Hello, guys! I just graduated UCSD as a premed. I can answer questions (especially for incoming freshman).
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Any student/alum/parent/friend/faculty, etc is free to field questions here.
HI @ucsdveteran !
I’m entering UCSD as a math major and hope to do premed. I was looking at my four year plan and had a few concerns…
- Is 16 units a quarter too much for my first two years, especially fitting in chem my first year then physics and ochem sophomore year?
- Would it be a bad thing to take biology the same year as taking the MCAT?
- Firstly, are you doing math because you LOVE math? Math wont really help you for MCAT at all I guess med school love diversity if there is something you can get out of it. I am going to assume that math is hard to get an A. As long as you are confident that you can pull A in math courses and finish prereqs at the same time, go for it! For first quarter, I recommend 12 units then crank it upto 16.
- If you take lots of upper div before and prereqs before MCAT it helps a lot. But you can study on your own too if you want. Its recommended to get some bio exposure (mol bio cell bio physiology and such) before taking MCAT.
The best advice is that just imagine that your major and school doesnt matter and gpa isthe most important. Your job is to keep close to 3.7, which is top 10th percentile of UCSD students. Dont do things to jeopardize your grade.
I was wondering if you did any research opportunities or any internships while in undergrad as a premed; and if you did when did you start those opportunities. I am wondering if I can start doing research opportunities or internships my freshman year.
And I was also wondering when did you start studying for the MCAT and when did you actually have to take it?
Yes. I was involved with psychology and biology research. I startednpsychology research in my sophomore year through Faculty Mentor Program that connects you with faculty members. Check rhat out. I did bio research during my junior year to my 5th year for 1.5 yrs. I generated a data and paper was submitted for publication. Not published yet. I recommend starting research as soon as you can because you want to get published and use that as a leverage for medical schools. Sooner the better. However, as I said, you must keep up with your grades. MINIMUM high 3.6 is recommended. 3.7 is average. By your junior to senior year, you should be joining and finishing up with hospital/clinical volunteering and nonclinical (altruistic) volunteering and shadowing physicians.
MCAT is a beast. I had many TA friends who had over 3.8 GPA and all the activities who did not score in the top percentiles. Obviously they got competitive scores (~matriculant averages). MCAT is extremely difficult test. I would say gettinf above 90th percentile is harder than getting 3.8 at UCSD. You have to finish MCAT before you apply. I recommend summer after your junior year. If you cant finish then, you must finish durinf your senior year while taking VERY FEW UNITS. Take 4 to 6 months to study for it. 500~800 hrs of dedication is typical. And dont apply during your senior year because theres no way you will finish all this. Not worth it. Everybody takes gap years.