Chemistry at UChicago vs UCLA

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
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<p>I want to study chemistry at one of those two schools. Which is a better idea? Which is more likely to give AP credit for chem, which has better teaching/research opportunities for underclassmen, etc. Thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>^^bump!</p>

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<p>

<a href=“Examination Credit < University of Chicago Catalog”>Examination Credit < University of Chicago Catalog;
However, UCLA grants a basic intro credit (I think) if you have a 3.

<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/chemistry-rankings”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/chemistry-rankings&lt;/a&gt; It looks like UChicago ranks better than UCLA, but these rankings are to be taken with a grain of salt.

Chicago’s student faculty ratio is 6:1, UCLA’s is 16:1 <a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-california-los-angeles-1315”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-california-los-angeles-1315&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>UCLA is known for its chemistry and biology programs, not so much UChicago which has been known for its Economics, I would go to UCLA.</p>

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<p>Definitely UCLA if your interested in Chemistry</p>

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<p>OP, note that

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<p>Uchicago and UCLA both have strong and similar chemistry program. Both have world class faculty. But at undergraduate level, they are not comparable. Uchicago provides much more opportunities to its undergraduate students because the students in its chemistry program is much smaller. In UCLA, like many other top public colleges, there are too many students. You have to compete furiously for research opportunities. In addition, uChicago provides a lot of college experience which UCLA can not offer (e.g. Attending concerts, professional games, etc. with free tickets). If money is not an issue, Uchicago is much better bet for your college education.</p>

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<p>As a student here, I can vouch for UChicago as having a top-notch program for chemistry. There are numerous opportunities for research here in labs spanning a wide variety of topics. If you include biochemistry labs and the new Institute for Molecular Engineering, then there are plenty more as well!</p>

<p>Gen Chem here has a strong focus on physical chemistry and quantum mechanics which is essential to higher courses, so many people opt to forgo their AP credit and take Honors General Chemistry (which I did). Fewer people skip into organic, but each year people still do.</p>

<p>The only downside to UChicago might be that there are practically no chemistry electives within the college, but:

  1. Every course offered is required for the B.S. degree, so what you think of as electives are sorta requirements here.
  2. If you do exhaust the chemistry curriculum here, UChicago permits undergrads to take courses in the Chemistry Graduate Division, unlike some other peer institutions.</p>

<p>Like DH nicely pointed out, I would politely ignore the two guys suggesting UCLA above, they’re just trying to sabotage your decision :smiley: If you have more specific questions about chemistry at UChicago, feel free to pm me :)</p>

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<p>“In addition, uChicago provides a lot of college experience which UCLA can not offer (e.g. Attending concerts, professional games, etc. with free tickets).” -PIC2016</p>

<p>At least in these aspects, wouldn’t UCLA be more of a “college experience” considering it’s a large state school?</p>

<p>& thank you, ramboacid! Your insight is really helpful! :)</p>

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<p>UChicago is the overall better school with regards to prestige, career prospects, and grad school placement. It’s a no-brainer that UofC>UCLA. </p>

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For chemistry (and most other majors) UCLA > U Chicago. For social life, career, weather, and location, again, UCLA >> U Chicago. Therefore, go to UCLA with no brain unless you are doing economics. In fact, I know quite several friends who had offers from both, and all of them chose UCLA versus U Chicago.

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Most of my son’s friends chose UChicago over UCLA, especially as international students who are paying full tuition fee. The smaller class size is a big plus too.

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Do you work for UCLA’s admissions office?

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Freudian slip?

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If you want to go to graduate school in Chemistry, and cost is not an issue, definitely UChicago.