<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>
<p>Ha, I heard the opposite concerning UCSD v. UCLA environment. UCSD while appearing relaxed is competitive to a fault - they are so overly concerned about their GPAs that they miss the overall college experience and a zillion other things they should be learning at this time of life. This coming from people at UCSD and advisors at high school sent consistent message. I have heard also that cut throat competitiveness about UCB, but not UCLA. Haven’t heard about sabotage, that’s just harsh.</p>
<p>@CADREAMIN, I have also heard that Cal’s pre-med program is crazy, but I already decided I would not go because of its location (If I have to fly to get to my school, I’m going out of CA) so I didn’t inquire further about the program. Thanks for the input in UCSD! It just seems so chill there, I can’t imagine that, but I understand what you’re saying. It has one of the best bio programs so it’s sure to attract lots of great students.</p>
<p>@ CARDREAMIN Majority of UCSD are engineering majors, and it is common knowledge that engineering is VERY hard, thus the competitiveness.</p>
<p>1.This is not the movies, people are not out to sabotage you. I would assume there would be some over competitive kids that may or not may misdirect you with false info from time to time, but you’ll find that in any academic institution. You’ll find friendly students at any school just find the crowd that fits right for you and your set. All schools pre-med are competitive and I would assume UCI,SD,and LA are relatively equal in competitiveness, the real cutthroat schools would be Berkeley or John Hopkins.
2. Any of the schools will offer you numerous opportunities for research and internship. There are tons of spots in LA despite the giant pre-med population, you just have to find it yourself; not that hard ask professors.
3. This would vary. No definite answer. But it would be assumed that UCLA and UCSD would have the best professors due to numerous rankings.</p>
<p>I beg to differ. My friend goes to UCLA. She had someone rip out the pages of her textbook. I realize that’s an unusual case (they mostly just never help you when you ask for help) but still…</p>
<p>@sphan95 Wow that’s horrible. Goes to show you should never leave your things out in the open. I doubt that the person that ripped out the pages did it to “sabotage” or had motive rather most likely just a dumb pothead that ripped things out of boredom. There are indeed people who are not helpful and will not collaborate, but you can find those type of people in any school. Mostly in competitive programs (such as engineering) people tend to keep to themselves, as people can’t help another if they can’t help themselves.</p>