Hello all!
I am currently facing a tough decision between some schools, and I would like to get some thoughts and opinions while I do my research. I am a prospective premed student intending to major in the “standard” premed majors (Biochem, MCB, etc.) and the plan is to hopefully go all the way through with medical school. However, cost is a big factor, and although in the end my family will be able to afford all of these schools, I would like to lessen the financial burden on myself and my parents as much as possible (especially since I intend to continue school). However, I hope to study abroad and possibly double major or minor in a Social Science.
Here are my choices:
USC- My preference for its location, resources, and flexibility. However, it is the most expensive.
UCB- Very strong programs all around (The prestige doesn’t hurt either). However, the cutthroat competition that I’ve heard of is something that I wish to avoid. (Please dispel the rumors if I’m wrong)
UCSD- Great opportunities for research as a Regent’s Scholar.
UCD- Very strong biology program, and also the cheapest with the scholarship. Not a huge fan of the location however.
UCI- Don’t know way too much about the school actually, but I like the location.
I was also accepted to UCLA as a normal student, Emory University, and I am currently on the waitlist at Duke, Wash U, and Rice.
Congratulations on your acceptances, and in particular, the numerous Regents’ Scholarships! I’m a current UCSD premed student, so I can answer questions you might have regarding life in La Jolla.
UCSD has very strong biology programs (the strongest undergraduate program on this list is going to be one from UCSD, UCB, or Duke). As you said, there are numerous opportunities for research and internships that will help you beef up that medical school application. There are also seven exclusive teaching hospitals (four walking distance from campus dorms) that you can volunteer at. La Jolla is also probably the most beautiful location out of all the ones on your list.
All the UCs share most of their study abroad options, which means you have a lot of programs to choose from. Which social sciences are you interested in?
I hope other commenters can provide you with feedback regarding the other schools on this list. Feel free to ask me any further or specific questions you might have. Good luck with your decision!
I agree with the other poster, UCSD is a fantastic school with a ton of great opportunities! Being a regents scholar will give you a ton of great benefits. It’s also one of the funnest schools out there, so be ready to have a fantastic college experience
I also agree that one of the Regents schools is the best. Pick one with a location you’ll love. (The worst of the worst) pre meds tend to be cut throat everywhere. I’ve heard people say UCLA is cut throat for pre med. I loved the calm environment and collaborative environment I was in. Of course, don’t expect that random stranger in your class to fork over his notes, but do expect gestures from genuine friends. If you want it, get it. I don’t image cut throatness at Cal is significantly worse than at any other UC. The stories you hear will just be stories. Everyone hears different things. That said, it’s so ironic how some people on these forums will affirm that UCSD is Socially Dead, while others say it’ll be the “funnest” school. Also, some might think UCSD has too much concrete, while others will say it’s beautiful. Ultimately, make your visits and see where you like best!
Congratulations on your regents awards and fantastic choice of schools? Did you apply for the Medical Scholars program at UCSD? It looks like a great program.
Thanks for your all of your responses! @groverrohan : Do you think you could tell me a little bit about your premed experience at UCSD? Like class size, rigor, and the opportunities that you have had. I also actually just stayed over in SD this past weekend, and you aren’t kidding about La Jolla being beautiful haha! As far as social sciences go, I’m still looking into what I want to study, but I was thinking something international. @Yomama : Unfortunately, I did not apply for the Medical Scholars program. It does look like an amazing opportunity though!
@ucbalumnus - UCB, UCSD, and UCI have a net cost of about $30K, while Davis comes out to $25K. USC on the other hand, is around $40K. UCLA is about $33K, and Emory is full price ($60K).
Of course, many frosh pre-meds do not apply to medical school a few years later after not getting high enough grades or MCAT scores, and only about half of applicants to MD medical schools in the US get into any of them (so they may not have the choice to choose a less expensive one). So it would still be a good idea to choose a school that you will be satisfied attending and graduating from in the non-medical-school situation (e.g. do they offer good programs in your intended major and other academic interests?).
I would expect pre-med courses to be large and competitive relative to others at the same school, but the size and level of competition may vary between schools. Class sizes may be findable on on-line schedules at each school.
Convenient access to pre-med extracurriculars (shadowing and volunteering in medical contexts) can also be a factor.
@obviouslyoblique So far, my pre-med experience has been very positive. I haven’t taken any specific “pre-med” courses such as genetics yet, but I did take the honors chem series (which is almost exclusively comprised of pre-meds who aced AP chem, as well as some chemistry majors). It’s very competitive, but there’s a difference between competitive and cutthroat. Everyone’s working hard for a good grade, but it’s a more collaborative environment (people are eager to help each other). The lower division classes are generally large (~200/lecture hall), but no more so than you’d find elsewhere. I haven’t had much contact with the pre-med advising team, but the contact I did have was positive. In addition to walk-in advising services, there are workshops throughout the year to prepare you for medical careers, as well as medical conferences and conventions on or near campus. Also, because of the sheer volume of pre-med students here, even humanities professors cater to us a little. My HUM TA last quarter tried to link some of our assignments to med school application preparation.
Regents at UCSD guarantees you research opportunities in selected departments (including biology) for your first quarter, a program that isn’t available at other universities yet. I’m not a Regents’ Scholar and haven’t participated in research yet, but many of my friends are already working in labs. There’s no shortage of opportunities, as the medical school is right there, and UCSD has the fifth-largest research budget in the nation.
Because of the proximity to hospitals and a medical school, you’ll have a lot of volunteering and networking opportunities. Also, if you decide that medical practice isn’t your long-term goal, La Jolla has a plethora of bio/biotech startups and conglomerates in the area.
You mentioned wanting to double major or minor in an international social science; UCSD’s International Relations program (through the poli sci department) has a lot of renowned faculty and close ties to the campus Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies. Being able to double major or minor easily might depend on your GE requirements, though; what college were you admitted to at UCSD?
@ucbalumnus thank you for your detailed response! The post-undergraduate costs as well as the need for a backup plan are all things that I am considering, which is why I am so confused. @groverrohan I was admitted to Muir, which I hear has the “easiest” GEs to work around.I do have about 5 AP tests that will get me credit, but unfortunately those do not include any of the sciences (Bio, Chem, Physics) as I took IB classes instead.
@obviouslyoblique Yep, Muir’s GEs will make a double major/minor manageable. Consider checking the science track again, because I thought Muir accepted IB credit for many classes.
