I’m sure I’m not the only one here who’s been back and forth trying to decide the best UC for pre-meds. Thought I could open a thread for discussion on this to help us all decide.
I personally was accepted into UCSB, UCD, UCSC and UCR and waitlisted at UCI and UCSD. I’m stuck deciding where to SIR.
UCR and UCD have medical schools. I’ve heard that UCR School of Medicine gives half of its seats to UCR grads. UCD doesn’t do this.
UCSB and UCSC are more beautiful campuses.
UCSD and UCI have better reputations and are more competitive but it might be more difficult to stand out as a student…
Some of these schools seem to be relatively lacking in research, internship, and clinical opportunities.
There’s a lot to consider. Any thoughts?
You actually summed it up pretty well. I’m trying the pre med path and decided on UCD because of volunteer opportunities and lack of competitiveness. UCR gives “guaranteed” admission to their medical school but it’s very competitive. I think at the end of the day it’s what important to your major, because you can major in anything and still get accepted to medical school as long as you complete the pre reqs.
I’ve been leaning toward UCSB because it’s next down the line in ranking (after UCSD and UCI) and reputation…and I feel it might be slightly more competitive. But it’s isolated. For medical school, it seems the ECs are just as important and I worry I won’t have the internship opportunities, shadowing and hospital clinical experience at UCSB…
I visited UCD and didn’t like the campus too well. I thought most buildings were outdated. The weather is horrible (hot in summer and wet/cloudy the rest of the year). People do seem to think they’re receiving a quality education at UCD however.
ucsb lists this: https://www.duels.ucsb.edu/professional/health/volunteer and they have a premed club https://www.duels.ucsb.edu/professional/health/organizations/pre-medical
exposure to health care is critical in gaining admission to med school and so hopefully this is a continuation of the involvement you already have
University reputation has no bearing upon med school acceptance. The algorithm that makes the first cut doesn’t even consider university name.
UCSD [“UCD” typo fixed] has had very bad results with Med school Admissions to the point they had to make a formal investigation why.
You should choose the school you like best - most pre-meds never make it to med school.
that’s right, ranking doesn’t matter. you might not even want go the pre med route when you enroll and start taking classes, so pick the college you vibe with the best. have some sort of back up plan, because you never know what might happen.
Where did you see this at? Can you link it please? @MYOS1634
I’ve been researching this for a while. People can expound about the kumbaya nature of pre-law and pre-med undergrad institutions, but the truth is the overwhelming number of acceptances to top
medical schools was and is selective.
Below are two links. The first shows the usual suspects funneling the most applicants to the top medical schools.
The second has an interesting statistic (it was removed in this year’s edition, wonder why?).
Best practice: strong GPA, high MCAT and ideally attend a college with a medical school. Not only do they grab more from their ranks, a lot of research opportunities. UCD or UCSD.
——
Top feeder schools to med schools
https://www.aamc.org/download/493728/data/factstablea2.pdf
MCAT stats
Top of page 12: “Highest importance: Selectivity of
undergraduate institution (Private)”
https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fastly.net/production/media/filer_public/7c/fb/7cfb5f43-f9cd-4a5a-bdad-36e735b5844a/mcatstudentselectionguide.pdf#page=12
I’m probably ending up at UCR and while it’s less prestigious I’ve been doing a LOT of research and I’m incredibly surprised. There is so much opportunity for research, volunteering, student organizations. Lack of GPA deflation. They’re an extremely research heavy school. Even though it’s in riverside, it’s become really really appealing. Also, best environment to be one of the highest achieving students.
You mean through this program?
https://somsa.ucr.edu/thomas-haider-early-assurance-program
Basically, UCR pre-meds can apply early for UCR medical school. If admitted to the program, they can avoid the usual application process of sending 15-30 applications, traveling to interviews, etc. that they would have to do the next year.
The “(Private)” above means that this is for private medical schools; the same criterion is in the lowest importance with “(Public)” for public medical schools.
@Ohm888 Thank you! I’ve been looking for that data. I’m not even seeing UCSB on there…I must have overlooked it…
@ucbalumnus Yes, I did see that program awhile back. The problem is that 24 seats (or so) is quite competitive considering the number of premeds… If you apply to that program, you cannot apply to any other medical schools.
The one benefit is that they don’t require the MCAT.
@ucdochopeful2k19 Yes, if you can get a guaranteed spot in that Thomas Haider program you’ll be set.
@MYOS1634 I don’t like this reply - I’ve simply asked which provides the better chance at getting in somewhere. Don’t just tell me to forget about it…
@MYOS1634 regarding UCD for medical school. It has a great reputation and many people choose it with great success. Not caring for it is your rightful prerogative but badmouthing a campus up here is not part of the play fair rules. Let’s all be supportive of everyone’s choices.
UCD is ranked (tied) at number 30, above USC and Brown. Acceptance rate is approx 1.8%.
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/research-rankings
@kristinpete you may find these UCD medical school match placements of help. I also believe being connected to a hospital allows more research opportunities. Congrats on your admission and good luck!
And btw, I meant undergrad above, not medical school @MYOS1634.
2017
https://health.ucdavis.edu/mdprogram/registrar/PDF%202017/electronic_school_match_results_PUBLIC.pdf
Sorry, there is a typo!!! I am really sorry - I meant UCSD, not UCD.
UCSD has had to investigate why their med school acceptance rate was so low.
UCD is doing quite well actually with the premed process, keeping in mind it’s in California so there are thousands of highly talented students and few med school spots (it’s basically the hardest state for med school).
However, @kristinpete , it’s REALLY important to have a plan B as a premed because most premeds never make it to med school. It doesn’t mean that you won’t, but you must prepare for that case. Try your hardest but know what to do if it doesn’t pan out.
(Roughly, 75% would-be premeds never make it. Of those who do make it and apply, on average 40% make it into even one med school. UCD does better than that and UCSD was doing worse than that.)
Oh ok, sorry @MYOS1634, I was like what the heck? ?