Welcome to UCSF, First Gen Students!
We celebrate you as a member of our diverse campus community! You are not alone on this journey, you belong here, and we support you. We invite you to enjoy this welcome video, in which UCSF students and faculty members share some words of advice and encouragement.
Advice from Students

“You belong here! There wasn’t a mistake on the admission committee and they chose you for all your awesomeness!!! Imposter syndrome (aka feeling like you don’t belong or that everyone else around you is smarter and belongs here) is a thing I believe half the students feel in some way or form. Don’t let it get to you.” (School of Medicine student)
"Make sure you have and make time to focus on yourself and keep yourself happy...If you're not happy, you're not going to be performing at your best in class and (probably more importantly) in lab, and that can just lead to a downward spiral...Take advantage of Student Health and Counseling Services [SHCS]." (Graduate Division student)
“There are a lot of resources available to use, we just need to pay attention to emails and event announcements!” (School of Dentistry Student)

“I wish I would have known that I was not alone. That at some point in their live everyone struggles with not feeling good enough. You can reach out to the other people in your program!” (Graduate Division student)
“There are a lot of resources offered by UCSF that you can take advantage of in regards to the shuttle, Student Success Center, lounges, as well as special topics and program organizations. You really have to take the initiative to push yourself into exploring and signing up for these resources. One of the best things was signing up for the text alert for free food on campus.” (School of Nursing student)
“It's okay to reach out for help and take care of yourself!” (School of Pharmacy student)