<p>so i'm planning on majoring in bio and doing premed, but i'm a little stuck between these UCLA and Wash U in St. Louis.
i'm planning on visiting both over spring break, but i just wanted some input from you guys.
aside from cost, which of these is probably best for premed?</p>
<p>Pretty sure Ucla is better… Is wash u the one that has the six year medical degree though? That could be an awesome option if you’re sure that’s what you want to do.</p>
<p>WashU does not have a 6 year medical degree.</p>
<p>I know nothing about UCLA, but my D is a soph premed at WashU. She was a NMF, val of her class, ACT and SAT in the 99% and she is working her tail off at WashU in the chem, orgo, bio, physics premed prereqs. She has never had to work so hard to master the material in a class - BUT, she will be prepared for the MCATs and medical school. Her fellow premeders are very smart, hard working and really work together. She is SO happy at WashU - it was exactly the kind of environment she was looking for.</p>
<p>agreed with midwest mom. WashU is a fabulous school and the premed program is outstanding. BUT…its uber competitive and very hyper there. Our personal observations and the anecdotal responses of 10 people we interviewed ourselves on campus during our visit. Our tour guide left the premed program “to get a life”. She was triple majoring in history, philosophy and spanish. Nice girl…but also very hyper. </p>
<p>I have huge respect for WashU but the environment is stressful, it seems to me. Don’t know about UCLA in premed.</p>
<p>As another anecdotal remark, I know someone who was a religious studies major at Davidson College, got into med school with that, and is now a resident physician at a prestigious hospital in orthopedic surgery.</p>
<p>Pre-med is not the only path to med school. So you know. (WashU even says as much in their presentations. They openly touted to us that a student majoring in French 4 years ago got into med school…I believe at Northwestern.)</p>
<p>Good luck. Its a fine school, just make sure it is a fit for your personality and study habits.</p>
<p>UCLA will be stressful too premed.</p>
<p>Money aside, I would make the decision based on culture. What kind of environment do you want to be in? These are very different schools in very different parts of the country. You have to pick where you think you’d fit in best.</p>
<p>To get into med school –</p>
<p>Major in something you’re truly passionate about <em>and</em> better than most at… Also take the pre-med courses that are requirements to almost all med schools as foundational science (but not enought to be even close to “majoring” in them.</p>
<p>I’m not sure it makes much difference whether that is UCLA, WashU, or (just to pick a name) Gonzaga…</p>
<p>“Premed” is stressful anywhere. “Premed” just means you are taking the premed prereqs - chem, orgo, bio, physics, calculus, etc. - whatever the premed prereqs are at the med schools you see yourself applying to, and these courses are difficult. Also, these courses are often “above and beyond” the courses that are required for your major. Unless you just have a natural talent for the subjects, you find yourself having to work extremely hard to do well in these courses at a challenging school.</p>
<p>My WashU D is a double major in a foreign language and P-N-P (Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology). She also plays a club sport, plays in two musical groups, volunteers tutoring and at a childrens’ hospital weekly. My daughter “has a life” and it includes academics, music, a recreational sport and volunteering. She does not find the atmosphere “uber competitive or hyper” and she lives it every day. She finds the courses VERY challenging and to accomplish all she does, she has to be very organized. </p>
<p>Preparing yourself for medical school is like preparing yourself for acceptance to a top undergraduate school - it is not for the faint of heart and it is a lot of hard work. My husband (who is a physician) says you have to have a passion for medicine or you’ll never make it - it’s just too difficult.</p>
<p>Premed is stressful in most places. The stress comes more from the pressure of getting good grades than difficulty of class materials (which aren’t rocket science). </p>
<p>Do research the premed advising and opportunitiy for research…the “other stuff” besides GPA. I have a feeling WashU is better.</p>
<p>I think both schools are close enough in terms of quality that you should consider basing your decision on other factors. UCLA and WUSTL are very different in terms of environment, class size, overall experience etc. Would you feel more comfortable in a smaller and more intimate environment (WUSTL) or would you find it too confining? Do you want the big U, Pac 10, sink or swim environment (UCLA) where you have to hustle, but can also remain a bit anonymous? Ask yourself what you are looking for and if you can visit both. Don’t worry about making a bad decision, because you can’t in terms of quality of education. Think more about where you fit and what kind of environment you will feel best in.</p>