Slecting between UCD, UCSD, UCLA, UCSB

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi All,</p>

<p>I have so far been admitted to UCD, UCSB, UCLA and UCSD.
While UCSB and UCD have offered me sizable scholorships, I have not got any Schlorships for UCSD and UCLA...
Major is Biology/Biochem</p>

<p>Could folks on the forum shed some insight on this and their opinions so that it could help me in making my decision?</p>

<p>Specifically,
1. How important are the rankings in US News and World report
2. How is the life in these places really like?
3. How competitive are these schools, specially, UCLA and UCSD?
4. I plan to do graduate study, but am not sure if I will go to Pharmacy/Med or something else at this time.
5. How would one compare the Biology or Biological sciences majors in these schools.</p>

<p>Thanks a ton for all the help and advice...</p>

2

<p>Congrats on your acceptances.</p>

<p>
[quote]
1. How important are the rankings in US News and World report

[/quote]

Not that important. All the UCs you've been admitted will give you a fantastic education.</p>

<p>
[quote]
2. How is the life in these places really like?

[/quote]

Very different environments, actually. Please try and visit and see what campus you "click" with best.</p>

<p>UCLA - West LA, glamour, great social environment and top academics, Pac-10 sports
UCSD - La Jolla, beach, great biology rep, residential colleges
UCD - Norcal/Sacramento, inland, small college town environ, has football team, founded as Berkeley's agricultural school, great veterinary and integrative biology programs.
UCSB - Santa Barbara, spectacular setting right on beach, good science/engineering reputation, big party scene. </p>

<p>
[quote]
3. How competitive are these schools, specially, UCLA and UCSD?

[/quote]

UCLA and UCSD will be more academically competitive than UCD and UCSB.</p>

<p>
[quote]
4. I plan to do graduate study, but am not sure if I will go to Pharmacy/Med or something else at this time.

[/quote]

Good for you. Realize that your GPA, GRE scores and recommendations will be much more important gaining admission to graduate schools than the reputation of your undergrad college. You will do your best in an environment in which you can focus and have fun. This is why it's important to visit.</p>

<p>
[quote]
5. How would one compare the Biology or Biological sciences majors in these schools.

[/quote]

In terms of reputation in the biological studies, the order is somewhat like this:</p>

<p>UCSD
UCLA
UCD
UCSB</p>

3

<p>I have a lot to add to what has been said here. I think there are some really important things you need to consider, as follows:</p>

<p>1) Read what UCBChemEGrad said.
2) Read it again.
3) Re-read it 5 more times to understand everything he said.</p>

<p>How well you do is much, much more important than where you went, at this level. Go to the place where you'll have the focus and happiness that enables you to kick buns in your classes.</p>

<p>Given that you've been offered sizeable scholarships at UCSB and UCD, I'd consider those very strongly. </p>

<p>But I could see the argument for going to the "more prestigious" campuses and availing yourself of research opportunities, particularly if you want to be an academic.If you want to be a doctor, more important will be your grades and scores, I think, and those ironically might be easier to get at the other schools.</p>

<p>I am not trying to kiss UCBCEgrad's butt, but he pretty much nailed it all. I just think you might consider different paths depending on whether you'll be an academic or not. Maybe he has an opinion about this too.</p>

4

<p>thank you....im still waiting for UCB to come in, but untill then..thanks for all your advice!</p>

<p>bump</p>