UC Davis vs. Northeastern vs. Cal Poly SLO vs. BU

<p>Hi Everyone,</p>

<p>I know this is a decision I should be making myself, and I have done a huge amount of research (perhaps too much) but I decided to post on here to see what the folks here might have to to say. </p>

<p>I have narrowed my list down to UC Davis, Northeastern and Cal Poly. If I somehow (I know nobody gets off) get off of the University of Michigan's waitlist, I will surely accept the offer. I was also accepted into Boston University, and that is surely a viable option, but I feel it is just a little too overpriced for what it's worth given my other options. Money is not a big issue at all, but it is surely to be taken into consideration since I know I want to go to grad school. </p>

<p>Now onto the specifics. I got into all these schools as a Physics major planning to take the Pre-med path and hopefully go on to become a doctor (ideally radiology). I am not totally sure of this, however, as I may also want to go into engineering (which would require me to switch majors). I am a very scientific and research oriented guy. In fact, research opportunities are one of the biggest swaying factors for me. To give you an idea of the extent of my love for research/hands-on learning, I built a nuclear fusion reactor (totally "safe" and legal!) for a science fair and am always working on projects like this. Perhaps this is all useless information, I just want to help better portray my self as best as I can. </p>

<p>Currently, it's really a toss between Davis and Northeastern. In terms of the school, believe it or not, I think I like Davis better. I can better see myself in a suburb where greek life is big but not huge (practically non-existent at NEU) vs. a very urban environment like Boston. However, academics are my priority, and that is why I am here.</p>

<p>What I am looking for (academics wise) in a school:
- "Good" Pre-med (although I know it is more about one's performance GPA and MCAT wise)
- Good engineering in case I decide to switch
- Lots of resources for research</p>

<p>I'm not totally familiar with how this works, so please let me know if I should provide any more specific information about the schools. </p>

<p>I'm not asking anyone to make my decision for me, I am just hoping that some people on here may know a bit more than me about these schools and would be willing to share a few bits of information. </p>

<p>Thanks! I look forward to any replies! </p>

<p>bump?</p>

<p>Davis cuz you said premed & good engineering</p>

<p>Is the price of tuition important to you? If you live in California, Davis might be affordable for you.</p>

<p>Davis is located in a college town, near San Francisco and Sacramento. You can have the best of both worlds-city and rural life. </p>

<p>Davis is very strong in engineering and the biological sciences. Their engineering program is ranked #31 on the US News Report. Here are some examples of opportunities for research: <a href=“http://research.ucdavis.edu/u/ru”>http://research.ucdavis.edu/u/ru&lt;/a&gt;, <a href=“http://biosci.ucdavis.edu/students/undergrad/research_and_internships.html”>http://biosci.ucdavis.edu/students/undergrad/research_and_internships.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“UC Davis Department of Radiology: Radiology Research”>http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/radiology/research/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>You said you love research/hands-on learning.
UC Davis (along with the other UC’s) are more research based. Cal Poly SLO is known for its “Learn by Doing” motto. Although you said money is not an issue, CP is cheaper. You said you can see yourself at Davis so don’t lose sight of that. You mentioned possibly having to switch majors which is harder at CP, though not impossible. If you don’t have to transfer amongst colleges in the university it is not as difficult</p>