Confused about Getting Admitted to a major..

So I was recently admitted to UW as a Pre-Science and I’m thinking of doing pre-med.
But what I’m confused about is that apparently some people are directly admitted to their major like Biology or Biochemistry as a freshman?
I always assumed anyone could be pre-med and take the required bio or chem courses…
whats the difference between being directly admitted to biochem and pre-science?

correct me if im mistaken, but it seems i have to apply THREE times… first to get in UW, then to get admitted to bio major, then get admitted to medical school… what is this??

Yeah, thats how it works. If you arent directly admitted, you have to apply to be in your desired major after your first or second year.

thats true, it sucks, but there are lots of pre-med majors (:

mostly it is the worst thing ever… but don’t stress about it yet, do take the prerequisites for majors, but you have until the fall of your junior year to be in a major

Most people are admitted as Pre-sciences and they have to re-apply to their intended major after 5 quarters @ UW. If you get a DA, you can skip the competitive admissions process and work toward your major.

Note:
UW Med doesn’t like admitting its own students, as in, most UW-grads will not make it into UW’s Med School. You may have to look to other schools when you start applying to med your Junior/Senior year.
Med school isn’t a major, but it’s a separate school from regular uni and you have to take the required courses that the med schools ask for to even be qualified to apply.

I think(?) that should clarify some bits

Many departments at UW reserve their upper division courses for accepted majors only. As a pre-science major, all the lower division courses and requirements to apply to a science major are open to you (assuming there are slots left at registration time).