UCSD Extension Premed Post Bacc 2019-20

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I haven't heard anything. Am getting anxiety refreshing my email every hour
 
I got an email on Friday saying no one on the waitlist would be offered an acceptance this year
 
I also got that email saying they weren't accepting anyone off of the waitlist due to an unexpected amount of acceptances from the people who have been given letters of acceptance to the program.
 
Ik at UCSF says they dont guarantee admission into their pharm school if u do well but does it help ur chances of getting an interview if u complete the post-bacc program well?
 
Can anyone confirm whether or not completing your application ASAP gives you an advantage over an individual who completes their applications in January? (Other than being finished with apps) I see applications open in September, but not due until late January via UCSD Post-bacc web. Thank you, good luck to everyone and their journey to medicine
 
speakerknockerz said:
Can anyone confirm whether or not completing your application ASAP gives you an advantage over an individual who completes their applications in January? (Other than being finished with apps) I see applications open in September, but not due until late January via UCSD Post-bacc web. Thank you, good luck to everyone and their journey to medicine
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submitting early does not make a difference
 
hi guys! for those who matriculated into the program this past cycle... how's it going!?? I deferred my acceptance last year b/c I could not afford the cost of the program... but definitely still interested in enrolling in the next cycle!!
 
ilikethebeemovie said:
The program is going well! The bread and butter of the program so far has been the Intro to Biomedical Science class. Its a tough class that has challenged me (and my study habits) but I feel more prepared to succeed in the rest of the program and beyond. The support network with our professors, advisors, and the rest of the cohort is great as well. On another note, the logistical issues of being enrolled through UCSD extension dont let us buy proper student parking permits and class registration for the year has been a lot more limited and inconvenient than while I was at UCSD as an undergrad.
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great feedback! happy to hear it's going well for you!!
 
I heard back today and was put on a waitlist for interviews, did anyone else get on the waitlist as well?
 
also waitlisted to interview. does anyone know if they give flat out rejection letters? or is everyone who wasnt invited for an interview waitlisted?
 
Can anyone who were told that they were waitlisted tell me if the status of your application change on postbac CAS wesbite? I havent gotten any alerts or emails, im not sure if this is good or bad at all..
 
speakerknockerz said:
Can anyone who were told that they were waitlisted tell me if the status of your application change on postbac CAS wesbite? I havent gotten any alerts or emails, im not sure if this is good or bad at all..
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I dont see anything changed on my postbac cas account, theres no new alerts or anything
 
San Diego Sunshine said:
Waitlisted as well :/
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Hi! I feel like i might have seen you in the group from last year! Have you got any insight to the interview process/what qualities they are looking for in applicants?

Best of luck this cycle 🙂
 
ilikethebeemovie said:
Accepted, see you all in summer! I'm a SD native and soon to be UCSD alum so if you have any questions about the area or want good tacos hmu lol
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Hi I noticed you got into the ucsd postbac program awhile back. I applied and just received an interview invite. Just curious what are the interview questions ? If you don’t mind me asking? Also I wanted to know how the program has helped you and any advice in general. Thank you


Sent from my iPhone using SDN
 
djaliram said:
Hi! I feel like i might have seen you in the group from last year! Have you got any insight to the interview process/what qualities they are looking for in applicants?

Best of luck this cycle 🙂
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Hi! Yes, I applied for the 2017-2018 cycle. I interviewed & was waitlisted but ultimately did not make it into the program.

From what I remember the interview is one on one with one of the faculty advisors for the program. Unfortunately I don’t remember the exact questions asked, but I remember explaining why I thought I was a good fit for the post bacc and what qualities I possessed that would help me succeed in the program. I told them about my background and what I have done since I graduated (many years ago). The interview was pretty short, around 30 mins.

Thank you and good luck to you too! 🙂
 
Anyone else have any insight into the types of questions asked during the interview?
 
MrBanana211 said:
Anyone else have any insight into the types of questions asked during the interview?
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Just had mine; it was fairly brief, only 3 questions: (1) tell me about yourself (2) a strength and weakness (3) where do you see yourself in 10 years. After that, I had some time to ask questions about the program. Hope this helps!
 
djaliram said:
Just had mine; it was fairly brief, only 3 questions: (1) tell me about yourself (2) a strength and weakness (3) where do you see yourself in 10 years. After that, I had some time to ask questions about the program. Hope this helps!
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Oh wow, this sounds like a 20 minute interview? Correct me if I am wrong
 
speakerknockerz said:
Havent gotten any email from them yet. Submitted two weeks ago
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make sure that your application is verified. Thats usually where students get confused. On post bacc CAS it should say verified under status
 
Hey guys just had my interview. Here is what I believe you should know:
1. Know your app in and out
2. "Tell me about yourself" however you decide to approach it
3. Know your journey and what made you decide to take this route.
4. Make sure you match the face with the application. Their questions are not meant to trap you in any way. They genuinely just want to see who you are.
I know this can be a little vague but every interviewer is different
 
Pioleen said:
Hey guys just had my interview. Here is what I believe you should know:
1. Know your app in and out
2. "Tell me about yourself" however you decide to approach it
3. Know your journey and what made you decide to take this route.
4. Make sure you match the face with the application. Their questions are not meant to trap you in any way. They genuinely just want to see who you are.
I know this can be a little vague but every interviewer is different
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Thank you, and it took almost a month but my app was verified a few weeks ago. So is this interview about 20 minutes or so like someone else had mentioned?
 
speakerknockerz said:
Thank you, and it took almost a month but my app was verified a few weeks ago. So is this interview about 20 minutes or so like someone else had mentioned?
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Yeah of course! For me the interview was 30 minutes. The actual line of questioning that they had for me was around 15 minutes. The rest was pretty conversational. It does depend on who is interviewing you but your window is more or less going to be 30 minutes
 
anyone apply to UC Riverside's postbac? Had all my transcripts uploaded by Teresa Cofield, and application status says submitted. But documentation remains incomplete, but I submitted my resume/CV already. Don't need to provide my AMCAS or MCAT score since I never completed either.
 
speakerknockerz said:
anyone apply to UC Riverside's postbac? Had all my transcripts uploaded by Teresa Cofield, and application status says submitted. But documentation remains incomplete, but I submitted my resume/CV already. Don't need to provide my AMCAS or MCAT score since I never completed either.
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Call them. I had the same thing with the UC postbac and I called them and a day later got an interview invite


Sent from my iPhone using SDN
 
Received my acceptance today. Good luck to all the other applicants!

Edit - For anyone looking at this in the future, Pioleen's 4 points mentioned above on March 5, 2020 was by far the most helpful advice I got from anyone. They were pretty much the exact things I was asked about. I understand that interviewer's can be different and that the nature of these types of interviews can be nerve racking. With that said, I thought point #4 was very true - I truly felt like my interviewer was not trying to cross me up. I honestly felt like my interviewer was asking me questions that allowed me to shine in the best light possible - it was a cooperative rather than a combative interaction.
 
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Hey guys, I just got my acceptance today for UCSD. Goodluck everyone!
 
Did either of you hear about scholarship by any chance/is there a process in applying for scholarship?
 
djaliram said:
Did either of you hear about scholarship by any chance/is there a process in applying for scholarship?
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Here is what it says on their website:

Financial Aid
The availability of federal student loans for the UC San Diego Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program is not confirmed at this time.
Private student loans are available to assist with program costs. UC San Diego Extension has established a business relationship with UC approved lenders allowing students to compare loan options to find a lender that best meets their needs. For complete financial aid information and to review the Private Lender List, please visit Financial Resources.

Scholarships
Scholarship support is available to a small number of qualified students who have demonstrated a commitment to working in/with medically underserved areas and/or populations in the future. Selection for these scholarships will be made by the program Selection Committee at the time of admission to the program. The Committee will review the applications and interviews of all admitted students, especially the written essay describing commitment to work in medically underserved areas, to make scholarship determinations.

Hope this helps!
 
Congratulations to you both! Are you leaning towards UCSD or apply to/like other programs better?
 
djaliram said:
Congratulations to you both! Are you leaning towards UCSD or apply to/like other programs better?
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Hi! I received invitations to interview at UCI and UCD as well but my top choice was always UCSD since I am finishing my undergrad there as well. I just declined my interview invites at the other schools.
 
Hi! I'm interested in this program and was wondering what your stats were for admission? Also, what made you choose this program over other programs you may have applied to/gotten accepted to? Thanks!
 
Felicitysmoak and pioleen, you both seem very well informed and I'd love your input. I'm leaning towards accepting my spot but did not get a scholarship so I'm hesistant because of the cost of the program. I double majored in undergrad and fumbled my introductory science courses. I have an upward trajectory with total gpa 3.6 and science 3.4 with strong leadership but weak medicine-related extracurriculars. I've heard from another postbac student that the stats are misleading and not everyone who does the ucsd postbac gets into med school or even neccesarily has an improved shot at california schools/UCSD. What factors did you weigh when deciding/what ultimately tipped you towards pursuing the postbac? Is there a specific incentive that was particularly convincing? Felicitysmoak having nearly finished, what advice do you have for incoming students looking back? Is there anything you felt was particularly strong about the program, or something you would have liked to capitalize on more? Congrats again and thank you so much for your help and feedback!!
 
felicitysmoak said:
Just realized I had to click reply and not make a new post haha (sorry @greekgal325).

For me, I knew I just needed more classes to increase my GPA. I had an upward trend as well, with almost a 4.0 my senior year of undergrad (started with a 3.2), and I knew that having one more year would give my GPA that extra push it needed. Honestly, the main reason I chose the program was because of their 94% success rate in getting students into medical schools, and one of the career counselors at UCSD thought I was a great fit for the program.

I can't speak on the stats exactly, but from my understanding, majority of the last cohort have gotten into med school, both MD and DO. I don't think there are any specific stats claiming that doing this post bacc increases your chances at a CA school; it doesn't.

The program is definitely strong in having knowledgeable faculty who guide you through the application process. My advisor is fantastic and our professor at the medical school is amazing. I've learned more applicable information to medicine in this one year than I have in all of undergrad. On the other hand, there have been many hiccups this year with the undergrad classes and issues with the biology department. At the end of the day, I see it as paying for the knowledge, advice, and assistance of the advisors, our main professor, the workshops the program offers to help with apps, and ultimately the committee recommendation letter. The "name" of the program also helps, as it has fairly well known reputation as a rigorous post-bacc. With COVID-19 however, everything is a bit uncertain, but hopefully once your cohort starts, classes can be in person, as that aspect is invaluable.

My personal opinion about your case from what you've said so far, would be to spend this gap year doing clinical volunteering and boosting your extracurriculars, as well as getting a good MCAT score. Your GPA seems high enough to not need a post-bacc. But again, that's just my opinion and if they accepted you, they must have good reason. I would reach out to the person who interviewed you (most likely one of the advisors), and straight up ask if they think you should do the program and how your time would be best spent. They're all willing to help so it's worth a shot. Give them a little time to respond though, we're all in panic mode rn with this pandemic and apps, and they're all doctors too.

Hope this helps!
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Thanks so much for your response! Will definitely reach out to the program coordinator/advisors for their feedback per your suggestion and best of luck going forward/applying!

As far as trouble with the bio department, where there specific issues you came across that were frustrating or was it more covid related confusion/disorganization? What would you suggest doing to circumvent potential issues as an incoming student?
 
felicitysmoak said:
COVID definitely made it worse, but the issues started before that. The classes that were recommended to us were filled up by undergrads first, and since we get last pick, we had to go with alternatives that were left over this quarter.
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Got it! Has this been an issue in previous years or did it happen by fluke this past year?
 
djaliram said:
Congratulations to you both! Are you leaning towards UCSD or apply to/like other programs better?
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I share your concerns regarding the cost of the program - it is hefty.

This is the only program I applied to. I wanted to stay local.
 
djaliram said:
Got it! Has this been an issue in previous years or did it happen by fluke this past year?
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I don't think this is a fluke. I've taken a few upper div courses at UCSD thru my community college. I thought it was unusual that I encountered a lot of members from the post bacc program. I realize now that this is because post bacc members get the last pick of classes (i.e. I chose the worst class times/professors/section times because I was also low on the priority list). Even the interviewer mentioned that this is a problem that members of the cohort got frustrated with.

I'm not sure much can be done about this issue. What seemed to alleviate it is taking the less "core" upper div courses. For example, courses like molecular bio seemed really full.
 
djaliram said:
Felicitysmoak and pioleen, you both seem very well informed and I'd love your input. I'm leaning towards accepting my spot but did not get a scholarship so I'm hesistant because of the cost of the program. I double majored in undergrad and fumbled my introductory science courses. I have an upward trajectory with total gpa 3.6 and science 3.4 with strong leadership but weak medicine-related extracurriculars. I've heard from another postbac student that the stats are misleading and not everyone who does the ucsd postbac gets into med school or even neccesarily has an improved shot at california schools/UCSD. What factors did you weigh when deciding/what ultimately tipped you towards pursuing the postbac? Is there a specific incentive that was particularly convincing? Felicitysmoak having nearly finished, what advice do you have for incoming students looking back? Is there anything you felt was particularly strong about the program, or something you would have liked to capitalize on more? Congrats again and thank you so much for your help and feedback!!
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1. I got pretty similar stats to you.

2. "'Ive heard from another postbac student that the stats are misleading and not everyone who does the ucsd postbac gets into med school or even neccesarily has an improved shot at california schools/UCSD."

I've heard nothing about the post bacc program's ability to increase your chances of CA schools. I've heard really varying things about the post bacc's ability to get you into UCSD. I've heard that 33% of post bacc students were able to matriculate into UCSD SOM. I've also heard 50% of post bacc students were able to matriculate into UCSD SOM. Both of these are of course from specific cohorts but I was given the impression that the # of matriculants from the post bacc program is rising. I've also heard that they don't tell you but that every post bacc member is granted an interview with UCSD SOM.

Of course I also asked the interviewer this very same question (i.e. will the post back help me enter UCSD SOM). She said that while there is of course no direct linkage, they seem to look favorably at its members.

My opinion is that the post bacc members have a higher chance of getting in than most applicants (which is not that high in the grand scheme but pretty good compared to others). The national acceptance rate for UCSD SOM at 3.4%, is one of the lowest in the country. I read it a few years back but I was also shocked at how few of its own undergraduates UCSD accepted.

This is all in light of the interview process at UCSD SOM supposedly being terrible. I read a particularly scathing reddit post about how UCSD SOM seemed very stuck up about its reputation and didn't care for its students on interview day. I had someone who recently interviewed there confirm almost the exact same experience; mind you it was this person's dream to attend UCSD SOM, as it probably is for many of you.
 
MrBanana211 said:
I don't think this is a fluke. I've taken a few upper div courses at UCSD thru my community college. I thought it was unusual that I encountered a lot of members from the post bacc program. I realize now that this is because post bacc members get the last pick of classes (i.e. I chose the worst class times/professors/section times because I was also low on the priority list). Even the interviewer mentioned that this is a problem that members of the cohort got frustrated with.

I'm not sure much can be done about this issue. What seemed to alleviate it is taking the less "core" upper div courses. For example, courses like molecular bio seemed really full.
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That makes sense! I'm a little worried as I've done a neuro major and taken bio elective coursework, but perhaps that'll help me to avoid those "core" classes! Great insight 🙂
 
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