<p>Hi. I got into UCI and UCDAvis now the difficult thing is choosing b/t the two. I lved the UCI campus but was okay with UCD. If I want to either be a biology of bio chem major with minor in anthropology which one is a better school. Can you please help me choose? What I really want out of a school is a good support system. Especially if your a first generation college student like me. I need all the help and advice I can get. Which one can provide me with better support and ensure that I get into med school given that I do get the grades and the scores on the MCAT.</p>
<p>uci cuz i go there. </p>
<p>They're the same. Go to the one you think you can have the most fun.</p>
<p>where are you from</p>
<p>Both are going to be the same. If you try to prove me wrong, then I'll prove you wrong :]. Seriously though, pick the school you like in terms of environment and personal preference. I actually considered an anthropology minor too (go you!), but I can't fit it into my schedule. College doesn't like to hold a student's hand and bring them to your goals. A medical degree by itself is more than what a typical person achieves. Knowing that, your success is strictly contingent on your effort. Both schools have counselors, professors, and even doctors at their medical centers to help guide you, but they can't support you.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input but what I was talking about in terms of support was more along the lines of like and EOP Educational Opportunity Program: it's usually on the UC apps and you check it off on you app. At davis this program is over the summer for about 5 weeks or so and free if you are low-income. but I didn't know if Irvine had one. THe program goes over some review stuff that are essential in college. I am not sure if I will need it but anything is better than nothing because I am unsure of what college level work it will be like. I mean I have taken AP courses but I doubt that it'll be the same. Oh and um I from Nor Cal albany really close to DAvis. like about 2hrs and than a long away from Irvine but I have family in the LA area.</p>
<p>May be it'd help if I put a list of pro's and cons</p>
<p>UCIrvine:
Pros:
-offers medical anthropology
-has around five medical centers that I could volunteer and do research at.
-beautiful campus
-is surrounded by great things to do.
-dean: orientation seemed very put together.. like they knew that appearance and presentation was important.
-students seem relatively nice.
-away from home and old friends opportunity to make new friends and learn about different people
- great scholarship at the end junior or senior year. Buddhist Dalai lama scholarship .. you wouldn't find that at davis.</p>
<p>Cons:
-teachers seem like they might not be that great
-counselors weren't that good. I went to the biological scienves intro session and it was really that helpful.. so I don't know how it will be if I am sitting next to them trying to plan out my career.
-fewer majors
-less known well at least in the nor cal area
-far away from home</p>
<p>UC Davis:
Pros:
-EOP program that helps college transition
-Close to home and family
-lots of students from school coming( might be good or bad)
-$1000 more dollars in aid but does not make a difference
- As I continue in years I can probably get cheap housing of campus
-I have a bettter scope of their academic structure. It seemed like they're more willing to help students with school work and questions they might have. professeurs seem more accessable
- Equestrian center--> awesome. every little girls dream to have a horse in her backyard.!
- Close to home
Cons:
- smells a lot like cows
- -lots of students from school coming( might be good or bad)
-too much competition with other pre med students.
-less research opportunities at nearby hospitals. lab research probably same as Irvine.</p>
<p>I just wanted to correct a few things you might not have noticed and add a few comments of my own:</p>
<p>UCI:
-surrounded by great things to do, but you need a car
-there are a lot of commuters at UCI and that may affect your experience. I'm from norcal, and it really hasn't bothered me at all.
-UCI and UCD both have numerous scholarships. Check their respective scholarship websites.
-Teachers are of the same level as UCD. There really isn't a difference since professors are actually juggled around a lot. A lot of the profs at either university may be on a contract for only 5 years. By then, they will move to another university to teach.
-If you have one on one sessions with couneslors, they will guide you to the right path. Other than that, your effort is a larger portion of your success.
-I'm not sure if fewer majors makes a difference in your case.
-UCI is more known in the socal area. There are biases for both.</p>
<p>UCD:
-Were you not offered the EOP program at UCI?
-There are so many students on campus, having people you already know there probably won't affect you much at all.
-$1000 is a lot!
-Professors are going to be of equal access if anything. They are both universities comprised of professors from many different universities (many will be from the same). Professors at UCI are very helpful as long as you put the effort to meet them.
-If you're truly destined to go to med school you'll find the competition at both schools not so overwhelming. The pre-med count at both schools are very large so the competition will be the same.
-Sacramento holds UCD's medical school I believe. Sacramento is a 15 minute drive. There could be many accessible hospitals there. The lab research is probably the same as UCI, but UCI has two very active programs: SURF and UROP (google them). It seems like UCD's program isn't as active.</p>