UCSD - what do you think

[RubTue]

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So, just got an invite for an interview. First of all, I know it's kinda late, what are my chances? and I heard they have grades - not cool. Otherwise, I think San Diego would be fantastic... surfing, sunshine...
What do people know about UCSD?

 

[Long Dong]

So, just got an invite for an interview. First of all, I know it's kinda late, what are my chances? and I heard they have grades - not cool. Otherwise, I think San Diego would be fantastic... surfing, sunshine...
What do people know about UCSD?

A friend of mine who is forth year goes there, he told me it's a nice location. To bad he doesn't have much time to enjoy it.

 

[lord_jeebus]

I'm an MS-II at UCSD.

I don't think February is too late, especially if you think you can make a convincing case for yourself at your interview.

We don't have grades but it is H/P/F. For preclinical courses I don't think not getting Honors really hurts you because few people do get Honors and the boards are probably a better indicator of basic science aptitude.

Many people say it is a lot of work but I think it is much more dependent on your personality than the school itself. There are lots of people who work really hard and lots of people who give themselves a good deal of free time (I'm not talking about 3rd years however) and still get by. Like any school it's what you make of it.

It's not a perfect school -- if you are interested I could get into its flaws -- but it is much better than many on SDN will lead you to believe. It is also not for everyone (no med school is). I turned down a full scholarship elsewhere to come here and I don't regret it. I've learned a lot of things in a lot of depth, I've gotten a lot of valuable practice and input on my clinical skills, and I've had exposure to things that very few schools offer in the first two years (eg. an elective in Anesthesia where I was intubating and putting in IVs, an elective in clinical hypnosis).

San Diego is also my favorite city in the US.

 

[pagemmapants]

Hey, lordjeebus, would you be willing to PM me with some more details re: UCSD? I've been accepted, but am weighing it against other schools whilst I wait for responses from a couple of others and would love to know some pros/cons from someone who actually goes there. Thanks in advance!

 

[sdnstud]

I interviewed in mid-March of last year and got in. Several people who interviewed with me are now my classmates. So no, it's definitely not too late!

Like lord_jeebus, I turned down scholarships from several schools to come to UCSD and I don't regret my decision at all. I love the free clinics (we have 3!) at ucsd. everytime i go to the free clinic, i learn something that I wouldn't be able to learn in class. the professors here are amazing. recently, i emailed an internist because i wanted to join his lab. the next day, he took the time to develop a detailed research plan for me. also, we have 3 full-time professional tutors who give review sessions/hold office hours every day. I interviewed at 13 schools last year, and only ucsd has a tutorial program for its student.

RubTue, please come down to SD and check us out.

 

[nikibean]

Hey, I also just got an interview invite for UCSD. I'm really interested in what the students are like - is everyone a gunner? or is everyone cooperative (or somewhere in between). I'm glad to hear that there's a lot of clinical experience available- I've been an EMT for a while, and I've recently, under my new job, learned how to draw blood and use butterfly needles. I love doing counseling, and I've been through state HIV training. I'm very concerned about getting enough patient care experience. If you guys would be so kind as to give a bit more info, I'd be excited- either through PM or on here so everyone can benefit from the knowledge. I know SD is ranked quite high in regards to both research and primary care.

Also, I'm wondering if they conduct interviews in Spanish (or if you've heard of this)? I am fluent so I'm not worried, but I'd like to not be too surprised. That's all.

Thank you! See you guys in early March 🙂! 👍

 

[lord_jeebus]

Hey, I also just got an interview invite for UCSD. I'm really interested in what the students are like - is everyone a gunner? or is everyone cooperative (or somewhere in between). I'm glad to hear that there's a lot of clinical experience available- I've been an EMT for a while, and I've recently, under my new job, learned how to draw blood and use butterfly needles. I love doing counseling, and I've been through state HIV training. I'm very concerned about getting enough patient care experience. If you guys would be so kind as to give a bit more info, I'd be excited- either through PM or on here so everyone can benefit from the knowledge. I know SD is ranked quite high in regards to both research and primary care.

Also, I'm wondering if they conduct interviews in Spanish (or if you've heard of this)? I am fluent so I'm not worried, but I'd like to not be too surprised. That's all.

Thank you! See you guys in early March 🙂! 👍

If getting patient exposure was your sole criterion for picking a med school, UCSD would be unbeatable. Especially with the free clinic (although I'm not involved in it myself -- someone else could comment on this better), you can basically work with as many patients as you want.

Through elective preceptorships and the clinical med course I've already done more histories and physicals than I can count, on very interesting cases.

I have never heard of interviews done in Spanish.

 

[RubTue]

Thanks for the info. I'm excited to check it out at the interview.

 

[nikibean]

If getting patient exposure was your sole criterion for picking a med school, UCSD would be unbeatable. Especially with the free clinic (although I'm not involved in it myself -- someone else could comment on this better), you can basically work with as many patients as you want.

Through elective preceptorships and the clinical med course I've already done more histories and physicals than I can count, on very interesting cases.

I have never heard of interviews done in Spanish.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. No, not my only criterion, but a major one, definitely. I appreciate you getting back to me.

Rubtue- is your interview on the 7th by any chance? Pm me if so. 🙂

 

[butmylipshurtrealbad]

Just a little addition 'cause I interviewed recently-- I really don't think the rumors about competitiveness and an unfriendly atmosphere are true. Every student I met was incredibly eager to go out of their way to tell me and the other applicants why they love SD, the students at the free clinic were awesome and seemed to really love the opportunity, and even people working in a lab came out to help me find my interviewers office when I looked lost... I left with a very good impression of the school as well as its students, faculty, and staff. The interviews were very conversational as well. Just my two cents! I was actaully placed in the acceptable pool, but I still think its awesome!

 

[sdnstud]

Not everyone is a gunner here. the MSIs are really focused on helping each other. We have a "student forum" that is similar to the SDN forum. Around exam time, many students post their own notes, study guides, graphs, tables on the "student forum" for everyone to use. You can see cooperation among the students outside of the classrooms as well. We have an IM soccer team in addition to our IM basketball, IM volleyball, and IM waterpolo teams!

There is no better place to gain clinical experience than UCSD. Speaking of drawing blood, I was drawing blood, giving vaccines, testing blood glucose on real patients at the downtown free clinic several days ago. I have several patients i see regularly whenever they come to the clinic, and this is only my first quarter working at the clinic! The sky is the limit when it comes to how much you want to learn before your clinical years at UCSD.

One of my classmates did do her interview in Spanish and that's only because she wanted to. If you're fluent in Spanish, you will be a HUGE asset to UCSD and the free clinic.

Good luck at your interview.

Hey, I also just got an interview invite for UCSD. I'm really interested in what the students are like - is everyone a gunner? or is everyone cooperative (or somewhere in between). I'm glad to hear that there's a lot of clinical experience available- I've been an EMT for a while, and I've recently, under my new job, learned how to draw blood and use butterfly needles. I love doing counseling, and I've been through state HIV training. I'm very concerned about getting enough patient care experience. If you guys would be so kind as to give a bit more info, I'd be excited- either through PM or on here so everyone can benefit from the knowledge. I know SD is ranked quite high in regards to both research and primary care.

Also, I'm wondering if they conduct interviews in Spanish (or if you've heard of this)? I am fluent so I'm not worried, but I'd like to not be too surprised. That's all.

Thank you! See you guys in early March 🙂! 👍

 

[nikibean]

Not everyone is a gunner here. the MSIs are really focused on helping each other. We have a "student forum" that is similar to the SDN forum. Around exam time, many students post their own notes, study guides, graphs, tables on the "student forum" for everyone to use. You can see cooperation among the students outside of the classrooms as well. We have an IM soccer team in addition to our IM basketball, IM volleyball, and IM waterpolo teams!

There is no better place to gain clinical experience than UCSD. Speaking of drawing blood, I was drawing blood, giving vaccines, testing blood glucose on real patients at the downtown free clinic several days ago. I have several patients i see regularly whenever they come to the clinic, and this is only my first quarter working at the clinic! The sky is the limit when it comes to how much you want to learn before your clinical years at UCSD.

One of my classmates did do her interview in Spanish and that's only because she wanted to. If you're fluent in Spanish, you will be a HUGE asset to UCSD and the free clinic.

Good luck at your interview.

Thank you so much! Everyone's been super helpful in this thread - I'm really appreciative.
Bonus about San Diego- Both my little sister (some exec at Reef Int'l) and my brother live down there- my sis lives in PB right near the 24hour. It'd be super cool to go to school there aside from all the great experience because my immediate family live there... 🙂