UC Santa Cruz Pre Med program

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Santa Cruz
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Here are my stats:
3.85 gpa unweighted, 4.2 weighted
32 ACT (subject to change)
700 chem subject
740 math 2 subject (subject to change)
Never got a grade lower than a B
Two college courses that I’ve gotten A’s in: Socio, Pysch
Soccer and Track 4 years (both 3 years in varsity)
-Soccer Captain Sophomore Year
Cultural Dance Team 4 years
Soccer Club President (senior) and Secretary (sophomore- junior)
New club created (counseling younger students to success) (VP)
Member of a variety of random clubs
Summer tutor (150 hours)
Doctor Shadowing/ Hospital Volunteering (500 hours)
Decent Writing Skills (im okay but not the best)
Various Accolades/ Awards for Sports
Fiji Indian (URM???)

This is not really a “What are my chances” question, but rather if I should consider a certain pre-med program. I want to major in biology, and I am having a difficult time deciding whether I should want to go to UCSC for its premed program. My mom’s co-workers (who are doctors) say that UCSC is a good school for premed. The academics are good according to their perspectives. It is also kind of what I’m looking for: small class sizes and it’s rather close to where I live. I, also, was told that it’s not a stressful as far as academics go compared to other bigger name colleges (UC Berkely, UCLA, etc…). However, I have heard some bad things about UCSC. For example, I have read that it will be hard for me to get into a grad school, after I have graduated no matter my stats. I really like Texas and East Coast grad schools. I’m just not sure if it’s a viable option for me. Anyways, thank you and I hope somebody can provide me with advice. :slight_smile:

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  1. There is no Pre-Med program unless you apply to school that has a BS or BA/MD program. You can major in any subject but need to take the required courses to apply to Medical School.

The commonly accepted coursework requirements for medical school include a minimum of 1 year of:
General biology.
Physics with lab.
General chemistry (inorganic chemistry) with lab.
Organic chemistry with lab.
Calculus.
English.
New - Sociology.
New - Psychology

  1. You need to maintain a high GPA, have volunteer/research or job opportunities available that are medically related and a high MCAT score to get into Medical School. Going to a “less competitive” school would help with your GPA although UCSC is still an academically competitive school.

  2. I am assuming you have not applied, so why asking if you should go? Have you been accepted yet?

  3. Every applicant needs to figure out what college is a good fit and the best way is visit and find out for yourself. Do not rely on other people’s opinion.

  4. You have an excellent chance for admission, so worth an application. If you get accepted, then you can decide to go. Hopefully you will have already visited and decided what is best for you at that point.

  5. Since Medical school is so expensive, you want to keep your undergrad costs as low as possible. If you are in-state, then UCSC should be affordable. What can you parents pay/year?

  6. So is Grad school a backup if you do not get into Medical School? As long as you have a good GPA and do well on the GRE, you should have no problems getting into Grad school.

  7. URM status not consider by California Public universities. Fiji Indian would not be a URM.
    Underrepresented minorities (URMs) — African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and Latinos— who have historically comprised a minority of the U.S. population are growing in size and influence.