<p>Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum! I was curious about how important it is to take the "highly recommended" courses on assist.org? </p>
<p>My situation is that I'm at a 3.57 GPA and I'm going to try to transfer into UCLA (with the TAP program), but I will only be able to finish the 1 year of Calculus-Based Physics requirement on the recommended courses to take. I don't believe I can take Organic Chemistry 2 unless a miracle happens and I get into Organic Chemistry 1 at Santa Monica College over the winter, if they even offer it that is.</p>
<p>I also have a question about whether my chances are even likely for UCLA or CAL?
GPA: 3.57
Pre-reqs: All will be complete (Ochem 2 missing, but not required?)
Programs: TAP with UCLA, nothing with CAL
IGETC: Completed
EC's: None, had many in high school, but I presume they don't apply here
Work Exp: I work as a Notary Public and Real Estate Agent</p>
<p>hey, i’ll also be applying to ucla, but for molecular bio. The average gpa acceptance for ucla for microbio is 3.63 and 3.55 for neuroscience. Since you’re right around there, Id say you have a pretty good shot. maybe 80%. As for not completing ochem, I think its fine. I’ll be finishing all the pre reqs, but im told that very few do it. So yeah, it would put you at a big advantage if you did, but it wont turn your chances to 0%</p>
<p>Given that you’ve finished all other pre-reqs, I think you have a decent shot at both schools. With TAP, you’re alternative major is taken into consideration as well. You may want to try to take it over summer at UCLA or wherever you go to get a head start going into the fall. There might be some upper division electives that interest you but require o-chem to be completed. Just a note, that o-chem tends to be a weeder class at UCB (and presumably UCLA).</p>
<p>That’s good news! My honors counselor also told me that even though I am not taking a second semester of organic chemistry before transfers, my 1 year of physics will make me competitive for transferring.</p>
<p>I will have taken by the end of next spring (major related courses): calculus 1-3, linear algebra, 1 year of calc-based physics, 1 year of organic chemistry, 1 year of chemistry, 1 year of anatomy & physiology, 1 year of general biology, genetics, microbiology, zoology, embryology, as well as quantitative analysis and intro to biochemistry. I have yet to take 2 of the above classes so would that mean I’m in good standing in terms of being competitive? My GPA is 3.92.</p>
<p>Yes you are very competitive. I had same stats except without 1 year of A&P and microbiology. I got into both CAL and LA. May I ask what major you are planning to apply as?</p>
<p>If I had a time machine back when i applied, I would of done chemical engineering. Honestly I love science/bio but its so not worth it. You work so hard and get nothing for it. With smarts like yours I bet you can exceed in any major. I say chemical engineering cause if your gonna work your butt off you might learn something that is worth it.</p>
<p>Oh and remember you don’t have to do bio for pre-med either. Business, accounting, or a foreign language are also nice majors to consider. You might develop skills that might benefit you for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>Well that is my take. You don’t have to listen to me just giving you my prospective as a pre-med bio major.</p>
<p>Major doesn’t matter. It is all equal as long as you finish pre-reqs. 3 things that matter are GPA, MCAT, and great extracurricular. Its just the majority of the pool are science majors which is why it seems that science has a better chance but it really doesn’t.</p>
<p>^^ that’s not entirely accurate. I was able to talk to an adcom on a medical school board last year. they said that they compare all the non science majors to each other and all the science majors. this way, GPA inflation from taking sociology classes doesn’t overshadow someone who’s GPA has been deflated by biology classes.</p>