Pre-Med Life @ UCI, UCSD, and UCLA

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Irvine
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<p>Right now, I'm trying to decide where I will go for my undergrad. Money is not an issue; I get about the same amount (give or take a few hundred) from each school in their estimates. I generally like all 3 campuses so that is not a problem either.</p>

<p>I understand that I should pick the school where I will (if I want to go to med school) be able to get a well-rounded education that includes a plethora of research, internships, and volunteering while still maintaining a high GPA.</p>

<p>As a result, my main concerns are about my peers, the environment, the opportunities. I would just like some input from current/former students to help me with my decision.</p>

<ol>
<li> How competitive is the pre-med program in each school? Which school has the most collaborative, helpful students? I heard that UCLA has the most aggressively competitive students which, honestly, kind of frightens me. I don't mind working hard to get ahead of the competition (and I understand that pre-med programs at UC's are relatively the same in difficulty with students just as bright); I'm just afraid of students that are willing to sabotage others just to get ahead, which I have heard UCLA students do all the time. On the other hand, UCSD seems to have very relaxed (and friendly!) students.</li>
<li> Where is it easiest to get research and internship opportunities? I know UCLA has the largest pre-med population so I assume it would be harder to find a spot. Plus, I have also heard the professors at UCSD are more willing to help.</li>
<li> Which school has the best professors and why?</li>
</ol>

<p>Sorry for the long-winded message. I just wanted to make sure I got everything down. If you read all of that and decide to answer, thank you so much!</p>

<p>Also, sorry for making UCLA pre-meds seem bad. That wasn't my intention. It's simply what I've heard, and it kind of scares me. If this is wrong, PLEASE tell me that my assumptions are wrong.</p>

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<p>I am not pre-med but I basically went through all the pre-med curriculum my first two years at UCI…and I guess I still am now at UCLA. Here’s my response to a similar question in the UCLA section:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-los-angeles/1490242-another-pre-med-question.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-los-angeles/1490242-another-pre-med-question.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Long story short: If you are ABSOLUTELY set on picking a school based on maximizing your odds of getting into medical school, I’d go with UCI. Strictly speaking, where you go to undergrad does not matter at all when it comes to medical school admissions…but going to UCI will get you the higher GPA (one of the main factors in med school admissions). UCI also boasts a pretty solid pre-med curriculum, so it’s not like people look down on the school. Only do this if you are 101% sure that being a doctor is the only thing you want to do with your life…if the thought of working in any other profession is unacceptable. Otherwise go with your gut, and to where you feel most comfortable. </p>

<p>1). I don’t mean to say pre-med at UCI is a walk in the park, but it kind of is compared to the pre-med environment at UCLA. The curriculum is still the same (Bio, Gchem, Ochem, Physics, ect) so if you are not good with sciences, it’ll probably be miserable no matter where you go. However, your plans may change…if that’s the case, just pick the school you think you will be happiest at (that means visit!). I can’t speak for UCSD, but UCI is more laid back while UCLA is more vibrant. There are amazing friendly people at both schools. Study groups are not my thing personally, but all the ones I have joined (at both schools) have really helped me a lot. UCI has a free tutoring program for many of the core courses…something UCLA REALLY needs. It was probably my most important resource during my time at UCI. No one will go out of their way to sabotage you. I’ve heard stories about both schools and have witnessed none of that. You will know who to make friends with and who to avoid for sure. This should not be a major issue. </p>

<p>2.) UCLA far surpasses UCI in this respect. The medical center (world famous no less) is located right on campus. It is pretty easy to get a volunteer position there. They also have an internship program that you might want to look into. UCI’s medical center is not near campus at all. You’ll need a car for any off-campus internships (at least, in hospitals and such places). Supposedly, it is also quite easy to get research at both schools (at least according to what I’ve heard), but I wouldn’t know about that. Both schools have super informative counselors (at least within the bio programs) so I’m sure they will help you find a position. </p>

<p>3.) This is all just my opinion, but the chemistry professors at UCI are amazing, as are the math professors. A lot of them are lecturers, meaning they don’t do research and solely focus on teaching. You don’t really find that at UCLA. UCLA has horrendous (obnoxious) math/physics professors…but offers a wider, more interesting, array of elective classes. I am mixed on Bio professors at both schools (ironically, I am a bio major). In general…UCLA has been more miss than hit for me so far…in terms of the quality of professors. Honestly, the professors at UCI were more caring and seem more available. HOWEVER, the TA’s at UCLA are super amazing. They really do get the best grad. students in the nation.</p>

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<p>@oceanpartier, thanks for answering (and reading my ridiculously long question/message).</p>

<p>I’ve visited all the campus and, honestly, I love each campus for its own quirks and I feel (mostly) comfortable in all of them, so it’s down to which will give me the most opportunities and the best education.</p>

<p>I’m basically native to Irvine so I know the city really well so I feel super comfortable there, but I want to go to somewhere new, you know? Plus, the medical center’s way out in Orange and I know (as you told me) that UCLA has a lot more opportunities.</p>

<p>It’s nice to know UCLA has great TA’s; I assume their professors are just super busy with research so they aren’t available as much as UCI teachers, which sucks because I’m sure they would be a great resource.</p>

<p>I think I’m leaning towards UCLA because UCSD’s a little too far of a drive for me and UCI doesn’t give as many opportunities as UCLA…I’ll just have to work harder than everyone else to get ahead of the curve. :)</p>