Does UCLA medical school require PREview?

Yes, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA requires the AAMC PREview exam for applicants to the Traditional MD Program Track, but not for other tracks like MSTP or PRIME-LA, though MSTP applicants applying to the MD track must also take it. This exam is a key part of their holistic review to assess professionalism, with scores recommended to be submitted early, ideally before interviews, for the Traditional MD track.

Does UCLA require the PREview exam?

Yes, the AAMC PREview exam is required for Traditional MD Program Track applicants. Our other program tracks will not require this exam. However, if you are applying to PRIME-LA or MSTP Tracks and opt-in for dual consideration (which includes Traditional MD consideration), you will need to complete the exam.

Which med schools require PREview exams?

The following schools require a PREview test as part of your medical school application.

• Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. ...
• Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
• Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah.
• Thomas F. ...
• University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E.

What are the requirements for UCLA med school?

UCLA DGSOM Admissions Requirements

• A completed undergraduate transcript.
• A competitive GPA.
• An MCAT score submitted through AMCAS.
• A personal statement submitted via the AMCAS application.
• American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) primary application.
• UCLA DGSOM secondary application with a $100 fee.

Do I need to take the PREview exam for medical school?

Not all medical schools require you to submit a PREview score. The AAMC will release your score to the American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS), but only schools that require or recommend a PREview score – and which you have also designated in your AMCAS application – will have access to your score.

UCLA Nursing 🩺 Supplemental Application 📑 | What I Wish I Knew

Is it worth it to take the PREview exam?

Remember, professionalism matters to medical schools. And if the school recommends taking the exam they want to learn more about your professional readiness to start medical school. Plus, applicants who took the PREview exam had higher acceptance rates in recent application cycles.

What is the 32 hour rule for medical school?

The "32-hour rule" in medical school admissions refers to a policy where some medical schools focus on an applicant's GPA from their most recent 32 credit hours, often in science courses, instead of their entire undergraduate GPA, benefiting students with a strong upward trend or a solid post-baccalaureate performance. Schools like Wayne State University and LSU Health New Orleans use variations of this to give more weight to recent academic efforts, allowing strong performance in later coursework or post-bacc programs to shine. 

What is the MCAT cut off for UCLA?

To get a sense of the academic caliber expected by UCLA, we can look at the fact that, in 2019, they announced that they would raise their GPA and MCAT cutoff scores to 3.4 and 512. [Interestingly, 2019 is also the last year they reported the average GPA (3.70) and MCAT scores (513.7) for med school matriculants.]

What is the #1 pre-med school in the US?

There's no single "number one" pre-med school, but Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) consistently rank at the top for pre-med programs due to exceptional advising, research, clinical access, and high medical school acceptance rates. Harvard often leads in general rankings, while JHU excels in research, Duke offers strong balance, and UPenn leverages its medical school connections.
 

What is the easiest MD school to get into?

There are no truly "easy" medical schools, but some have higher acceptance rates or lower average GPA/MCAT scores, often focusing on regional needs or specific missions, like University of Mississippi, East Carolina University (Brody), University of North Dakota, Mercer University, Meharry Medical College, University of North Dakota, and University of New Mexico. Osteopathic (DO) schools like William Carey, Arkansas COM, Pikeville KYCOM, and Lincoln Memorial are also frequently listed as having higher acceptance rates than top MD programs. 

Is 512 a bad MCAT score?

No, a 512 MCAT score is not bad; it's a strong, competitive score, generally around the 84th percentile, meaning you scored better than most test-takers and are competitive for many MD programs, with averages often around 511-512 for admitted students, though higher scores (515+) boost chances for top-tier schools. It's a solid score that allows for broad applications, but consider your overall profile (GPA, experiences) and target schools, as very selective programs may prefer scores above 515. 

What is Tier 1 vs Tier 2 vs Tier 3 medical schools?

Medical school "tiers" (Tier 1, 2, 3) primarily describe groupings by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) based on percentile scores (Tier 1: 85-99, Tier 2: 50-84, Tier 3: 15-49), reflecting research strength, resources, and student achievement, though many top schools now opt out, making them "unranked". Higher tiers generally mean greater research focus, prestige, competitive admissions, and better residency placement, while lower tiers often focus more on primary care or service, with more accessible entry points but still rigorous programs.
 

Is UCLA the hardest UC to get into?

Yes, UCLA is generally considered the hardest UC to get into, often having the lowest acceptance rate (around 9% recently) among the University of California system schools, closely followed by UC Berkeley, with both being highly selective nationally. While Berkeley is extremely competitive, UCLA often edges it out in overall selectivity and sometimes by specific program, making it the top choice for many, but also the toughest to crack. 

Can I get into med school with a 512 MCAT?

A "good" MCAT score is one that puts you near or above the average percentile for matriculants at your target medical schools. For comparison, the average MCAT score for students admitted to an MD program in the United States in 2022–2023 is between 511 and 512, with an average GPA of 3.75. (Source: AAMC ).

What is the lowest acceptable MCAT score?

The MCAT is scored between 472 and 528, with the average test-taker scoring around 501. Most competitive medical schools expect 510+, but there are programs with: Lower minimum cutoffs (498–502) Lower average accepted scores (500–505)

What's the hardest pre-med major?

Other challenging pre-med majors include biochemistry, neuroscience, and molecular biology, which are very content-heavy and demand deep understanding of complex systems. These majors often require additional upper-level science courses beyond the standard pre-med requirements, increasing the difficulty.

Which Ivies are best for pre-med?

There's no single "best" Ivy for pre-med, as it depends on your needs, but Harvard, UPenn, and Brown are consistently top-tier for their strong advising, research access, and high med school placement rates, with Brown offering unique programs like PLME. Other strong contenders include Yale (flexibility) and Dartmouth (early assurance), while Princeton offers rigor but with potential grade deflation. The ideal choice aligns with your learning style, goals (like BS/MD), and desired campus environment. 

Is UCLA a good pre-med school?

In conclusion, UCLA is a great school for students pursuing a pre-med track, as it offers strong STEM programs, research opportunities, and many resources to support you throughout your journey. Just keep in mind that you'll need to be proactive and prepared for the challenges that come with a competitive environment.

What is the hardest major to get into UCLA?

The hardest majors to get into at UCLA consistently have extremely low acceptance rates, with Nursing Prelicensure, Film and Television, and Computer Science often topping the list, alongside competitive engineering fields like Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, due to high demand and capped programs requiring strong supplemental applications or auditions, especially for arts. 

What is the lowest MCAT score for Harvard Medical School?

While Harvard Medical School (HMS) doesn't publish a minimum MCAT score, accepted students typically have scores in the low 500s or higher, with averages around 520, but exceptional extracurriculars, research, and personal narratives can allow admission with lower scores, like a 515, especially with a high GPA, though even lower scores (like the 511 range for MD-PhD) are seen but are rare for MD-only. 

Is 517 a bad MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 517 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 96% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 129 (C/P) 130 (CARS) 129 (B/B) 129 (P/S).

Is being a doctor a 9 to 5 job?

No, most doctors do not work a standard 9-to-5; their hours are often long, irregular, and include nights, weekends, and on-call shifts, varying greatly by specialty, with roles like ER or OB/GYN having less fixed schedules, while some outpatient or VA physicians might find more 9-to-5 opportunities, though still typically exceeding 40 hours weekly. 

Can you finish MD in 3 years?

Yes, you can get your M.D. in three years through competitive, accelerated medical school programs (3-Year MD Pathways) offered by some universities, allowing you to finish medical school faster, save on costs, and potentially enter residency sooner, often with a direct path to a residency program at the same institution. These programs are rigorous, geared toward high-achieving students already set on a specialty (like primary care), and compress the traditional four-year curriculum into three by adding pre-matriculation work and summer research. 

How many hours a day are med students in class?

Most medical students spend 6-12 hours every day either in class or studying, so if you do not enjoy learning, you should have major second thoughts about going to medical school.