UCSB's Pre-Health Advisors provide academic advising services as well as career counseling for current UCSB students and alumni who are interested in pursuing careers in the health professions. While our office directly reports to the College of Letters & Science Academic Advising Office, we work with students and alumni from all programs of study.
To access additional resources for Pre-Health professionals, go to our main website:
PRE-HEALTH DROP-IN ADVISING
The Pre-health QLess will be closed until Jan. 6th. Please email or schedule an appointment with our Pre-health advisors (scroll down for appointment information). Alternatively, you may use the link below to connect with our General Letters & Science Advising team.
For In-Person Advising, visit 2105 North Hall during Drop-In Hours. Join QLess on your phone, choose "In-Person" for Contact Type, and wait in the Lobby to be called.
STAY CONNECTED!
Get updates on job announcements, research opportunities, and all UCSB pre-health news.
The Pre-Health listserv is the primary form of communication with UCSB students. All students, faculty, staff, alumni, and even prospective students and parents are strongly encouraged to join the mailing list for the latest information.
Have general pre-health questions?
Email your questions to: prehealthinfo@ltsc.ucsb.edu
Please include your PERM and a good callback number in your email to us.
Check out our YouTube Channel as an additional resource.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Schedule an Appointment with a Pre-Health Peer.
It is recommended that all Pre-Med First and Second-year students meet with a Peer Advisor. Click the links below to schedule an appointment through Shoreline.
Meet with a Pre-Health Advisor
If you've already met with a peer advisor, are a transfer student, or are on academic probation, our Senior Advisors are here to guide you. Whether you need help with requirements, schedule planning, career choices, or applications, we’re ready to support you—meet us during the Pre-Heath Drop-In advising hours listed above or schedule an appointment using the links below. *Please Note: first-year students should not make an appt. with Dr. Blain.
Schedule an APPT with Yessica Schedule an APPT with David Schedule an APPT with Dr. Blain
Frequently Asked Questions from Pre-Health Students
Quite well. The last two MD application cycles were the most successful in UCSB history. And UCSB applicants to other programs (vet, dental, PT, etc.) typically outperform the national average acceptance rate.
Historically, between 250-280 UCSB students/graduates apply to medical schools (MD) annually. PA is our second most "popular" pre-health track, with about 100 students/year applying. Dentistry typically comes in third, with about 50 applications per year on average.
Visit the link below to see where UCSB grads have been admitted over the last several cycles. This information is very valuable for students getting ready to enter the application cycle, as it gives them an idea of where UCSB students have been finding success in this highly competitive process.
Our Pre-Health advisors recently hosted MCAT info sessions (now posted on our YouTube channel) with current students and (very) recent grads, each of whom scored > 90th percentile on their MCAT. Panelists shared the following resources and documents, which several students found helpful:
- MCAT Resource Document
- Tip sheet for the CARS section (which is often the bane of an MCAT-taker's existence)
- MCAT study "progress tracker"
UCSB does not offer a nursing degree (BSN). That said, Gauchos who, while studying at UCSB, discover that they want to go the RN route may look for accelerated BSN programs after earning their degree.
Check out the August 2024 "Gauchos in Nursing" series where panelists of graduates for UCSB pursuing a nursing path. Check out those talks on our YouTube channel!
No. Most professional schools are not concerned with what your undergraduate major is; rather, they want to ensure you've taken the appropriate prerequisites for their program (and that you have a record of demonstrable academic excellence). Having said that, most of our pre-health students are biology majors because a great many of the courses that are required for that major also happen to coincide nicely with pre-health course requirements. Also, it can be difficult to get into some chemistry and biology courses as a non-STEM major. Use the link below to view the majors of UCSB-to-medical-school students.