<p>UCLA vs. UCSD as a bioengineering major
I've basically narrowed down these as my top two choices. I've been accepted by both as a bioengineering major (and at UCSD, I got into Warren college). I'm definitely not expecting this forum to make up my mind for me but I'd definitely appreciate it if someone can provide any info or personal experiences that will help guide my decision (as long as the tours of each school I will take in 2 weeks).</p>
<p>Here's my main issue. I have just recently found out that UCSD is considered a top 5 school nationwide for biomedical engineering. I always knew it was great at bioengineering but I didn't know it was ranked so much higher than some of the other schools I would've liked going to.</p>
<p>But despite UCSD's insanely high rankings for my major, I'm currently leaning towards UCLA. Academically, I feel UCLA is simply more well-rounded overall and this would be a definite plus in case I changed my mind in the future and wanted a different major. I feel that UCLA provides me for flexibility. Additionally, I simply feel like I'd enjoy the UCLA atmosphere better as I'd love to be in the middle of a big city and be closer to home.</p>
<p>Is this a stupid choice and/or is my motivation behind it stupid? Would I be an idiot to not go to a higher ranked university (UCSD, for my major)? Or do you think this would be a good decision since UCLA still has a good bioengineering program?</p>
<p>This is a difficult choice. UCSD is absolutely fantastic for bioengineering, but if that’s the ONLY reason you would choose it over UCLA, I would say go with UCLA. UCLA is generally strong in bio-related fields, so I’m sure you’ll still benefit from the resources there.</p>
<p>Okay, sooooo, my sister graduated from UCLA. She told me, according to a lot of her friends, that the Bioengineering department is a wreck. I dunno if this is really true, but I can tell you the difference is probably more than just “negligible”. I would look into that more if I were you. </p>
<p>I know you said you also like the “well-roundedness” of UCLA, but who is to say UCSD is not well rounded? UCSD is extremely good in any biological related science and pretty much all the engineerings. Unless you were planning on going into a humanities major (which would be an odd jump from bioengineering…), then I would say it has the same level of well-roundedness in the sciences. </p>
<p>That being said, if you enjoyed the atmosphere at UCLA more, you should definitely give that deep consideration. I know quite a few people that go to both school, and it completely depends on the person. Some love SD, some love LA. Make sure you’re happy at your school, or you’ll find it difficult to success anyway. Besides, academics are only part of the college experience.</p>
<p>That’s why you should go to UCLA. Both of the universities are great, but if you’re going to be happiest at UCLA then I think you should go there.</p>
<p>She said the big problems were that it was difficult to get any research opportunities, and after graduation a lot of her friends had difficulties getting jobs. She claims they also had decent GPAs, above 3.0 at least. I dunno though, I would need to talk to her again to tell you all the details, but she’s really busy at law school. </p>
<p>Honestly though, if you’re really successful at UCLA, I doubt you’ll have too much trouble with that.</p>
<p>That does sound a little concerning, especially since I’ve heard that UCSD is the opposite in bioengineering in that there are many connections to get jobs there.</p>
<p>I’d say go to UCLA if you’re NOT going to commit yourself to Bioengineering. Otherwise, I’ll warn you that BENG at UCSD is top of the line and one of the hardest majors on campus. Nevertheless, if you succeed here with Bioengineering you’re set so long as you take advantage of your opportunities. </p>
<p>UCSD also has a fairly diverse range of top-raking majors like UCLA, so you should put that into thought too. It isn’t as if UCSD’s main focus is JUST Bioengineering, so you’ll still have a myriad of options here as well as at UCLA.</p>
<p>It’s very funny that i came upon this post because I am in the exact same situation. Well mostly. UCLA and UCSD are both my top two choices and I am a bioengineering major as well. I would say that you should visit both schools and whichever school you feel more connected to would be the school to go to. Personally I am also leaning towards UCLA. Let me know what you end up deciding. You could be my future lab partner haha.
Best wishes</p>
<p>If it is bioengineering, go with UCSD over UCLA. </p>
<p>But before you make that decision, call UCSD and ask them if you are guaranteed a spot in the program your Junior year. Because if you are are lined up as a freshman with the courses necessary to enter junior year, but because of competition based on curved grades that did not go in your favor, and then, you are not allowed to actually take bioengineering course jr year, then all of that will be for nothing and you could have gone to UCLA and at least try to double major in something else. </p>
<p>I just heard that even people IN the program as a freshman, are NOT guaranteed they stay in the program by the time they are juniors. check it out.</p>
<p>I know this thread is from a year ago, but I’m literally in the same boat. I’m leaning toward LA because of the location and atmosphere mainly, but should getting into bioengineering/biotechnology at SD overshadow that? Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>Oh, and since LA’s BME program is not accredited until at least 2012, does that mean that the program is bad? I know it’s relatively new compared to SD’s. Will this hurt my future job opportunities?</p>
<p>there’s more to college than your major. students change majors all the time so I would not base your entire college experience on the major you applied as. I would go with UCLA just for the atmosphere alone. With better sports teams/ events/ things to do, you can have a more well rounded college experience, be happier, and subsequently get better grades for your future job.</p>
<p>i’m in the same situation! here’s my question though, if two students had the same gpa and stuff, but one went to LA and one went to SD, would a biotech company hire the one who went to UCSD?</p>
<p>I would assume they would choose the UCSD student. UCSD’s BME program is ranked much higher. Although UCLA is a fantastic school and tad more prestigious, it is a jack of all trades. I hope I make even the slightest bit of sense.</p>
<p>is it hard to get through the ucsd bioeng program? i have a b in ap calc bc and i assume college calc will be harder. HELP! i’m worried since i would basically have to get a MS</p>