UCLA Pre-med major?

[SuhanaS]

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I'm set on transferring to UCLA in 2013 (if I get in that is >_<). I'm obviously aiming towards medical school, but I really don't know what to major in. I was thinking Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, but some people say that it's not very useful for med school. So now I'm thinking that I should do Physiological Science, but I heard that major is filled with competitive pre-meds and since I am a transfer student, it's a scary thought :/ I haven't heard of many transfer students going into physiological sciences either, so I really need first-hand advice (transfer student or not).

No matter what I know that I want to minor in their Bio-medical Research program. What's the better combination? I want a great pre-med experience with enough research to impress medical school admissions (which I'm sure everyone wants), but I really don't want to over do it. MIMG and BMR or PS and BMR (sorry if my abbreviations are off)?

I know my post is long and boring, but your help and advice would really be appreciated.

 

[sector9]

Shouldn't you be worrying about getting into UCLA first before you start picking your major? What's your status with that?

 

[EBTrailRunner]

Any life science major will do - MCDB is great (but I'm biased). As a Biomed Research minor alum, I can attest to it being a phenomenal program. You will receive excellent research training.

BUT... listen to what sector9 said. Get in first! LOL.

 

[flatearth22]

Go to UCI instead.

Better yet go to a CC and save some cash....get a 4.0 at CC and transfer to UCI.

 

[BarlowGirl]

Good luck with your application. Sorry to say that transfers don't get into Physiological Science major because of how competitive it is. It's locked out. MIMG and MCDB are both great. There's also Psychobiology.

 

[SuhanaS]

Well duh duh der 😛 Trust me buddy, I'm worrying about getting into UCLA up to the point where I'll literally collapse if I think about it anymore. I know I came off a little weird asking this question before I even get in and I understand you can never be too sure about UCLA, but I'm just trying to lay out my options. According to my counselor (former UCLA admissions person), if I apply to UCLA, UCB and UCI then I'm assured to get into at least one. It also helps that transfer program at my cc has a 85-90% acceptance rate into UCLA. I'm only worrying about the majors right now because the pre-reqs for MIMG and PS at UCLA differ a little 🙂

I need to know what my major will be so that (A) either cramp a stats class into my schedule or (B) save it for the summer.

 

[SuhanaS]

CRUD 🙁

Not to be rude or anything, I really appreciate you letting me know but are you sure? I mean, I looked through the UCLA website and under Physiological Sciences B.S, they have a section for transfer students 😵

 

[SuhanaS]

Any life science major will do - MCDB is great (but I'm biased). As a Biomed Research minor alum, I can attest to it being a phenomenal program. You will receive excellent research training.

BUT... listen to what sector9 said. Get in first! LOL.

Thanks for the input. It really does sound like a lovely program, but the UCLA website says that the minor is really competitive to get into, did you have any problems with that?

 

[SuhanaS]

Go to UCI instead.

Better yet go to a CC and save some cash....get a 4.0 at CC and transfer to UCI.

Why UCI and not UCLA though?

 

[Stumpyman]

Why UCI and not UCLA though?

Doesn't matter. UCLA will probably provide you with more opportunities though (research-wise, I've heard of plenty of students getting really good opportunities there). Also, it's in LA.

Good luck on getting in; I think if you have a 3.7+ at a CC you're pretty set for at least a top UC if not LA.

 

[EBTrailRunner]

Thanks for the input. It really does sound like a lovely program, but the UCLA website says that the minor is really competitive to get into, did you have any problems with that?

If I recall correctly, there's one pre-req course you have to take, which you're expected to ace (not difficult to do), a short application, and an interview with a faculty member. I had no prior research experience going in, but if you show them you're passionate about doing research, you should be able to get in. Good luck.

 

[BarlowGirl]

Hey SuhanaS sorry I was mistaken they just reopened the major to transfers. However, you have to be admitted to another life science or physical science major like MCDB or MIMG first and then switch. Also I believe there is now an application process due to high demand, so make sure your GPA is golden. Good luck, it's a great program. If you ever get in PM me I have all the books 👍

 

[SuhanaS]

Hey SuhanaS sorry I was mistaken they just reopened the major to transfers. However, you have to be admitted to another life science or physical science major like MCDB or MIMG first and then switch. Also I believe there is now an application process due to high demand, so make sure your GPA is golden. Good luck, it's a great program. If you ever get in PM me I have all the books 👍

You majored in Physiological sciences? Sorry if I'm overwhelming you with questions, but how was it? Did you find it overwhelming? Is the student environment as competitive and cut-treat as others claim it to be?

I emailed the administration and yes they are taking transfers. I'm actually glad that they're making people fill out applications to get into the major because I don't want to get myself into something I won't be able to handle. That way they can access whether or not I'm fit for the major and make the decision for me 🙂 I'll have to finish my Physics at UCLA though, so I'll have to apply in with MIMG or MCDB and stay with that major for a year, and if I do really well then I think I'll go into the PS, otherwise I'll just stick with the MCDB.

 

[MedianEminence]

Transfers Do get into physiological science. I was a transfer, started ucla as a bio major, changed to physiological science (with absolutely no problems) and fell in love with this major. It will be a lot of hard work, but I loved the material.

 

[SuhanaS]

If I recall correctly, there's one pre-req course you have to take, which you're expected to ace (not difficult to do), a short application, and an interview with a faculty member. I had no prior research experience going in, but if you show them you're passionate about doing research, you should be able to get in. Good luck.

Did you major in MCDB? I just noticed a trend in those who major in MCDB minoring in Bio-medical research.

Does MCDB prepare well for medical school?

 

[Danlee07]

I don't know about that school but here, people just transfer in with Environmental Sciences or Forestry or Social Sciences and then change to whatever their intended major really is...But in terms of preparation, you can just minor in something and make your life easier with a Psych major.

 

[CoolWhipp]

If you are a boss, you would choose MIMG.

 

[QuesoAndFromage]

Idk if this works but I say transfer in as an easy major to transfer into (if im not mistaken, philosophy is one of them-- I was a phil major at UCLA for my first 3 years and it has a ton of transfers) then switch to whatever you want?

 

[citrusguy2010]

nothing wrong with being a Biology major either! avoid the craziness/premedness of the other majors!

 

[SuhanaS]

If you are a boss, you would choose MIMG.

I guessing your a boss? Is MIMG really as hard as people claim it to be?

Do you have to learn a lot about plants and animals?

So far from what I understand with the advice of those on this site, GPA is really important and I don't want my GPA to suffer so I think I'll go with MCDB.

 

[EBTrailRunner]

nothing wrong with being a Biology major either! avoid the craziness/premedness of the other majors!

True. To be fair, your choice of undergraduate major is largely irrelevant. You could choose a humanities/social sciences major, complete the Life Science Core Curriculum to fulfill your prerequisites, and minor in Biomedical Research if you want a solid research base. Choose a major that will interest you, not one you think will give you an edge, because it won't - that's dictated by your academic performance.

 

[SuhanaS]

nothing wrong with being a Biology major either! avoid the craziness/premedness of the other majors!

I would, but I really don't want to learn that much about plants and animals.

 

[SuhanaS]

Idk if this works but I say transfer in as an easy major to transfer into (if im not mistaken, philosophy is one of them-- I was a phil major at UCLA for my first 3 years and it has a ton of transfers) then switch to whatever you want?

I don't think they let non-life science transfer students switch into life science majors since the life sciences are impacted. For transfers who are in the TAP program, if they can't take the student in for their major, they give them the option to get in for an alternative major but it cannot be an impacted major. So I'm not really sure how that's going to work and I don't want to email UCLA admins about it...if you know what I mean 😛

 

[SuhanaS]

True. To be fair, your choice of undergraduate major is largely irrelevant. You could choose a humanities/social sciences major, complete the Life Science Core Curriculum to fulfill your prerequisites, and minor in Biomedical Research if you want a solid research base. Choose a major that will interest you, not one you think will give you an edge, because it won't - that's dictated by your academic performance.

That seems to be what everyone is saying as well. No matter how true that is though, you have to ask yourself if you want to major in something that no matter how interested your in, won't really help you in preparation for medical school just for the sake of GPA. I mean, from a practical sense I don't want to major in something ridiculous, get a good GPA, then get into medical school just to get kicked out. That's why I'm putting a big emphasis on the whole major thing. I don't want to waste my time learning about plants and animals (not that there's anything wrong with that) and end up not using any of it in medical school. I'm sure that works out for a lot of people because their ridiculously intelligent and can handle it, but I need all the preparation for medical school I can get :/

But speaking about Bio-medical research, if you minor in that does that mean that you don't have to do any other research? or should you still do research in your majoring department?

 

[NinersFan0]

But speaking about Bio-medical research, if you minor in that does that mean that you don't have to do any other research? or should you still do research in your majoring department?

The requirement for the minor is 4 quarters of any independent research (199). So you can do research in the PhySci department, in the MCDB department, or any department that interests you. Keep in mind you can also do research in a different department than that of your major. Physiological science major, biomedical research minor, research in neuroscience/MCDB, for example

 

[fritz714]

UCLA can be brutal no matter what major you pic.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

UCLA is brutal no matter what major you pic. Have fun getting raped.

Strong necrobump, friend. And a rape joke to boot!

 

[harnabra01]

Word of advice: if you are the type of person who likes to keep your answers short but straight to the point, phy-sci at ucla is not for you. I aced everything else at UCLA until my upper division phy-sci classes. I thought the materials were easy and straight forward, but apparently the TAs enjoyed taking points off to meet their tight maximum 20% A quota...and they did that mainly through "short answer" sections.

My gpa took a major hit throughout the physci series...luckily I still was fortunate enough to be admitted to med school. But if I would do it again, I would choose some sort of chem major as I enjoyed chem classes there.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Word of advice: if you are the type of person who likes to keep your answers short but straight to the point, phy-sci at ucla is not for you. I aced everything else at UCLA until my upper division phy-sci classes. I thought the materials were easy and straight forward, but apparently the TAs enjoyed taking points off to meet their tight maximum 20% A quota...and they did that mainly through "short answer" sections.

My gpa took a major hit throughout the physci series...luckily I still was fortunate enough to be admitted to med school. But if I would do it again, I would choose some sort of chem major as I enjoyed chem classes there.

The OP hasn't posted to SDN in a year and a half. Please let this thread die.

 

[mrisajne]

Actually, getting into PhySci at UCLA is very doable as a transfer student. I have a girlfriend who got in with a 3.3 GPA. It's tough though, and pre-med competition is fierce.