Hello everyone!
First off, I want to thank everyone here for sharing their experiences. I had been lurking this thread during my application/interview process and it was very helpful. I want to return the favor for everyone's help!
App submitted: 3/13/2020 (very late)
Marked complete: 3/23/2020 (the most stressful 10 days waiting for transcripts)
UCI invite: 3/31/2020
Interview complete: 4/16/2020
Notes on interview process:
-panel interview (director & program coordinator)
-questions were good (self-intro, underserved work, why medicine, why UCI post bacc, etc.)
-about 40mins total interview time
-Overall very positive experience. Interviewers were warm and inviting and really wanted to know how I was handling shelter-in-place orders in my personal life and how it was affecting my current work.
UCSF invite: 4/7/2020
Interview complete: 4/23/2020
Notes on interview process:
-panel interview (director & program coordinator)
-questions more challenging (I agree with previous post mentioning how UCSF spun it differently, but in essence, it's what you would expect for interview questions -- my biggest tip: be prepared to share all your ECs, why you did them, and what you learned/skills obtained)
-10mins intro about program overview from director
-about 45mins total interview time
-5 minutes Q/A
-Again, a very positive experience. I was a bit more nervous for this than my other interview, but tried to hold it in! Director took a great deal of time to describe the program in detail.
-When asked what they look for in a competitive applicant -- Someone who is ready to commit to the program, trust the process, and is motivated to put all their effort into the post bacc.
UCLA invite: 4/14/2020
Interview complete: 4/21/2020
Notes on interview process:
-interviewed by current RAP student (program coordinator in the back taking notes)
-very short interview (~4 questions total: self-intro, MCAT experience, why UCLA, what do you want to accomplish)
-15mins total interview time
-Unfortunately, my interview began 15mins late. Once started, felt a bit rush by my interviewer, at times stopping me to let me know much time I had left. I didn't feel the best coming out of the interview since I wanted to tell them more about myself, but I am happy with what was presented.
I received my official invite from UCI yesterday and accepted today! I am still waiting to hear back from UCLA and UCSF, but UCI is high-priority for me since my partner will be starting medical school there in the fall. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to spend my future with her after doing long-distance on & off for the better part of 5 years.
These last two weeks for me have been a whirlwind, and I am glad that the dust is finally settling. I want to thank everyone here again for their input. Please let me know how I can help out!
Wishing everyone good health, safety, and the best of luck in this process! <3
Good luck to everyone with their postbacc stuff rn and I hope the best for all of us!
