University of California (San Francisco)

It's a great school with cool people. There are lots of opportunities for research, community work, public health, clinical care, or whatever might interest you.

Just to prepare well in advance and stay relaxed on interview day

People sounded a little aloof at times...

Faculty interviewer was really supportive and kind, students seemed chill and laid back

Mock interviews, read up on the school and programs offered

the entire interview is genuinely conversational and meant to get to know you and your motivations. no crazy curveballs or ethics questions. really one of the most laidback and relaxed settings ever

they don't allow negotiating of financial aid and look down on applicants leveraging other offers to get better aid here :/

even as a top research school, ucsf is VERY community-oriented and for social justice advocacy

Great school overall! But vibes change year to year it seems so I hope that the incoming class is cool

The interview lunch wasn't that good

Super justice-oriented school, seems genuinely invested in activism

SDN, read the website, stayed with a student host

I love UCSF! The people here are what make me excited about the school--amazing faculty, amazing students.

that food here is expensive :(

it is a public school, so the facilities are not as "shiny" and impressive (at first glance, on a tour) as those at equally-good private schools

the faculty here are AMAZING

Really thought about the usual questions, "Why medicine? Why UCSF?" as well as, "Tell me about yourself."

I found the students to be a very good resource. I particularly enjoyed attending the MS 2 pathology lab. The students were friendly and inclusive. Anecdotally, it seems like Dr. Wofsy's introductory remarks are quite uplifting. Such was not the case with Dr. Ohara. He's honesty was appreciated though I did not understand the point of some comments (like saying our acceptance could depend entirely upon who interviewed us that day / whether they liked us)... I don't think that was helpful at all.

I am familiarized with the different campuses but if this were my first time coming to the school I think I would've been stressed having to take shuttles to interview at locations other than the main campus. Having to find your way around the campuses might be an added stress for some applicants, though I understand this is a needed practice.

Was surprised I had been asked for my grades and scores. Thought the interviewes were closed file precisely so that these factors would not play a role in your impressions of the person. Felt the question defeated the purpose.