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anybody know if UCSF tends to interview rotators?
they do if you stand out (pre-chart, help residents etc)
Feb 21
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UC San Francisco-CA
UCSFSan Francisco, CA
← All programs444 posts
- Website
- www.dermatology.ucsf.edu/
- 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 termssan 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
By match cycle
Related programs
Also discussed alongside
Stanford Health Care-CA· 118 threadsMass General Brigham-MA· 116 threadsHosp of the Univ of PA (Dermatology/3 yr)· 107 threadsNYU Grossman School Of Medicine-NY· 76 threadsUC San Diego Med Ctr-CA· 30 threadsYale-New Haven Hosp-CT· 30 threadsJohns Hopkins Hosp-MD· 24 threadsNorthwestern McGaw/NMH/VA-IL· 22 threads
Page 6 of 30
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How many aways did yall apply to and what was the return? I applied to ~45 and got 3
I applied to like 15 schools and got 3>I only applied to 6 and I got 3 of them. I was also super selective with which programs I applied to
Feb 21
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I applied to 20 places and got 4, accepted 3
Feb 21
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applied to 8 schools, got 3, 1 rejection (UCSF LOL), withdrew from all others once I got the 3
Feb 21
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applied to 8: 1 offer, 5 rejections, 2 pending (likely rejections)
Feb 21
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applied to 8: 1 offer, 5 rejections, 2 pending (likely rejections)
Mar 7
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I have no ties to Cali aside from some non immediate family in the Silicon valley area. I really wanted to do an away on the west coast to establish ties and signal I want to go there. I applied to UCSD on time and a few other programs later (OHSU, UCSF, Kaiser, Loma Linda) but haven’t heard anything… is there like no chance I get an away out west at this point? Is there anywhere else I can add an app to at this point where I might have a chance? I emailed UCSD coordinator once a month ago, is it too much to email again… I got rejected from the peds derm dates but haven’t heard ab the clinical derm
I was also rejected from peds derm dates and ghosted on adult derm so far from UCSD
Feb 21
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would you rather have all honors and 0 research, or 1-2 honors with 20+ pubs/research items??
Feel like it depends on all of the other factors of your application (Step score, mentors/letters, med school prestige, etc.) ofc having all honors and lots of research would be better than either so it's hard to compare those scenarios without looking at everything else
Feb 21
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does med school prestige really matter if youre not planning on going to a t10 derm program? (in terms of MD applicants)
Feb 21
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i'd rather have a well balanced app w some honors and some pubs, than all honors 0 pubs but thats me
Feb 21
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med school prestige is factored more for certain programs (defintely lower on the list in terms of factors assessed), agree about having a more well-rounded app
Feb 21
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>the neurotic 270+ step 2, all honors, 20+ research derm applicant is few and far between. Believe in yourself - not all applicants are perfect. theyre average :). Aim for as many honors as you feasibly can, handful of pubs, show people you're likeable. that'll take you farther than grades and research at the end of the day
Feb 21
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personality and fit is huge
Feb 21
1
is a 270+ strong research applicant really few and far between lol it seems like this is not uncommon?
Feb 21
0
I've heard of quite a few people with these stats, I think it's also important to consider mentors and who you know since that can influence one's chances of matching
Feb 21
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agreed, and connections from away rotations make a huge difference in terms of "networking" as well. the loudest ones are the ones that have the best stats, but dont get into your head about it! > more good thoughts like this please, maybe we're all just delusional
Feb 21
1
also want to say, I feel on reddit and these spreadsheets, we tend to see people on the extremes in terms of stats and research while the "average" students who match tend to not put a bunch of stuff here making it seem like applicants are extraordinary
Feb 21
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connections
Feb 21
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scores in 95% of cases, excluding the "top" programs which virtue signal about evaluating applicants holistically (looking at u UCSF). It's hilarious how they say they don't have cutoffs for board scores, but they magically end up matching residents with only the most insane stats >how do you know this info? They don't release stats publically, and UCSF seems to match many students who dont come from T5 programs.
Feb 21
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Current R3/R4s come from: UCSD, UC Davis, UMich, UCSF, Hopkins, Emory, UCSF, Vandy, Northwestern, UCSF, Hopkins, UCSF, Penn. Idk seems pretty high ranking for programs (excluding the California bias)
Feb 21
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You can also see what they tell their own students about required stats for matching (https://meded.ucsf.edu/student-services/specialty-information-and-advising#Dermatology), for example in their table "How important is each the following for admission to a competitive program?", where honors, AOA, and research are highly recommended
Feb 21
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does med school prestige really matter if youre not planning on going to a t10 derm program? (in terms of MD applicants)
Mar 7
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i'd rather have a well balanced app w some honors and some pubs, than all honors 0 pubs but thats me
Mar 7
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med school prestige is factored more for certain programs (defintely lower on the list in terms of factors assessed), agree about having a more well-rounded app
Mar 7
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personality and fit is huge
Mar 7
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is a 270+ strong research applicant really few and far between lol it seems like this is not uncommon?
Mar 7
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I've heard of quite a few people with these stats, I think it's also important to consider mentors and who you know since that can influence one's chances of matching
Mar 7
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agreed, and connections from away rotations make a huge difference in terms of "networking" as well. the loudest ones are the ones that have the best stats, but dont get into your head about it! > more good thoughts like this please, maybe we're all just delusional
Mar 7
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also want to say, I feel on reddit and these spreadsheets, we tend to see people on the extremes in terms of stats and research while the "average" students who match tend to not put a bunch of stuff here making it seem like applicants are extraordinary
Mar 7
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scores in 95% of cases, excluding the "top" programs which virtue signal about evaluating applicants holistically (looking at u UCSF). It's hilarious how they say they don't have cutoffs for board scores, but they magically end up matching residents with only the most insane stats >how do you know this info? They don't release stats publically, and UCSF seems to match many students who dont come from T5 programs.
Mar 7
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Current R3/R4s come from: UCSD, UC Davis, UMich, UCSF, Hopkins, Emory, UCSF, Vandy, Northwestern, UCSF, Hopkins, UCSF, Penn. Idk seems pretty high ranking for programs (excluding the California bias)
Mar 7
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You can also see what they tell their own students about required stats for matching (https://meded.ucsf.edu/student-services/specialty-information-and-advising#Dermatology), for example in their table "How important is each the following for admission to a competitive program?", where honors, AOA, and research are highly recommended
Mar 7
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Is it just me or do Hopkins students not match all that well compared to other peer schools?
bro they went 10/13 this year at crazy institutions. yeah their derm deparment is weaker but they matched incredibly well. also hopkins r
Apr 15
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Two people in T5s, two more in T10s...pretty solid if u ask me
Apr 15
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Also, people have higher priorities than matching at the “top” programs. Who wants to go to Harvard work-horse and live in miserable Boston
Apr 15
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Bruh, in what world is UCSF, Northwestern, UCSD, NYU, Southwestern not impressive. I also think it’s impressive that everyone was able to match at other institutions besides Hopkins. It’s prob more impressive than say, CWRU where a bunch of internals stayed
Apr 15
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Plus being able to match at some of these CA / NYC programs without aways, crackedd
Apr 15
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Lmao Hopkins really catching strays this cycle
Apr 15
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bro they went 10/12 this year at crazy institutions. yeah their derm deparment is weaker but they matched incredibly well. also hopkins r
Apr 15
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Agreed, some folks want to prioritize happiness
Apr 15
1
prestige and there's nothing wrong with that. Also matching 10 people from a single institution is a huge accomplishment.
Apr 15
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Agree, CWRU tends to just match their internals
Apr 15
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Hopkins as a med school is very good so the name prob carries despite the derm dpt being not as strong >Also, people have higher priorities than matching at the “top” programs. Who wants to go to Harvard work-horse and live in miserable Boston
Apr 15
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Agreed, some folks want to prioritize happiness over prestige and there's nothing wrong with that. Also matching 10 people from a single institution is a huge accomplishment.
Apr 15
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some ppl like boston tho
Apr 16
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Ah yes hopkins deleting any info about them, as per usual
Bring it back plz
Apr 18
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It was mostly positive toward Hopkins, idk why they would be the ones to delete it
Apr 19
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what is the tea about them
Apr 20
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there's no tea, it was actually just a bunch of people defending Hopkins. idk why someone was so pressed to delete it
Apr 21
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[COPIED FROM PRIOR VERS] Is it just me or do Hopkins students not match all that well compared to other peer schools?
Apr 21
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bro they went 10/12 this year at crazy institutions. yeah their derm deparment is weaker but they matched incredibly well. also hopkins r
Apr 21
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Two people in T5s, two more in T10s...pretty solid if u ask me
Apr 21
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Hopkins as a med school is very good so the name prob carries despite the derm dpt being not as strong >Also, people have higher priorities than matching at the “top” programs. Who wants to go to Harvard work-horse and live in miserable Boston
Apr 21
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Agreed, some folks want to prioritize happiness over prestige and there's nothing wrong with that. Also matching 10 people from a single institution is a huge accomplishment.
Apr 21
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some ppl like boston tho
Apr 21
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[COPIED FROM PRIOR VERS] Bruh, in what world is UCSF, Northwestern, UCSD, NYU, Southwestern not impressive. I also think it’s impressive that everyone was able to match at other institutions besides Hopkins. It’s prob more impressive than say, CWRU where a bunch of internals stayed
Apr 21
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Agree, CWRU tends to just match their internals
Apr 21
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Plus being able to match at some of these CA / NYC programs without aways, crackedd
Apr 21
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🏆 **Derm Residency Superlatives (Unhinged Yearbook Edition)** 🏆 🔥 **Most Overhyped (aka program of the year lmao):** UConn 😇 💀 **Hardest to Get Into (For Character Development):** Penn 🧠 🎓 **Prestige Flex (Casual Name-Drop Energy):** Harvard 🥂 🌴 **Best Lifestyle (Residents Have Hobbies??):** UC Davis 🧘♀️ 🔪 **Procedural/Mohs Factory (Elite or Emotionally Exfoliated):** Mayo Clinic 🩸 💅 **Cosmetic Derm Influencer Pipeline:** UCLA 📸 🌱 **Best Location (Touching Grass Illegally):** UC San Diego 🏖️ 🧨 **Low-Key Malignant Reputation (Era-Dependent):** NYU 😬 💎 **Hidden Gem (Elite but Not Loud About It):** Wake Forest 🫶 🏙️ **Best Location + Training Combo:** UCSF 🌉 😈 **Cosmetics + Chaos + Vibes:** Miami 🔥 🧑⚕️ **Grind Now, Brag Later Energy:** UT Southwestern 🏋️
lmfao @ wakeforest
Feb 21
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im still not over the wake forest rejection >:( yeah i'm pretty sure markdown syntax doesn't render properly in google sheets. ugh not more gpt jokes , oh no chatgpt is back in the chat 🙄 >> There is zero vibes in Miami , a bunch of ego inflated attendings and weirdo residents that do not fit the extroverted / Miami energy of the city whatsoever.
Feb 21
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do the residents at davis have hobbies?? lol and i do agree with the mohs factory being mayo
Feb 21
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hated every second of reading this
Feb 21
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did not know WF was such a golden program
Feb 21
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im still not over the wake forest rejection >:( yeah i'm pretty sure markdown syntax doesn't render properly in google sheets. ugh not more gpt jokes , oh no chatgpt is back in the chat 🙄 >> There is zero vibes in Miami , a bunch of ego inflated attendings and weirdo residents that do not fit the extroverted / Miami energy of the city whatsoever.
Mar 7
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do the residents at davis have hobbies?? lol and i do agree with the mohs factory being mayo
Mar 7
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hated every second of reading this
Mar 7
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im still not over the wake forest rejection >:( yeah i'm pretty sure markdown syntax doesn't render properly in google sheets. ugh not more gpt jokes , oh no chatgpt is back in the chat 🙄 >>
Apr 11
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To the person who tried to gaslight me into thinking I didn't get an RTM call (and that they don't exist) and followed up by saying I wouldn't match despite receiving said call, I matched :)
oop. i think there was a lot of misinformation floating around at the same time OP
Mar 16
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there was just like one person who believed dogmatically that RTM calls don't exist. perseveration?
Mar 16
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Too many people believe PD words and PD "rules". RTM calls happen and anyone who says they GUARANTEE they don't do it is full of themselves. For next cycle of applicant, they happen obviously
Mar 17
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I heard firsthand from close friends who got RTM calls
Mar 17
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I think people are just trying to cope, but also it's not helpful to insist on misinformation when people did get RTM calls (granted it seems like a small minority)
Mar 17
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my own personal friend got an RTM call from a place that somebody on this spreadsheet said "they guarantee they do not do RTM calls".
Mar 17
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just name the program lol
Mar 17
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I got a call from a PD +all of the APDs on a group call who "definitely don't do them" according to this sheed
Mar 17
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PENN.
Mar 17
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penn was PD + chiefs, not PD + apds tho so must have been somewhere else rip
Mar 17
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also all this being said, i received NO call from any program and i matched!!! i think the general attitude was that obviously RTM calls happen but to a minority of people and it's not necessary to match!
Mar 17
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not necessary to match but necessary to match AT the program doing RTM?
Mar 17
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penn was PD + chiefs, not PD + apds tho so must have been somewhere else...USCF??
Mar 17
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UCSF ?
Mar 18
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i also received no call and matched
Mar 18
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penn was PD + chiefs, not PD + apds tho so must have been somewhere else...
Mar 18
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which T5 is the worst?
why
Mar 30
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bc i want to weigh my options before applying
Mar 30
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you apply based on ties, connections, and location pref. Otherwise, everything else is basically RNG. Godspeed if you're aiming for T5
Mar 30
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thank you, but connections and RNG aside, and im willing to move anywhere, are they created equal or is one going to give an edge? not trying to be a snob or anything. just want genuine info for life changing career decisions
Mar 30
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Don't love the way the question was framed about which t5 is the "worst" - they are all great for different reasons (as are non T5 programs). Harvard is great for inpatient and complex med-derm along with network; less ideal for QoL. UCSF is great for clinical volume, location, mentorship; less ideal for QoL, exploring non-clinical interests given the more busy schedule/various sites. Penn is a good balance of clinical training, research, QoL but def leans much more academic and location is not for everyone. NYU is great for clinical volume, procedural derm, network, research; less ideal for those who aren't into NYC and its pace. Stanford is great for research, innovation, kind faculty; less ideal for Mohs, clinical volume/diversity. Just a few thougts, but again. Matching derm anywhere is a huge accomplishment - don't focus too much on the rankings, focus on the personal fit for you.
Mar 30
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someone who thinks they're better than any of the T5s is about to get a rude awakening lol
Mar 31
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reapplicant here:( how can i see what programs had R spots available this past cycle? also does that change every year?>> Yup changes every year, there was approximately 7 or 8 when I submitted ERAS and maybe 4-6 that came out from start to end of cycle
this year I think was UCSF, case western, midwestern, UTMB, puerto rico, larkin, pcom georgia, temple, mcg, utah - half of those came out halfway through the cycle
Mar 17
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The ones from the start of the cycle: Lark S Miami (not real, reserved for the unpaid research fellow), Case Western, Midwestern, DCC-Flint, UTMB, PR, PCOM, Georgia. Later ones that came out but from the grapevines they only interviewed people that had already signaled earlier in the cycle and/or were reserved for internal as there wasn't any mention of new reapplicants that hadn't originally signaled getting IIs: UCSF, Temple, MCG, NYMC, Wayne State, Utah
Mar 17
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The ones from the start of the cycle: Lark S Miami (not real, reserved for the unpaid research fellow), Case Western, Midwestern, Dartmouth, DCC-Flint, UTMB, PR, PCOM, Georgia. Later ones that came out but from the grapevines they only interviewed people that had already signaled earlier in the cycle and/or were reserved for internal as there wasn't any mention of new reapplicants that hadn't originally signaled getting IIs: UCSF, Temple, MCG, NYMC, Wayne State, Utah
Mar 18
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The ones from the start of the cycle: Larkin S Miami (not real, reserved for the unpaid research fellow), Case Western, Midwestern, Dartmouth, DCC-Flint, UTMB, PR, PCOM, Georgia. Later ones that came out but from the grapevines they only interviewed people that had already signaled earlier in the cycle and/or were reserved for internal as there wasn't any mention of new reapplicants that hadn't originally signaled getting IIs: UCSF, Temple, MCG, NYMC, Wayne State, Utah
Mar 19
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how many people got RTM calls?
How many people got calls from UCSF?
Mar 12
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nobody
Mar 14
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what about USC and UCSD??
Mar 14
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Harvard does not do RTM calls they are very strict about comms with applicants and try to be fair to everyone across the board
Mar 14
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good to know we love to see it
Mar 14
0
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anyone heard from UCSF for december? anyone heard from ucsf period?
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Has anyone heard from UCSF or Stanford?
Rejected from Stanford last week
Mar 16
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wow i didnt know people like UCSD that much. Did anyone rank it over UCSF/Stanford?
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How does the rank tally make sense and how are there more people who interviewed at UCSF than USC/UCLA?
Some posts are shown because their comments mention this program.
no they don't show preference