UCD or UCI for pre med?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Irvine
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Hey guys I’ve been going back and forth between the two colleges for some time now and I really cannot decide. Next week I’ll be taking a tour of each campus, so hopefully I can make a decision then. But for now, any comments would be appreciated.

Some info/things I’ve heard:
-I’m Asian Indian
-My major is biological sciences at both schools
-I currently live in SoCal, so Irvine would be a lot closer to my family and I would get a car. Also a good portion of my friends are going to UCI, while none of them are going to UCD (I don’t really see this as too big of a problem though, but it is a factor)
-UCI and UCD are really close in the rankings, but I’ve heard UCD is slightly better for pre med (correct me if I’m wrong)
-I heard UCD is less competitive than UCI for pre med and the professors are better at UCD, but I’m not too sure if this is true.
-I’m not too big of a partier, so that’s not a factor.
-research opportunities are good at both schools.
-UCD has a lot more options in the bio field. For example, if I decide to drop pre med because it is too much, I can switch into a biotech major or env science major and then get a masters in business and hopefully work for an industry of some sort (my alternate plan if med school doesn’t work out)
-I’m really into Asian girls and I heard UCI has a lot of them (lol jk)
-I feel as if going to UCI would be more comfortable for me, but going to UCD would be a new, different experience.
-I love to get involved and take leadership initiatives. (I feel like Davis provides the edge here)
-I’m really into sports (am thinking about playing club tennis in college)
-I think what it boils down to is which college I can get a better GPA at and which college best prepares me the best for the MCAT.

So as you can see, it’s like 60-40 for me right now. I’m slightly leaning towards Davis, but I’m not entirely sure yet. I would appreciate it if anyone could offer their two cents. It would really help if people who attend/attended UCI or UCD for pre med could give their take.

And one other question, is there a certain major that would prepare me best for med school? Because right now I am signed up as a bio major and I realize that if I do not make med school, there is not much to do with a bio degree. That being said, could I major in something like biotech, env/agricultural science and still pursue pre med? This way I’ll keep my options open if I do not get into med school as having a biotech degree, for instance, is more useful than a bio degree in terms of landing a job.

Thanks.

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Both schools are academically challenging so neither school would be less competitive than another. You are going to work hard at both schools for that GPA. There are good professors and bad professors at each school so it is a toss up. My older son is a 2nd year student at UCD and the only professors he had issues with were in the Chem department. Since you are Pre-med try to take Professor Enderle for General Chem… UCD also has a student body of approximately 39% Asians, so that should make you happy. UCD does have a football team and their Men’s basketball team recently won their division championship, so there seems to be more school spirit at UCD. Overall, both schools will get you to Medical School as long as take advantage of the opportunities. Visiting or revisiting each school should help your decision. Good luck and since I am an Aggie mom, I am somewhat bias.

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Thanks @Gumbymom‌

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If you’re able to commute to UCI then be aware that this will save you quite a bit of money. Med school will put you in a lot of debt and the more debt you can avoid the better. Plus if you have a car then your options for volunteering are expanded as you don’t have to turn down volunteering opportunities for being too far away.

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That’s a good point @aldfig0‌. Thanks for the input