I have been fortunate enough to get into a few very good schools. I’ve narrowed my top choices down to UCLA and Washington University in St. Louis (WashU). I want to go to medical school eventually, so I’m looking at which school would be better for me in that regard.
WashU has the benefit of being a smaller school and more one-on-one attention from advisers, but UCLA is closer to home and costs about half as much, all things considered (I’m a California resident). I’m also a bit wary of going somewhere cold, having lived in southern California all of my life.
I would like to hear any suggestions people have as to what I should do. Thanks in advance.
From a financial standpoint, UCLA is better. For medical school placement, neither will limit your chances. Do well at either and all the doors will open for you. Outside of finances, consider the culture of the school and what the students and classes are like.
If I were in your shoes I would chose UCLA because both schools are great academically. If you plan on attending medical school, it would be most beneficial to spend less on your undergraduate schooling, so you have more for med school. Plus, UCLA is gorgeous and warm. If you want that smaller environment make an effort to interactive with professors and show your commitment to your studies.
From what I hear, where you go to undergraduate doesn’t mean much, if anything, in med school admissions. I suppose you could always change your mind on going to med school, but considering both schools are very well regarded, it doesn’t make much sense to go WashU if it is much more expensive, regardless of what path you choose in college.