<p>I’ve been accepted into ERC with biochem. I plan on going to med school. I’ve decided that I REALLY want to go to UCSD. After talking to many UCSD students within ERC (even some bio majors), they all say that a huge majority of bio/chem/non-humanities students of ERC take AT LEAST 5 YEARS to graduate.</p>
<p>Every UCSD student I’ve asked this question gives me pretty much the same answer.</p>
<p>There is no way my parents will allow me to go or help pay for my college expenses if I am going to graduate in 5+ years (assuming if we even have enough for 4 years, yes, Asian parents).</p>
<p>Would anyone please give me their own opinions?</p>
<p>First, do not plan on going to med school. The weeding out process of the pre med path is so notoriously harsh that the vast majority of premeds who not make it to medical school. Always have a back up plan, in case.</p>
<p>Second, ERC has a lot of GE’s but it’s not impossible to graduate in 4 years. It just depends how much work and effort you’re willing to put in and how well you can manage your time.</p>
<p>Make a 4 year plan and do your research. The biggest advice I can give a premed is to know the process inside out and be very prepared for what comes your way. Don’t be part of the 99% ignorant premed population. LEARN what is needed and what you have to do.</p>
<p>With enough hard work, self motivation, and planning, it is definitely possible to graduate in 4 years with good grades, substantial extracurriculars for med school, and time to pursue interests, hobbies, and a social life.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p><a href=“Undergraduate Statistics”>Undergraduate Statistics;
<p>The number speaks for themselves, I suppose? Look at page 11 and 13. So if you absolutely need to graduate in 4 year as a pre-med, it is definitely doable. As a matter of fact, if you are a competitive pre-med applicant, graduating in four years should come hand in hand. If you take summer classes on top of everything else, then I will say that you are golden. </p>
<p>@Aceaites: what kind of back up plans are there for a pre-med? pre-pharm, nursing and the such? There’s not much outside of health care I can think of. There is the industrial field, but I feel like many of the ones with just a bachelor go back to school for a higher degree or health again (from speaking with my co-workers + TAs who worked in the industry).</p>
<p>Thank you for the replies.</p>
<p>I am still unsure because there must be a reason every UCSD student I’ve come across disagree with those numbers. </p>
<p>Are there any ERC Bio/chem students here who can give me a view into their experiences?</p>
<p>I have plenty of secondhand experiences:</p>
<p>My cousin graduated biochem/ERC in 3 years. She had a decent amount of AP credit (I think she waived some math and chem) and had enough time for work and other activities.</p>
<p>My friend graduated biochem/ERC in 2 years. He had chem AP credit and spent his 2 years taking 5+ classes.</p>
<p>My other friend is scheduled to graduate as bio/ERC in 4 years. She didn’t have any AP credit. She still has enough time for premed activities and I don’t think she’s ever taken more than 4 classes per quarter.</p>
<p>I don’t know who you’re talking to, but the majority of the people I know are scheduled to graduate in 4 years, regardless of college or major. The ones that aren’t fall in one or more of these categories: transfers, willingly delaying graduation, failed a class (or more), only take 12unit quarters, working part or full time, refusing to do summer session, engineering majors (some with crazy premed/double major or minor combos). </p>
<p>If you’re hardworking and serious about medical school, you should be able to graduate on time.</p>
<p>@DistressStudent: This back up plan can be anything. It depends why you’re going into medicine. If it’s for healthcare, then yes Nursing could be a back up and is for many.</p>
<p>If it’s for science, some go into research as a back up. It doesn’t really matter, but it’s foolish to think that nobody needs a back up plan. Even the most adept students may find that they may simply not like medicine, as lack of interest is also part of the “weeding out” process for premed.</p>