I have a decent GPA, about 4th in my class, but CRAP grades in math and science… not all A’s. Got some B’s in calc AB and BC (5s in both exams), C in Preclac and a semester of AP chem. Personal problems… So I suppose my question is if i should even bother to apply to the hsseas with these grads. would i have a better chance applying to one of the other colleges (No matter what i plan on going to med school after undergrad, so I’d wanna major in bio engineering or materials, bio, or nursing).
I participated in an engineering research program at UCLA and another environmental research program if that counts for anything.
If you’re going pre-med, you’ll want to start taking those biology and chemistry courses as soon as you arrive on campus. A HUGE advantage with being admitted as a pre-med or a biochem/anything science related is that you’ll be (almost) guaranteed a spot in these large introductory courses that’ll fill up fast. If you’re coming in as an “undeclared” or something else, you’re going to have trouble getting into those classes and may end up staying an extra year or two. It’ll probably be better for you to apply, see what happens, and decide from there.
However, I’m not sure if you can “declare pre-med as any major,” and thus be able to get into any pre-med classes you need. Perhaps it’s possible, so in that case you wouldn’t need to apply to HSSEAS
Is Biology major (I applied under letters & sciences, so would be “pre-biology” as a new freshman) “science-ie” enough to get that “(almost)” guaranteed spot in those large introductory biology and chemistry courses that fill up so fast? It sounds as though probably so, since you mentioned bioCHEM. is in that category (of being science-ie-enough for that) … just interested in checking with you, @redwall1521 . I’m asking, since biology isn’t quiet as hard-core-ish as biochemistry … so not sure if its in that same category, for getting priority to enroll in introductory chem. in addition to biology as a freshman. And will it be hard to get Calculus BC at the same time … as I suppose wouldn’t be able to choose a calculus until 2nd pass during class selection time … I don’t know if that one is also a large introductory course that fills up fast … or if I’d be able to get calculus too, just not at an optimal (first choice) time of day? Do some of the “over-flows” go take some of these high-demand freshman intro. courses at SMC just to get them in during freshman year (its a short Uber ride to SMC from UCLA, so it would seem possible … if that’s allowed and if the classes are full at UCLA.)
Thanks!! (for sharing your opinion!)
Note “every student”. So you might be thinking “those pre-majors get the priority pass” and go first. Nope. Here is who gets them:
Nothing about pre-majors. You can have a listed major of anything without affecting your chances.
You’ll read a lot of stuff on this forum by people just winging it. When it comes to something that is a matter of rules, like who enrolls first for a class, you’re better off looking for it on the school website than a forum IMHO