UCSF Suppl Mailing Misleading

[LoCal310]

Hi everyone, I hope everyone has had a good application process and have had interviews or upcoming ones. Congratulations to those with acceptances already and to those still biting their nails, keep your head up. You have put all your best efforts into your applications, all you can do is let the process take its course.

I'm writing in regards to my denial letter from UCSF. Evidently, I mailed the suppl along with the check (which they seemed to care more about) to the address I thought was for both the supp and the check. The address on the suppl is the address for the check. According to the statement provided on the last page, at the bottom of the supplemental, the apps are supposed to be mailed to a different address that is provided, not on the supplemental, but on a website. I guess it is more important to have the address of the bank on the supplemental but not the address to mail the supplemental. I admit, I did not follow directions. I'm sure others did not make that mistake, but how misleading is that? Why didn't they provide both addresses on the suppl? I believe it should be made more clearly.

I've called UCSF, and they said, if my application was with the check, the bank just tosses the application and cash the check. My main problem is that, after I mailed my application, I wanted to make sure that it arrived to UCSF so that in case it didn't, I would have enough time to resend the application. Well, when I called the office back in October after I mailed my appli, they said they do not provide information on whether they received your application. Every other pharm school I have applied to provided vast amounts of reponses and information about my application status. What's worse is that, I find out that they didn't receive my application until after the deadline and in my denial letter.

To be honest, I put all my heart into my UCSF application. I labored intensely on this application out of all my other ones because this school meant a lot to me. I felt I had a strong chance but it is unfortunate how it turned out. Luckily I have an acceptance elsewhere, so I am not stressing over this. In view of how my application was handled by UCSF, or lack of handling, has taken away the reverence I used to feel for UCSF. I mean no disrespect to anyone. I just feel, a school that is considered to be the top school and at the forefront of health sciences, should have a more thorough application process that is engaging between the school and its applicants in pursuit of getting the most out of its applicants.

So, as a lesson,.... you know I don't really feel there is a lesson. Because I read over all the instructions doubly to make sure I had the address correct and that I did not leave any information out. I guess one lesson is make sure you mail the application first then the check, because as of now, I've been swindled by UC Regents out of 60 dollars. With gas prices now, that could be two full tanks of gas for my little 4 cylinder.

Currently, I am still waiting on communicating with an admissions officer to see if I can have my check back, since UCSF said they did not receive my application.

Has anyone had this problem or am I the only loser who is rambling bout this?

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[kevintech]

I agree. I read that another member had her application cancelled because of not following directions, but they still cashed her check. I don't care if UCSF can still legally keep the applicant's money, it is still unfair and scandalous of the top pharmacy school to do such a thing. They should remember that students don't have 60 dollars to just throw away. I hope you get your money back.

I haven't received a letter from UCSF yet (I'll most likey get a denial tomorrow).

 

[futurepharmer]

Evidently, I mailed the suppl along with the check (which they seemed to care more about) to the address I thought was for both the supp and the check.

I believe it should be made more clearly.

Because I read over all the instructions doubly to make sure I had the address correct and that I did not leave any information out.

Am I the only loser who is rambling bout this?

http://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/pharmd/admissions/steps/2/supp/submit/

 

[lifexfabolous]

true, i had similar confusion until i called them i thought i was suppose to mail it in the same package, because all the other schools were the same way. but i called them and clearly it out
its clearly wrong that if they didnt even look at ur application why take the money right? because the WHOLE PURPOSE OF 60 DOLLARS was part of paying the reader to read ur application and the people who process them like input them and make sure they are in folder with careful review etc. IF YOUR **** DIDNT GET READ THEN WHY TAKE THE MONEY? POINTLESS! and I HAVENT recieved any letter from them yet, but this make me look at the school TWICE.

 

[dreampharmacyj]

Hi everyone, I hope everyone has had a good application process and have had interviews or upcoming ones. Congratulations to those with acceptances already and to those still biting their nails, keep your head up. You have put all your best efforts into your applications, all you can do is let the process take its course.

I'm writing in regards to my denial letter from UCSF. Evidently, I mailed the suppl along with the check (which they seemed to care more about) to the address I thought was for both the supp and the check. The address on the suppl is the address for the check. According to the statement provided on the last page, at the bottom of the supplemental, the apps are supposed to be mailed to a different address that is provided, not on the supplemental, but on a website. I guess it is more important to have the address of the bank on the supplemental but not the address to mail the supplemental. I admit, I did not follow directions. I'm sure others did not make that mistake, but how misleading is that? Why didn't they provide both addresses on the suppl? I believe it should be made more clearly.

I've called UCSF, and they said, if my application was with the check, the bank just tosses the application and cash the check. My main problem is that, after I mailed my application, I wanted to make sure that it arrived to UCSF so that in case it didn't, I would have enough time to resend the application. Well, when I called the office back in October after I mailed my appli, they said they do not provide information on whether they received your application. Every other pharm school I have applied to provided vast amounts of reponses and information about my application status. What's worse is that, I find out that they didn't receive my application until after the deadline and in my denial letter.

To be honest, I put all my heart into my UCSF application. I labored intensely on this application out of all my other ones because this school meant a lot to me. I felt I had a strong chance but it is unfortunate how it turned out. Luckily I have an acceptance elsewhere, so I am not stressing over this. In view of how my application was handled by UCSF, or lack of handling, has taken away the reverence I used to feel for UCSF. I mean no disrespect to anyone. I just feel, a school that is considered to be the top school and at the forefront of health sciences, should have a more thorough application process that is engaging between the school and its applicants in pursuit of getting the most out of its applicants.

So, as a lesson,.... you know I don't really feel there is a lesson. Because I read over all the instructions doubly to make sure I had the address correct and that I did not leave any information out. I guess one lesson is make sure you mail the application first then the check, because as of now, I've been swindled by UC Regents out of 60 dollars. With gas prices now, that could be two full tanks of gas for my little 4 cylinder.

Currently, I am still waiting on communicating with an admissions officer to see if I can have my check back, since UCSF said they did not receive my application.

Has anyone had this problem or am I the only loser who is rambling bout this?

Very Bold Direction on Application Fee Payment Form

Please do not enclose correspondence, application materials, or any other
items in your envelope. For information on submitting application materials,​

please visit the following Web site: pharmacy.ucsf.edu/go/supp/submit

​

​

​

 

[Vogelsang]

According to the statement provided on the last page, at the bottom of the supplemental, the apps are supposed to be mailed to a different address that is provided, not on the supplemental, but on a website.

Yes, if you only print out the pages, that's the only address you'll get. But on that page, it only tells you to mail the supplemental application fee along with that form, not forms A-E. Happened to me two years ago when I mailed everything to that PO box.

 

[dumbguy]

http://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/pharmd/admissions/steps/2/supp/submit/

Yes, on the last page of the supplemental application, there is only the payment fee address. But that website does give you 2 addresses.
Not everyone goes to the website to check though. I think UCSF did this to root out all the procastinators at the very end and who don't have time to read the detailed directions. But in the case of the initiator of this thread, she mailed in her supplemental very early. I was also one of the few who mailed in the application to the payment fee address. I immediately found out after mailing my supplemental on the very last day that the supplmental was to be postmarked. I immediately emailed the admissions office to see how this would affect me. The admissions director told me that this could potentially affect my application for not following directions. He said I have to re-submit the next day and have it mailed overnight with no changes whatsoever. They will check the original application with the 2nd application. I was kinda pissed off at the time of this mistake so I immediately cancelled my check.
I'm glad I canceled my check and saved $60, after hearing some of you had your checks cashed even though they threw out your supplemental. I mean if they are going to throw out the supplemental, how are they going to check it with the second copy that the admissions director told me to resend? Had I listened to the director, I would have lost an additional charge for overnight.

yes, I am dumb as you can see by my mistake. But don't think of me as a fool.

 

[LoCal310]

No, I totally admit it is my fault for not following directions. But I did not procastinate on the application. I actually revised my essays about 4 times until I reached a final draft that I felt was the best. I read over every line on the application to make sure I didnt miss anything. I thought I made sure the address was correct.

What I am vocalizing is how dissatisfied I am with the entire application process at UCSF. Yes, those who sent it in correctly would differ with me. But look at how easily it was to mistakenly mail the supp to the wrong address. It appears others have made that mistake, not only recently, but in the past. Yet still, UCSF has not changed its procedure, while other schools which I applied to provide helpful responses. It appears they care little about providing clear communication, yet they stress it in our responses to the suppl and our interview, and they are the leading school in Health Sciences? In addition, how unfair is it for those who called the admissions office to make sure the supp was received to be told that the admissions can not tell you if your supp made it in or not? In regards to the check being cashed, I am still dealing with that, but If I don't recieve my money back especially when I have a letter from UCSF stating they didn't receive my supp, I think that is robbery.

ps. Happy Holidays!

ps2. Anyone accepted to Western Univ '09?

 

[almondtea]

With all this talk about the mailing mishap I'm paranoid now. For those of you who are positive you mailed it correctly, did you receive an email confirmation from UCSF stating that they received your application? Just want to double check that what's supposed to happen. I should probably remember, but it felt like so long ago!

 

[jyw003]

With all this talk about the mailing mishap I'm paranoid now. For those of you who are positive you mailed it correctly, did you receive an email confirmation from UCSF stating that they received your application? Just want to double check that what's supposed to happen. I should probably remember, but it felt like so long ago!

i got a confirmation email that they received my supp and all required materials on oct 7th but they cashed my check 2 weeks before that. i would have to agree with OP, i was very dissatisfied with the application process at ucsf. and same with OP, i spent a lot of time on this app.

 

[shorteeee]

No, I totally admit it is my fault for not following directions. But I did not procastinate on the application. I actually revised my essays about 4 times until I reached a final draft that I felt was the best. I read over every line on the application to make sure I didnt miss anything. I thought I made sure the address was correct.

What I am vocalizing is how dissatisfied I am with the entire application process at UCSF. Yes, those who sent it in correctly would differ with me. But look at how easily it was to mistakenly mail the supp to the wrong address. It appears others have made that mistake, not only recently, but in the past. Yet still, UCSF has not changed its procedure, while other schools which I applied to provide helpful responses. It appears they care little about providing clear communication, yet they stress it in our responses to the suppl and our interview, and they are the leading school in Health Sciences? In addition, how unfair is it for those who called the admissions office to make sure the supp was received to be told that the admissions can not tell you if your supp made it in or not? In regards to the check being cashed, I am still dealing with that, but If I don't recieve my money back especially when I have a letter from UCSF stating they didn't receive my supp, I think that is robbery.

ps. Happy Holidays!

ps2. Anyone accepted to Western Univ '09?

The same thing happened to me. I proofread and got people to read my UCSF more than 6x. I went through many drafts until it was absolutely perfect. I also reread the directions but somehow, I got confused. I did send them in separate envelopes but I wrote the wrong address. I also mailed it in early in October and I figure there wasn't much I could but wait. After the deadline, I found out a made a big mistake. I talked to Joel, the admissions officer, and he said there's nothing he can do. =/ I feel like since we both sent it in early and we weren't procastinating, we should get a second chance. Also, it's more like $120 waste because there $60 for PharmCAS and another 60 for UCSF and they didn't even fully review our application to its full potential. Bleh.
On a another side note... Happy Holiday!

 

[TrjTraddie]

sorry to hear that buddy. keep your head up

 

[TrjTraddie]

i would have to agree with OP, i was very dissatisfied with the application process at ucsf. and same with OP, i spent a lot of time on this app.

form personal experience, the admission process is actually very well organized. i supposed this address misunderstanding is probably the worst part, and from now on (if you get an interview) it should be actually really smooth.

 

[TrjTraddie]

No, I totally admit it is my fault for not following directions. But I did not procastinate on the application. I actually revised my essays about 4 times until I reached a final draft that I felt was the best. I read over every line on the application to make sure I didnt miss anything. I thought I made sure the address was correct.

What I am vocalizing is how dissatisfied I am with the entire application process at UCSF. Yes, those who sent it in correctly would differ with me. But look at how easily it was to mistakenly mail the supp to the wrong address. It appears others have made that mistake, not only recently, but in the past. Yet still, UCSF has not changed its procedure, while other schools which I applied to provide helpful responses. It appears they care little about providing clear communication, yet they stress it in our responses to the suppl and our interview, and they are the leading school in Health Sciences? In addition, how unfair is it for those who called the admissions office to make sure the supp was received to be told that the admissions can not tell you if your supp made it in or not? In regards to the check being cashed, I am still dealing with that, but If I don't recieve my money back especially when I have a letter from UCSF stating they didn't receive my supp, I think that is robbery.

ps. Happy Holidays!

ps2. Anyone accepted to Western Univ '09?

if you had to apply again next year (which you wont), would you apply to ucsf again?

 

[rainyday3]

Well it feels just a little better to know that i'm not the only one in this situation.

I realize that it is my mistake to not read the instructions on the website carefully... For some reason i got confused by the addresses. However, the instructions on the payment form did not help because I read "application materials" as materials including transcripts, resumes, letters of recommendation, etc, that are *exclusive* of the supplemental application. The payment form being included with the supplemental application made me think that it was supposed to be sent with it, and that instruction does not clarify it.

I suppose that I am upset, as others here are, because I spent a lot of time and put my soul and heart into this supplemental.. I really wanted an opportunity at UCSF and felt that this could turn into something good... And I feel like I threw it away just by this small mistake.

Anyhow, I am applying to other schools as well, and am keeping my hopes up for them. Happy holidays, everyone.

Very Bold Direction on Application Fee Payment Form

Please do not enclose correspondence, application materials, or any other
items in your envelope. For information on submitting application materials,​

please visit the following Web site: pharmacy.ucsf.edu/go/supp/submit

​

 

[jyw003]

form personal experience, the admission process is actually very well organized. i supposed this address misunderstanding is probably the worst part, and from now on (if you get an interview) it should be actually really smooth.

please explain your "personal" experience.

 

[koercive]

It's one of those things that may not totally represent who you are as an applicant, but they place it there to further weed out more of their few thousand students.

I would relate it to making a 'small' mistake on a driver's test that you just totally forgot about and failing your driver's test or going 1mph over the speed limit to lose points. The first time I went for my license, I didn't read the directions and forgot to bring some paperwork (it might have been my passport or birth certificate) and I was automatically failed - I had to wait another 3 months before I got my license.

It sucks, but there's always next year. I do admit that these scrutinizing application process has made me very anxious and uneasy that I made some mistake, and I often double/triple/quadruple check everything.

not to be cynical , but it sucks how they don't notify you until long after your check clears (no canceling checks)

on your rejection letter, did it specifically state that you did not follow directions??

also, did anyone get an interview invite, it looks like only rejections have been posted here so far

 

[dreampharmacyj]

on your rejection letter, did it specifically state that you did not follow directions??

I also would like to know why they sent rejection letters? not following direction or incomplete applications?

 

[TrjTraddie]

please explain your "personal" experience.

well... although i'm no expert, i did interview last year at ucsf.

think about it this way: if you are a pharmacist, and you make the little mistake of (oopsie) giving the wrong prescription to a patient, you can put someone at danger. I think this argument is getting old and everyone knows you should read the instructions carefully before doing anything. The fact that they rejected whoever didn't send the application to the right address seems harsh, but there's absolutely no point in dwelling on it now. besides, the instructions were on the website in bold.

People shouldn't feel upset at ucsf admissions because this incident is not a true reflection of the potential of each candidate. Don't take it personally, ucsf didn't reject anyone because they were bad candidates. They rejected all those people because of a small technicality. If they make an exception now, they'l have to make an exception for everyone for various other reasons. besides, they are on a deadline (and hell, i want to get that letter by christmas time instead of waiting until after new years) and worrying about people who didn't follow directions lags the process for everyone.

im sure that most ppl here are very intelligent, and will probably enter pharmacy one day. now it's time to forget about this and look forward. let's all agree this is a good life lesson

 

[FinestDrug]

well... although i'm no expert, i did interview last year at ucsf.

think about it this way: if you are a pharmacist, and you make the little mistake of (oopsie) giving the wrong prescription to a patient, you can put someone at danger. I think this argument is getting old and everyone knows you should read the instructions carefully before doing anything. The fact that they rejected whoever didn't send the application to the right address seems harsh, but there's absolutely no point in dwelling on it now. besides, the instructions were on the website in bold.

People shouldn't feel upset at ucsf admissions because this incident is not a true reflection of the potential of each candidate. Don't take it personally, ucsf didn't reject anyone because they were bad candidates. They rejected all those people because of a small technicality. If they make an exception now, they'l have to make an exception for everyone for various other reasons. besides, they are on a deadline (and hell, i want to get that letter by christmas time instead of waiting until after new years) and worrying about people who didn't follow directions lags the process for everyone.

im sure that most ppl here are very intelligent, and will probably enter pharmacy one day. now it's time to forget about this and look forward. let's all agree this is a good life lesson

I completely agree.

 

[extra07extra]

I'm sorry to hear about your unfortunes of having your application cancelled. I agree that the instructions are somewhat misleading because I actually made the same mistake.

I sent the supplmental and check to the same place (I forget which address) but I caught the mistake a few hours later on the same day I sent it out (Nov 3rd). I immediately called UCSF's admissions office and notified them of my mistake and asked whether I should re-send both separately to their proper addresses. The person who I spoke with was very helpful and offered to forward my application and check and to make sure both ended up at their rightful places.

Sure enough, a few weeks later I received a confirmation email from UCSF saying that everything was in order and that they were going to be looking at my application along with everyone else's.

For those that had their applications cancelled, did you all also receive this follow-up confirmation email?

 

[LoCal310]

if you had to apply again next year (which you wont), would you apply to ucsf again?

after this experience I would still apply there if i had to apply again next year. although this experience has left a bad taste in my mouth, i would still have to apply to as many schools as possible to ensure i get an acceptance. i wouldn't be as upset if ucsf provided both addresses on the supplemental rather than having just the address for the check on it. it just seems to me they are using the misleading format to aid in cutting off applicants which puts a negative image on ucsf since other schools put more effort in providing better information.

I'm sorry to hear about your unfortunes of having your application cancelled. I agree that the instructions are somewhat misleading because I actually made the same mistake.

I sent the supplmental and check to the same place (I forget which address) but I caught the mistake a few hours later on the same day I sent it out (Nov 3rd). I immediately called UCSF's admissions office and notified them of my mistake and asked whether I should re-send both separately to their proper addresses. The person who I spoke with was very helpful and offered to forward my application and check and to make sure both ended up at their rightful places.

Sure enough, a few weeks later I received a confirmation email from UCSF saying that everything was in order and that they were going to be looking at my application along with everyone else's.

For those that had their applications cancelled, did you all also receive this follow-up confirmation email?

i didn't receive any follow up information. i tried contacting ucsf to find out, but they said they couldn't provide that information .

I completely agree.

i'm not dwelling on this. again, luckily i have been accepted at Western. it seems that this happens to a lot of applicants. they should provide both addresses on the supplemental rather than have it the way they have it now, which can be easily misunderstood. it just reflects poorly, to me, on a campus that is this prestigious.

i'm still hoping i can get my 60 dollars back.

 

[bluesickle]

Wow, that's just wrong. I had a school cash my check well before PharmCAS even sent in my app and I thought that was bad.

 

[LoCal310]

so i have just got off the phone with the admissions director, Joel Gonzales whom was very patient, and compassionate. i understand although i feel disappointed about the application process at UCSF, thousands have applied successfully. yes, i accept responsibility on my part, and it was great to hear from Mr. Gonzales that he will take into consideration about the "misleading" address format and limited ability to provide application status during the process before the deadline. i hope a change will occur because i have high regards for UCSF and i believe they can improve their application process to reflect their prestigious institution. since it appears that my refund is as realistic as Bush staying in the white house, i hope that my 60 bucks goes towards the improvement of the application process and to the future applicants. alright, people are probably getting sick of this issue, so here is the official stamp "Case Close" .

"in failure there can be success"

merry christmas, or happy hanukkah, or happy holidays, or
happy winter break!!