How is pre-med at UCLA?

Pre-med at UCLA is known for being academically rigorous and highly competitive, with a huge number of aspiring doctors, but offers immense opportunities, including top research, clinical volunteering at world-class hospitals (like Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center), and numerous clubs, though students often feel lost in the large cohort, highlighting the need for strong personal initiative, focus on genuine interests, and strategic navigation of challenging science classes and intense competition for top grades and experiences.

Is UCLA worth it for Premed?

UCSB has strong programs in the sciences, especially in biology and chemistry, which are essential for a pre-med student's education. Some popular majors for pre-med students at UCSB include Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology.

What percent of UCLA pre-med students get into med school?

UCLA premed acceptance rate and admissions statistics

In 2020, 1,149 UCLA premeds applied to medical school and 53 percent were accepted—10 percentage points higher than the national average. Successful applicants from UCLA had an average MCAT score of 513.6 and an average GPA around 3.7.

Which UC is best for pre-med?

While UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego are often cited as top UCs for pre-med due to rigorous academics and strong resources, the "best" UC depends on your fit, with UCLA offering unparalleled clinical access, Berkeley strong basic sciences, and UCSD excelling in biotech research; other great options include UC Irvine and UC Davis for diverse opportunities, but ultimately, your GPA, MCAT, extracurriculars, and personal fit matter most. 

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

There's no single "official" #1 pre-med school, but Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, and Duke University consistently rank at the top due to exceptional advising, research access, clinical opportunities in top hospitals, and high medical school acceptance rates, often exceeding 90% for top applicants. Other perennial contenders include the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Stanford, UPenn, Columbia, and Northwestern, all offering strong science programs and support for aspiring doctors.
 

The Pre-Med Journey

What is the average GPA for UCLA pre-med?

UCLA Medical School Average GPA

For accepted students, the 25th percentile of admitted students had a GPA of 3.62, while students with a 3.92 sit at the 75th percentile.

What's the hardest major to get into at UCLA?

The hardest majors to get into at UCLA are often in specialized professional schools like Nursing, Film & Television, and Engineering (especially Computer Science/Engineering), which have extremely low acceptance rates (sometimes <1-4%) due to high demand and rigorous selection, often requiring auditions or high stats, with Computer Science being notoriously tough within the College of Letters & Science as well. 

What is the easiest premed major at UCLA?

At UCLA, psychobiology is often considered the easiest pre med major by many students. This is because its course requirements align closely with premed prerequisites, and it is perceived as more manageable compared to other science majors like biochemistry or neuroscience​.

Does UCLA med school prefer UCLA students?

The MCAT is also required, and students must have written the MCAT within four years of matriculation. While the admissions success rates are slightly higher for in-state students, UCLA states that it does not favor in-state students, making it an out of state friendly medical school.

Is it harder to get into UCLA or UCSB?

It is significantly harder to get into UCLA than UCSB, as UCLA is one of the most selective universities in the US with acceptance rates often below 10%, compared to UCSB's rate of around 30-33%, making UCLA the more competitive UC campus in terms of raw admissions numbers. Both are highly selective, but UCLA's lower rate means you need exceptional qualifications for admission. 

What's the easiest medical school to get into in California?

What's the easiest medical school to get into in California? Based on GPA and MCAT, Touro University of California is considered one of the more accessible options.

What is the hardest premed major?

Engineering majors, especially biomedical, chemical, or electrical engineering, are often considered the most difficult. These programs are math and physics-heavy, require advanced problem-solving, and involve a heavy workload of labs, projects, and technical courses.

Why is UCLA not number 1 anymore?

UCLA's slip from the #1 public university spot (held for eight years) to #2 behind UC Berkeley in recent U.S. News rankings is attributed to factors like cuts in federal research funding due to campus controversies (antisemitism, affirmative action) and shifts in ranking methodologies, though some argue the rankings don't fully capture UCLA's value, while others note UC Berkeley's strong programs and Silicon Valley ties. 

Which Ivy League has the best 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. 

What are the best pre-med clubs at UCLA?

Discover UCLA's top Pre-med clubs in 2026 - EMRA, SCOPE, Mobile Clinic Project, PULSE, Bruin Beans Health Club, Stroke Team - ranked by Leland for career outcomes, impact, and recruiting success.

What are the top 3 majors at UCLA?

UCLA's top majors vary slightly by source, but consistently feature Psychology, Business Economics (or Economics), Computer Science, Biology, Political Science, and Sociology, often appearing in the top 3 for popularity or applications, with Psychology being a perennial favorite in size and interest. 

Which UC has the best pre-med?

While UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego are often cited as top UCs for pre-med due to rigorous academics and strong resources, the "best" UC depends on your fit, with UCLA offering unparalleled clinical access, Berkeley strong basic sciences, and UCSD excelling in biotech research; other great options include UC Irvine and UC Davis for diverse opportunities, but ultimately, your GPA, MCAT, extracurriculars, and personal fit matter most. 

Is UCLA or Harvard harder to get into?

While Harvard is generally harder to get into due to its extremely low acceptance rate (around 3-4%), UCLA is also incredibly difficult, often harder for many applicants because of its massive applicant pool and fierce competition, especially for top grades and specific programs, making it a "super reach" public university, sometimes even more selective than Harvard in certain application aspects. Both are extremely selective, but Harvard has a lower overall admit rate, while UCLA's sheer volume of applicants and focus on GPA can make it exceptionally tough. 

Is a degree from UCLA respected?

It is generally considered one of, if not the most prestigious public schools in the country.

What is the easiest cluster at UCLA?

Probably the easiest set of classes I've done at UCLA. The whole Cluster 70 series was a breeze. If you took a lot of advanced science classes in high school, these series of classes will basically be an easier version of that.

Why is UCLA good for pre-med?

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 kind of students does UCLA look for?

We seek students whose personal stories and rich experience bring the type of perspective and leadership that we value. We seek intellectually curious students who have grown through their academic work and are ready to both contribute to and benefit from the UCLA community.

How to succeed as a UCLA premed?

The key is balance: maintain a strong GPA, get involved in meaningful clinical and volunteer work, and prepare early for the MCAT. With UCLA's resources, and complementary global opportunities like Go Elective's premed internships, you'll be on track to a standout medical school application.