Hey guys I’m going to be starting at UCLA as a transfer student this following quarter and I’m really nervous and I was hoping some of you can provide me with some guidance and help.
I’m going to be picking my classes in the following few weeks and I’m majoring in a humanities related field. I’m just confused on how to structure my schedule so I may incorporate my premed requirements without overdoing my class load. I mean, is there a recommended path to take for transfer students? I.e. bio and chem through the first year and then physics and o-chem your second year? Since I’m transferring I will only have 2 years to finish my upper divs and prereqs unless I choose to stay a third year (I’d like to avoid it if possible).
Another thing I’m worried about is how difficult I’ve heard the premed prereqs are at UCLA; I’ve heard they’re all essentially weeder courses due to the large amount of premeds present. I know it is going to be difficult, but I’m just looking for how I could prepare myself ahead of time. I’ve taken two basic science courses at my last school (intro bio and intro chem) and got A’s in both, however I feel my science background still isn’t as strong as I’d like it to be. So I’m considering self-teaching myself chemistry and maybe a bit of physics. Is this recommended? Or is this a terrible idea? Any other ideas on how I could prepare myself before the school year starts so I could hit the ground running and not struggle to keep up?
I’ll take all the help and advice I can get so thank you for your responses everyone.
You might want to contact UCLA’s Pre-Health advising/career center with your questions. Are you attending orientation? You could also ask your questions during orientation.
http://www.career.ucla.edu/Pre-Health-Career-Services
UCLA Career Center
501 Westwood Plaza, Strathmore Building
North Entrance, 2nd & 3rd Floors
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1573
Campus Mail Code 157308
Phone: 310.206.1915
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
This makes it sound like you’re not going to orientation. While its a good idea to have given some thought to what you want to take, at orientation they will have counselors and break-out sessions for those interested in particular areas (probably including premed – you’d have to check the orientation website or call them) where you can get more info before you decide.
in addition to the link above, read thru the info at https://www.rhodes.edu/sites/default/files/PreMed_Essentials.pdf. and https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/careers/gradstudy/health/guide which cover the same info as ucla but I think in more detail.
Rather than try to teach yourself the material in the depth needed for a college class, I think you’d be better off looking for an overall grasp and exposure to the material. In the ucla classes the material is going to come fast and heavy so it can be hard to step back to get perspective on what it means, yet making sense of it is a key for mastery. So this summer maybe watch some Khan Academy videos to get exposure. The Teaching Company also has many courses, including Organic Chem, giving exactly the overview I’m talking about. Very expensive to buy, so don’t, but your local library may have them.
Note that an unwritten requirement for med school admission is volunteer or paid work in a healthcare setting, as ucla points in in the info linked above. Be sure to do this. In fact if you haven’t done this yet it would be better to think of yourself as interested in exploring a career as a doctor rather than someone who has already made the decision. Which would be unfortunate given where you are as a college junior, but you don’t want to go all the way thru the premed pipe only to find out its not a fit and you haven’t prepared any career alternatives. Its almost a reflex action among HS kids, they think of a career in medicine and its “I’m pre-med!” And if healthare is right for you then doctors are far from the only ones in the health field that help people. Physical therapists, radiology techs, nurses, speech pathologists, physician assistants, to name but just a few. Spend a few hours browsing on http://explorehealthcareers.org
If you do not attend orientation you will pick classes last after all orientation and current students pick.
Hey guys thank you all for the replies. As for orientation I am definitely attending I just meant that’s when I get to pick my classes so I kind of wanted a general outline to have. And as for volunteering and health opportunities I’ve been doing those since high school but I understand where you’re coming from. I’m exposed to the field but I have to definitely have to add research in the next two years. Thanks everyone for the advice I think I’ll try out those online videos and get some exposure.