UCLA requirements

[Cal_Irish04]

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Ok, I'm finding out just now that UCLA does not accept AP credit. So, considering that I skipped Gen. Bio. for upper divisions, will they not accept this? Becuase I am not willing to take Gen. Bio. just to apply there.

Are there any other schools that have similarly stringent requirements?

 

[surge]

Columbia, I believe - someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I had AP English credit, and they wouldn't take it. 🙄

 

[Rumit]

I know that UCLA says it has a number of requirements, but from my experience as an applicant and a student here, I'm not sure they really stick to them (especially for MSTP). I never took the stats requirement, and it was never an issue. And, I've heard word that other people in the program got in without having done intro bio. I think if you can prove that you've done more advanced classes, and they like you as an applicant, it won't be a problem. But, that's my opinion, not any kind of official statement. Anyhow, if you really like the program at LA, then I'd still apply and see what happens. The worst that can happen is you waste the $30 app fee.

Good luck,

Adam

 

[JBL]

I can tell you for sure that although they say they're strict about it, at least at the MSTP they don't really care. I never took general chem (and never even took the AP test for that, although I've since taken orgo and biochem), and when I got their secondary I called to ask about that. The woman in the admissions office told me not to even bother sending in the secondary. I sent it in anyway and ended up getting into the program. I think they'll end up looking at your advanced coursework much more, so if you've taken advanced bio classes I don't think you have anything to worry about. Hope that helps!

 

[ptiger]

This doesn't relate directly to UCLA, but it does address the issue of requirements.

I was recently e-mailed by the Harvard admissions office because I had not completed their inorganic chemistry requirement. I began organic chemistry directly as a freshman because of my AP chem score, but Harvard would only count my AP as 1 semester of credit (you need 2). If I was going to go to Harvard I would have to take freshman chem this summer! It might have been possible for me to get an exception with letters from my pre-med office, chem department, etc, but as Harvard told me, "exceptions are not always granted." What a pain! I've written to my other choices to make sure that this isn't a problem anywhere else ...