Chance/Match Me - Pre-med and biochem major; white female; PA resident; 1540 SAT; 4.0 UW; NMSF; Boston University, Vanderbilt, and more!

As to UCLA, UCSB, UCSD: they all operate on a 10 week quarter academic term as opposed to a longer semester term. Your hs record (e.g. academics, ECs, etc.) is very, very impressive. As I understand it, med schools tend to look at what have you done recently meaning (in college) so besides getting top grades (not necessarily straight As), you’re going to have to find time in a quarter system for academics, and more current relevant ECs. What about other nonacademic interests, social life? Also keep in mind that if you plan to graduate in spring after senior year, then start med school in fall, you would have to submit a competitive application (e.g. grades, ECs, MCAT, etc.) in summer after third year. MCAT prep alone could require a couple of months of dedicated time. Although some students do it, a quarter system can make it that much harder.

Also UCSD only guarantees on campus housing for first two years, meaning you’ll have to move off campus and may need a car. I agree with others above: current UC annual COA is 70k+ for OOS. COA does not include things like travel back and forth to PA. By the time you finish a UC coupled with the total COA for med schools which could be approaching 500K, the total costs to earn an MD begin to approach 900k to one millionish.

Good luck.

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