Q: WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?
A: UCLA Extension’s Pre-Medical and General Sciences Studies Certificate program provides a structured academic background in basic science preparation for students interested in medical studies or other health-related disciplines. This would include:
- Medical
- Nursing
- Dental
- Veterinary
- Pharmacology
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant
- Optometry
- Etc.
The program is designed for individuals returning to school on a part-time or full-time basis. Additionally, this program is a way for students to take the classes they may have missed as undergraduates or to raise their GPAs to make them more attractive candidates to medical school admission boards; thus, this program is well suited for both Career Changers (students with little to no background in sciences) and Academic Enhancers (students who have completed many or most of the science courses prior).
Q: HOW WILL THESE CLASSES IMPACT MY UNDERGRADUATE TRANSCRIPT OR GPA?
A: Please keep in mind that your institution's previous transcript will not be rewritten with the new classes you take at UCLA Extension. Rather, when applying to health schools, you will submit your undergraduate transcript(s) and your UCLA Extension transcript.
Q: DO I NEED TO BE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM OT TAKE CLASSES?
Students do not need to be enrolled in our Certificate Program to enroll in our courses. UCLA Extension is an open-enrollment institution.
Q: IS THIS PROGRAM SUITABLE FOR SCHOOLS/PROGRAMS OTHER THAN MEDICAL, SUCH AS DENTAL, PA, PT, VETERINARY, GRADUATE SCHOOLS, ETC.?
A: Yes. This program was titled a “pre-med” certificate as an “umbrella term,” as we have students taking classes in preparation for various professional schools, and graduate programs in the sciences, so our courses are not limited nor exclusively geared towards pre-medical studies. Nevertheless, if you want to find out more information on required courses for the schools you are looking into, we recommend you contact the admissions department of the school(s) or visit their website for a list of required courses.