does this nontrad have a chance at USC/UCLA?

[dr_mcfly]

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hi everyone!

it's my first post here on the non-trad thread (or on any thread, for that matter... 🙂 )

I'm 24. I dropped out of NYU film school a couple of years ago to pursue writing and film/music video producing. I had successful stints with both and am now in Boston working as a producer in the advertising industry.

Thing is, I've always been a math/science geek on the side. It's been fun, but the entertainment industry is no longer for me. I've been volunteering at local hospitals, and I want to go back to school to complete my bachelor's in biology or biochem - and I'm thinking about med school as well.

I'll probably end up at UMass Amherst, mostly because of the cheap tuition and living expenses (compared to NYC and Boston, western MA is ridiculously inexpensive!). With my good grades and previous classes from undergrad at NYU, I could probably transfer into the honors college as a junior (hopefully! - if they don't accept me, I don't know what I'll do...)

My problem lies here - I know that eventually, I probably want to end up in Los Angeles. I'm not getting any younger, and after the couple years finishing up undergrad, I'd like to get out there sooner than later - and if med school's in the picture, I'd like to apply to schools in LA. I know the main ones are UCLA and USC - and that they're both extremely competitive.

I've got a good GPA, and I test well - but is there any way a (will be then) 26-year white girl from UMass has a chance of getting into UCLA or USC? Be honest here, please. When I get back into school I hope to get into some research, no matter how small at first. I'd also like to take an EMT class and continue volunteering at hospitals, because I really enjoy it. What else could help? Summer research programs out in LA at the schools themselves? What do you guys think?

thanks in advance, and sorry for talking about myself so much!!

take care,
dr_mcfly

 

[Static Line]

hi everyone!

it's my first post here on the non-trad thread (or on any thread, for that matter... 🙂 )

I'm 24. I dropped out of NYU film school a couple of years ago to pursue writing and film/music video producing. I had successful stints with both and am now in Boston working as a producer in the advertising industry.

Thing is, I've always been a math/science geek on the side. It's been fun, but the entertainment industry is no longer for me. I've been volunteering at local hospitals, and I want to go back to school to complete my bachelor's in biology or biochem - and I'm thinking about med school as well.

I'll probably end up at UMass Amherst, mostly because of the cheap tuition and living expenses (compared to NYC and Boston, western MA is ridiculously inexpensive!). With my good grades and previous classes from undergrad at NYU, I could probably transfer into the honors college as a junior (hopefully! - if they don't accept me, I don't know what I'll do...)

My problem lies here - I know that eventually, I probably want to end up in Los Angeles. I'm not getting any younger, and after the couple years finishing up undergrad, I'd like to get out there sooner than later - and if med school's in the picture, I'd like to apply to schools in LA. I know the main ones are UCLA and USC - and that they're both extremely competitive.

I've got a good GPA, and I test well - but is there any way a (will be then) 26-year white girl from UMass has a chance of getting into UCLA or USC? Be honest here, please. When I get back into school I hope to get into some research, no matter how small at first. I'd also like to take an EMT class and continue volunteering at hospitals, because I really enjoy it. What else could help? Summer research programs out in LA at the schools themselves? What do you guys think?

thanks in advance, and sorry for talking about myself so much!!

take care,
dr_mcfly

There are a lot of qualified applicants to these schools every year with very high stats. Competition is stiff. If medicine is really your goal, you should be willing to move not just to LA but most anywhere. Besides, you have a few years to go before applying, and right now you should concentrate on getting straight A's in undergard and rock the MCAT.

 

[cadilakgrl]

If you are serious about going to California for med school, I would suggest possibly moving there before medical school. You will be able to get in-state tuition which is so much cheaper and I'm pretty sure you will have a better chance of getting in. Having graduated from a UC for undergrad myself, I know that UC medical schools highly favor California residents. You may even be able to transfer to a UC to finish your undergrad.

Just to give you an idea of my experience so far- I had an interview at UCLA last month and many of the UCLA med students also went to UC for undergrad, and about 75% of people interviewing with me lived in California.

However I think USC might be a different story since they are a private institution and they probably accept people from all over.

Just curious, why the desire to end up in LA? Is it because of your interest in film?

 

[thegenius]

Original poster, it will be difficult to gain acceptance to UCLA if you don't live in CA. However USC is a non-trad friendly school. They accept about 160 total students and is a private school (so they draw all over the country).

I got my acceptance there in December and I'm 31, going to be 32 when I start, am married with (actually...will have) 2 kids by the time I would matriculate.

 

[dr_mcfly]

hi,

thanks for all the feedback. why LA? I just like it, and I feel like it's where I want to end up. I love living in a big city - I lived in NYC for 6 years, and while I like being in Boston currently (my hometown), it's a little sleepy for me. I like SF as well, but the LA weather can't be beat, not to mention that I have a lot of friends there from working in "the industry".

cadilak, when I saw your post, I had just finished scoping the USC transfer admissions page! not the first time I've done it... I was thinking the same thing about residency, etc. the UC deadlines have passed 🙁 but hell, I may just apply to USC for %$^# and giggles.... as I do think I am serious about CA. it couldn't hurt....

 

[unfrozencaveman]

hi,

thanks for all the feedback. why LA? I just like it, and I feel like it's where I want to end up. I love living in a big city - I lived in NYC for 6 years, and while I like being in Boston currently (my hometown), it's a little sleepy for me. I like SF as well, but the LA weather can't be beat, not to mention that I have a lot of friends there from working in "the industry".

cadilak, when I saw your post, I had just finished scoping the USC transfer admissions page! not the first time I've done it... I was thinking the same thing about residency, etc. the UC deadlines have passed 🙁 but hell, I may just apply to USC for %$^# and giggles.... as I do think I am serious about CA. it couldn't hurt....

Actually, both UCLA and USC show no preference for instaters. UCLA has a great majority of californians in their classes, but that is because the great majority of their applicants are californians. But, the party line from both schools is that they have no instate preference.

 

[bucknasty]

Actually, UCLA has a huge in-state preference, as do all the Cal publics. Look on usnews.com under the student profile. It's 96.7% in-state. All the other usnews-ranked UC schools have at least 97% in-state students. USC, while private, is 82% in-state.