Premed: UT Austin vs. UCSD...Help!

<p>Hey peeps of CC~ I have to decide what college I'm going to soon (in 6 freaking days), so I need some opinions/experiences/whatever you heard about these following schools and their pre-med tracks. I am looking for the school that will best prepare me for acceptance into medical school. Before you comment about the previous sentence, I know that most of the preparation will depend on myself. But I do believe that the college can make a difference. </p>

<p>Some fun facts about me:
In state for UT Austin ($26,874/year)
OOS for UCSD ($54,272/year)</p>

<p>Money is SORT of a big factor for me~ My family can pay for UCSD, but we would not like to if it's not that much better than UT. </p>

<p>Major at UT: Neuroscience
Major at UCSD: Molecular Biology (planning to switch to Neuroscience)</p>

<p>Thank you! Any advice is appreciated!! </p>

<p>bump…</p>

<p>You’ve answered your own question, UT.</p>

<p>If it’s cheaper go to ut. Always chose the cheAper route. May first is coming so hurry up and accept ut.</p>

<p>Okay, I know this will contradict my statement above, but what if money isn’t a factor? And let’s say I like both campuses equally. </p>

<p>Then go with prestige yes ucsd is ranked higher than ut, now it depends on location. Do you want to get out of Texas or would like to stay. Also doesn’t San Diego appeal more to you than ut. Which campus appeals more to you. Of you can answer these the school you chose the most is the one you should go to. Also remember this what school can you go to and wake up super happy that you are here.</p>

<p>Ucsd is 39 while ut is 52.
<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-california-san-diego-1317”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-california-san-diego-1317&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Rankings don’t matter much but might make a difference to you. Do you like sports. Would you like to attend football games. If that is the case then ut is your choice in that matter.</p>

<p>They are #2 in neuroscience way higher than ut. Ut is not even ranked If thats your major for both then choose ucsd.
<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-california-san-diego-110680/overall-rankings”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-california-san-diego-110680/overall-rankings&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>For biological science (chem, bio etc) they are #14 while ut is #30
So overall ucsd wins but its up to you</p>

<p>Beach vs austin texas </p>

<p>I definitely want to get out of Texas and UCSD is amazing in Neuroscience so that’s another factor pulling me there. And yassss the beach!!
The only thing I’m really concerned about if its worth it. Is it worth paying $30,000 to go to UCSD than UT? Like is the premed advising better at UCSD? Is the competition about the same at both schools or is it more at one school? Is there a significant advantage for me if I choose UCSD? Sorry for all the questions. Thank you @135pipe!!! </p>

<p>I don’t think there is a significant advantage in choosing UCSD, especially not for med school. You are going to need money for med school, too. Save your pennies now. </p>

<p>If cost is not a factor, if you can go wherever you want, I might lean toward UCSD because you say you want to experience life outside of Texas. </p>

<p>Thanks everyone for their advice!! I am pretty sure I am going to UT! </p>

<p>Ok well commit hurry up.</p>

<p>Your welcome</p>

<p>First, I suppose those figures are correct, but tuition at UT is about $5,000 per semester even for the sciences. So I am curious how you came up with $26,000. If that includes room and board, then room and board is $16,000 a year, frankly that is a bit high considering most people have roommates. However tuition at UT is only about $40,000 which covers all four years, USCD tuition would be $36,000 for the first year, and assuming you could get in-state tuition after the first year, then you have to add 3x14k which equals to about $78k for all four years. Obvious if you can’t get in-state tuition at USCD, then it is a no-brainer, UT is a top quality school.</p>

<p>Like with any school at UT, if you are not in the honors program at first, after the second year one can apply for Plan II, which is great for grad school. The real issue here, which is true for almost any public college, is that your real education doesn’t begin until your junior year and in that regards, UT faculty is top notch. The other plus is that UT Austin will have it’s own medical school by the time you graduate.</p>

<p>Getting a degree from UT has the same reputation as a degree from USCD, which means med-schools will weigh the GPA about the same. This also means med-schools will fairly assume your education was of high quality and earned in competition with other high quality students. That can’t be said for a degree from Texas tech, UTSA, or even A&M. Just for juxtaposition, a degree from UC Berkley or Rice has more weight than from UT or USCD. </p>

<p>In the final analysis, save your money for the future. </p>