Hi everyone,
I am currently a community college student and got accepted to UCSB for Pre-chemistry and UCSD Chemistry (Thurgood marshall college) majors for fall 2017 and was wondering which one has a better chemistry department, graduate programs, and medical school prep programs. I went to visit both campuses on their transfer day, have to admit I liked SB’s campus more however as I am pursuing a career in medicine I want the campus that offers the better education. I would really appreciate any thoughts and/or recommendations.
Thank you for your time!
There is no such thing as “medical school prep programs” at these schools. “premed” is just a label you apply to yourself. These 2 offer, as does any college in the country, the lower-division science and math tested on the MCAT and required for admission. It’s up to you to sign up for the appropriate classes. Whether you work work for good grades, get to know some profs so you get strong recs, take part in appropriate ECs, and develop compelling essays is up to you. At best there may be an advisor you can talk to; better check to make sure your pre-med advisor is not just a web page.
Nor is the undergrad education going to be any different between these two schools. Similar students and classes. Which of these pair you choose isn’t going to make a difference in whether you get into med school.
Since at a UC much of the burden of getting things lined up to be a good med school candidate is up to you, learn what it takes to get into med school by reading thru the very informative https://www.rhodes.edu/sites/default/files/PreMed_Essentials.pdf. There is also a good handbook at https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/careers/gradstudy/health/guide and no doubt many other websites, as well as books.
The real question to address at this point is not what college, but why an M.D? Have you looked into the medical field and considered the alternatives? From the day you start college it will be 11-15 years before you are a practicing doctor. Its almost a reflex action among HS kids, they think of a career in medicine and its “I’m pre-med!” Doctors are far from the only ones in the health field that help people. Physical therapists, radiology techs, nurses, speech pathologists, physician assistants, to name but just a few. Spend a few hours browsing on http://explorehealthcareers.org Unless you’ve considered the alternatives and have spent time actually working in a health care setting (which is an unofficial requirement to get into med school, BTW) its better to think of yourself as interested in exploring a career as a doctor rather than someone who has already made the decision.