Previously admitted to Caltech/ considering transferring to Caltech

chewydog
Fri, 05 Dec 2014 07:48:13 +0000

From what I am aware of (as an admitted student to an 8 year guaranteed med program at a top 25 med school), these programs are laid back in that as long as the student keeps above a certain GPA and complete some required courses, it does not matter what the student majors in. In fact, the majority do not even require you to take the MCAT (in fact, some revoke your guaranteed status if you take it). In this manner, things are streamlined towards achieving MD status.

From my perspective, I would advise you to figure out what your priorities are. I chose Caltech because I knew I was going to have my butt handed to me academically. I arrived on campus knowing that I was gambling with my GPA, and with what I wanted to learn, I had a significant chance of ending up with a GPA that is below the 3.7 ‘comfort zone’. At this point, I am aware that my GPA is not going to be what it would have been at another school, but I’m flexible with my future one way or another. If you truly aim to be a doctor, I would advise you to remain where you are or at least not to come to Caltech because knowledge here comes with costs.