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April 8, 2024
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Selecting a college for your premed journey is an equally exciting and daunting task. On one hand, you have the opportunity to choose a university that aligns with your academic and career aspirations, offering resources and opportunities to support your path to medical school. On the other hand, the sheer number of options and factors to consider can feel overwhelming.
Luckily, we’re here to shed some light. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 best colleges in California for premed, along with their pros and cons.
Let’s get started! Â
Determining the best colleges for pre-med in California can vary based on various factors, such as:Â
Each college has its unique strengths and drawbacks. While large and prestigious institutions offer excellent resources, their large student populations can mean less personalized advice, as is the case with Berkeley or UCLA. Conversely, smaller private colleges, such as Caltech, pride themselves on their higher faculty-to-student ratios, ensuring more tailored guidance both inside and outside the classroom.
A common denominator for many California colleges is their strong ties to top-tier medical centers and renowned medical schools. This is particularly the case in regions like the Bay Area and Greater Los Angeles, chief among them UCSD, UCLA, and Berkeley. These connections offer premed students invaluable opportunities for gaining clinical experience, a vital component for medical school applications.
California also offers great opportunities for research with competitive programs and state-of-the-art facilities. However, it is important to acknowledge that larger universities, like the UC schools, with sizable undergraduate populations, might present more competition for highly sought-after lab positions.
‍However, if you’re unsure of what a premed major implies, you can check out our post to learn more about it.
Now, let’s dive into the best colleges in California for premed:
Stanford is a name anyone can recognize. It’s one of the most prestigious colleges, not just in California but in the entire country. As such, it’s the most exclusive on our list, and attending will be costly.
Today, Stanford Medicine stands at the forefront of the current biomedical innovation. With a rich history of pioneering research, groundbreaking clinical therapies, and innovative teaching protocols
At Stanford University, the Stanford Immersion in Medicine Series (SIMS) offers you unique shadowing opportunities. As a SIMS student, you'll be matched with a physician mentor who will guide you through a wide range of experiences. These include:Â
All of these experiences will be specifically tailored to your interests. Plus, if you are looking to volunteer, Stanford provides a variety of options to suit your needs. Organizations like Healing Strokes offer art therapy for stroke patients, while the Family Caregiver Alliance provides opportunities to work with individuals facing neurological challenges.
In addition to volunteering and shadowing, joining societies and student organizations can enhance your medical school application. These groups not only showcase your interests outside of medicine but also provide valuable leadership and community engagement experiences.
The University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley) could be your ideal starting point. Situated in the lively city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley has a reputation for academic excellence and groundbreaking research. For aspiring doctors like you, UC Berkeley offers an exciting learning environment that blends challenging academics with hands-on opportunities for growth and development.
UC Berkeley boasts a thriving community of pre-med students. Here, you'll find abundant opportunities for learning and research, both in clinical settings and wet labs. You can take courses and collaborate on projects with faculty who are leaders in their fields.
UC Berkeley’s research initiatives are some of the main draws for premeds. These include structured programs like the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP), which pairs you with faculty members, and the Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research (SPUR), which collaborates with the Rausser College of Natural Resources. You'll also have the opportunity to participate in research projects in faculty laboratories or research groups.
‍The college’s privileged location is also greatly convenient when it comes to research, as you are close to excellent facilities. For instance, you can explore research at the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) and UC San Francisco. These institutions conduct both basic science and clinical research, providing you with diverse avenues for involvement and learning.
Berkeley also places a high value on social justice. This commitment is reflected in various aspects of campus life, from student organizations to academic programs and research initiatives. For instance, you can find a student-led initiative called the Underrepresented Researchers of Color (UROC) which is focused on boosting the presence of marginalized students in research and grad programs, fostering a community of researchers of color.
For an aspiring premed student like you, UCLA offers an exceptional environment for your academic journey, personal development, and professional aspirations. With its prestigious medical school, renowned faculty, and diverse community, UCLA is a top choice for those dedicated to pursuing a career in medicine.
As one of the nation's top medical schools, UCLA provides you with unparalleled opportunities for networking, mentorship, and future career prospects. Being part of the UCLA community opens doors to a wealth of resources and connections within the medical field.
UCLA has a deep compromise with its premed students, offering multiple instances of guidance from undergrads to baccalaureates. The first instance is the Pre-Medical Enrichment Program, designed to provide students with a comprehensive pathway to medical school, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. PREP offers a variety of workshops, seminars, and informational sessions covering topics such as:
Participants have the opportunity to engage in hands-on research projects under the guidance of faculty mentors, as well as gain clinical experience through internships, volunteering, and shadowing opportunities.
Alongside PREP, you will find SHPEP, the Summer Health Professions Education Program. SHPEP is a six-week course with workshops, seminars, and clinical experiences that help students gain insight into the rigors and rewards of pursuing a career in healthcare. During SHPEP, you will be paired with a mentor who is currently a medical or dental student, resident, or faculty member.
Finally, UCLA offers a course for post-bac students who weren’t able to be admitted to medical school. The program begins with a three-month segment focusing on science review and MCAT prep. Seminars covering biology, chemistry, and physics are led by knowledgeable guest lecturers or representatives from leading test prep companies. You will also be instructed on essential skills like time management, financial planning, and interview techniques by experienced faculty members. You will receive mentorship from past participants and current medical students throughout the program.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is an exceptional choice for aspiring premed students. With its interdisciplinary approach to education and its emphasis on hands-on research, Caltech provides the resources and support you need to thrive in your pursuit of a career in medicine.Â
At the same time, Caltech has one of the hardest premed programs on this list. You will have to experience advanced math and physics courses that you may not see at a different college. But the effort is worth it if you are compromised. On the other hand, Caltech’s research facilities are second to none, and the chances of getting an academic paper published while at Caltech are very high.Â
The small class sizes at Caltech promote close relationships between students and faculty, providing you with personalized attention and mentorship. Caltech prides itself on having a 3-1 ratio of faculty to alumni, securing personal support for each of its students.
Caltech’s curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning experiences, such as internships, research projects, and clinical opportunities. This curriculum allows you to apply your theoretical knowledge practically. Plus, the demanding academic programs push you to perform at a high level and get you ready for the rigors of medical school.
But by far, Caltech’s greatest strength lies in its research programs. As a premed student, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. This program pairs you with faculty members to collaborate on research projects spanning biomedical sciences, bioengineering, and chemistry—fields directly relevant to your pursuit of medicine.
Beyond the lab, SURF provides opportunities for academic and professional growth, including seminars, workshops, and networking events. Also, the university has an exclusive seminar for premed students, preparing them for the application process.
For prospective premed students, University of California San Diego (UCSD) offers an exceptional environment for academic exploration, clinical experience, and personal growth. Notably, UCSD shares its campus with the esteemed UCSD School of Medicine, consistently ranked among the top medical schools in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report Rankings.
UCSD boasts a remarkable ecosystem of biomedical research facilities in its vicinity, including the La Jolla Institute of Immunology, Scripps Research, and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. This concentration forms one of the most densely packed clusters of biomedical research worldwide.
UCSD is another of the great research faculties in California. Just like with Caltech, a premed student in San Diego can expect both great exigency in the curriculum and amazing research facilities. The college continually breaks its own research funding records, receiving as much as 1.64 billion dollars in research funding.
To kickstart your research journey as a UCSD premed, your first point of contact should be the Undergraduate Research Hub. This resource-rich office offers various avenues for you to connect with faculty members offering research positions in their labs.
‍The Faculty Mentors Program pairs you with faculty mentors to collaborate on research projects while earning course credit. Meanwhile, the Genentech/UC Scholars program provides a 10–12-week summer research experience, complete with a stipend to help cover living expenses.
Additionally, UCSD offers the TRELS program, enabling students to apply for university funding to support their research endeavors throughout their academic journey. And, if you're seeking funding for summer research projects, consider applying for the Undergraduate Research Scholarship program.
UCSD also has excellent prospects for shadowing and volunteering. UCSD Health, which includes hospitals such as Jacobs Medical Center, offers you the chance to shadow physicians and observe medical procedures in specialties ranging from cardiology to oncology.
Ultimately, choosing a college for your premed journey is a deeply personal decision that should align with your aspirations and values. Take the time to research and visit potential colleges, talk to current students and faculty members, and trust your instincts.
However, choosing the best college for premed is only half the battle. Once you've selected a university that aligns with your academic and career goals, the real work begins. As a premed student, your journey is just kicking off, and Premed Catalyst can help you steer it in the right direction.
Our tailored mentorship program will guide you every step of the way to Med School, from selecting possible schools to crafting a compelling application that will woo the admissions committee. The only thing you need to do is fill out this short form, and we will take care of the rest!