Navigating the Pre-Health Path at UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide

For aspiring medical professionals at UCLA, the journey can feel overwhelming. With numerous course options, a plethora of extracurricular activities, and the pressure to excel, it's easy to feel lost. This guide provides a structured roadmap to help UCLA pre-med students succeed, covering academic requirements, major selection, MCAT preparation, impactful extracurriculars, and strategies for managing the demanding pre-med curriculum.

The Reality of Being a UCLA Pre-Med

Each year, over a thousand UCLA students begin their undergraduate studies with the intention of going to medical school. However, by senior year, only a fraction of those students actually apply, and even fewer gain acceptance. UCLA attracts top students, but the competitive environment and rigorous academic system can be challenging.

The "GPA cliff" is a significant concern for UCLA pre-meds. To stand out, a GPA above 3.5 is essential, but UCLA's competitive science classes can make achieving this difficult.

Academic Requirements for Medical School

To be eligible for medical school, UCLA pre-meds must complete the following courses:

Biology: Life Sciences 7A, 7B, 7C
Chemistry: Either the Chem 14 series (14A-14D) or the Chem 20 series (20A-20C, plus 30A-30B for O-Chem)
Biochemistry: Chem 153A
Physics: Either the Physics 5 series (algebra-based) or Physics 6 series (calculus-based)
Math: Two quarters of calculus or one of calculus + one of stats (Math 3A + Stats 10 is a common combo)
English: Two quarters of composition/literature (English Comp 3 + any Eng/Phil course with writing usually works)

Choosing the Right Chemistry and Physics Series

The choice between the Chem 14 and Chem 20 series, as well as the Physics 5 and Physics 6 series, is crucial. The Chem 14 series is faster-paced and more conceptual, designed for life science majors, while the Chem 20/30 series is more in-depth. Most pre-meds opt for the Chem 14 series. For physics, Physics 5 is algebra-based and more accessible, while Physics 6 is calculus-based and signals greater academic rigor.

Choosing the right courses is important for several reasons:

GPA impact: These courses can significantly impact your GPA early on.
MCAT prep: These series form the foundation for MCAT preparation.
Letters of recommendation: Strong performance in these classes can lead to valuable relationships with professors.
Confidence: Successfully completing challenging courses builds confidence.

Sample Two-Year Pre-Med Schedule (Straight-Through Path)

A sample two-year pre-med schedule might look like this:

Year 1:

Fall: Chem 14A, LS 7A, Math 3A
Winter: Chem 14B, LS 7B, Math 3B
Spring: Chem 14C, LS 7C, Stats 10

Year 2:

Fall: Chem 14D, Physics 5A, English Comp 3
Winter: Physics 5B, Biochem 153A, Upper Div Major Course
Spring: Physics 5C, English Elective, Research/ECs

Insider Expectations

Chem 14B is often a challenging course with curve-induced grade distributions.
Biochem 153A requires significant memorization.
Labs are time-consuming and often overbooked.

Choosing a Major as a UCLA Pre-Med

While "pre-med" isn't a major, students can choose any major as long as they complete the necessary pre-medical school courses.

Common Majors

Many UCLA pre-meds choose majors like:

Biology
Psychobiology
Physiological Science
Neuroscience

These majors overlap significantly with medical school prerequisites, making it efficient to complete requirements. However, these departments are competitive and often have curved grading systems.

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Uncommon but Strategic Majors

To avoid intense competition, consider majors like:

Spanish or another language
Sociology or Anthropology
Global Health
Philosophy or History

These majors tend to have smaller classes, more access to professors, and less grade deflation. They also allow students to stand out to medical schools with a unique perspective.

Hybrid Strategy

Another option is to combine a STEM major with a lighter minor or vice versa. For example:

Psychobiology major + Spanish minor
History major + Global Health minor

This approach allows for a well-rounded academic profile without excessive science courses.

How Your Major Shapes Your Schedule

Your major influences your upper-division course load. Neuroscience majors can expect courses like neuroanatomy and lab-intensive electives, while humanities majors will have reading- and writing-heavy coursework, allowing more flexibility for clinical experience, research, or MCAT preparation.

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Avoiding the GPA Cliff

A GPA below 3.5 can be a red flag for medical school applications. UCLA's science classes are notoriously competitive, with curved grading and intense competition for resources.

GPA-Saving Strategies

Test Banks: Utilize test banks from student organizations to understand how professors test.
Upperclassmen Insight: Consult with upperclassmen for advice on course selection and professors.
Summer Sessions & Strategic Light Quarters: Take advantage of summer sessions for smaller class sizes and spread out challenging science courses.
Bruinwalk: Check Bruinwalk for professor reviews and grade distributions.
Office Hours: Attend office hours to build relationships with professors and seek clarification.
Study Like a Med Student Now: Adopt effective study habits early on, avoiding cramming.

Extracurricular Activities for UCLA Pre-Meds

UCLA offers numerous resources, including world-class hospitals, community organizations, and research labs.

Clinical Experience

UCLA has several well-known clinical organizations:

Care Extenders (Reagan Hospital): Provides shifts in multiple departments with direct patient interaction, but is highly competitive.
EMRA: Offers emergency medicine-based experience and lectures, also competitive but respected.
Mobile Clinic: A student-run service for the unhoused community.
SCOPE: Provides volunteer work in underserved clinics for early exposure.

Early and consistent involvement in these organizations can lead to leadership roles, which are highly valued by medical schools.

Non-Clinical Volunteering

Medical schools seek well-rounded applicants with empathy and leadership skills. Consider non-clinical volunteering opportunities such as:

Tutoring programs in underserved schools
Peer counseling hotlines
Mental health advocacy groups
Language-access initiatives
Food insecurity organizations

These experiences demonstrate maturity and empathy, which are crucial qualities for future doctors.

Research Opportunities

Research experience is highly valued by medical schools. At UCLA, you can find research opportunities through faculty members' labs or programs like the Biomedical Research Minor, which requires conducting research and writing a thesis.

Shadowing

Shadowing doctors is an essential part of understanding the medical profession. However, UCLA doesn't have a centralized shadowing program.

To find shadowing opportunities:

Network through faculty who are also clinicians.
Use connections from clinical organizations.
Leverage family, friends, or alumni.

Even a limited number of shadowing hours can demonstrate insight and commitment.

MCAT Timing & Prep at UCLA

The MCAT is crucial for medical school admissions. At UCLA, strategic timing and preparation are essential due to the demanding academic schedule.

When to Take the MCAT

Ideally, take the MCAT the summer before your junior year, allowing time to study and retake the exam if necessary. However, some students take it after junior year or during a gap year.

Courses to Finish First

Before taking the MCAT, complete the following courses:

General Chemistry (Chem 14A-14C or 20A-20B)
Organic Chemistry (Chem 14D or 30A-30B)
Biochemistry (Chem 153A)
Physics (Physics 5 or 6 series)
Biology (LS 7A-7C)
Psych/Soc (Psych 10 and Soc 1 or equivalent courses)

How UCLA Students Prep

Most UCLA students use a mix of:

Class Notes
Khan Academy
Anki
Test Banks: AAMC practice tests, UWorld, and Blueprint question banks

Study Schedules

Think in phases:

Content Phase (6-8 weeks): 2-3 hours/day, 5-6 days/week.
Practice Phase (4-6 weeks): 4-5 hours/day, focus on practice exams.
Final Stretch (2 weeks): Taper off and refine timing.

During the quarter, aim for 10-15 hours/week max. Over the summer, you can push 30-40 hours/week, but only if you’re not taking classes.

UCLA Resources

UCLA offers various resources for pre-med students:

College Academic Mentors (CAMs): Grad students who can help with course planning.
Departmental Advisors: Offer advice on course planning and prerequisites.
Med Mentors: Med students and recent grads who provide guidance on the application process.
Career Center Pre-Health Advising: Hosts events, reviews personal statements, and offers application workshops.
Test Prep Book Library: Located at the Career Center, offering free MCAT prep books.
Med Mentor Panels: Provide insights and advice from medical professionals.

Additional Resources and Considerations

Academic Advising and Counseling

Academic advising and counseling at UCLA is a partnership between the student and their College and department advisors. Non-STEM Majors can utilize the Virtual Pre-Health Drop-Ins on Fridays (Weeks 1-10) between 12-1pm to speak with an academic advisor regarding their pre-health prerequisites.

Understanding "Pre-Health"

Pre-health is an all-encompassing term that describes students who are on track to pursue a career in patient-associated healthcare. It does not refer to a specific major or academic track at UCLA.

Is It Too Late to Become a Pre-Health Student?

It’s never too late to become a pre-health student! There are a variety of post-baccalaureate programs to help get you up to speed with all the pre-health course requirements.

Making Yourself a Competitive Applicant

Applicants can expect to be evaluated holistically on matters including: GPA/test score, clinical, non-clinical and research experiences.

UCLA Career Center Services

The UCLA Career Center offers a full list of pre-health services.

Determining If Healthcare Is Right for You

Understanding whether healthcare is for you will take a myriad of experiences. Pursue relevant volunteer and internship experiences and shadow practitioners in your community for 40-50 hours to ensure you understand what a typical work week entails in the field.

Finding a Mentor

Mentors come in all forms; it’ll be useful to have mentors at different stages in their careers so you get a strong sense of perspective. Undergraduate clubs will often have upperclassmen that can impart their wisdom.

Pre-Health Course Planning

Academic counseling and advising services are available to support students with pre-health course planning.

STEM Major Not Required

A specific science degree is not required in order to apply to any post-baccalaureate programs geared towards health professions.

AP/IB Credit

Generally, AP/IB credit are not considered college-level work by pre-health programs to fulfill requirements.

Pass or No Pass Grade

Any course a student completes for their pre-health requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

Completing Pre-Health Requirements at a Community College

Yes, any student can complete some and/or all of the pre-health requirements at a community college with certain exceptions.

Study Abroad Programs

Certain courses taken through study abroad programs may be applied towards pre-health requirements.

Completing Requirements After UCLA

Yes, many students complete all and/or the remainder of their pre-health requirements after they complete their studies at UCLA.

Alternative Ways to Register for Required Classes

Yes, you can take classes at another institution if you are unable to complete them while at UCLA.

Transferable Skills

There are many other professions that may call for the transferable skills earned in your pre-health courses.

Psychology and Sociology Courses

Psychology and Sociology are recommended because they can help with your preparation for your entrance exams.

Clinical Experience Defined

Clinical experience typically entails 1) direct patient exposure and/or 2) clinical volunteering.

Getting Into Research

Most students get engaged in clinical research by seeking out faculty physicians at UCLA Health to get a sense of what they’re working on and how they, as an undergraduate, can help.

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