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anyone applying for UCSF this year cycle?
THANK YOU for your encouragements!! I was really debating if i shall apply, but I think I should still give a try.I don't have any pharmacy experience but I have strong leadership experience to make it up.
UC Santa Barbara. Biochemistry major
GPA: 3.65
Science: 3.7
Research: 9 months at school research lab
Work/Extracurricular: I had 2 positions, co-founder of two clubs, also currently a staff member.
Volunteer: I participated in various non-profit organizations, one is related to health.
Letter: one from professor, one from volunteer work, and one from a mentor.
Stats are just stats, there are many factors that determine your qualifications. They have a very complicated guideline to analyze students' criteria. There is no way to tell if anyone have chance, it doesn't really matter. Just try your best and be yourself.
only less than a month before deadline. How's everyone doing? almost done with the essays?
same, really nervousmany writes and rewrites. almost done
I discussed this question with the director of inpatient pharmacy at UCSD and was able to draft an essay from our conversation. Basically from what you have experienced so far, what does being human mean to YOU. Very deep question =phas anyone gotten stuck on the human condition essay? gee, I'm not sure what they're asking for..
I discussed this question with the director of inpatient pharmacy at UCSD and was able to draft an essay from our conversation. Basically from what you have experienced so far, what does being human mean to YOU. Very deep question =p
School: UCSD
Major: Pharmacological Chemistry
GPA: 3.86
PCAT: N/A
eLOR: 2 chem professors, pharmacist, pharmacy manager
Experience: 5 years in pharmacy
thanks! just another open-ended question, I guess
Everyone has amazing stats here! I am also applying with an overall GPA of 3.3, 92 PCAT, currently in an MPH program, and lots of research/public health/pharmacy experience. I don't have high hopes for UCSF, but going to apply anyways.
this question makes all the difference to score an interview.
Mm not necessarily. I think all the questions make the difference to score an interview. But if I were to choose one, I would actually say that the Candidate's Statement is on par with PharmCAS, and the other 3 supplementals are incredibly incredibly close on the importance scale
Hi guys. I have a quick question about the essay for professional acumen and cultural awareness. Do you think it would be plausible if I wrote about my personal experience instead of educational, employment, or extracurricular experiences? I had some trouble extracting material from those setting. Thanks!
I definitely agree with that, I feel that the supplement as a whole makes the difference. Four cohesive essays that illuminate your character and your experiences, now that's a challenge!
they become less of an obstacle and more of a benefit
Thanks! I do have material from extracurricular experience, but I wrote about the same activity in my candidate's statement and I didn't want to be too redundant. So which one is better? 1) write about personal instead of professional experience. 2) stick to the prompt but write about the same organization (but different aspects and learning different things)I would suggest sticking to the prompt because the essays are just one of many ways that UCSF tests your ability to follow directions. So it would be plausible but not recommended.
UCSF is my dream school, but I have around a 3.2 GPA (from a tough school, but I doubt they'll care about that). My PCAT composite was a 97%tile...luckily for me, they don't look at that either. Furthermore, the fact that I'm a degree-less little sophomore simply adds icing to the cake.
Yeah so I'm not getting in, but applying will at least eliminate any regret I may have in the future. Good luck to everyone else too!
I currently have 1/4 of the required essays done. I feel like I'm going to have the most trouble with the uniqueness essay because, honestly, nothing makes me more unique than the amazing students they'll admit this year. Plus, whatever I can come up with will probably be matched or topped by every other applicant. ><
Oh and the lovely countdown timer they have on the first page really makes me feel better.
Thanks! I do have material from extracurricular experience, but I wrote about the same activity in my candidate's statement and I didn't want to be too redundant. So which one is better? 1) write about personal instead of professional experience. 2) stick to the prompt but write about the same organization (but different aspects and learning different things)
I have a question about filling out the prerequisites. I'm looking at my official transcripts but I have no clue about what to put in for Course #.
For example, General chemistry 1A Is the Course # 1A? or these weird three digits that precede every single class I took like 819?
UCSF is my dream school, but I have around a 3.2 GPA (from a tough school, but I doubt they'll care about that). My PCAT composite was a 97%tile...luckily for me, they don't look at that either. Furthermore, the fact that I'm a degree-less little sophomore simply adds icing to the cake.
Yeah so I'm not getting in, but applying will at least eliminate any regret I may have in the future. Good luck to everyone else too!
I currently have 1/4 of the required essays done. I feel like I'm going to have the most trouble with the uniqueness essay because, honestly, nothing makes me more unique than the amazing students they'll admit this year. Plus, whatever I can come up with will probably be matched or topped by every other applicant. ><
Oh and the lovely countdown timer they have on the first page really makes me feel better.
I would suggest option 2, as I feel like it would be acceptable to use the same organization if the two essays portray two different pictures of you. If that organization taught you a lot and helped you grow as a person, it's understandable that it could comprise a significant part of your application. As always, please take my opinion with a grain of salt!
From last year, I believe you would put 1A. A current applicant should chime in!
Haha their countdown timer is quite considerate, no?
I am curious about your timeline--are you planning on graduating early? It isn't my place to say this, but if you're anticipating on applying more than once for a reason such as experience (a test run, for lack of a better phrase), it should be noted that reapplicants do have an additional component to their application.
With regards to the uniqueness essay, don't self-defeat before you can compete! I am positive there is something unique about you that you could talk about--it's really more about what you manage to find about yourself and how you paint it. I struggled a lot with this essay last year as well, since I consider myself a rather un-unique individual. But if you truly reflect on all of the life experiences you have had, you'll be surprised at what has shaped you and how you have shaped things around you. There are many other applicants out there who are qualified, but who is to say you aren't? Let the application cycle become a test of self-improvement instead of competition, and it becomes more inspiring
You all still have a few more days! Make sure to submit a few minutes before the deadline because last year it took (what felt like) 5 minutes for the submission to actually go through. Good luck!
Are numbers like 819 course numbers used by your school? Then I believe you use those. There is a sample worksheet on the right hand corner of the prereq page. It should clarify your questions.I have a question about filling out the prerequisites. I'm looking at my official transcripts but I have no clue about what to put in for Course #.
For example, General chemistry 1A Is the Course # 1A? or these weird three digits that precede every single class I took like 819?
Thank you so much for your input! I'll hopefully think of something before it's too late!I would suggest option 2, as I feel like it would be acceptable to use the same organization if the two essays portray two different pictures of you. If that organization taught you a lot and helped you grow as a person, it's understandable that it could comprise a significant part of your application. As always, please take my opinion with a grain of salt!
From last year, I believe you would put 1A. A current applicant should chime in!
Haha their countdown timer is quite considerate, no?
I am curious about your timeline--are you planning on graduating early? It isn't my place to say this, but if you're anticipating on applying more than once for a reason such as experience (a test run, for lack of a better phrase), it should be noted that reapplicants do have an additional component to their application.
With regards to the uniqueness essay, don't self-defeat before you can compete! I am positive there is something unique about you that you could talk about--it's really more about what you manage to find about yourself and how you paint it. I struggled a lot with this essay last year as well, since I consider myself a rather un-unique individual. But if you truly reflect on all of the life experiences you have had, you'll be surprised at what has shaped you and how you have shaped things around you. There are many other applicants out there who are qualified, but who is to say you aren't? Let the application cycle become a test of self-improvement instead of competition, and it becomes more inspiring
You all still have a few more days! Make sure to submit a few minutes before the deadline because last year it took (what felt like) 5 minutes for the submission to actually go through. Good luck!
For the Optional essay, I am thinking about writing why I didn't do so well in my first year. It was the only year i did bad on mainly because I had way too much fun. Do you guys think I should mention and explain it or don't bother?
Yeah, I'm curious about this too. I have stuff I could potentially write for the optional essays, but I feel like they're not THAT bad (such as living in a separate country until the age of 6, working while carrying a heavy courseload, etc). I might just leave it blank because I don't want admissions to think that I'm pitying myself for common, insignificant reasons. I'm scared of coming off as incapable lol.
Yeah, I'm curious about this too. I have stuff I could potentially write for the optional essays, but I feel like they're not THAT bad (such as living in a separate country until the age of 6, working while carrying a heavy courseload, etc). I might just leave it blank because I don't want admissions to think that I'm pitying myself for common, insignificant reasons. I'm scared of coming off as incapable lol.
how come UCSF thread is so empty, where is everyone else?
I'm having a lot of trouble entering the prereqs on the supplemental app
Is there anyone here who can answer a bit of my questions? I've emailed UCSF, but I'm scared they won't get to me on time....
I noticed that UCSF wanted a whole year of Biology. I passed the AP Biology Exam and will be receiving credit for that, but I saw that Microbiology and Anatomy and Physiology doesn't count for this, which sucks since I have both under my belt. On the AP credit transfer list, it says that I should still take another biology course with a lab. I go to UNC-Chapel Hill and we offer Molecular Biology and Genetics, but only as a lecture+recitation not as lecture+lab. Would that still work? Or can I use Anatomy and Physiology for the "study biology of whole animals/humans?" I took Anatomy/Phys twice, once at my university, and once at a local community college. Could I use one course to fulfill the physiology requirement, and another to fulfill the biology requirement? Lastly, our physics doesn't cover electricity and magnetism, but another of our class, Analytical chemistry, covers similar concepts. Speaking of Analytical Chem, would that go under Gen. Chem on the supplemental, or just not at all?
Sorry for the wall of disorganized text >< I'm pretty much in the same state was how I'm writing right now haha.
(Or would anyone be able to give my Joel's email? I can't find it anywhere >_>)
I have a supp ready to go, but I'm really hesitant to submit. I think the price of apartments up there is the one thing that will prevent me from applying there
If it is a school that you want to go to then I would go and apply. You might find a great and affordable housing situation when you start looking. Even on-campus apartments might be a worthwhile opportunity for you.
Curious.. Why do you think it will harm you?