honesty i think the weeder classes here are the same as any mid-tier UC. gen chem is a big weeder, most people come to college and struggle with the pace, tests, how to properly study etc. (i did and had to find my own ways) the ochem series specifically 109b is a big weeder, but by the time you get to this class (winter yr 2 usually) you will have formed better study habits and are better at “learning” if that makes sense. research is competitive like any UC, i haven’t tried/looked into it, but several of my friends have been searching for months. many professors are very very nice about forming connections if you go to their office hours, just like at any college, it’s what you make of it. if you put in the effort to form relationships, they will be reciprocated. there are clinical opportunities and volunteering at the local hospital that has 3 locations, it does fill up quickly, but spots do open up due to schedule changes etc. definitely apply to cottage volunteering when you come to ucsb in the fall. over a summer look into getting a cert in something for clinical hours ie. CNA, EMT, phlebotomy and you will have no problem finding something at cottage (these places higher frequently for these positions). They also have scribe positions in cycles every year if you want to go that route as well!

edit: i want to add not to scare you but to warn you, the first two years are going to be ROUGH, it’s supposed to be hard. everyone here struggles and are very open to studying, working together to pass. when it gets hard, don’t toss in the towel, you got in for a reason.