<p>I'm having a hard time deciding between these two schools, mostly because I applied to Southern Methodist University on the recommendation of family I have in Texas and I don't know much about it. </p>
<p>I know there are a lot of factors to consider here so here are some details about myself that might make this choice easier:</p>
<p>I'm from Orange County, CA and I'm pretty liberal, but I don't think it would kill me to live in a more conservative area. I'm pretty used to Southern California weather, but either of these places would be different with Nor Cal being cloudy all the time and Texas being Texas.</p>
<p>If I went to UC Santa Cruz I would take advantage of their neuroscience major because that is what I want to study, but would still go into medical school anyway so I'm not sure that SMU not having a neuro program should be a big deal to me. If I have the time I can always pick up a psychology minor if I feel compelled to.</p>
<p>I did get a pretty hefty scholarship to SMU and an invitation to the honors college so I don't think the cost is very much of an issue. And I have family in Houston so it isn't as if going to SMU will mean I'm completely striking out on my own, I have people in the state to fall back on if I absolutely need it.</p>
<p>I'm just not sure how to pick a school that will be good for pre-med. On the one hand I'd want to go somewhere with a better reputation because it seems that that would make it easier to get into a good medical school. But on the other hand I would want to go to a school where I could get good grades easily because GPA matters so much for med school admissions. </p>
<p>The "party scene" doesn't matter much to me. I don't want to go to a school that is socially dead, but I had plenty of self-discovery in high school and my main objective is going to be hunkering down and excelling in my schoolwork.</p>
<p>And finally, would going to a university in Texas make it hard to move back to California for medical school or career-wise? I'm not 100% sure that's what I want to do but I don't want to eliminate that as an option. </p>
<p>I'm trying to visit both soon to get a feel for the atmospheres and which I like better. I know there aren't many people who are weighing these two options against each other so any information at all would be so helpful. Thank you! (And sorry for how long this post was.)</p>
<p>I did get a pretty hefty scholarship to SMU and an invitation to the honors college so I don’t think the cost is very much of an issue. And I have family in Houston so it isn’t as if going to SMU will mean I’m completely striking out on my own, I have people in the state to fall back on if I absolutely need it.</p>
<p>When you say that you don’t “think” cost is much of an issue, what are your PARENTS saying? Have they said that they’ll pay the remaining costs at SMU? </p>
<p>What is your aid to UCSC?</p>
<p>Do you want to go to med school in Calif? If so, it will be easier for you attend the med school interviews that are held in that state if you’re in college in that state…otherwise you’d be flying back and forth for interviews. </p>
<p>SMU tends to have a rich kid conservative culture. Are you fine with that? If so, then fine. If not, you may find yourself not fitting in.</p>
<p>Yes, they’ve said they will pay the remaining costs at SMU. At both schools the financial situation would be, they would pay and I would work to help contribute if I can as long as it doesn’t detract from my schoolwork; they want getting a good GPA and MCAT score to be my top priority. And I did not get any aid from UC Santa Cruz.</p>
<p>I’m not sure about the culture. I went to a private elementary school so I’ve been exposed to that and I don’t think that would be a dealbreaker for me, is there any way I can gauge that before I commit to the school?</p>
<p>Can you visit SMU? My brother is on the faculty there…it really is a much different campus than UCSC and student life will be quite different. My D was accepted to UCSC and loved it there, loved the campus; would have gone the premed route as well but ended up at another college in CA. I think there’s a premed forum on cc, you might post there as well.</p>
<p>You are mistaken in thinking that college reputation is going to help you get into medical school. Med schools focus on what the applicant brings, and extraneous factors such as the institution attended play a minor role if any at all. i suggest you spend some time learning about that school admissions; a good starting place is excellent guide at Amherst. [Amherst</a> College Guide for Premedical Students](<a href=“http://www3.amherst.edu/~sageorge/guide2.html]Amherst”>Amherst College Guide for Premedical Students) </p>
<p>The guide gives some advice about what to look for in terms of premed schools. I can’t tell you anything about SMU. At a UC school I can tell you that you have all the opportunity that you could want. But that’s the keyword. Opportunity. Nobody is going to give you a lot of guidance. It will be up to you to take the steps needed in order to be a competitive candidate. That means understanding the process so that you do the things like take part in research, get to know some profs, volunteer in a medical setting, etc.</p>
<p>UCSC. If you are blond haired and blue eyed and willing to start speaking like a Texan, then go for it. Otherwise a degree from the University of California will stand you in better stead.</p>
<p>I would go with UC Santa Cruz!</p>
<p>I am from Orange County, currently living in the Dallas area. Dallas is a wonderful city with many things to do (not in comparison with Cali, however). SMU has a lovely campus. Nevertheless, UC would offer far more opportunities. SMU is a l.a.c. and I can tell you my science-y, pre-med kid is not thrilled with the place. If you visit SMU, walk through both the science and business buildings. You will see where the university places priorities. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>