UCLA RAP (Re-App Program)
1) The Pros and Cons of their program.
Well, the pros are that it's UCLA and its a good name to have on your application....that's about all I can think of.
Cons - first of all, the most inconvienient thing is that you aren't considered a UCLA student at all. That means you don't get to register for classes like a normal human being. You have to wait until classes start and then add them through UCLA extension. Or you can just take extension classes, which are a complete joke (it's equivalent to community college, except much more expensive). Technically, you can even take your classes at a Cal State if you preferred. You technically have no association with the school, either. So that means you don't get a student ID card, so you don't have access to the gym or to the library on top of everything else. You can forget about financial aid as well. They give you like a $2000 stipend for the whole year, which really doesn't help considering the average class costs about $400-500 through UCLA extension. It's extremely difficult to get any financial aid, because you don't qualify for anything since you aren't working on any type of degree. There are some programs, but again they are through the extension, and they barely cover the cost of the classes, so you will be working to support yourself.
As far as support, there is very little. When you ask what kind of classes you should take, your advisor will leave it fully up to you. Everything is like that. Any question you have, they won't answer it for you. Partly because they don't know, and barely because they just don't have time. The people who run the program also work for the school of medicine, so they are usually busy with more important things (or at least it seems that way).
2) The kinds of classes you've taken and a description.
I went to UCLA as an undergrad, so I knew which classes I needed to take over and which would help me from talking to friends who were in medical school. Unfortunately, the competitive classes that would have really prepared me were always full. I ended up adding one real UCLA science class per quarter, and then taking 2 more science classes through extension. The extension classes are an absolute joke. I've taken a few classes at community college, and they are on the same level. If you have a pulse and show up, you can easily get a B. If you put a minimal amount of effort, you can get an A. You're probably thinking, hey great, easy A's..that's exactly what I need. Not really...UCLA extension has their own seperate transcripts, so every school you apply to will know that it ain't real UCLA coursework. Most people who interview you will ask you about that. Even the difficult classes that you are able to add show up on extension transcripts, so no matter what it looks like you are trying to take a cake walk.
On top of all that, the classes don't even help prepare you for medical school. I remember I took a class through extension that was titled "Pathophysiology". I thought this would be a great class to help prepare me for medical school. It was a complete and utter joke. I can't describe how much of a joke it was. The professors are usually just part time faculty looking to make an extra buck, and it definitely shows. Also, extension classes are all at night, so everybody is tired and usually older, so it's a real drag going to class. If I hadn't added regular classes with the undergrads, I probably would have lost my mind.
Another classic was a nutrition class I took. The class consisted of turning in a handout. We would get a handout at the beginning of the class, fill out the handout, and then turn it in. That was it. Nothing else. This was supposed to be a college level class.
3) Something they wished they knew coming into the program
UMMM, HOW ABOUT THAT THERE WAS NO FINANCIAL AID??? AND THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO BE UCLA STUDENTS? My main problem in undergrad was that I had to work to support myself...and surprise! I had to do it again during my post-bac. They also gave me some BS in the interview about how everyone in the program who gets a certain GPA in their post-bac classes and can improve their MCAT score to a certain amount is pretty much guaranteed to attend UCLA for medical school (they said 90%, which is a complete lie). I don't even think 90% of the people who do RAP even get into medical school. The number for getting into UCLA is more like 20% (based on my RAP class), and for medical school I would say anywhere from 50-75%.
They don't tell you jack about this program. You get surprise after pleasant surprise. It starts off in the summer, when they make you do the stupid PREP program with all the undergrads who have usually just finished their freshman or sophomore year. The program is great, but it is designed for UNDERGRADS. UCSD and UCD have a summer program too, but it is all MCAT prep from what I understand. That would have been much more helpful than a bunch of handholding, which is what PREP is. Very little time is spent on MCAT prep, and it is basically a waste of 6 weeks. After that, you meet with your counselor and you plan your schedule. This is how my meeting went -
Advisor - "Have you signed up for classes, yet?"
Me - "No, I was waiting to talk to you before I did so....so ummm...when do I get my registration date?"
Advisor - "Registration date? What are you talking about, you can register anytime you want?"
Me - "Really? So do we log on through URSA?" (the UCLA registration system)
Advisor - "Umm, no, thats only for UCLA students. You aren't considered a UCLA student. You have to sign up for classes through UCLA extension."
Me - "So that means I have to add classes if I want to take undergrad classes here?"
Advisor -"I'm not really sure how it works...you should find that out."
Me - "Ok...I'll look into it (trying my hardest not to blow up). So....what classes should I take?"
Advisor - "That's your job to figure out. I don't know. Whatever classes you think you need."
Me - "Ummm...ok."
That is pretty much how every topic went with my advisor. Same thing went for applying...it was a do it yourself kind of thing. There was no real MCAT prep available, no mock interviews. Nobody looked over my application or personal statement. It was a complete joke.
4) Something they would like to tell incoming students about your program
They would probably like me to say something good about the program.
I can't.
5) Tips for students applying to your program
Don't do it unless you plan on working, and you are ok with taking a bunch of classes that are a joke. If you enjoy not being considered a real student, not getting any real guidance, and overall just being ignored, then ya do this program. If I could go back in time, I would do the UC Davis or UC San Diego programs which are excellent programs. As far as I know, both programs have incredible directors who are very passionate about their students getting into medical school. They even have connections with admission committe members at other schools. When I asked my program director about which schools I should apply to, she told me to go look at the MSAR.
6) Did it help you get into medical school/dental school/etc.?
I think it helped because it was something to put on my application. But I don't feel like it prepared me anymore for medical school, or made me a better applicant personally. It just helped me "play the game" a little better. But it definitely was a huge waste of time. If I could go back in time, I probably would have just done a Master's degree in something science related and retaken the MCAT on my own, or attended another school's post-bac.
7) Anything else you'd like to add
I actually did get into a UC for medical school, but I think it was more due to my own determination than any support I got from this program. I heard that they have a new director, so hopefully things will get better.
If you are planning to apply, make sure you ask them all these questions.
8) A rating from 1-5
If things are still the same, then a 1.