Hi,
What are the popular pre med majors in:
UCLA
UCSD
UC Davis
UC Berkeley
Cal Poly, SLO.
Also, would like to hear which majors are relatively easier (in terms of GPA, SAT) to get admission to than others.
@dadfromohio: Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience are popular “pre-med” majors for the UC’s but as a possible “pre-med” student, a student can major in anything as long as they take the required courses to apply to Medical school. Majors other than the sciences do well in the Med school admission process statistically.
If the major is in the College of Letters and Sciences at any of these schools, they do not admit by major so no “easier” major.
UCSD admits into the University first and then into the major. Cal Poly SLO admits into the major regardless of College.
What pre-med students need to figure out is a backup plan in case Medical school does not happen. That means pick a major that can lead to a good career that may be non-medical.
Link to SLO’s Freshman profile. https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/first-year-student/selection-criteria/student-profile
UC admit data:
2020 UC capped weighted GPA averages along with 25th-75th percentile range:
UCB: 4.22 (4.13-4.30)
UCLA: 4.25 (4.18-4.31)
UCSD: 4.16 (4.04-4.28)
UCSB: 4.15 (4.03-4.27)
UCI: 4.11 (3.96-4.26)
UCD: 4.11 (3.97-4.25)
UCSC: 3.94 (3.71-4.16)
UCR: 3.88 (3.65-4.11)
UCM: 3.68 (3.40-3.96)
UC’s and CSU’s were test blind this admission cycle so they may remain test blind in the future. No decisions have been made as of yet so definitely consider testing to keep options open.
2020 Data:
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT totals:
UCB: 1320-1560
UCLA: 1350-1550
UCSD: 1310-1520
UCSB: 1290-1510
UCD: 1230-1490
UCI: 1280-1510
UCSC: 1170-1440
UCR: 1110-1380
UCM: 980-1260
25th - 75th percentiles for ACT composite + language arts
UCB: 29-35
UCLA: 31-35
UCSD: 29-34
UCSB: 28-34
UCD: 26-33
UCI: 27-34
UCSC: 24-32
UCR: 21-31
UCM: 18-27
My son’s roommate majored in Viniculture at UC Davis. The curriculum covered the Pre-Med course requirements and he felt that Viniculture was a good backup option. He did get into Medical school.
My advice to any student that they should pick a major that they think they can excel in academically and want to study for 4 years. Hopefully your student is a California Resident if they are considering these schools.
D2’s bestie attended UCD and doubled majored in Italian and viniculture. She also was accepted into med school.
My daughters didn’t graduate from a CA college (although one did her freshman year at one). Both of the chose to major in math or physics— which gave them lots of post degree career options— like biostatistics, BME and medical physics as possible career paths if they hadn’t been accepted into med school.