UCI vs UC Davis?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi! I've recently been accepted to UC Davis and UCI, and am having a hard time choosing between which school to attend -now that the deadline is getting closer and closer. I have managed to form my main focus areas and would appreciate it if anyone could give me their input on the following (in terms of which is better for each). You would have no idea how much this would mean to me. All is appreciated!
Also, my mind is directed towards a pre-med route, but I have applied as undecided to both schools; davis, more specifically as "undecided- life sciences", and irvine as simply "undecided/undeclared" </p>

<p>Prestige/reputation (not just from the prespective of northern Cali/ southern Cali, but from the state as a whole. Which would look better considering you achieve high grades at each school?) </p>

<p>Internship opportunities</p>

<p>Med school acceptance rate/ estimated amount of people that make it beyond undergrad to persue the medical field. </p>

<p>Competitiveness of classes (this is a big one. Where will I do best?) </p>

<p>Convenience (irvine for me considering I live around 20 minutes away; but will this take away from the "college experience"? I mean, I prefer living closer...but it the positives at davis out way the positives at irvine then I don't mind traveling to davis) </p>

<p>Cost (6 grand grant at irvine, while uc davis is giving me 11 thousand dollars. Keep in mind though, that i will always have the option to commute at irvine. That isn't to say that I would like to though, but it's an option to save money)</p>

<p>Easiness to get out of undecided/get classes I want (I was accepted under undecided/undeclared for UCI and undecided in life sciences for UC davis) </p>

<p>Rankings (not that it matters, but which is climbing the rankings faster? Note that UCI has only been around for 50 years) </p>

<p>Availability of alternate career choices/ majors (those that still have a reputible name in the school: ex) davis is known for their vet. Programs and bio programs; however, what about their other programs?) considering the possibility that I loose interest in the medical field? </p>

<p>Overall choice? </p>

<p>Ps- I also got into ucsb, but have not looked into it due to the probability that there will be less opportunities for students interested in pre-med. Although, would this make it easier to cease the opportunities that DO exist, since less people will be willing to take them? And will the competition be easier? </p>

<p>Thanks again! </p>

2

<p>I can’t be of much help but my impression has always been that UCD was better, but that can be my own bias. One thing for sure… I’ve been to both campuses, and to me, there is no comparison… UCD is a better campus environment if you want that traditional college feel. </p>

3

<p>Both UCI and UCD are strong in a variety of subjects, not just biology. One of my friends at UCD started off as a bio medical engineering major but then switched to geophysics after a couple of years. Though she will have an good started job upon graduation, it has nothing to do with either her current or former major. One of the more successful urban studies majors at UCI started out in biology. </p>

4

<p>It looks like you’ve put a lot of time into coming up with a list. Unfortunately almost none of the factors you mentioned really matter. These two schools are similar in size. In reputation. In class-size. In difficulty. In advising. And just about anything you can name. BTW the vet program at Davis is not an undergrad major.</p>

<p>Whether you get into med school depends on you studying hard to get good grades, getting to know if you Prost to get strong racks, taking part in research, and having medical related experience. Which school you do that at does not matter.</p>

<p>Since the two schools themselves are similar, and you have a preference for living close to home, Irvine sounds like your better choice.</p>

5

<p>I say the 2 schools are very similar for premeds. If your major is CS than UCI is ranked higher than UCD.</p>