UCSF Interview - for those who have had one

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vodent

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Hi everyone, hope this process is going well. I recently received an interview to UCSF and it's coming up quickly! For those who have had one already for this cycle (I've noticed Oct 6th was a date) can you explain to me how the day went, how many interviews (one on one, two on one, more than one in a day, etc.), impressions? Thank you very much and the best of luck to everyone!
 
Hi everyone, hope this process is going well. I recently received an interview to UCSF and it's coming up quickly! For those who have had one already for this cycle (I've noticed Oct 6th was a date) can you explain to me how the day went, how many interviews (one on one, two on one, more than one in a day, etc.), impressions? Thank you very much and the best of luck to everyone!

Hey man,
I attended the oct 6th interview. You begin with a presentation, you have a tour, lunch, and then 2 interviews (one with a student and another with a faculty member). Afterwards there is a written essay on a question of the day.

Overall, I was the most impressed with UCSF out of all the places I have been to so far. They take great pride what they do there, have great faculty, good facillties, great diversity, and San Fran is a great place to live and have a good social life. The students were also very happy. Definitely a top choice.

Good luck!
 
If you don't mind, what kind of question was it

they present you with a quote to interpret. Ours was something about the value of giving. Although, they change it from interview to interview so that won't help unfortunately
 
Thanks for the info! It helps a lot. Especially knowing to be prepared for two interviews and an essay. (Hopefully they won't mind that I'm not an English major :laugh:) I just have a few more questions. About how long is that essay you/everyone else wrote, do they read it the day of or after you leave, and were the two interviews open or closed file? Thanks again, I'm glad to hear that your interview went well and you had positive feedback.
 
Thanks for the info! It helps a lot. Especially knowing to be prepared for two interviews and an essay. (Hopefully they won't mind that I'm not an English major :laugh:) I just have a few more questions. About how long is that essay you/everyone else wrote, do they read it the day of or after you leave, and were the two interviews open or closed file? Thanks again, I'm glad to hear that your interview went well and you had positive feedback.

The essay should be less than a page. I wrote two paragraphs I think. Also, they do not read it that day either.
The two interviews are both closed file and depending on who you get, it can be easy or difficult.
The faculty member I interviewed with was nice but he definitely asked really hard questions. A lot of ethical questions and based upon how I responded he would add something to the scenario to make it tougher.
I think he was trying to really see how I stand my ground when presented with novel problems and I think thats a good thing because when in an interview of that nature, you cannot have any pre set answers memorized and you have to think on your feet. This way I think they can really get to know who you are as a person.
Overall, I believe it went well. Just be prepared for that if you get that faculty member.
Awesome place and I don't believe anyone would be making the wrong decision choosing them!
 
Thanks for the info! It helps a lot. Especially knowing to be prepared for two interviews and an essay. (Hopefully they won't mind that I'm not an English major :laugh:) I just have a few more questions. About how long is that essay you/everyone else wrote, do they read it the day of or after you leave, and were the two interviews open or closed file? Thanks again, I'm glad to hear that your interview went well and you had positive feedback.

i interviewed at ucsf last cycle. my interviews were really chill. the faculty interviewer asked me the basic questions (why dentistry, why ucsf... etc) and then we spent the rest of time talking about violin and classical music. the student interviewer happened to be from the same town i am from. so it went really well too.
don't worry too much about the essay. after the essay, they briefly explained what the quote means, and i think i interpreted it completely the wrong way but i got in anyway. just make sure you write in good english with some supporting details to back up your points 🙂
good luck!
 
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