My DS is trying to finalize a college and considering UCSD for premed path He is currently accepted into Cognitive Science major. Would appreciate any input on any of these.
How hard to is to switch to another bio major?
What is it like to be a premed at UCSD in one of the bio majors? Are high GPAs possible? Are the lower division bio/chem classes curved?
Is it a collaborative or competitive env?
Is it easy to find volunteering opportunities in the UCSD med hospital as a freshman? Are there any other hospitals in the vicinity that students volunteer at?
Are the research opportunities available for freshman? How hard or easy to find them?
UCSD site lists ~36% med school acceptance rate. It seems lower than 50% rate published for UCLA and UCB. Wondering why is the acceptance rate low for UCSD.
Is there a premed advisor/s for each UCSD college? Is it easy to make an appointment with them whenever needed?
Does UCSD provide a premed committee letter when applying to colleges?
Hi there - I actually just sent you a private message in response to your Michigan post. I am a UCSD alum and graduated from Revelle College. What college was your son accepted into?
At time S attended UCSD he regularly sat in LD premed lecture courses with typically 2-300+ very smart kids. Since there are more undergrads (and probably premeds) now, I’d assume LD lectures are still 2-300+ due to lecture hall size constraints, but UCSD just added more lectures of 2-300+ students to accommodate increased numbers.
I remember funny story that S told after his first day sitting in LD premed req. S said he was sitting in back of lecture hall. Prof walks in, asks how many are premed. Obviously S couldn’t say with certainty, but from where he sitting it looked like everyone’s hand was up.
Also note: your S doesn’t have to be a bio major for premed. Any major (eg history, Spanish, cog sci, etc) is ok. Yes a bio major has advantage of course overlap (ie satisfying GE/premed reqs at same time), and if one stumbles first year GPA wise, completing UD bio reqs will help repair a low GPA. But S should consider major that would offer him Plan B option should he change his mind. In last reported cycle approx. 59% of those that actually applied failed to get in anywhere, and of those that did accepted approx. half got only one acceptance.
I don’t remember S using either term. IMO I’d describe UCs as hypercompetitive, even bloodbaths for premeds
I can’t say all students were super crazed about getting As as not all students sitting in these courses are premeds or others who are desperately hoping for As. Classes were graded on curve with probably 15-20% getting As. (As a note although As are important to a premed, you don’t need straight As to be a successful premed.)
There are tons of ways besides hospitals to get involved in EC which demonstrate altruism, compassion ,leadership, work ethic, etc) which are, in part, attributes med schools look for
We asked S to focus on academics freshman year. He had no problem finding a job at research lab during second year through graduation (including summers). He did participate in research projects during his last three years. (Note: although a plus, research is not a mandatory EC for med schools). IMO the biggest plus S got out his time was head of lab was not only one of his UD profs, but was a Chair of one of UCSD’s bio sections. She ended up writing him a very strong LOR.
You should ignore any published med schools acceptance rates as they can be manipulated.
S had no problem meeting with his college’s advisor. I know when S first spoke with college’s advisor, his advisor’s sole focus was figuring out a way to make sure he graduated in 4 years, being premed was not on table. I know he regularly talked with premed advisers later on but they were not college specific.
S had to obtain 3 LORs (2 from science, one non science).
UCSD does not provide a committee letter
One thing I would warn your S about UCSD is that they operate on a 10 week quarter system. Your S must be ready on day 1. In some premed classes he could have a “midterm” in week 4, another in week 7, a final at end of week 10.
Putting aside everything above, S absolutely loved his 4 years at UCSD in all respects. Good luck
I have a child at a different UC but his freshman pre-med roommate came in knowing that he was going to take five years in order to focus on a lighter course load and therefore (hopefully) better grades.
@lkg4answers
As the med school application process is a year long process meaning if one is thinking about graduating in 4 years then starting med school, one would need to submit a competitive application with MCAT score in summer after junior year. Although not impossible, it’s hard. Like your S’s roommate It seems more and more students are tapping on brakes, slowing down, and taking gap year(s) to improve their chances.