Any UCSF Mepn Applicants?

doulalove · Dec 20, 2006

Oh, I see. On the website, it says that prereqs have to be completed before applying, but maybe that's new for people who will be applying in '07.

dordogne24 · Dec 20, 2006

That is so strange to me...I guess they could potentially base their judgement of readiness for graduate-level work on a person's GRE scores and grades from undergrad in non-science courses. You would assume, though, that they might be concerned if an applicant got C's in all their hard science/math pre-req's. Hmmmmm.

What do you guys think they are looking for? I go back and forth in my mind about whether or not I think I'm a competitive applicant! (Current mood: cautiously optimistic)

...and thanks for the encouragement and for posting info from your finalist letters. Very interesting...

:)

dordogne24 · Dec 20, 2006

That first letter they sent out, didn't it say something about notifying us if they needed supplemental materials? I wonder if, after a successful interview, they ask you to submit your transcripts for any unverified pre-req's?

Nat3433 · Dec 20, 2006

All I can find is a request for all courses to be completed before "admission" which I took to mean before you actually start the program. I seem to remember checking with someone at UCSF about this, and they verified that. But you might want to check...If I'm wrong I'm screwed, as I won't finish the Physiology class until May!

doulalove · Dec 20, 2006

I just called and asked to be sure, and you're right Sorry if I scared you at all! I don't know why I thought that, but that's great news!

Nat3433 · Dec 20, 2006

This thread freaked me out, so I just called UCSF and they confirmed my theory. So one could finish the pre-reqs the week before the classes start in June. They just require them to be done before you start, not before you apply.

dordogne24 · Dec 20, 2006

That is a trip, I totally misinterpreted that bit...I thought everything had to be done before they offer you admission...it was a bit of a time crunch to do all my pre-req's by the end of this semester, but now I'm glad they are OVER!

Only two hours before I can go check my mail...eeek

pc2 · Dec 20, 2006

Well, I got the thin envelope. Time to think about plan B. :uhoh21: Here's an excerpt from the letter

"...While you clearly met the minimum criteria for admission to graduate standing at UCSF, the pool of applicants this year was enormous and highly competitive. Only 150 of approximately 600 applicants were selected to interview for 90 finalist spots and, unfortunately, you were not among those..."

Good luck to everyone.

:madface:

dordogne24 · Dec 20, 2006

You know, there are a few people posting on this forum who got into UCSF on the second try. If you're up for it, you might think about putting some thought into (or asking them directly) what you might do to be more competitive next time. That's my plan, anyway, if I too get the thin envelope.

It's hard not to get discouraged after all this work and waiting. But who knows what excellent things might happen because you DIDN'T get in this year? :)

pc2 · Dec 20, 2006

You know, there are a few people posting on this forum who got into UCSF on the second try. If you're up for it, you might think about putting some thought into (or asking them directly) what you might do to be more competitive next time. That's my plan, anyway, if I too get the thin envelope.
It's hard not to get discouraged after all this work and waiting. But who knows what excellent things might happen because you DIDN'T get in this year? :)

Thanks for the words of encouragement. The letter provided a phone number to call between February 1, 2007 and March 1, 2007 to discuss my application with a member of the faculty. I have a month or two to regroup and figure out where to go from here.

Nat3433 · Dec 21, 2006

PC2, so sorry to hear about your disappointing news. It is hard after all the work the application itself required.

I'm really not sure I know what got me to this stage, but I'd be happy to help in any way I can if you do decide to reapply. I hear, from inside sources, that reapplying gets you more points as it demonstrates a determination and a passion for the profession, rather than people who give up and go to law school instead, or whatever...

dordogne24 · Dec 21, 2006

:icon_rolleyes:

THE DREADED THIN ENVELOPE....it is mine.

Wah....after crying my eyes out (I'm not done yet), I will take my own advice and focus on what's next...and what options are open to me now that I know what I'm NOT doing. Sigh...it's not easy to hear that your "package" is so not-compelling that they don't even want to talk to you!

It's been fun commiserating and guessing and hoping and waiting with you all--good luck with everything! It would be awesome if you keep posting as you progress through the program--so many are curious as to what it's like.

And with luck, maybe I will see some of you there in a year.....