<p>I can't seem to be able to decide between these three. Although most people respond "Northwestern" immediately, I have some other factors that are making this decision hard. First of all, I'm doing pre-med, and so I'm considering the competition for grades at the school, which to me means that the more prestigious the school the more likely it will be harder to get good grades. Second is that I'm also considering doing a PhD in Biochemistry, which will be my major. I want to leave that option open and all three schools seem to have a good Biochem program. But, UCLA's Biochem major is in the physical science department, and requires me to take the highest level calculus and chemistry courses (instead of the life science level ones the other two require). Calculus, while I was able to do okay in high school, is not my strong point and I'm afraid this could hurt doing pre-med. But what complicates this is that after visiting UCSD and UCLA (I will visit Northwestern later), I've found that I really feel at home and like UCLA and not as much UCSD. I'm also considering research opportunities, and any insight into that would be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>Also, I'm instate for UCSD and UCLA, which makes their total cost about $20,000 and Northwestern's $50,000. Ugh.</p>
<p>I'm biased: of four kids, two went to UCLA, which they both loved. Current one is a math major--very challenging. UCSD does not have the school spirit and atmosphere like UCLA. We did visit Northwestern in the month of March--brutal weather--word of warning to a Calif kid. Gritty urban campus too; definitely different from UCLA. Do your parents a favor: stay in state at our excellent universities. IMO</p>
<p>I'd say UCLA. Northwestern isn't worth the debt, and you seem to be a better fit for UCLA. Don't worry about the calc classes -- UCLA chose you 'cause they think you can do it, and you can; you'll just have to work. Plus, that's in the far future, so it's not something to concern you now.</p>
<p>So, yeah, UCLA -- prestige, atmosphere, price, strength in your major, etc.</p>
<p>Well... with the bell curve, out of everyone they accept people do have to get those D's and F's. Also, how do people find rankings and non-anecdotal information of the strength of the UCLA biochem and pre-med programs?</p>
<p>Depends on which school has grade inflation/deflation. I'd go to the school where you have the best chance at doing well... because I honestly believe that student quality at all three schools are <em>relatively</em> similar, the X-factor is how tough the classes are graded. If you're confident that you'd do well at any school, I'd recommend you go to UCLA or UCSD.</p>
<p>My two cents as a former UCLA undergrad and grad student at NU.</p>
<p>::We did visit Northwestern in the month of March--brutal weather--word of warning to a Calif kid. Gritty urban campus too::</p>
<p>Uhh ... gritty urban campus? NU is located in a small city/suburb of Chicago, in the Northshore, one of the wealthiest areas in the country. We're right on the shores of Lake Michigan - in fact, we have 2 beaches. It's true that we have some modern buildings on campus (notably the library and the student center), but we also have tons of beautiful gothic/neo classical architecture. NU is known for having a lovely campus, I really don't know where you get off calling it 'gritty' and 'urban.'</p>
<p>Gritty campus...thats a laugh. Everything you say from here on our concerning Northwestern is moot, you obviously haven't visited. Northwestern was one of the finer campusus that I visited.</p>
<p>UCLA and UCSD's admissions rate into med schools are around 50% (this is on their websites, I'll dig it up for you if you really want to see it), while Northwestern's is around 80% (I haven't seen data from this, it's just what others say). Also, there's probably more competition at UCLA/UCSD than Northwestern, being public universities and all. Still, they provide a great deal and good weather. It's a tough call.</p>
<p>i'm having the same dilemma...only i crossed out UCSD.
i visited NU and i LOVED it..but UCLA is closer to home and I have a pretty significant alumni scholarship there (plus it's a great school!).
NU has made my tuition pretty reasonable for the first two years (until my brother graduates from college)..then it'll go up. my question is...I love NU so much, but is an extra $40,000-$50,000 overall worth it?</p>
<p>Although I'm sure pre-med will be challenging at UCSD and UCLA, I've heard pre-med at Northwestern is very hard. Also, the students at Northwestern supposedly are smarter SAT and GPA wise. Does this even it out? Or is Northwestern better with an 80% admission rate, even though they probably don't support people who have too low a GPA? I've been able to find some information online for UCSD and UCLA but nothing for Northwestern--they only gave the percentage in one of the brochures that I got.</p>
<p>Sorry I ruffled some feathers with my NU comments, but we did visit and tour the campus. It was freezing, superwindy, and dirty---not the most inviting campus in the world IMO. Maybe I'm just comparing it to San Diego and its beaches! Academically of course it is an excellent school.</p>
<p>Obviously someone is not used to the impact of snow melt on a campus. Snow will hold a fair amount of litter and such and when it melts there will be some higher levels of trash around until the cleanup crews get to it. However I lived in Evanton for 7 years and NU is hardly gritty 99% of the time. 9 months out of the year it will be green or in lush fall colors unlike anything you ever get in LA (where I also have lived). The beaches are clean and awesome in summer.</p>
<p>maryc -
[quote]
Sorry I ruffled some feathers with my NU comments, but we did visit and tour the campus. It was freezing, superwindy, and dirty---not the most inviting campus in the world IMO. Maybe I'm just comparing it to San Diego and its beaches! Academically of course it is an excellent school.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Cold and windy during the Winter - yes, but "dirty" (I'm afraid the cold had addled your senses).</p>
<p>The Evanston/North Shore area is pretty much what is depicted in films like "Ferris Bueller", "Pretty In Pink", "Risky Business", etc.</p>
<p>For the best scenes of the lakefront campus, the Tom Hanks/Jackie Gleeson film "Nothing In Commmon" has some scenic scenes.</p>
<p>Don't forget "She's Having A Baby" filmed a block or two from my house and "Ordinary People" filmed all over the North Shore. I sometimes give k&s a hard time about NU but in this case, marcyc was just way off.
God, I miss living on the North Shore. It was the best. Beautiful neighborhoods and parks with Big 10 sports just a walk away, great restaurants, shopping, pre Starbucks coffeehouses, and a train ride to the Loop.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Don't forget "She's Having A Baby" filmed a block or two from my house and "Ordinary People" filmed all over the North Shore. I sometimes give k&s a hard time about NU but in this case, marcyc was just way off.
God, I miss living on the North Shore. It was the best. Beautiful neighborhoods and parks with Big 10 sports just a walk away, great restaurants, shopping, pre Starbucks coffeehouses, and a train ride to the Loop.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>barrons - isn't it the other way around (me giving you a hard time about the Badgers)? hehe (btw, I think that anyone who doesn't consider Madison to be the best/most fun college town in the B10 is nuts.)</p>
<p>Having lived or spent considerable time in many of the most of the "desireable" cities in the US (NYC, Boston, DC, Miami, LA, SF, etc.) - I would have to give Chicago high marks.</p>
<p>If Chicago had been on the West or East coast - it probably would be considered the best city in the US.</p>
<p>Being in the middle keeps the living costs down and the cold blasts keep out the riff-raff. I too have criss-crossed the US--NY, Chicago, Atlanta, LA, Austin, Denver, Seattle.
Touche' on the hard time quip.</p>