I am a highschool senior actively applying to colleges. Through my 4 years at highschool I thought I was going to major in computer science, so the only advance science classes I took were AP Computer Science, Physiology honors and this year AP Physics. But just recently I decided I wanted to join pre-med and become a doctor. I want to apply as Human biology, but my transcript is doesn’t have life science courses like AP Bio, AP Chem, and such.
Should I still apply as Human biology, or go as undeclared in the life science colleges. I want to apply to the UC schools so I am trying to get in to very competitive schools.
Did you take regular Biology and Chemistry? You do not have to take all AP science courses if you plan to pursue a science major and you do not have to major in a science to apply to Medical school. You can major in anything you want as long as you take the science pre-req courses to apply.
Having AP Physics and regular Bio/Chem is fine. UC’s require only 2 of those 3 lab based sciences to meet the minimum eligibility to apply. Of course, having AP Biology and Chemistry along with good grades would make you a more competitive applicant but you can still get into the UC’s either way.
Much will depend upon your UC GPA, test scores, HS course rigor, EC’s and essays.
What is your UC GPA (capped weighted) and Fully weighted? https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
SAT/ACT scores? SAT subject test scores? EC’s?
Colleges expect you may change your major. That said, you do not need to be a bio major to go to med school.
I did take regular biology and chem. My dream school is UCLA or USC (preferablely USC)
My GPA
UC GPA capped weighted: 3.80
Weighted GPA: 4.14
My highest SAT: 1400 (im planning on retaking it in Oct)
SAT Subject: History - 700 and I am waiting for my Math 2 score
EC:
Volunteered at local hospital
Took a computer science internship under a graduate student at USC
I am Director of my school’s student run daily news broadcasting program
Im worried that because my transcript does not reflect human biology that I my chances are lowered compared to if I applied as undeclared. I want to get in to UCLA or USC
Does your transcript reflect the recommended prep, to be competitive? Ucla:
https://www.admission.ucla.edu/prospect/Adm_fr/fracadrq.htm
Even if you’d stayed with the CS idea, in sciences, you’d need:
“d): Laboratory Science
2 years required, 3 years recommended - fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three foundational subjects: biology, chemistry, and physics. Advanced laboratory science courses that have biology, chemistry, or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial new material may be used to fulfill this requirement. The last two years of an approved three-year integrated science program that provides rigorous coverage of at least two of the three foundational subjects may be used to fulfill this requirement.”
What’s your GC think?
I have all my A-G requirements. Last year I took AP Computer Science A and Physiology Honors. This year I am taking AP Physics. From my understanding, I would have a decent chance as to entering UCLA but, admission for me is still low. Either way, the school i really want to attend is USC. I’m not confident in my major choice because I fear that it will have some impact on my aceptance.
What is your unweighted GPA which is more telling fir USC? If you meet all a-g course requirements for UCLA then your application will be reviewed. Both schools are going to look for HS course rigor but it does not have to be specific for your intended major. Your test scores are within range but your UC GPA is low for UCLA. If your UW GPA is bellow 3.5, then you are also on the low side for USC. Apply to both and make sure you have some Match schools and at least one safety on your list.
These are overall admit ranges not specific to any major.
Freshman admit rates (2016) for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19:
UCB: 14%
UCLA: 14%
UCSD: 44%
UCSB: 54%
UCD: 58%
UCI: 65%
UCSC: 85%
UCR: 94%
UCM: 96%
Applying as Undeclared will not help or hurt your chances at UCLA since they do not admit by major in the College of L&S.
For USC, see link: http://admissionblog.usc.edu/6971-2/
No one or University expects you to fully know what your major is at 17-18 years old. Honestly include what you think your major might be. College is a place to figure this out. You might not know until you have taken courses in many different educational opportunities. Don’t worry, College is the place and time for expanding your education. Wishing you the best!
First of all, high school course would not touch many majors in college at all.
Second, most of the schools do not accept students directly into a major.
Third, around half of the college student graduated with a degree different from their original choice in freshmen or before college.
But first one needs to be admitted.
“but my transcript is doesn’t have life science courses like AP Bio, AP Chem, and such.”
And the base prep quoted above includes, “Advanced laboratory science courses that have biology, chemistry, or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial new material…”
With the crazy competition for a slot, one really needs to be on their game. And despite not admitting “directly” to a major, holistic needs the prep to make sense.
It says “Advanced laboratory science courses that have biology, chemistry, or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial new material may be used to fulfill this requirement”. it says " may be used to fulfill this requirement". Meaning I didn’t have to. I took regular chem and regular bio.
I had a few of my older friends still get in to UCLA with out taking those course. Of course I have less of a chance than people who have taken those classes, but I also had older friends who taken all the AP sciences and got all A’s yet were still rejected from UCLA.
First of all, don’t look at the stats of other students. Their applications hold no regards to yours, as your personal statements are big factors. I understand how you feel - when I was applying 2 years ago, I was comparing my stats non-stop, but it was pointless.
Second, taking AP courses in general are enough to impress the board of admissions, especially if you held a good enough standing in those courses. Though AP Biology might have helped you a bit, you do not need it to be a biology major. I took AP Bio and I am a biology major myself, but I know many people that did not take AP Biology and are biology majors now.
UC’s/CSU’s/Private CA Universities only care about what you major is in regards to how impacted it is at their school, and if they are even able to place you. They do not correlate you not taking an advanced course to your major.
One thing you should be aware of, and you probably are, but Biology is very impacted. Be prepared for what is to come with that, have some back up schools planned out in case. I do not want to discourage you, as you seem very well-rounded, but with having a dream school, have a reach and safety school, too!
Thank you. I do have another question then. I checke the UCLA impacted courses list and couldn’t find anything on Biology being an impacted field. Which schools consider biology as impacted?
Biology is impacted at UCLA, but it may not be listed as such, due to the fact that UCLA is already a difficult school to get into.
If you’re talking UC"S, Biology is impacted at:
- UCSD
- UCSB
- UCSC
- UCR
- UCB
- UCLA
- UCI
…
Notice the trend? Biology is impacted, so make sure you have a good alternative major! My suggestion for the alternative major would be Sociology B.S./B.A. (the B.S. would cover science requirements)… It would be best to do a backup as such, since, as a first year, it will be easy for you to switch majors after getting in.
Also!
Have you heard of the “four and no more” saying for UC’s? It is suggested that you only apply to four UC’s, since the UC schools see all the UC’s you apply to, and they do not really like it when someone applies to too many. I don’t know how accurate this is, but my friend’s sister is due to be in college Fall '18, and she truly believes in this.
Biology (MCB and IB) are not impacted at UCB. They are in L&S, the largest division, which admits all as undeclared, and can be declared after completing the prerequisites with a 2.0 GPA.