<p>When one is going to be a premed and plans to attend medical school. All I see on this topic is, it is hard to maintain high GPAs at those schools. Would it be wise to attend those schools or look into lower tiered/smaller schools.</p>
<p>The average biosciences major at UCLA graduated with ~ 3.4, per the erstwhile UC Statfinder in the year 2009. SD’s would be a bit lower, maybe in the 3.25 range or so, off of memory. Statfinder was a pretty good tool, but I think the UC administration felt it was too much info to upkeep. So the idea that grades are hard to attain at either inst., is also ludicrous.</p>
<p>@above
To be competitive for med school you need a 3.7+. Since those are averages though that’s a little reassuring</p>
<p>The mean gpa of graduating UCLA students in that same year, 2009, was ~ 3.3, so biosciences was a bit higher than the overall mean. This doesn’t compare to the grade inflation of Ivies, but it’s pretty high compared to just about any other inst. If UCLA"s biosciences students maintained ~ 3.4, you have to figure that Ivies were 3.5-3.6. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry, UCLA bio majors had plenty of options upon graduating if med school was not an option. I’ve read of MCDB and MIMG majors, etc, going to b-school; the same going to l-school with the intent of being specialists in IP – science majors are always best for that field; the same going into research; and the same going to dental or pharm school. A person’s career isn’t over if he/she doesn’t get into med school, but if this person feels the tug of m- school, then they are compelled to extend things by enrolling at prestigious grad programs in the biosciences. If time and money is not an issue then many who were first rejected eventually become MDs.</p>
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<p>It is not like they had to do any maintenance, since they have not put any new data into it since 2009. It is kind of annoying that they removed it, since it could easily answer a lot of questions that people have here.</p>
<p>Corr: ‘but if this person feels the tug of m- school, then they [he/she] are [is] compelled to extend things…’, I’m having a tough time with noun-pronoun agreement.</p>
<p>I agree ucbalumnus, they could have kept it around, even with older info. Underneath, they probably felt it was just a little too informational.</p>
<p>GPA is a gating factor for med school, but when you pick an undergrad college you need to consider the whole package. Options, though, depend on affordability. Have you sat down with your parents to see what might be realistic for you to consider in terms of budget? </p>
<p>I bring this up because the UCs, in fact any large public, is going to be a mixed bag. On the one hand all the opportunities for research and involvement you could want. On the flip side, large classes and little personal attention. If you would be better off in an environment with an assigned advisor, smaller classes, etc. then you’re not going to find that at large publics. But people can and do thrive at large schools; it means taking the initiative and being proactive.</p>
<p>If you haven’t done so, familiarize yourself with the things you need to do in order to be a strong applicant. The Amherst premed guide at [Amherst</a> College Guide for Premedical Students](<a href=“http://www3.amherst.edu/~sageorge/guide2.html]Amherst”>Amherst College Guide for Premedical Students) is a great start. </p>
<p>As for your original question, if you work hard enough then you can get the grades. It doesn’t take genius ability to do well at a UC, nor does picking an “easier” school guarantee A’s. I can’t say if a UC is right for you or not, but I would say that if I was making the decision I’d look at the overall picture and try to pick the environment that gives me the best chance of success in all the factors needed to be a strong premed student.</p>