and misleading to masquerade as someone knowledgeable when you don't even know how a Caribbean school differs from a US medical school. Good luck in community college, if you even get in.

Jajaja. Good investigative skills kpcrew.
 
My apologies to kpcrew (I deleted the remark I didn't mean it), gettheleadout, and UnclePhil. Just because of my age doesn't mean I don't know anything. I have family and friends that have dealt with the medical school process and have explored through these forums for years and read a few medical school admissions books myself... I am very dedicated to becoming a doctor one day and I enjoy reading these books therefore I thought I could answer some questions on these forums. Sorry for any remarks I have made.
 
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It's the least attractive thing about having moved to California last year. I love the weather, the people, the ability to be outdoors 365 days of the year, the culture and attitude toward life (the general optimism compared to the east coast!) But I don't love the high unemployment rates and cut-throat med school admissions.
 
It's the least attractive thing about having moved to California last year. I love the weather, the people, the ability to be outdoors 365 days of the year, the culture and attitude toward life (the general optimism compared to the east coast!) But I don't love the high unemployment rates and cut-throat med school admissions.

I'm curious, but what percent of Californians who apply for med school get into one in California?
 
I'm from NY and got an interview from UCSF, didn't attend though. I assume it would be hard to get accepted into a school like UCSF since it is a state school but it's also highly ranked.
 
I'm curious, but what percent of Californians who apply for med school get into one in California?

I don't think there is an exact percentage but you can explore mdapplicants and maybe get some answers there.
 
I don't think there is an exact percentage but you can explore mdapplicants and maybe get some answers there.

Couldn't you figure it out from the MSAR? I don't have a copy at home since I'm not applying for another two years.
 
Gettheleadout, good catch with Tsiana, I was actually quoting her from mdapps. Follow up question (which may merit its own thread): Whats the best way to show cali schools that I DO in fact want to go there over other schools.
 
I am a Cali resident and this issue worries. I am trying to prepare the best application that I can, but the fact that sometimes "great" applicants don't get it in is so intimidating.... 🙁
 
I'm curious, but what percent of Californians who apply for med school get into one in California?
There are over 5000 applicants from California vying for a little over 1000 1st year positions. 2/3 of the CA applicants who are accepted are accepted OOS. About 800 are accepted in California.
 
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There are over 5000 applicants from California vying for a little over 1000 1st year positions. 2/3 of the CA applicants who are accepted are accepted OOS.

I didn't know it was THAT bad!
 
There are over 5000 applicants from California vying for a little over 1000 1st year positions. 2/3 of the CA applicants who are accepted are accepted OOS. About 800 are accepted in California.

That's horrendous 😱
 
There a few decent ones to apply to if you're out-of-state and you want a reasonable chance: UCLA, UCSD, UCSF, Stanford, and Loma Linda. I applied to the first four OOS.

Don't forget USC. I got an interview there as an OOSer with unremarkable stats and no research. They like people with non-science backgrounds.
 
It just seems with that GPA and MCAT they should of got an interview.
The UCSF students are a pretty diverse group. Stats aren't everything there.

I met a few of them last year and I personally know someone who is matriculating in a couple of weeks.
 
Don't forget USC. I got an interview there as an OOSer with unremarkable stats and no research. They like people with non-science backgrounds.

My dream of going to medical school in California is not yet dead. 👍
 
Don't forget USC. I got an interview there as an OOSer with unremarkable stats and no research. They like people with non-science backgrounds.

My mistake. USC is private so you have a better chance like Stanford and Loma Linda compared to the UC's.
 
i've got a UCSF gym membership for the summer... will that help my chances? :xf:
 
i've got a UCSF gym membership for the summer... will that help my chances? :xf:

no, but you will get to watch your flip flops blow away off the deck when you swim in the bakar rooftop pool!

#welcometomyhood

btw, bakar has the superior pool to for actual lap training, parnassus is more kinda grannies w. floaties style 😉
 
no, but you will get to watch your flip flops blow away off the deck when you swim in the bakar rooftop pool!

#welcometomyhood

btw, bakar has the superior pool to for actual lap training, parnassus is more kinda grannies w. floaties style 😉
I have got to get through that pool! Rooftop swimming whaaaaaat?

is mission bay's weight room superior to parnassus as well? if so i should probably start going there exclusively... it's the same distance from my house (and much easier by public transit)
 
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