<p>so i got accepted to UCLA for molecular biology as a transfer from another uc, but i am super scared about the competitions in ucla. I been hearing crazy things. So how hard is it to get A's/B's/C's at ucla for science major? at my school, i am taking 3 science (ochem/physic/bio) classes and still have 3.6 gpa. i want to keep my gpa at this level because i am planning to apply to pharmacy school. any idea? i have until 6/1 to sir. thanks</p>
<p>I used to go to UCI where I was pretty much a straight A student. I got A+'s in Biochem, Ochem, Molecular Bio, ect. At UCLA my GPA has now dropped to 3.8; for the first time I am experiencing multiple B’s. Because of this, I switched out of MCDB into an “easier” major. Still, I am expecting a further GPA drop this quarter cause it’s tough and I’m burnt out…and no longer motivated to study. That’s not necessarily a bad thing for me personally since I’ve long ago decided not to pursue any of those super competitive health professions…I have more a chance to explore other interests at UCLA. It’s just inspiring to be here. </p>
<p>However, if you have your heart set on pharmacy school, I’d really think long and hard about it. They don’t really care how prestigious your undergrad school is. I don’t know which UC you come from but I can tell you that there is definitely harder to get an A at UCLA than it was at UCI. I’ve never worked so hard but my grades are not as good as they were at UCI (which is considered pretty competitive I guess). You can get good grades though if you dedicate yourself fully to you classes. Unless you’re a genius, that’s pretty much all you can do =/ On the other hand, GPA isn’t everything, and you really don’t know where you’ll end up. Maybe you’ll find that pharmacy is not for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>@oceanpartier</p>
<p>wow. A+'s in biochem, ochem. that is insane. Thumbs up for you!!! 3.8 in UCLA that is impressive. I am at ucsc right now and still dont get A+'s. This is sad. what major are you right now? What were your class loads when you had those B’s? Also Why is it so hard to get A’s? Like what are the reasons in your case if you dont mind sharing. Thanks!! this would help a lot.</p>
<p>I am a Biology major…which is what I plan to graduate with. MCDB was too research-oriented for my taste but the faculty is really superb. My course load averaged 16-18 units this year. The reason it’s hard to get A’s at UCLA is because the students here are more competitive. At UCI, I was basically guaranteed a passing score in every class so long as I was breathing and semi-thinking LOL. There were just a lot of slackers who never go to class, don’t care who’s money they’re wasting, and just flat out fail. Those people helped set a nice curve that I could always fall back on. Even if I wasn’t a genius, I was able to earn A’s through sheer effort. However, at UCLA, EVERYONE is super smart; everyone is hardworking, in the life sciences especially where everyone is a pre-med/pharm/dental/optometry/ect. Sure, I’m still studying the same way basically…my work ethic may have slipped a bit without the motivation of wanting to transfer…but I’m still putting in a decent amount of effort. I’m fine with that. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get A’s…it’s just you’ll have to work harder than everyone else…which is what you should do if you want to go into pharm. school anyway. </p>
<p>However, I am also becoming more and more disenchanted with the study of biology…it’s a personal transition. The field is infinitely interesting admittedly, but I’m kind of over it at this point LOL. Another thing is Physics is awful. I’m not a math person at all and this year I was forced to take on 2 math courses and 2 physics courses. That might have had something to do with my grade differences…also the Physics faculty here is absolutely awful. Be grateful if you are done with that stuff. What I’m trying to say is that the experience might be completely different for you…if you have a passion, you’ll find that UCLA will truly foster that passion. The research going on here is amazing and it’s too bad I’m too lazy to care about it or get involved (sigh). Make sure you take those opportunities and then it won’t be such a drag. I just don’t want to discourage you. Only you know how much effort you’re capable of putting in and where your goals lie. :)</p>
1 Like
<p>@oceanpartier</p>
<p>thanks!!! a million times. this is great advice. omgomg. i can see how it is like to be at ucla. hah hah i am motivated and at the same time nervous. oceanpartier, i bet you are doing great since you still have your high gpa. i am sure it is just these math and physics that are boring you out lol. and on the positive side is that you are almost done!!! 1 more yr. 1 more yr. you are burned out from all these classes, i bet you will be motivated after the relaxing summer. </p>
<p>i am with you on physics. so glad i already took all 3 physics classes. no more math and physics. :)</p>
<p>then… more questions:
what about class curves? Do professors curve at all? what is the minimum grade for A- in a typical science class? i been hearing mixed things, some said 94 and some said top 15%. Any ideas? i guess i should ask How likely is it to fail a class assuming you study at least 6 hrs everyday the right way though? Can you fail because of the curve? like you got a 90 while the class average is 100%. </p>
<p>thank you so so much for advice. i am so paranoid this few weeks. i can go from determined to go to LA one day to not going to LA the next day. :)</p>
<p>^NP! Yeah, the curve is pretty standard in most cases…14% A’s, 14% fail…something like that. However it also depends on the professors…some don’t curve…some give out 30% A’s. Honestly, it’s almost impossible to fail if you put in the effort. Wow…6 hours a day?! There’s no way you can not get an A if you do that LOL. Just try not to completely focus on studying. Don’t worry, the curve never hurts you…it can only help. The class average is never going to be 100%…or else the professor is definitely doing something wrong xD.</p>
<p>@oceanpartier</p>
<p>thanks~~~. less weight on my shoulder after reading your reply. 
hah hah it doesn’t seem that bad as i thought it to be. what else do you do besides studying? Do you have time for research, student organizations and other fun things because when i think of LA, i imagine people studying everywhere and anywhere. <em>lol</em></p>
<p>There’s a lot to do around UCLA…many events. Clubs are more active too then at UCI IMO. Even a walk around the neighborhood can be fun. The movies are close by. I’m not very involved, because I prefer my sleep xD. You can definitely find lots to do though. Personally, I’m not involved in research but it should not be hard to find a position. I have the time, I’m just not interested.</p>
<p>@oceanpartier</p>
<p>lol. i would prefer sleeping too after all those crazy hours of studying. i am planning to get a research or something and join pre-pharm. thanks for all the advices, we should totally study together sometime next year if i do end up going.</p>
<p>Good luck at UCLA! It’ll be fine don’t worry</p>
<p>Hi, so i am in the same situation as you @mermeid…
I was recently accepted as a MIMG major at UCLA and I currently attend UCSC. Im having a hard time deciding what I should do. I am planning on either going to med school or physical therapy school after graduating. I work hard in my classes and have a 3.6 gpa. I have not taken physics though. =S</p>
<p>I visited UCLA last weekend and it was amazing and beautiful!!
I have been wanting to transfer to a different UC since i started attending UCSC. But just a couple of months ago (after i declared and set out my 4 yr plan), I started becoming more comfortable at UCSC. I have a lot of pretty good extra curricular activities (volunteer at a hospital, and member of a couple clubs), i have gotten used to classes here, and it seems like i have everything set here. </p>
<p>But UCLA sounds awesome, graduating from there would be awesome and the opportunities that I have heard about sound great. It seems like UCLA definitely has more resources and more opportunities to explore and get experience in the profession you want to go into. However, I want to do well in my classes and keep up my GPA because that is an important/ major factor if I apply to Physical Therapy school. </p>
<p>@oceanpartier </p>
<p>Do you go to office hours and try to find extra help/ tutoring around campus? </p>
<p>I am worried about how the transition will be if I do end up deciding to go there… I will have to start all over basically trying to find other extra curricular activities and find the right help for my classes. </p>
<p>Any advice??
How do you like UCLA? Do you think transferring was the best decision?</p>
<p>@tigger07</p>
<p>everything you said are basically the same concerns i have. exactly everything i have doubts about. i also seem to settle down and a little scared to be a “freshman” again. if i am a high school senior right now, i dont think this would be an issue because LA is my dream school. But since i am a transfer, i guess things are different. </p>
<p>i dont have any ec so far except officer for a pre-health club. i wanted to transfer all along and didnt want to start doing long term things like research. so i am so torn because i didnt do anything for past 2 yrs and wanted to transfer. then now i have a chance, yet i am too scared to take on the challenge. i am going to visit this weekend and hope this is a deciding factor. nevertheless, i am leaning toward ucla because my family is in LA and i hate to travel every time to come to school. also there is very limited resources in santa cruz. there is only 1 hospital far from the campus. in the end, it is all comes down to whether we want to take the challenge and take the risk. if we say we can do then we can do it. </p>
<p>lol ignore my broken thoughts cuz i am so burned from my ochem midterm today. </p>
<p>Did you visit during the weekend? how was it? i plan to visit a self guided tour, but do they allow you to walk into the campus without student ID? what did you visit?</p>
<p>@ Mermeid</p>
<p>Yea, we are in the same boat… I feel like I am leaning toward UCLA even though I am afraid of starting over and being further from home, but I feel like it will only help me grow!i visited during the weekend And it was awesome, everyone was incredably nice and very encouraging! I went for this thing called AAP transfer day. They told us about a lot of resources on campus and gave us a tour of the campus! Let me know how your visit goes and I’m almost positive you can walk around during the weekend without an Id. </p>
<p>Ohhh and I think we might be in the same ochem class lol </p>
<p>If you do end up going and need a roommate maybe we can room together! (I’m assuming ur a girl lollll)</p>
<p>@tigger07</p>
<p>Yes, I am a girl. Are you in ochem 108B? hmmmm…so interesting, such a small world. i went to visit yesterday. i like it as it has the college feel, but dislike the residential situation. i dont know if you visited the residence hall, but it is super far from the south campus. so basically every time we have to walk all the way from the top left of the campus to the right bottom corner. it would be fine during the day but at night walking passed the stadium alone would be a little scary and unsafe. what do you think?</p>
<p>i also got accepted to UCSD, which adds to the complication. i visited it this weekend. it is like santa cruz with more buildings and larger campus. but they have more requirements. lol. i am so frustrated right now. 
i have no clue what to do. i dont like to make decisions. lol</p>
<p>Hey can you give me some advice on uc to uc transfer? I wish there was a way to PM :(</p>