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.
PRE-HEALTH DROP-IN ADVISING
PHONE | ZOOM | IN-PERSON
MONDAY - FRIDAY
9:30AM- 11:30AM & 1:00PM-3:30PM
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 Intern.
Click the links below to schedule an appointment with an advisor intern. First and Second-year students must meet with an Advisor Intern prior to booking an appointment with staff. If you book an appointment with staff prior to meeting with an intern the appointment will be canceled.
Sofija Popovic, UCSB '27
Major: Biological Science/Pre-Med, Minor: German Studies
Sofija's research interests surround women's health, specifically reproductive endocrinology. In her free time she enjoys running, weightlifting, and baking.
Grace Lu, UCSB '27
Major: Biological Science/Pre-Med and Philosophy
Grace is a pre-med double majoring in biology and philosophy. She's a part of the Philosophy department's UCSB Ethics Bowl team, and does research on the measles virus as part of the Ma Lab. In her free time, she enjoys playing backgammon, rooting for Bay Area sports teams, and running.
Sumana Hiremath, UCSB '27
Major:Biospychology/Pre-Med
Sumana is interested in a career in neuroscience and public health while pursuing the medical field. In her free time she loves to cook, try out new cuisines and engage in conversations about ethical dilemmas with others.
Ava Niers, UCSB '27
Major: Biological Science/Pre-Med
Ava is a pre-med with interests in dermatology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery. Originally from San Francisco, she is currently a scribe and Emergency Department volunteer at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, and also volunteers at ASAP Cat Shelter. She is a Undergraduate Learning Assistant with the MAX program through UCSB's Department of Computer Science and is actively involved in mentorship and service on campus. In her free time, you can usually find her at the gym, going on runs, watching The Office, or cooking.
Alka Nair, UCSB '27
Major: Biopsychology/Pre-Med
Having entered UCSB with a variety of interests, Alka is a research assistant in the Jacobs Lab on campus, a crisis counselor for Crisis Text Line, and is a science educator at the The Research Experience & Education Facility, known as the REEF. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, learning choreography, and long walks on the beach.
Erika Salcedo, UCSB '27
Major: Biological Science/Pre-Med
Erika works as an EMT, serves as a general chemistry Undergraduate Learning Assistant, is the events coordinator for Alpha Epsilon Delta, and is an RA in the Communication, Health, and Emerging Media Laboratory at UCSB (reach out if interested in participating in research!). In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, going to concerts, and watching movies and music videos. She is also a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain and all things food and travel.
Amanda Patel, UCSB '27
Major: Biological Science/Pre-Med
Amanda is a San Diego native pursuing a career in medicine. She is involved in Alpha Chi Omega, Partners in Wellness, and MEDLIFE- UCSB chapter, where she recently volunteered in a medical clinic in Guatemala. Amanda is also a research assistant in UCSB’s Biobehavioral Health Lab. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, baking, and trying new foods.
Riley Quigley, UCSB '27
Major: Biological Science/Pre-Med
Riley is from San Jose, California and works as both an undergraduate learning assistant and undergraduate researcher in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. Outside the classroom and lab, he enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors; especially tidepooling and hiking along the coast.
Laila Elkhoury, UCSB '28
Major: Biopsychology/Pre-Med
Laila is a pre-med student from the Bay Area with interests in neuroscience and bioethics. In her spare time, she enjoys running, reading (especially historical fiction), watching college football, and is currently working on learning Arabic.
Neya Jakan, UCSB '28
Major: Cell and Developmental Biology/Pre-med
Neya is from Orange County, California and is a Lab Coordinator for UCSB's 5th grade chemistry outreach program and Safety Director for UCSB's ChemE Car Club. In her free time, she is exploring new hiking trails, running by the beach, or teaching her yoga class.
Nancy Lei, UCSB '28
Major: Biopsychology/Pre-Med, Minor: Chemistry
Nancy is planning to pursue medical school and/or a PhD in neuroscience. She's currently a volunteer for UCSB's SciTrek Elementary program, secretary of Psych for Progress, and upcoming co-president of the UCSB Chemistry Club. In her free time, she enjoys picking up new hobbies and refining old ones, like baking, dancing, and music.
Ava Thorne-Thomsen, UCSB '28
Major: Psych and Brain Science/Pre-Med
Ava grew up in Kansas City, KS and is the assistant director of community service for UCSB's Health Professions Association, as well as a Research Assistant for the Liberman Child Studies Lab and Rothman Lab on campus. In her free time, she coaches ice hockey at Ice in Paradise, plays spikeball, and goes to the beach with friends.
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
Need help calculating your GPA?
Watch this video from Pre-health Advisor Dave Lawrence for guidance on how to calculate your current and projected GPA within minutes!
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.