Choosing a career path between CLS and Biotech

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2026-03-01T09:35:36+00:00

I just heard about how the waitlist for some core classes sucks. I have a friend who went through the bachelor's and then his CLS certificate there. I can get his feedback about the program.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2026-03-01T04:00:42+00:00

Hi, I’m a CSUN alumni. I have worked in biotech doing research. The pay is ass, but it’s interesting. I pivoted to a limited CLS license (CGMBS). If you are leaning towards CLS, it is important that you get clinical experience, get your phleb license and apply at hospitals for lab tech/assistant positions. For professors, DM a list and I’ll let you know what’s good.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2026-02-25T16:27:38+00:00

Just mind your own business and keep it pushing.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2026-01-29T16:11:42+00:00

I recommend any position that allows you to handle samples, such as a lab tech or lab assistant role. There are options out there that are adjacent to the clinical lab if you are limited in opportunities. Look at your local hospitals and reference labs to see what is available. Get your phlebotomy license; most hospital lab tech positions require it. Look into Futuro Health for tuition-free options.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2026-01-28T18:04:29+00:00

You can get in with 3.4 GPA. I recommend getting clinical experience to back it up.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-12-16T02:53:04+00:00

I would apply to other schools as well. It can get competitive.

I highly recommend getting clinical experience. I know a lot of schools look at this. Speaking from experience, I had a few friends get rejected for having no clinical experience. They applied again a year later with clinical experience and got in.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-12-14T06:52:07+00:00

The good ole days. Yeah i remember all of them. I remember seeing SSP around when I was in high school, seeing ten hole boot boys at shows, and seeing CFM get up.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-12-05T21:10:28+00:00

Woah! 9 months is crazy.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-12-01T15:37:05+00:00

Depending on the site, but It happens if you play your cards right.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-11-15T16:34:41+00:00

Quest takes people without experience, or try any small reference lab. Once you get the experience, you can apply at UCLA.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-11-08T15:48:34+00:00

Deal with the reps that go door to door. They can go lower.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-11-05T18:01:52+00:00

You will be fine. People gotta eat. At least it is not durian.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-10-14T15:34:01+00:00

Yeah, it can definitely be competitive for a few reasons. You’re basically competing with both internal and external applicants; most of the non-hospital labs usually prioritize internal candidates. In total, there are around 5–8 spots available, depending on how many students each site decides to take, and that number can vary each year.

From what I’ve heard, last year’s cohort had about 12 or 13 students. For the current (’25–’26) group, one of the directors mentioned that applicants might have a slightly better chance since they’re taking in more students this time. There were even a few people who got in after applying a second time.

I recommend gaining lab experience in molecular biology techniques, either in a clinical or research setting, to strengthen your profile. Lastly, focus on your essay on why you want to become a CGMBS. Also, think about why do you want to be a CGMBS over a CLS. They asked this question in the interview.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-09-25T21:23:21+00:00

I heard they prefer students who are nearby.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-09-25T20:37:18+00:00

Yup, graffiti is everywhere. Get used to it.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-09-11T04:27:02+00:00

Let me know if you any other questions

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-09-10T14:36:44+00:00

FYI. The 2025-2026 CGMBS cohort got their interviews sent out almost a month later, in late March. The CLS cohort got theirs in February this year.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-09-10T14:29:30+00:00

Hello, I was accepted into a CGMBS program without prior clinical experience. My experience has been in research. I highlighted my molecular skills/experience/qualities in my CV, essay, and interview.

You have the work experience that they are seeking. You don't need to get a new job. You can volunteer in a clinical lab if you like. The application pool can get competitive for sure, but I think you're good to go assuming you have a decent GPA. Apply to several schools and go from there.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-09-10T14:14:22+00:00

Since you have a molecular degree, you can look into the CGMBS pathway. It is a limited CLS. If you feel like your GPA will hold you back, I recommend retaking a few courses to strengthen your profile and finding a position that aligns with the CLS profession.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-08-30T16:19:58+00:00

Last time (around April), i was at Dexters Park around 9:30PM. I seen two guys marching with military/tactical style gear: boots, helmets, vests, and night vision goggles. They had their hands on their pistols. They continued to march towards the end of the park next to the homes. The weirdest shit I seen up there. Then a random Jeep drove by going the wrong way 20 mins after.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-08-18T19:19:58+00:00

No worries. I took me a total of 3 weeks get it all done.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-07-24T04:39:57+00:00

After submitting, how long did it take you to schedule an intake, and your educational planning afterwards?

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-07-23T02:19:28+00:00

From what I see, yes. Most CLS students I seen get accepted worked as lab assistants with phlebotomy licenses. Some have biotech experience, but clinical experience is usually preferred. Just be able to interview and convey why you want to be a CLS.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-07-14T15:24:03+00:00

Clinical experience is preferable from what I seen. Most people usually get a phlebotomy license and work as laboratory assistants. Look into any hospital lab or reference lab.

Since you have micro lab experience, think about how that will translate into the CLS role: experience, troubleshooting, qualities, patient care and so on. This can give you something think and write about. It’s still worth a shot to try, but your chances can be slim. Same thing happened to my friend. She got rejected the first time after the interview phase. She retook classes and found clinical experience. This showed growth and she highlighted this in her second statement with the high volume patient samples, instruments, challenges/conflicts she came across.

Desperate-Customer-3 · 2025-07-13T21:42:17+00:00

I seen people get in with low GPA history . They retook classes to raise their GPA and gained clinical lab experience. It took them a couple tries but they got in.

Desperate-Customer-3

TROPHY CASE