Recent content by BeckyG

Hi all, Just wanted to let people know that there is an open spot at the PGY-2 level for the coming academic year (2006-07) at UCLA in psychiatry. One of my co-interns decided to pursue other options and has left a spot open. Feel free to email me or contact Martie Banks (she's the...

I'm a CA med student. Have interviewed at: UCSF Stanford UCLA-Harbor USC UCSD Have interviews scheduled at: UCLA (NPI) Cedars-Sinai UC Davis If anyone wants to chat about impressions of California schools, feel free to email me - I'd love to hear others' thoughts. Best of luck...

Of the two, I think Davis probably has a stronger program for academics and Fresno is probably more for community psych. Not sure though, as I did not apply to Fresno. Regardless, they are UC programs, so you can't go wrong. Hope that helps some. Best of luck!

I think that as you start college, you should really just try out different things and see what you like. In the end, your major does not matter as much as how you do in your classes. Thus, the recommendation to choose a major that is interesting to you is assuming that you will do well in...

I read Danek's book as well and ejnoyed it. Honestly, though, I did not change my study habits all that much when I got to med school - you just have to learn what's important to study for exams and the clinical years (which your big sib at UCSF should help you with!). The rest pretty much is...

While I agree it's risky, I do know someone who has successfully accomplished that task. He was accepted at Davis and decided he didn't want to go. The following year he applied again and got into UCSF - where he is now. Don't know the specifics of the reasons given to the adcoms, but he was...

I think that's just about it.. the only thing to add is that the screening for secondaries is mostly MCAT, GPA and residency... there is some fabled score based on the above and maybe other criteria. If you score is above the cutoff, you get the secondary. Hope that's helpful. Good luck...

I'm getting ready to start my 2nd year at UCSF in about a month. If you were a science major (I was), it's not that bad. I graduated in 1997, took classes in Fall 1999 - Spring 2000 and started med school in the Fall of 2001. If you're weaker in some sciences, it may be a little tougher...

Hi gbv, I don't know exactly what to tell you - an application has so many parts. I know that for UCSF, the personal statement is very important (much more than at other schools). Also, life experiences count a lot. I took a few years off - was a health care consultant, worked for an IRB...

I just finished my first year at UCSF - had a 29T and a 3.8 GPA. I know another classmate with a 29 also - neither of us are URM. So.. apply to the CA schools, it doesn't cost that much and is worth a shot! Hope that helps. Good luck! Becky

Entropy -- Feel free to email me, but the short answer is that most people live in apartments either near UCSF (more expensive) or within the city or in the East Bay (not recommended) and use public transportation to get to school. There's no parking around school and students can't get...

CU, how many times have I told you NOT to study for anatomy!! Netter's not going to do much on its own.. you'd need a clinical anatomy text book to guide studying (though I told you the most important stuff before on email). If you want my UCSF syllabus info to guide you, let me know. Talk to...

I don't know how true that last statement is. Granted, I am taking loans, but I also was given grants and they did materialize. If they offer it in the award letter, you will get it. I'm not sure about that asterick.. never saw it on my award letters. But the best thing would be to call...

Congrats, souljah!!! Looking forward to seeing you next year. Feel free to email with any questions, etc. Congrats again!!

I think Drako has good advice here. Only thoughts are: keep the letter to one page, address it to the dean of admissions and the admissions committee. Basically say what was said: "UCSF SoM is my absolute #1 choice. In fact, my interest in attending UCSF is so strong that I would like to...