<p>I plan on becoming a pediatrician after finishing college and medical school and have narrowed my choices down to UCLA and UCSD. UCLA makes practical sense for me- they have a nationally ranked children's hospital (Mattel), and other great hospitals around that are also on campus. There is also more prestige at UCLA than at UCSD. Supposedly, it's also pretty easy for freshmen to get into research, and possibly even to write research papers. I also heard some kind of statistic that 20-25% of the medical school at UCLA comes from the UCLA undergrad program. I also have some extended family in the LA area.</p>
<p>BUT, I love UCSD. I feel most comfortable in the environment there, and I applied for the human biology major there- LA I'm molecular, cellular, and developmental biology...I like human bio better. I also like the idea that it's split into 6 colleges. I got into Marshall, and I really like the placement of the college as well as the GE's there. Overall, I love the feeling I get when I'm at UCSD, and I don't get the same feeling at UCLA. SD however, doesn't have as great of a hospital as UCLA, and they don't have a specific children's hospital.</p>
<p>Where should I go?? I have to keep in mind that I need to get great grades and to make myself stand out in order to be a competitive medical school applicant. Suggestions and comments are appreciated</p>
<p>Actually from what I’ve heard, to volunteer at UCLA’s hospital you have to fill out an application with personal statements, get interviewed, and see if you qualify (heard this from a premed friend over there anyways). Whereas at SD all you have to do is attend orientation for whatever position you seek. It’s also not very difficult to do research/get published here from my experience-- just ask professors, join the Faculty Mentor Program, join your major’s honors program, get published under the many undergraduate journals etc. </p>
<p>We actually do have a children’s hospital, but it is far away so you’d need a car.</p>
<p>In the end medical schools do not care what undergraduate college you go to. Assess what is most important to you not only for your medical aspirations, but also for your undergraduate experience.</p>
<p>Go to the college/location where you want spend the next 4 years. Don’t worry right now about your grad school. Keep in mind that you might change your mind as to what you want to do - many students change their majors a time or two.</p>
<p>UCSD UCLA Dad is right. You need to take a look at where you’d rather be. And keep in mind med schools dont look at what school you went to for undergrad. And as to standing out: if you work hard, go to the office hours, etc (no matter where you go), you will stand out. To make yourself stand out it depends entirely on how much work you do.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision and let us know what you choose</p>