UCD vs UCSD vs UCI vs UCSB for Pre-Med Undergraduate

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
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Hi guys, I’m sure you’ve gotten a plethora of these threads. I’m a confused HS senior and I’ve been accepted to UCSD, UCI, and UCD, waiting on UCSB. (Also CPSLO, but FA at state schools aren’t the best and that’s an issue for me). AND A NOTE: I know pre med is NOT A MAJOR. Also, I did not receive CHP/Honors/Regents for these schools.

I applied UNDECLARED to all of these (I started my application in the summer leading to senior year. Not a clue that impacted majors existed.) I got accepted to UCD as Undeclared-Life Sciences, UCSD as undeclared in ERC, and UCI as undergrad undeclared, and I’m waiting on UCSB as undeclared College of Letters and Sciences. CPSLO as Biology.

I understand UCSD is known as a very good premed undergraduate school. However, I also know that med schools don’t care as much as which school you got your bachelor’s, but rather if you excelled or not. I know it’s so competitive there; is it worth it to attend and fight for the 4.0? I also know that they have 4(?) close by hospitals for clinical experience. ERC also has difficult GE’s.

UCD has an amazing vet program (and some others, I forgot what). How is this one for premed? How difficult are their GE’s? I know I could get used to the smell of cow poop, but the scorching summers throw me off…

UCI. Originally I had wanted to go here, but then I just stopped wanting…so I don’t know much about it. How’s premed here? How are the GE’s?

UCSB. Originally my LAST choice. I don’t even know if I got in. I know nothing other than they don’t have hospitals nearby, but GE’s are slightly easier than UCSD. How is premed here?

Name of the school somewhat matters to me. I’m asian, and my older is an utter disappointment in my parents’ eyes. I want to make them proud. Heck they’d be happy if I went to SLO, but I want them to be proud and confident when they tell other people where I go to college; they never had that with my sister.

Feel free to just give a biased opinion on any one of the schools, you don’t have to comment on all. My parents’ English is awful, so I can’t sit down and discuss much with them. I don’t have many friends to talk to about it either, because they’re all going to CC or State schools (NOT BASHING THESE SCHOOLS AT ALL, but my friends just don’t have similar aspirations and determination as me…). I’m just a very confused senior. I literally have no idea where I want to go and I have done so much research, but they just have not given me answers…

Thanks in advance guys. I appreciate it so so much.

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also: i am currently reading information stickied to this thread about picking a school. still would like advice!

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Generally this forum is for general advice about the road to med school.

You will get better advice about specific schools and specific programs at schools if you post in school-specific forums.

Here’s a link to “C” school forums where you will find all the UCs listed: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/c/

The likelihood that someone familiar with all 4 of these school lurking here is vanishingly small.

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I’ll give it a try.
I think your best pick is UCD because it’s got lots of natural science and stem majors you can explore, and it’s a nice college town/campus.
Since costs are a concern, on campus and off campus housing should be cheaper than in Santa Barbara. San Diego is too competitive for the sciences and the fact You didn’t get CHP at UCI indicates you would be in trouble at ucsd as you need to be among the most competitive students there to survive premed. Uci… No CHP is a real bummer and it sounds like it’s the one closest to home, so if you want to explore on your own a bit it’s a downside but if you want to be close to family plus, and UCD is better for the sciences.

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I have several student friends from UCD, because it is a more of STEM school, GPA protection is more difficult. UCI or UCSB might be slightly easier, while UCR might be the easiest. That is only MY Opinion, you do not have to take my words for it.

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@MYOS1634
Thank you so much, I think you’re right honestly. I see myself struggling so much at UCSD. How do UCSB and UCD compare when disregarding the costs? I love the campus

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@artloversplus UCSB and UCI might be easier than UCD is what you mean right

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Yes, if you are STEM major. that is only my opinion

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All the UC’s: UCSB/UCD/UCSD are going to competitive in getting top grades for Medical School. All are going have a large contingent of “Pre-Med” students and all are going to have the “weeder” classes to separate the serious from the not so serious. You will have to work hard no matter where you go, so you should pick a school that will meet your needs academically/financially and socially.

Out of all the schools you list, SLO would probably the easiest school to get a high GPA but you may be limited by the medically related EC’s/volunteer/shadowing opportunities available to you since it is slightly isolated.

UCD: The “essence of cow” is only noticeable near the Tercero dorms when the wind is blowing in the right direction. UCD has a Vet school, Law school, Nursing school and Medical school. Plenty of hospitals in around the Davis/Sacramento area for MD shadowing and volunteering. Yes the summers are hot, but if you are from the Southern California area not too different. GE’s are pretty flexible. You have the usual Humanities, Diversity, Writing GE requirements but many options to fulfill them. UCD is competitive but the student body in general is pretty laid back. Have to love living in a small town… Very residential with most students living on or near campus.

UCI: Nice clean campus. Many “Pre-Meds”, not as diverse at some of the other campuses. Less residential than UCD and UCSD. More a commuter feel. GE requirements similar to UCD. Many options to fulfill them and not as rigid as the UCSD college system. Plenty of hospitals in the area for a prospective Pre-med to volunteer/shadow.

UCSB: Beautiful campus with ocean views. Known as a “party school” but there are many serious students, so you can find your tribe if you are not into the parties. Has the “California Beachy feel” so more friendly and laid back than UCSD. Very residential with many students living near campus in the Isla vista area. Again GE’s are flexible with many options. Campus is located in Goleta not in the city of Santa Barbara. A few hospitals are found around the area but not as high a concentration as in Irvine and the Orange County area.

Again all we give you an excellent education. Visit the campuses, try to meet with some students and ask your questions.

If FA is an issue, then look over your FA packages for each school. UCD would the least expensive in terms of living off campus after Freshman year, while UCSB and UCSD housing will be on the very expensive side.

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@Gumbymom thank you so much! this will really help my decision

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Just remember a Happy student= Successful student