<p>I've been reading horror storries about the lower division econ classes at UCSB, and how they are designed to weed out the majority of the students. From what I understand, in order to to be accepted into the full major -- I'm an Econ and Accounting transfer student, by the way -- I have to get at least a B in Econ 10A and take a few other classes. Is it really as difficult as many make it out to be? How crazy are the curves? And also, how much Calculus is involved? Thanks in advance you guys!</p>
<p>Bonus Question: I've been thinking about trying the pre-med track. Is taking a year of physics, bio, general chem, and organic chem along with the upper-division econ classes doable, or is that just too much? </p>
<p>I remember my niece said OChem is really tough, so if the others approach that, that might be a heavy load (she is graduating from med school this year, but went to UCSB undergrad.) I would ask the advisers at UCSB. Just email and ask if you can get a telephone appointment or a response to that question from a premed adviser.</p>
<p>I’ve also heard horror studies about 10A to the point where if my son ends up there (and he TUTORS calc) he will take it and decide before the permissible date whether to switch to p/np or drop, and that will determine whether he takes an econ major (he wants to go into law and the gpa is uber important.) Can’t tell you (yet) from our experience, though.</p>
<p>Anything is “doable”. I’d say the workload of juniors and seniors taking engineering courses is more difficult than taking the required lower-division classes to be eligible to apply to med school along with the required 12 or so classes in your major (according to the Econ/Accounting course worksheet). </p>
<p>But reading between the lines I’d say the odds are against you. Those engineering students are working 6-10 hours per week in each class doing homework, practice problems, extra problems, etc. If you put that amount of work into a class, including Econ 10, then you’d do fine. Most students don’t. If you tried it would be 30-40 hours each week of serious study, and, honestly, most kids just can’t get themselves to do it. </p>
<p>I hate to sound negative, but just reading your language makes it sound like you are not willing to make the committment. If you wanted to do it I bet you could. But phrases like " thinking about trying" don’t seem to convey the intent that it would take to accomplish it. I hope I’m wrong, I’d be happy to be wrong. But it sounds to me like you are thinking about trying a couple of these courses and if things magically go well then you’ll continue. Things don’t magically go well. They go well because a student has made the conscious decision that’s what they want more than just about anything and are willing to make the sacrifices it takes to get there. </p>
<p>@mikemac there is also the gpa question. I have ZERO question of my son’s ability to do well in a course, relative to the course, but if there is an enforced C curve, there aren’t going to be As or will be just a couple. And some professional schools, law is the one I am thinking of at the moment, really need the absolute highest gpa possible, because you really do have to get into one of a handful of schools for law school, as I understand it. This is not because you don’t get a top education at much larger number of law schools, but because the market is so awful you essentially can’t count on a job that will use your degree, much less pay back your loans, unless you get into a top 14 school (or whatever the exact cut off is). So gpa becomes an unfortunate determiner of classes you can take for a grade, given that other students are fully aware of this issue, as well.</p>
<p>@mikemac I really appreciate your response. It’s honest, and that’s what I really need. Honestly, I don’t lack the conviction. The reason I don’t talk definitively has more to do with my lack the self-confidence than it does work ethic; it is almost as if all those around me have more confidence in me than I do. I think it’s because I realize that the leap from a small JC to a big school is substantial, which kinda psyches me out, but perhaps I’m overestimating the hurdles.</p>
<p>@collegevetting If you don’t mind me asking, what did your niece major in as an undergrad?</p>
<p>@blue4two it was lifesciences, but I am not sure precisely what. She was also an EMT while she was there. There are a lot of good opportunities for pre-med students. I think they have just started a public health concentration there, and they have pre med advisers you could speak to.</p>
<p>There is an excellent online handbook at Amherst I recommend you read to get an understanding of the process [Amherst</a> College Guide for Premedical Students](<a href=“http://www3.amherst.edu/~sageorge/guide1.html]Amherst”>Amherst College Guide for Premedical Students)For even deeper detail it would be a good idea to get a book about medical school admissions so you understand the entire process and what you should be doing to prepare the next several years.</p>
<p>I also always ask kids that say they want to be doctors, why an M.D? Not that I know it is wrong for you, it may be the right fit, but have you actually looked into the medical field and considered the alternatives? From the day you start college it will be 11-15 years before you are a practicing doctor, depending on what field you go into. Doctors are not the only ones in the health field that help people. Physical therapists, radiology techs, nurses, speech pathologists, to name but just a few. Before you go heavily into debt and commit so many years I suggest you explore the alternatives. An unofficial requirement for med schools is volunteer or work experience in the health care field. You see the kid already mentioned did that. I suggest that between now and the fall you get exposure since you need it anyway, and to help make sure its what you really want to do.</p>
<p>Many kids applying to med school do so at the end of their junior year. Since it will take 2 years to take the classes, you might want to consider spending extra quarters (even a full year) at UCSB if that is financially feasible instead of finishing everything in 2 years. Get all the premed classes done along with some major classes, then finish up your major in the extra time. </p>