Hi. Over the past few days I’ve been trying to research some pre-medical schools that will suit me. But it has been really confusing. UCLA seemed like a very good option since the price point was not as high as in other unis and it has a good rank. However, I found out that it does not offer n inflationary grading system which means that I might not achieve the 3.7 GPA I need for med.
After that, all my options went down the hill.
I’m currently a junior and ill be a senior next year. I’ve maintained an unweighted GPA of 4.0 over 9th, 10th, and 11th grade (my class rank was second, first, and first respectively). I took the IGCSE English first language exam, IGCSE Biology, IGCSE Mathematics, and IGCSE Arabic first language and got an A* in all four. I also took the IGCSE Computer science and got an A.
This year I took 4 Aps which are statistics, psychology, physics 1, and english lang. (I extpect 4s and 5s). (I had to self study statistics, psychology, and physics 1)
I also took IGCSE Physics, IGCSE Chemistry, IGCSE Economics, IGCSE Business, and IGCSE English literature (according to my predicted grades , i expect mostly A*s and 1 or 2 As)
and i took the AS mathematics and Biology exams (I expect an A in both according to my predicted scores).
In my senior year ill hopefully complete my Alevel math, bio, and chem and ill take AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 2, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP macro and micro economics, and AP environmental science. Ill also be taking the SAT exam at the start of my senior year.
I think my biggest issue lies in my extra curriculars. I am a shadow AQC and a shadow teacher for 7 subjects. I also conduct extra mentoring sessions on weekends for students who struggle academically or need help with any upcoming tests (all of the this is documented by the school). I played and competed in gymnastics and volleyball (I’ve won multiple awards in gymnastics but currently im on a break due to a knee injury).
I realize that my extra curriculars arent enough for pre med and ill need some volunteering, lab internships, and job shadowing. But, sadly, the country I live in has extremely strict labor laws and finding such activities is so hard.
I don’t have a dream school. I just want a couple of recommendations of unis that will offer a good research program, has an inflationary curve, and a good price point ( my father just got dismissed from his job due to corona ). And if there are any ways i can boost my extra curriculars and CV i would love to hear them. It will help a lot. Thank youuu.
It sounds like you are an international student. If so, you need to understand that going to med school in the US is extremely difficult as an international student. Only about 100 international students a year start at US med schools (of 21,000).
You don’t need medical EC’s to go to a US undergrad school. But as the above poster said, your chances of going to a US med school are extremely thin. That being said, go to whatever affordable UG you feel is a good fit for you. If you are worried about grade deflation in college, med school is not for you. You have to do well and rise to the top, wherever you go.
As an international, you won’t be receiving much if any aid from UCLA, so your “price point” is $65k/yr. For a little more money, you could attend a private college. Suggest you widen your search.
OTOH, as noted above, admission to a US med school is extremely limited for Internationals, so you are prolly better off attending med school in your home country.
Good luck.