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UC San Francisco-CA

UCSF

San Francisco, CA

NRMP
1062080R0 / 1062080A0
ACGME
0800521019

Applicant sentiment — from 150 anonymous posts, 2016–2027

5.5 / 10

What anonymous posters said

Anonymous posters frequently discussed the interview process, including timing of invite calls, rejections, and Step 2 score requirements before rank lists. Several commenters described the program as highly regarded for clinical training and subspecialty exposure, though opinions on workload and culture varied, with some calling it demanding and others disputing negative characterizations. Multiple posts noted few internal candidates remain for residency and suggested California ties may be helpful in admissions.

AI-generated summary of opinions expressed in anonymous, unverified posts. It describes what posters wrote, not verified facts about this program. Based on these 150 posts · Updated Aug 2026 · Contest or respond to this entry · Takedown & right of reply

Match terms
san franciscosan francisco dermuc san franciscoucsf

Fame & Shame

2025–2026 Derm

4 entries

1. Elitist (to no one's surprise), and many faculty give preferential treatment to rotating medical students from more prestigious schools. As much as they emphasize being socially attuned and progressive, at the end of the day, they're just another ivory tower institution masquerading as a social justice warrior.

1. You don't actually HAVE to be a former pediatrician to apply for this and be considered. Wish I knew this earlier, I would have applied.

2. Interviewer made disparaging comments about where I went to school

💬1. It does say on their website "preferred but not required;" I wonder if they've taken applicants w/o previous peds residency. > guess we will find out soon > this is the first year of the track and it seemed like everybody was an MS4 during the interview +1

Page 3 of 30

1

whoever deleted the UCSF program expansion comments please have a bad day thx

#28082025–2026 DermFeb 21

lmaoo they also deleted in reapplicant tab. The ugliest souls in medicine

Feb 21
0

Qualified candidates are encouraged to reach out to Chris Walker at chris.walker@ucsf.edu indicating interest. The NRMP program code for this position is 1062080R0. Applications must be complete and available in ERAS by February 6, 2026

Feb 21
0

It says qualified candidates unfortunately so u cant apply :(

Feb 21
0

what is this for

Feb 21
0

new pgy-2 spot for UCSF (not puerto rico)... can we stop sabotaging this amazing opportunity for some candidates guys like grow up - someone needs to lock the cell >> Lmao yall need to relax its not that deep < you're giving "I can't afford to have virtue yet" >> It's not that deep >> lol at the virtue ref (virtue person and tampon man are besties methinks)

Feb 21
5

new pgy-2 spot for UCSF (not puerto rico)... can we stop sabotaging this amazing opportunity for some candidates guys like grow up - someone needs to lock the cell >> Lmao yall need to relax its not that deep < you're giving "I can't afford to have virtue yet" >> It's not that deep >> lol at the virtue ref (virtue person and tampon man are besties methinks)

Mar 7
0
0

what programs make you cover attending inboxes?

#27912025–2026 DermFeb 21

ucsf, ccf, cw, MI

Feb 21
0
0

Anyone know programs that have good fertility coverage in their insurance :D?

#27862025–2026 DermFeb 21

Whered u interview is the real question for this

Feb 21
0

UCSF has 30k!

Feb 21
0

Penn, Columbia >Mayo has tons of support, UCSD also has robust fertility benefits (I think 20-30k)

Feb 21
0

are fertility benefits mainly egg freezing or do they are include IVF?

Feb 21
0

i think both

Feb 21
0

a handful of programs ive interviewed at have had this. so nice to see!

Feb 21
0

Is there a way to see the fertility specific coverage in a plan or did the programs specifically highlight it as a benefit? would love to know which programs have coverage!

Feb 21
1
2

How are the research track/2 applicants thinking about ranking programs? I was most impressed by UCSF, then Penn/Harvard. New haven seemed bleak but good research. Going to be a tough cycle with how many apps there are this year and limited number of spots

#27782025–2026 DermFeb 21

Also impressed by Penn, Harvard, Yale, Northwestern

Feb 21
0

also, I wonder how far the Harvard/Yale name can take someone.

Feb 21
1

also, I wonder how far the Harvard/Yale name can take someone.

Mar 7
0
0

New traumatic interview experience unlocked: I word salad(ed?) till my interview rephrased the question 3 times, using a simple example scenario the third time.

#27682025–2026 DermFeb 21

ummm was this UCSF?? bc i had the exact same thing happen to me

Feb 21
0

mustve been a confusng question doesnt seem like your fault

Feb 21
0
0

is it true that UCSF residents manage attendings' inbox? < yes> what about NYU?

#27672025–2026 DermFeb 21

UCSF residents manage an attendings inbox all together when they're on that specialty clinics rotation. It's not every month or every clinic + they're given protected time (separate from regular academic time) to do it

Feb 21
0

UCSF does not manage attending inbox

Feb 21
0

NYU only manages inbox for patients they have seen in clinic

Feb 21
0

do you know if you get academic/admin time at nyu

Feb 21
0

yes you do

Feb 21
0

thank you!

Feb 21
0

CCF residents also only manage inboxs for patients they have seen in clinic and are also given protected administrative time.

Feb 21
0

do you know if you get academic/admin time at nyu

Mar 7
0

yes you do

Mar 7
0

thank you!

Mar 7
0
0

Is everyone on here from Arkansas? jesus christ.

#27662025–2026 DermFeb 21

and we have the entire UCSF squad lol

Feb 21
0

and the Sinai RY fellows> and cornell lovers

Feb 21
0

Someone share the Arkansas secret, what's so great??

Feb 21
0

The governor of arkansas?

Feb 21
0

The governor of arkansas?

Mar 7
0
0

based on the rank tallies it's clear this spreadsheet skews towards high tier applicants. are 1/3 of the UCSF/HARVARD/Duke interviewees really on here?

#27232025–2026 DermFeb 21

I'm more curious about Arkansas> home??

Feb 21
5

yeah lots of us low/mid tier applicants try to avoid this spreadsheet as it makes us more stressed, the high tier applicants have tons of interviews and their stress is probably more about where they are matching while for some of us, we are stressed about matching at all!

Feb 21
0

we all are stressed about matching

Feb 21
0

we all are stressed about matching

Mar 7
0
0

Why does every derm program have some kind of exploitation? Like UCSF forcing residents to cover attending inboxes for patients they'e never seen before?

#26852025–2026 DermFeb 21

y'all need to remember that this is NOTHING!!!!!!! compared to a residency in IM/surgery/peds/etc. yes it sucks but it's so so so so much better than what you could be dealing with. This is also another plug for everyone to do a chill TY instead of a prelim lol < what an odd response

Feb 21
0

Not every program exploits, but yes some definitley do

Feb 21
0

…what was odd about that response

Feb 21
0

that theyre putting down other specialties as if theyre malignant> because they are lol

Feb 21
1

yikes if you guys think derm is any different… the joke is that specialties are all malignant in some capacity and it depends on the program. Derm isn't special and you aren't above other specialties because you matched Derm. respect other specialites guys what is wrong with that....

Feb 21
1

Being forced to do stupid shit like cover atttending inbox can actually make a big impact on your QoL .. lol

Feb 21
0

which programs do this?

Feb 21
0

CCF, UMich, OHSU

Feb 21
0

tufts too

Feb 21
0

At CCF, you only cover the attending in boxes of patients that you have seen so it was just part of the continuing care of your patients just like in the real world

Feb 21
0

without the attending salary yay

Feb 21
0

Umich does not cover attending inboxes (you cover your own inbox for patients you staffed with an attending, and if they see patients independently, they cover the inbox stuff)

Feb 21
0

which programs do this?

Mar 7
0

CCF, UMich, OHSU

Mar 7
0

tufts too

Mar 7
0

without the attending salary yay

Mar 7
0

Umich does not cover attending inboxes (you cover your own inbox for patients you staffed with an attending, and if they see patients independently, they cover the inbox stuff)

Mar 7
0
0

UCSF vs Stanford thoughts?

#26762025–2026 DermFeb 21

clinical training is stronger at UCSF but Stanford has better QOL and still good training > this spreadsheet loves to frame ucsf as a workhorse and it possibly true based on interview. Stanford is consistently said to be more chill and overall enjoyable

Feb 21
1

this question has been asked 1 million times how many people are actually getting interviews from both

Feb 21
0

mbn

Feb 21
0

mbn

Mar 7
0
0

thoughts on UCSF today? ><

#26262025–2026 DermFeb 21

Generally felt appreciated by the faculty there, it was clear that most of them had taken the time to read my application and follow up with specific questions about it.

Feb 21
0

faculty were lovely, i was so impressed

Feb 21
0

earlier interviewer, but felt PD asked an inappropriate question. i think that got deleted

Feb 21
0

Someone deleted negative impression at left, take everything here with a grain of salt y'all

Feb 21
0

what did it say

Feb 21
1

faculty were lovely, i was so impressed

Mar 7
0

earlier interviewer, but felt PD asked an inappropriate question. i think that got deleted

Mar 7
0

what did it say

Mar 7
0
0

i was scrolling and noticed that there are a number of posts that mention how stanford is "not prestigious" and "not really a t5" with no comments to back that up and the postiive post about stanford vs ucsf got deleted. im not saying these patterns are shady, but im not not saying it. and yes, i can read doximity, but the point stands.

#26092025–2026 DermFeb 21

Stanford has an unmatched brand name and is, non-negotiably, a top program. Anyone who tries to convince you not to go there likely has ill intentions

Feb 21
0

agreed. same with UCSF, Penn, NYU, Harvard, etc.

Feb 21
0

the person was asking Stanford vs ucsf and others commented they'll be ranking Stanford over ucsf. Felt like several people said that

Feb 21
0

I think patterns are very shady, OP. haha.

Feb 21
0

lmao

Feb 21
0

imagine being in the position to get to choose ucsf or stanford COULDNT BE ME must be nice

Feb 21
0

A lot of mental masturbation and obsession over what the top programs are and comparing them. As a derm resident, I will say to be grateful if you match anywhere and be extra grateful if you match at one of your top choices/place you really liked + 10002

Feb 21
0
0

for those who interviewed at UCSF last week, how many interviewees were there?

#25972025–2026 DermFeb 21

about 25?

Feb 21
0

oh wow, there are like 20 for this week, that's more than I expected in total

Feb 21
0

last week more like 20

Feb 21
0

UCSF stiff with competition this year (sponsored by BlueChew)

Feb 21
0

they interviewed 8 of us for the peds track lol

Feb 21
0

it was more like 13 last week

Feb 21
1

the outlook calendar invite usually has the number!

Feb 21
0

doesnt their website say 22-24 interviews for clinical track??

Feb 21
0

plus 8-10 for research track, not sure if 22-24 includes peds

Feb 21
0

probs not? this week 19 + last week 13 = 32 minus 8-10 peds would give us 22-24 (unless 2 was same days as clinical, then would probably include it)

Feb 21
2

there were some 2 same day as clinical i know

Feb 21
2

peds had a whole separate interview day in december

Feb 21
0

okay nice the numbers add up

Feb 21
0

im confused how do the numbers add up lmao

Feb 21
0

they don't

Feb 21
0

8-10 peds in Dec, 19 = 32 in Jan which include 22-24 clinical track and 8-10 (2). So peds is just separate and the number invited is not advertised on the website

Feb 21
15

lmao ummm 10 (peds in Dec) + 13 (Jan #1) + 19 (Jan #2) = 42

Feb 21
0

damn

Feb 21
0
0

Someone deleted :( but what were vibes like at the UCSF interview clinical track?

#25752025–2026 DermFeb 21

is it still considered a 'workhorse' after interview?

Feb 21
0

residents seemed really stressed about consult months

Feb 21
0

how about their clinical work? Are they stressing there?

Feb 21
0

wondering this too does anyone have insight>

Feb 21
0

how was the interview? Is it behavioral or conversational ?

Feb 21
0

mix of both but each room has a standard question/theme

Feb 21
0

agree they all seemed afraid of inpt time lmao

Feb 21
0

did u feel like they read app / asked questions about it or more generic?

Feb 21
0

yes but i also feel that all my interviews read my app

Feb 21
0

was very obvious they read my app asked about specifics and commented on my letters

Feb 21
0

im still sad ucsf didnt send me an interview :(

Feb 21
0

inpatient month at the university hospital is very intense with high patient load and only 1 res +/- sub-I. but you learn a lot and have lots of support from attendings

Feb 21
0

Someone keeps lurking and deleting any comments that might cause someone to rank stanford

Feb 21
0

ucsf, i'd take any advice on spreadsheet with a very large grain of salt since they're clearly trying to manipulate information

Feb 21
0

true true, thank you for the headsup

Feb 21
0

yea i agree ^^ < aaaand someone just deleted that. Please have some integrity. protecting this cell.

Feb 21
0

rank whatever you want, your career outcome will prob be similar at either place if you match there

Feb 21
3

ucsf, i'd take any advice on spreadsheet with a very large grain of salt since they're clearly trying to manipulate information

Mar 7
0

true true, thank you for the headsup

Mar 7
0

yea i agree ^^ < aaaand someone just deleted that. Please have some integrity. protecting this cell.

Mar 7
0
0

If I were to match at a research heavy (basic mostly) program when I am personally not interested in doing research beyond the bare minimum requirements, do you guys feel faculty/PD would hold it against me?

#25572025–2026 DermFeb 21

yes

Feb 21
0

yes was talking to someone who matched at a research heavy prgram as a phd but they're not interested in doing more research and they feel PRESSURE

Feb 21
0

I feel we may have talked to the same person!

Feb 21
0

what even are research heavy rpograms? i feel like every program I have interviewed at has said they don't care if residents do research

Feb 21
0

some programs have a research requirement to graduate

Feb 21
0

which ones

Feb 21
0

u hate to see it but uconn is one, its only 3 pubs tho

Feb 21
0

UCSD is notorious for being research heavy and placing a huge emphasis on it

Feb 21
0

def there are some programs the highly academic ones that do care that residents do research

Feb 21
0

which

Feb 21
0

most of the ones highly ranked by research funding care about it look at the doximity list ucsf, northwesterm, case, etc im too lazy to look up actual research reqs but case has one, UCSD has one idk

Feb 21
0

Can you just do a case report or find an eager med student and publish something simple for most of these requirements?

Feb 21
0

ask the residents man we dont know anything... we're in the same boat :/

Feb 21
0

Case is not research heavy at all

Feb 21
0

agree actually i don't think anyone is certain we're all hearing diff things bc i heard case was reserach heavy so i think person above is so right ask the residents!!> Case is research heavy. Has its own research group for med students and publishes constantly

Feb 21
0

the residents at UCSD said even though there is a reseach requirement, you can do the minimum if you're not interested in research

Feb 21
0

some programs have a research requirement to graduate

Mar 7
0

which ones

Mar 7
0

u hate to see it but uconn is one, its only 3 pubs tho

Mar 7
0

UCSD is notorious for being research heavy and placing a huge emphasis on it

Mar 7
0

def there are some programs the highly academic ones that do care that residents do research

Mar 7
0

most of the ones highly ranked by research funding care about it look at the doximity list ucsf, northwesterm, case, etc im too lazy to look up actual research reqs but case has one, UCSD has one idk

Mar 7
0

Can you just do a case report or find an eager med student and publish something simple for most of these requirements?

Mar 7
0

ask the residents man we dont know anything... we're in the same boat :/

Mar 7
0

Case is not research heavy at all

Mar 7
0

agree actually i don't think anyone is certain we're all hearing diff things bc i heard case was reserach heavy so i think person above is so right ask the residents!!> Case is research heavy. Has its own research group for med students and publishes constantly

Mar 7
0

the residents at UCSD said even though there is a reseach requirement, you can do the minimum if you're not interested in research

Mar 7
0

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