<p>I want to be a doctor and will be going in as a bio major. I'm stuck deciding what schools to go to. The problem is I'm sick of statistics! Tell me what UCLA is really like, what classes are like, if UCLA was everything your imagined, any regrets; all the stuff you don't see in the brochures. Hopefully, I'll be able to choose. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Tell me what UCLA is really like, what classes are like, if UCLA was everything your imagined, any regrets; all the stuff you don't see in the brochures. Hopefully, I'll be able to choose. </p>
<p>Classes? I have taken some introductory courses for the typical bio-major. They are large and impersonal. Some classes are smaller (my GE last quarter was 60 students). Writing classes are guaranteed to be small. They're also difficult to get into because of their demand. So are foreign language courses. They aren't always taught by a professor though. </p>
<p>The school wasn't everything I imagined it to be. For one thing, I didn't realize there would be such a broad spectrum of students with different interests and such. I underestimated the size of the university (it's difficulty to gauge 27,000 undergraduates) and to put the entire place in perspective. </p>
<p>Any regrets?
Yes. I came in with the mindset that I would go on to graduate school in the biological sciences or that I was destined to a specific professional school. I was high-strung and narrow-minded about my interests and had a close-minded view. So, I took part in organizations, chased after research opportunities, and made this extremely narrow pathway to follow. I felt miserable. Now, I am trying to take more classes that are interesting to me and I am trying to see what's a good fit. Other regrets include not going to Covel Tutorials for math and science classes (don't worry about this yet; they'll advertise it like crazy). I would've also pursured a variety of different organizations at the beginning of the year or heck, possibly even rushed just to see what it was like. I would've made more of an effort to find my niche or a band of friends and associates. The beginning of fall quarter is the easiest time to do it. You have this huge window of opportunity that only gets smaller as you progress. </p>
<p>Stuff not in the brochures?
There are a lot of secrets embedded in UCLA. Special libraries that are more accessible in terms of computers and study rooms. Be on the lookout. ;) Oh and Powell Library is always crowded and ridiculous during midterms and finals. There are better places to study...</p>
<p>Come here and fight bro, that is my matto. Don't be worried about competing in pre-med courses, i got "A-"s in Chem14A, LS1, and Math 3B and I am pretty fuc$$$$ stupid, all i have is a work ethic that beats anyone's else</p>
<p>daniel hagos:
what is your major? and also, seeing that you are doing superb academically, how hard would you consider these classes to be for a person who has not taken any AP science classes (only Honors and regulars, e.g. bio, chem, phys, anatomy) please helppp!! thanksss</p>
<p>I came in as a Physiological Science like one of my friends. Our hopes were both to be become doctors, however, you are exposed to soo much that you begin to see that your interests and what really tugs at your heart, that tug for me was History. So I changed my major to History and I picked up the Education Studies Minor, however medical school still lingers inside me, so I am planing on knocking out the rest of the LS series and the Math series by the time I graduate. Just four more classes and I would be done with those.</p>
<p>I will hopefully move up with this internship with the LAPD that I am currently doing and have a job waiting for me after I graduate. I will probably stay in Los Angeles, and knock out the rest of my Medical School Requirements such Chemistry and Physics at UCLA Extension.</p>
<p>Honestly, I went to a really weak school, several of my friends that are at other UC's are really struggling and some others are really just falling into a path of destruction. I highly suggest that you do some soul searching before coming here, determining what you want to get accomplish and how much time and effort you are willing to put in.</p>
<p>Don't come to UCLA, thinking it is a cake walk, because it isn't. you really have to be on your toes. I had to work really hard, in comparison to a lot of other people because my high school didn't prep me right. </p>
<p>I would suggest knocking out maybe two classes at your neighboring UC campus, get you GPA up so that you can have some breathing room when you are here and adjusting.</p>
<p>premed at UCLA is interesting. You get tons of extra curricular opportunities in terms of research and clinical experience, but you also have to face the premed prerequisite courses. your gpa will depend ENTIRELY on how much effort you put into the classes. if you screw around too much, you'll suffer. On the other hand, if you study really really hard, then you'll be rewarded. Premed is only hard because people lose focus and stop studying.</p>
<p>btw, if you choose to come here, don't overload on premed classes the first few quarters (i.e. don't take math, LS, and Chem ur first quarter cause you'll be UNpleasantly surprised)</p>
<p>^ agree. also, please take some of your pre-med classes "off-quarter". im glad i didnt have to take chem with a thousand other students :)</p>
<p>I took it at the wrong time and I put in alot of study nights, that was my second big mistake. But it all went well thou. LS 1 was a joke thou. So it was only like two classes.</p>
<p>There's no tutorial for upper division classes in Covel Common. </p>
<p>I've lots to regret as a biochem major, but everything is too late. All I can do now is to take classes I like. I feel so sick when people mention medical school, pharmacy school, etc... Everytime when professor asks who wanna go to med school, I just laugh out loud.</p>
<p>
[quote]
all i have is a work ethic that beats anyone's else
[/quote]
</p>
<p>How much do you study?</p>
<p>Three Hours. I have a simple hour session, where I go over material that I don't understand, look for a reference in the book and hopefully it will clear up. I will then go off to class/AAP tutoring/or do one of my extracurriculars. </p>
<p>By the time I get back, I usually have my questions clarified, from time to time, I have a office hour visits, then about 8-11, is where I get some studying in. </p>
<p>It's not bad if you space it out, it's just being consistent, day after day. I do this on weekends as well. </p>
<p>However this quarter is pretty light, I am knocking out my Comp 3 requirement, Seminar requirement, and a GE (History GE). I am really not sure how to read my TA for that class?</p>
<p>He sent us a email this past Monday reading.</p>
<p>"I wouldn't bother showing up for section on Monday because I don't plan on being there. I believe strongly in extending spring break for as many hours as possible.</p>
<p>If anyone has any questions don't hesitate to send me an email.</p>
<p>See everyone in a week and a half."</p>
<p>I said to myself this TA seems really cool. But I needed to meet him in person, so after lecture on Tues. I introduced myself to him. I noticed this quite guy, sitting with a backpack on, the only people that stay in there seats are the TAs after the lecture is over, I just walked up to him and I said "Is your name ------ ------" and he was like how did you know? </p>
<p>I just had an extra sixth sense, hopefully I wil stand out.</p>
<p>o thanx that was really helpful~~</p>
<p>okay so i guess like myi first semester i should get easy classes and focus more on finding my niche? haha okay well
do the BIG CLASS SIZES BOTHER ANYONE? would it be hard getting teacher recs at ucla?</p>
<p>Getting teacher recs entirely depends on how much effort you put into going to the prof's office hours. Don't just rush the hapless prof. when midterms or finals near. Find some good questions that you can ask, and visit their office hours. They're lonely most of the time.</p>
<p>IS UCLA BUREAUCRATIC? To what extent is education at UCLA flexible? It seems like a big public school won't have as much flexibility. How personal could UCLA get to a student's education?</p>
<p>I'm deciding between two to three schools, and this is the only downside I could think of about UCLA, only if it holds true. If my concerns above are false, then I'll most likely enroll.</p>
<p>
[quote]
IS UCLA BUREAUCRATIC? To what extent is education at UCLA flexible? It seems like a big public school won't have as much flexibility. How personal could UCLA get to a student's education?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>All large universities have bureaucracy of some sort. It's like asking, "do bears poo in the woods?"</p>
<p>A UCLA education can be incredibly personal. I have professors who still know me by name, and others who I took 10-15 people seminars with. I barely get classes that small in grad school! However, you have to be willing to be a bit flexible, a bit assertive, and a bit future minded in order to personalize your UCLA education.</p>
<p>And you have to be willing to take chances.</p>
<p>I spent 6 months in Japan, 3 months in Washington, DC, and did all kinds of research, small seminars, and little ventures. Some fizzled. Some were successes. All were worth it.</p>
<p>soyeonchunsa,</p>
<p>UCLA can be awesome, or it can be 4 years of college. The people who find UCLA awesome usually go out and get involved, find internships, and do research. Those who don't are usually commuters who just want a degree. Taking a small GPA hit on a chance to maybe do something exciting like study abroad or do research with a professor could lead you to a great opportunity.</p>
<p>shirleyxY,</p>
<p>You realize that medical careers aren't over just because of bad undergrad grades, right? Don't give up if it's really something you want.</p>
<p>haha okay thanx~ </p>
<p>i'm hearing all these scary stories about how competitive ucla pre-med is... i hope it isnt true??</p>
<p>All pre-med is competitive. UCLA is just part of that.</p>
<p>okay, but do the classes at ucla require alot alot of studying and staying up nights often? (especially as premed) is it like that intense?</p>