<p>I was considering the UCSD Medical Scholars program after receiving an invite for an interview. I certainly jumped at the opportunity to be guaranteed a spot for a top 15 medical school in UCSD; however, I was quickly turned off by the relatively low ranking of the undergraduate school. I am worried that if I attend this program, the undergraduate school will not prepare me well for the rigors of the med school, where students usually matriculate from Ivy's and other top schools. Does UCSD undergrad prepare you well enough for the UCSD Med school?</p>
<p>Wow. I’m incredulous. You’d really give up a guaranteed spot in a top medical school because US News or whatever doesn’t rank UCSD as highly as Harvard?</p>
<p>UCSD may not be ranked as highly as an Ivy, but that does NOT mean that UCSD is going to be any easier to get a good GPA at, or that UCSD won’t prepare you for med school as well as an Ivy. UCSD is great in the biological sciences (maybe even more than many of the Ivy schools), and as you should already know if you applied for the Medical Scholars Program, Medical Scholars receive really great extra benefits that will also help in medical school.</p>
<p>I’ve been having the same doubts as you. The undergrad at UCSD is turning me down a tadbit. But hey, if you decide this program does not suit you, then all the greater chances for me right? =)</p>
<p>Just kidding, I guess I will see you this Saturday? =)</p>
<p>You can ask current Medical Scholars questions on their online forum or when you go to the interview this Saturday, and I’m sure they’ll give you the contact info of past Med Scholars if you want to ask them about whether UCSD undergrad prepares you enough for med school.</p>
<p>^^ The thing is, their online forum is very “quiet”. There’s essentially no one following it.</p>
<p>I think the two admins (Caduceus and endorphin!) check it pretty often though; they usually answer questions pretty quickly.</p>
<p>They also provide the email addresses of current/past Med Scholars on their website, so you can email them with your questions.</p>
<p>Do you know when decisions will come out?</p>
<p>^^ Very curious as to decisions too.
I went on Saturday to the interview and there was roughly 30 people. And I must say, all the applicants seemed all very well qualified. I wonder how the admission committee is going to pick 12 out of such an wonderful pool.</p>
<p>I just got an email saying I had been accepted into the program!!! Soooo excited</p>
<p>^ Are you serious? Can you post the email? There’s no way they decided in just 3-4 days…</p>