Ucla

[PropoTAL]

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I was wondering if anyone has received any letters, emails or correspondence from UCLA post-interview?

 

[rsa21]

hey,

i received a letter from Dr. Kapur after the interview.

 

[WhoopDeeDoo]

I also received a letter from the chair via snail mail.

 

[PropoTAL]

Wow! I got a letter from her also. I guess they are serious about taking everything with a grain of salt. Thanks for the reply!

 

[WhoopDeeDoo]

I think the letter that Dr. Kapur sent out was probably just a nice standard letter to all applicants who interview at UCLA. Maybe she sends it to everyone or to just the people who they are considering ranking. Who knows. Either way, what I got on the letter was a polite message and nothing along the lines of "we are going to rank you", etc.

However, I was told by a program chair at the end of an interview at a different program that I would be ranked highly to match. And that if I ranked them high I would almost be guaranteed a spot there. I wonder how many applicants they tell that to. I talked to an interviewee later on that day and she was told the same thing by the chairman.

Is this a common thing? I've heard stories from residents about applicants being burned when they were told something like this and ranked the program high only to not match at the program. I know this will totally bring up the point that you need to just rank the programs based on how much you like them and not based on if you think they will rank you. However, I wonder if a chairman saying something positive like that even means anything.

Any thoughts from residents, PDs out there?

 

[Dr Serenity]

Is this a common thing?

Not sure how common it is...only that it does happen.

I've heard stories from residents about applicants being burned when they were told something like this and ranked the program high only to not match at the program. I know this will totally bring up the point that you need to just rank the programs based on how much you like them and not based on if you think they will rank you.

That happens quite a bit, too...applicants have (and will likely continue) to get burned because they let these communications alter their rank order lists. Don't become another statistic...follow the advice that you've been told time and time again (that is, what I've bolded in your quote above) 😀

However, I wonder if a chairman saying something positive like that even means anything.

Maybe, maybe not...there's no way of knowing, so my assumption is to take such communications with a grain of salt, assuming they mean nothing.

Any thoughts from residents, PDs out there?

I am neither a resident, attending, or PD, so hopefully you didn't find this too pretentious...What I've just said is my opinion based on what I've heard on this very topic...I am open to hearing to what residents, PDs have to say on the topic. Cheers! 😀

 

[Curare]

Any truth to the rumor that UCLA forces you to work weekends?

My understanding is that they do pay you though.

 

[PropoTAL]

I know UCLA-Harbor pays you to moonlight on saturdays ($1800), but I don't think UCLA pays you to work on weekends.

 

[Gern Blansten]

Any truth to the rumor that UCLA forces you to work weekends?

My understanding is that they do pay you though.

I'm assuming you are joking. Of course they force you to work your share of weekends. They also pay you for it. It is usually negotiated upfront when you sign your contract. Some call it a salary. But seriously, I don't know of any program that does not involve weekends. If they have to use that sales pitch to get you there, I would look very carefully for why they have to do that. Money for working extra shifts on weekends is a different story. I believe that some programs offer some extra moonlighting shifts on weekends.