UC irvine to UCLA

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>So I am going to be starting this fall quarter at UCI. However, I was rejected from UCLA, and I really wanted to become a student there due to their Pre-Med program.
My current plan is to go to UCI, use my AP Credits and complete the required coursework, and then transfer to UCLA.
My current major is Biological Science, but I'm not sure if I should change it because I've heard most science majors are rejected from medical schools.
My question is whether I am making a good decision by transferring to UCLA, and what am I supposed to do to make this happen?</p>

<p>Also, any advice for preparation for admittance to UCSF or UCLA medical school would be greatly appreciated.
(career goal=oncologist)</p>

2

<p>I don’t think there’s such thing as a ‘Pre-med’ program unless of course you mean specific programs like the UCLA/UCR Thomas Haider program which are extremely hard to get into–not to mention only for UCR students. There are counselors, and clubs but no set pre-med program. If you meant by their Life Science programs, they have a pretty good biosci program but UCI is just as good. But if you want to get into UCLA’s life science program, you have to transfer INTO their life science program. There is no transferring as another major and then switching into it–they won’t let you. </p>

<p>The whole Medical Schools don’t accept Math/Science majors is completely untrue. Take a look at the MSAR. Majority of medical schools have a majority of science/math majors matriculating. Yes, Medical Schools like well-rounded students and out of the norm majors but that doesn’t mean that puts science and math majors at a disadvantage. My best advice to you is major in something you enjoy and not major in something that you THINK will get you into medical school. </p>

<p>I also suggest if you have AP credits that will give you credit for medical school pre-requisite classes, you still take those classes anyway. It varies from medical school to medical school but a lot of them do not accept AP credits. UCSF, I believe only takes two AP class credits, and UCLA takes none from what I remember. </p>

<p>UCI is a good science school. If you really want to go to UCLA, then study hard and do well in the required classes: [Transfer</a> Major Prep - Life Science majors - UCLA Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_tr/lsmajors/life_sci.htm]Transfer”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_tr/lsmajors/life_sci.htm). If Medical school is your dream, get the GPA, get the good score on the MCAT, and do ECs. Those will matter more than your school’s prestige.</p>

<p>I looked up UCLA and UCSF for you on the MSAR 2011-2012. These numbers are from the 2009-2010 pool of Accepted Applicants.</p>

<p>UCLA David Geffen school of medicine has an average Overall GPA of 3.8 and Average Science GPA of 3.8 with an average MCAT score of 34Q.
Science and Math Majors: 74%</p>

<p>UCSF Medical School has an average Overall GPA of 3.8 and Average Science GPA of 3.8 with an average MCAT score of 34Q as well.
Science and Math Majors: 63%</p>

<p>Good Luck</p>

3

<p>To transfer to UCLA, you must finish all the required pre-requisite courses for the major you’re applying to at UCLA. You must also have 90 quarter units done (counting AP and any CCC classes) by the end of Spring quarter before you transfer.</p>

<p>I’m not sure what you mean by UCLA’s pre-med program (last I checked, there was no pre-med major at UCLA) but it is a more prestigious school (maybe that’s what you meant?). It’s well known that the acceptance rate for UCLA students into UCLA medical school is higher than that for students from other institutions. It’s the same way at UCI. I would keep that in mind but generally, your admittance to top medical schools is mostly dependent on your GPA and MCAT scores. Top applicants are separated by personal statements, clinical experience, and other such factors. I also don’t know where you heard that most science majors get rejected from medical school, because that just can’t be true. Most pre-med students are science majors because it makes it easy to finish medical school requirements. Non-science major applicants appear more unique, so that could help their chances, but it would be flawed logic to say that because of this, science majors have a lower chance of getting in. Frankly, the chances of getting into medical school (one of your choice) suck…period. That’s why people apply to 20-30 at a time. </p>

<p>Anyway, to answer your questions…</p>

<p>There are pros and cons to transferring from UCI to UCLA. There’s no guarantee that you’ll like the changes (have you been to either?). In terms of medical school ambitions, it’s probably not the best move. UCI has a lot of undergraduate research opportunities and it’s less competitive than at UCLA (so I’ve heard). Also, once you leave UCI, you pretty much leave behind professors you’ve gotten to know (like ones who will write your letters) and extracurricular opportunities you’ve found there. Those are important supplements to your medical school application. If your ultimate goal is to get into medical school, you should probably stay at UCI. Try to get into UCLA for medical school instead. It might be hard to say though, since there are transfer students who succeed and then go onto medical school. Since you are a freshman, I recommend taking Bio Sci. 2A. This seminar will introduce you to the facts of the bio sci. major and health professional schools.</p>

<p>On the other hand, going to UCLA can open doors. It’s a world famous research institution and has an on campus Medical Center where you could possibly get clinical experience. As mentioned before, the acceptance rate for UCLA students to UCLA med. school is higher. </p>

<p>These are factors that you have to consider for yourself. Perhaps you will perform better at a school like UCLA than at UCI. We don’t know because we are not you. I will say that if you are motivated enough to do well at UCI you will get into medical school. If attempting to transfer to UCLA is what motivates you, then put that motivation to use. </p>

<p>Now, what you have to do to get in. As I mentioned before, complete your pre-reqs for your major and be at Junior standing by the end of spring before transfer. Pick your major carefully. Life science majors at UCLA are impacted. Just remember that you don’t have to be a bio. major to get into med school. Maintain as high a GPA at UCI as possible. You don’t need to retake the SAT or anything like that so focus on your GPA. Since I am trying to transfer into UCLA from UCI, I have researched some specifics:</p>

<p>1) Make sure you find a BIO LAB course…anywhere. Go to a community college this summer if you must. Just get it done. I made the mistake of not doing this and was told by UCLA that this will hurt my chances. I foolishly counted on taking Bio100L at UCI but this year, that course was discontinued. It was the ONLY lower division lab offered at UCI. I was told that not even undergraduate research at UCI would satisfy the Bio lab requirement…which baffles me tbh. </p>

<p>2). Math 2A+2B at UCI = 1 year of calculus. I know it’s only two quarters, but UCI’s calculus series is weird. I specifically asked UCLA about this. Apparently, it covers what CC students cover in a year of calculus. To be absolutely safe, you could take Math 2D if you like…it’s multivariable calculus so if math is your thing…go for it. </p>

<p>3). To get UC-UC reciprocity, you need to finish all of UCI’s general education requirements EXCEPT for the upper division writing. This isn’t a requirement for admission…but wouldn’t you rather get GE out of the way before going to UCLA? </p>

<p>Hope that helped. Good luck. Lemme know if you need help choosing professors or something.</p>

4

<p>Thank you very much for your input!
Well I didn’t mean Pre-med major, it’s a program, almost like an extracurricular that gives you opportunities like internships and helps you get an attractive application for med-school.</p>

<p>And thanks for your advice. I’m kind of reconsidering it now, but I have 2 years before I make my final decision, so thanks :)</p>