<p>Hey guys! First ever post on College Confidential (wooo!)</p>
<p>So I was fortunate to get into both UCLA and UC Davis, with Davis giving me their Regents Scholarship, meaning that I would get to be in their Integrated Studies Honors Program, get $7,500 per year in scholarship money, priority class registration, and live in their honors dorm. I feel like my heart is in UCLA, but my head is in Davis. I like both of their campuses, but UCLA has more of the stereotypical college vibe if that makes sense - PAC 12 sports, living in Los Angeles, beautiful campus, etc. </p>
<p>Which one would be better for pre med? </p>
<p>I'm assuming that at Davis would allow me to get a higher GPA, and my status as an honors student/regents scholar would enable me to be more competitive for research/internship opportunities.</p>
<p>However, I'm guessing that UCLA would look a little better because it's more prestigious, and might have more overall research/internship opportunities (especially since the hospital and med school are so close!) </p>
<p>I'm thinking that I'd want to do something in life science, but I havent decided for sure. I also hope to play club/intramural soccer and/or lacrosse. I'm from the Bay Area, so I'd be closer to Davis, but not outrageously far from UCLA. I'm also hoping to study abroad. I was also thinking of doing the College Summer Institute at UCLA, or the Davis equivalent (which I don't know anything about yet), depending on which college I choose. So any information/ experience you have with that would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Any advice? Which would be better? Thank you!!</p>
<p>Prestige isn’t considered when applying to med school. I believe it would be smarter going to UCD and racking up less debt since med school will cost a lot.</p>
<p>What about all the other stuff? 30k is a fair amount I suppose, but it’s not a major factor in the grand scheme of things. I’m primarily worried about GPA, research/internships, and of course, overall college experience!</p>
<p>What are your parents saying? </p>
<p>How would UCLA get paid for? </p>
<p>UCLA isn’t going to give you any nudge for med school over Davis. You’re not going to get a better GPA at UCLA. And there’s research available at Davis as well.</p>
<p>As for the Pac 12 experience, that might be meaningful. However, don’t let short term fun interfere with your long term goal.</p>
<p>My parents and each set of grandparents have savings accounts with money set aside for my younger brother to go to college. My parents prefer Davis, because they both grew up there and want me to stay closer to home, but have made it clear that they will fully support my decision either way. </p>
<p>I’m also a little bit worried that I’ll start college, and end up changing my mind about premed, which I hear happens a lot (just because things are so difficult/competitive). Would a UCLA degree look better when entering the job market?</p>
<p>Basically if I had the regents scholarship at both schools (or at neither school) I would choose UCLA for sure, I’m just questioning if the regents scholarship is worth it. </p>
<p>Thanks for all your help and input!!</p>
<p>I don’t know if you’ve already made a decision yet, but I will advocate for the IS program at Davis. As in, it is wonderful (I’m a current freshman). </p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>
Nobody can give you a solid assurance it would never make a difference. And its possible some firms might recruit at UCLA and not Davis; primarily places like Consulting and Investment Banking. But a handful of exceptions aside, the difference in your future is going to be based on what you do in college. If you study hard to get good grades, get to know some profs, take part in research and/or internships, you are going to be well positioned. As a Davis student doing these things you will be miles ahead of a UCLA grad that simply showed up at class.</p>
<p>IMHO the priority registration would make the decision for me. Getting the classes you want and at the times you want them, is going to help immensely. I routinely advise people to sign up for the Honors College if it offers that benefit; it is worth that much not to be shut out of a class you want, or have it at a time that prevents you from taking an internship position or working a part-time job.</p>