<p>I am just starting out as a freshman in the honors program at San Diego State. I am planning on going to medical school after getting my undergrad degree. I am wondering if I should eventually transfer to a UC to increase my chances of getting into medical school.</p>
<p>Before you ask why I didn't choose a UC to start with, I only applied to Davis, San Diego, and LA. I did not consider SB or Irvine (which I should have because I would have gotten in). I got denied from LA and wait-listed at SD and Davis. I was in the top 9% of all California high school students, which means they gave me an automatic admission to Merced. I obviously wasn't going to go to Merced, so I basically had to choose between SDSU and University of Washington. I chose SDSU because the financial aid package was better.</p>
<p>Now, I am regretting my decision to not apply to more UC campuses, but since I can't go back in time, I am wondering if I should transfer directly from SDSU, drop out after 1 semester and go to a CC, or drop out after a year and go to a CC.</p>
<p>Questions I Have:</p>
<p>Will my credits earned at SDSU count towards a UC transfer if a go to a CC after a semester or a year?
Will me going to a CC after a semester or year at a university be frowned upon by UC admissions counselors?</p>
<p>Either stay at SDSU, or start at CC now. You’ll increase your chances the most by getting As in all your science prereqs. At SDSU, you will have an easier time getting better grades, smaller classes, less competition, and I know they have an actual “pre-med” program. </p>
<p>You can always apply for transfer during the fall of your Sophomore year. You say you want to go to medical school now, but things will change and you don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket. </p>
<p>From experience I went from SDSU to CC and (after 2 years of applying to universities) will be starting at a UC this fall. Going from a CSU to UC isn’t that good of an idea because both schools have different curriculum requirements. Almost 1/3 of the classes I took during my 1 year at SDSU will not be transfering to my new UC. I’m not saying that’s the case for everyone but for me it was. If you want to transfer from SDSU you need to look at assist.org and see what classes you need to take in order to get in to the UC of your choice. All UCs have different requirements for each UC and major so choose carefully. </p>
<p>I’d stick it out at SDSU. Most graduate schools aren’t going to care where you went for UG. A 3.9 at SDSU is better than a 3.7 at a JC/UC. Save your money at SDSU and apply to some UC’s for med school. </p>
<p>OP, where in the 916 do you live? What JC you looking at going to? </p>
<p>Well, if you really want to transfer into a UC I’d suggest you go straight to Sac City. It sounds like you worked hard in HS so this is going to come down to what you really want to do for the next couple years. I wouldn’t say that transferring increases your chances for GS but it might. It’s hard to speculate on where you’d be more successful. I don’t think there is a bad decision here. </p>
<p>If you go to SCC it would likely cost less and youd have a good shot at transferring to any UC school you want within 2-3 years. The drive from Davis isn’t that bad. </p>
<p>SDSU would give you the “traditional” college experience. It’s not a UC but its still a respected university at a somewhat reasonable price. </p>
<p>I worked at Sac City for a few summers during HS but never took any classes there. My friends like it tho. The location is pretty awesome IMO. I do reccommed hitting up Oscars very Mexican food near McClatchy if you end up deciding on City. </p>
<p>My good friend graduated from SDSU and was accepted to every grad school she applied, with plenty of scholarship money. SDSU is a great school and you’re taking a big risk for no reason, IMHO. You’re going to lose courses you’ve already taken that are not going to be UC transferable, and there’s just no guarantees here that you even get into the UC you want. I just don’t get it, but that’s me.</p>
<p>Graduating from SDSU will not keep you from going to a good medical school - if that’s still what you want to do in 4 years. SDSU is a good school and has a lot to offer. Start it, try it, and see how you like it. If you like it, and you’re doing well academically, there’s no reason to transfer. </p>
You are focusing on the wrong thing here. The school name on your diploma will not “increase your chances”. Here’s what matters: GPA, letters of rec, research experience, volunteer work in a medical setting, MCAT scores. UC’s have no magic with regards to any of these, its going to be on your shoulders to work hard, get to know some profs, find some opportunities. </p>