Hi,
I’m really interested in attending UCD this fall as a biology major with hopes of getting into med school after, but the one concern I can’t get over is the GPA protection. UC Davis is a highly competitive college, especially for premed science students, and I have several friends who are smart and had great grades in high school, but just couldn’t compete in the classes at Davis (with the curves, scales, grade quotas, etc) and their GPA took a hit, effectively lowering or ruining their chances at getting into med school. I hear its not uncommon for many talented students to change majors by the end of freshman year.
One of the main factors that drew me to UCD in the first place was the great science program and research opportunities, but my worry is: Will it be too competitive to succeed there? I am a good student (at least I least to think so haha) with a 4.3 GPA and I am willing to work hard, but by going to UCD, am I putting myself in a more difficult spot and actually hurting my chances of getting into med school?
What are you other options? You will have to work hard no matter where you go especially as a possible Medical School applicant and in California. There are plenty of resources (tutoring/study groups/professor office hours) to help you succeed if you take advantage.
My other options are University of Arizona and University of San Diego. @Gumbymom
My dd attended UCD and majored in NPB (neurophysiology, biology and behavioral sciences) which had a large majority of premed students.
She was fortunate in meeting several med students in the Fall of her Freshman year, who advised her to stick to tutoring (even if she had good grades). The tutoring at UCD occurs in all of the dorms and is free.
She went religiously to those sessions and maintained a high GPA because the tutors showed the students how to paced themselves (especially in a quarter system) and study for the tests and what might be presented, and how to prioritize and review course content. The addition of supplemental information from the supplemental texts were advantageous during the tests.
She found the students at Davis to be helpful and supportive. She loved her lab jobs and her clinical internships at the itinerant community clinics.
GPA protection is extremely false and misinformation spreading. Most professors will generally tell you that if you were capable and demonstrated knowledge, you will get an A. A curve exists because many people in the class will basically fail the class if there wasn’t. Curves are hugely misunderstood. Your friends might’ve done well in high school, but this is repeatedly true: college is different. I tutor chemistry at UCD, and I see so many people who are overly confident about their knowledge from high school. It’s just not the same.
You will succeed if you understand and learn the material.
I have found that the curves at UCD have worked more in a student’s favor than against the student. That said, it is difficult to get straight As while taking a pre-med curriculum at any school. Many students start college thinking they want to go into medicine, law, teaching, etc. and then change once they take new classes that interest them.
Davis has many majors that are required to take the same classes as pre-med students (animal science, plant science, food science, etc). Classes like BIS 2ABC, CHE 2ABC are packed with non pre-med students. The new dean in the department of Biological Sciences has made some changes to help students of all majors succeed. He views Biology as the foundation of your education rather than a subject to weed out students.
I have yet to encounter a biology/chemistry/any science class that the curve did not work in our favor. I wouldn’t have a 4.0 right now if not for the curve. Your friend most likely underestimated the work. Professors do want you to succeed. Pre-med has a lot of ‘weeding out’ classes. They’re tough classes, but the work can be done. Any pre-med student will face challenges. You can’t be afraid of it.