Top 5 Pre-Med Schools in LA & OC – And How to Stand Out at Each
Thinking about medical school and studying in Southern California? At Empath Med Advising, we're based right here in SoCal, and we specialize in helping students at these exact schools stand out. Whether you're navigating packed lecture halls at UCLA, exploring research labs at UC Irvine, or balancing work and school at CSU Fullerton, the pre-med journey in Los Angeles and Orange County is as competitive as it gets. These top universities produce some of the nation’s most driven applicants.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the top five pre-med universities in LA and OC — and show you how to rise above the crowd at each one.
🏆 1. UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles)
Why it’s top-tier:
Access to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
Dozens of pre-health orgs, research labs, and specialty clinics
Specific ways to stand out:
🔬 Join the CARE Extenders Program at UCLA Health
Get hands-on clinical exposure in emergency departments and other units
Rotations include ER, Labor & Delivery, Radiology
Real interactions with patients, nurses, and physicians
🧪 Apply for Undergraduate Research in Neurobiology or Cancer Biology
Use UCLA’s Undergraduate Research Portal
Faculty in the David Geffen School of Medicine mentor pre-meds
📚 Enroll in Cluster Courses or Honors Collegium
Helps with GPA recovery and lets you explore interdisciplinary topics like “Frontiers in Human Aging”
💡 Pro Tip: Students with low GPAs at UCLA should consider taking GPA-boosting summer courses at UCLA Extension or Santa Monica College to demonstrate upward trends.
🏆 2. UC Irvine (University of California, Irvine)
Why it’s a standout:
On-campus med school = easier access to shadowing and mentoring
Located near major hospital systems like UCI Medical Center and Hoag
Specific ways to stand out:
💉 Volunteer at UCI Medical Center in Orange
Choose from roles in patient transport, pediatric playrooms, or cancer support services
Looks especially strong if you can commit 6+ months
🩺 Apply to the Health Scholars Program with COPE Health Solutions
Rotations at UCI-affiliated hospitals (like Hoag or St. Joseph's)
Uniform, ID badge, and direct clinical responsibilities
🧠 Join the Campuswide Honors Program and conduct research in neuroimaging or public health
Great for building a personal statement around discovery or resilience
📚 Take Biomedical Ethics or Medical Humanities courses
Helps round out applications with humanistic depth
💡 Pro Tip: If you’ve had a rocky academic record, consider the UC Irvine Post-Bacc Certificate Program to demonstrate academic reinvention.
🏆 3. USC (University of Southern California)
Why it’s top-ranked:
Access to Keck School of Medicine and LAC+USC Medical Center
Private university with strong alumni and med school partnerships
Specific ways to stand out:
👩⚕️ Volunteer at LAC+USC Medical Center
High-volume county hospital
Great for learning about health disparities and underserved care
🧪 Conduct research through SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fund)
Match with Keck faculty in translational research, immunology, or public health
🌟 Join the USC PAIR program (Peer Advocates for International Rights)
Advocate for patients in immigration detention, work with asylum cases — incredible for personal growth and unique experiences
🗣️ Take Medical Spanish through the Dornsife College
A skill that adds major value to your application and service work
💡 Pro Tip: If your MCAT is low, double down on unique service work + upward GPA trend, and consider dual MD/MPH or MD/MS programs to broaden your school list.
🏆 4. CSU Fullerton (California State University, Fullerton)
Why it’s an underdog gem:
Large first-gen and transfer student population
Dedicated Health Professions Advising Office
Specific ways to stand out:
🏥 Volunteer at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton
Departments include surgery, radiology, oncology, and more
Some roles offer direct patient support or mobility assistance
📚 Join the Future Nurses and Doctors of America (FNDA) or AMSA Chapter
Get structured application support and mentoring
Attend suture clinics, MCAT study groups, and mock interview events
🔬 Apply to CSUF’s HHMI Research Scholars or the MARC Program
Funded research in biomedical sciences with a strong mentoring component
🧘 Use your personal story: Many CSUF students balance school with work or caregiving. That’s not a weakness — it’s proof of grit. Learn how to frame that in your personal statement.
💡 Pro Tip: Consider taking a single post-bacc course at CSUF’s Open University or at a community college like Fullerton College if your GPA is under 3.0 and you need a fresh academic showing.
🏆 5. Chapman University
Why it’s a strong pre-med choice:
Smaller classes = closer relationships with faculty
New facilities like the Keck Center for Science and Engineering
Specific ways to stand out:
🧪 Conduct research with the Schmid College of Science and Technology
Ongoing student-faculty projects in chemistry, physiology, and genetics
Present at SURF or SCAR (Student Creative Activity & Research) Conference
🌱 Join the Chapman Health Collective or Global Medical Brigades
Opportunities for leadership, service trips, and clinical outreach
🩺 Volunteer at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
Located nearby in Orange, and Chapman students are regularly accepted
Great pediatric exposure for applicants interested in family or general medicine
🎤 Take advantage of faculty rec letters: With small class sizes, you have a major edge. Build relationships early, especially with science professors.
💡 Pro Tip: Because Chapman is private and less widely known, you may need to work harder to explain your academic preparation in secondaries — especially if applying to public med schools.
Final Takeaway
No matter where you go to school — UCLA or Fullerton, USC or Chapman — you can absolutely stand out as a pre-med even with a low GPA, a bad MCAT score, or gaps in experience.
The secret? Strategy + Storytelling + Smart Steps.
That’s what I help students do at Empath Med Advising.
🎯 Want Personalized Help Turning Your Red Flags Into Strengths?
📥 Download the Red Flag Recovery Starter Guide
💬 Book a Free PreMed Advising Call
I’ve helped students from every school on this list — and I can help you too!
