- Not Applicable
- Pre-professional program - no undergraduate degree available
- Physical and Biological Sciences
- Not Applicable
Program overview
*UCSC does not offer "premed" as an undergraduate major.
While UCSC does not have pre-med or pre-health majors, students from any major can be admitted to medical and health-related professional schools. The UCSC Career Success team provides students with resources to explore various health profession careers, including medicine. Students will learn how to get the most out of their time at UCSC to prepare for their desired careers in health professions. They will get tips on obtaining clinical and leadership experience and preparing strong applications, and they can also connect directly with admissions representatives from various programs during the graduate school and health profession fairs.
Learning Experience
UCSC has many research opportunities and is ranked among the top undergraduate research institutions. However, not all students will have an opportunity to secure a research position. Please refer to the Undergraduate Research website for more information and tips on how to proceed.
First-Year Requirements
High school students should complete the courses required for UC admission, and those who plan to attend UC Santa Cruz and pursue a career in medicine should also have a strong science and math background, including chemistry, biology, physics, algebra (two years), geometry, and trigonometry. It is recommended that you try and explore a career in medicine by volunteering in a health care setting as early as high school. Medical schools do not accept AP credits toward the medical school admissions requirements. It is highly recommended that you see your major or college adviser within your first quarter at UCSC.
Transfer Requirements
Transfer students who plan to attend UC Santa Cruz should try to complete courses that satisfy campus general education requirements as well as any prerequisites for their major before coming to UC Santa Cruz. It is highly recommended that they see your major or college adviser within the first quarter at UCSC.
Internships and Career Opportunities
Interested in medical school or pursuing other health professions? Schedule a time to meet with a Pre-Health Career Coach at Career Success right away. Find out the criteria to be a strong candidate, how to best prepare yourself, and how to search for and secure extracurricular activities.
Since any major can apply to medical school, complete your undergraduate degree, aiming for a strong GPA. Speak with a major or college adviser to make sure you are on track in completing your academic requirements.
Program Contact
For more information contact Career Success at csuccess@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4420. Career Success is located in Hahn Student Services Building, Suite 125.