Okay, so out of all the UCs I applied to, I was only accepted into UCM, UCR and wait listed at UCSC. This is understandable, I messed up the first few years of high school, and my stats are low (i applied with a 3.4 gpa and Sat 1190). In both UCM and UCR, I did not get my preferred major, (UCM, i simply selected the wrong one in the beginning and when i tried to call, they told me that I could not change my major until after first semester, and for UCR, they said that my perferred major was full so I was given the alternate unless a spot was to open. (preferred major in both schools: Biochem for UCR and Chemical sciences, biochem emphasis. Granted major for both schools: Biological sciences for UCM, biology for UCR. With that said, which school should I go to? I understand that they are both low schools in rough areas, but what can I do and in the end, a UC is a UC. So if someone can just break up the pros and cons for both schools. Thank you. Btw, the main goal is med school, so I do not want to waste anytime at a community, I would rather just stick it out at UCM or UCR. Also, do i have any real shot at Santa Cruz? I applied with a biochemistry major, and obviously, if i got in to the school I would go, but is there any hope? I assume I lay at the bottom of the waitlist with by poor stats, how often do people like me get accepted from the wait list? And when do i find out? Santa Cruz said that you would find out by june (after UC decisions for other schools are due), but can they sent out acceptances anytime between? Thank you, all help is appreciated
Consider the WL a rejection. Move on.
Is Merced really in a bad area???
If I were you, I would pick M for a few reasons.
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it’s small like a private, so likely more attention and help from profs.
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your stats suggest that you’re not a strong premed student, so going to M may lead to better success.
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Merced’s area should be more pleasant than R’s. But, I will look into that. I’ve never heard that M’s area was “rough”.
Did you get a good FA pkg? In another thread you were concerned about how you’d pay for college.
Both will be just fine, but since med school is currently your goal, I think you may be better off at Riverside.
They’ve recently opened up the newest UC teaching hospital and you’ll have more opportunity for shadowing experiences, as well as internships.
They also have a pretty good pre-health/med-school advising office,
which I recommend you go and visit during your first semester at whichever school you select.
UCSC waitlist for information:
2016:
Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list: 9983
Number of wait-listed students admitted: 4097
2015:
7,000 offers 60% opt-in
0 admits
2014:
1,400 opt-ins
0 admits
Agree with @mom2collegekids: You need to move on and if you happen to get off the waitlist, then great.
Which school is more affordable? Have you visited either school? and do not consider them “low schools”. As you stated, there are still UC’s and you will receive an excellent education at both.
UCR does have a Medical school so an advantage for medically related EC’s/shadowing opportunities. But as pointed out in the above post, you might be the “big fish in a small pond” at UC Merced which could also lead to some good internship opportunities.
Select the school where you think you can maintain a High GPA, readily available EC’s, that fits you financially and socially.
Best of luck.
@mom2collegekids Not necessarily, I was given a grant for 11k for merced. The thing is however, yes, for me there would always be a concern on how i am going to pay for college, but my dad has been unfortunately unemployed for the last six or so months so our household currently has a income of $0 and because of that, the fafsa department informed us that in the end, I would most likely get ALOT of aid; however, I would not be able to see how much aid until I confirm that I would be attending the school. Thank you for your concern.
UCM gives out $18,000 per year, per individual on scholarships so I think your better off going to UCM.