<p>I got into UCSD with a major in Biochem and Cell Bio and into UCLA with a major in Cell/Molecular/Developmental Biology and I'm planning on going pre-med and eventually medical school. Problem is, I'm 50/50 between both. Cost and distance are pretty much the same. UCLA has its name and prestige, but UCSD has the better bio program yes? Which one is more likely to get me into medical school, has more research/activities? And which one is easier to get a high GPA at?</p>
<p>SD indeed has a better bio program, but LA is not that far behind. In comparison of the two LA is usually preferred overall with its location, name brand, and its exceptionally good science program (Though SD bio program still beats LA). No college would give you a better chance of getting into medical school, its up to you as an applicant to work your way to be a noticeable to med schools through having high GPA, having research under your belt, and a good MCAT score. Both schools have tons of research opportunities, except UCLA you actually have to find them. For GPA, UCLA is noted to be more competitive but both schools require some hard work and dedication to get a high GPA (except for John Hopkins and Berkeley, you literally have to be a god to get a high GPA there, they are known to kill premed GPAs)</p>
<p>^^^ what that post said</p>
<p>UCSD would definitely be better. Honestly, I say UCLA is too over-glorified for an undergraduate degree. Employers aren’t going to judge the name of your school over your actual skills and achievements.</p>
<p>@hakuex</p>
<p>how competitive is LA in terms of this major? Do you know the average GPA of the major? i am torn between the 2 too. i am transfer though. if i am 3.7 student at one of the lower tier uc with 3 science classes each quarter. Will i survive LA’s competitiveness? Also UCSD has a better bio program in what sense?</p>
<p>I can’t say how hard UCSD bio program is because I don’t go there, but it is one of the few impacted majors in the UC system. Many people I know went to UCSD for premend, and its going to be very competitive at UCLA and UCSD for bio no matter what.</p>
<p>UCLA is full of cutthroat premeds. If you want a less aggressive environment, I suggest UCSD. You get the same amount of opportunities (volunteer, internship, research) as UCLA, but the classes aren’t impacted anymore. I would’ve chosen UCSD if I knew sooner the classes weren’t impacted, but it’s too late now.</p>
<p>One thing I hear pointed out as one advantage for UCLA is that their medical center (UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center) is literally down the street from the campus. A student can walk from the dorms to the med center in less than 10 minutes. So this is a big advantage if you want to get really involved in volunteering at the hospital and also possibly doing research there.</p>
<p>The UCSD campus is probably about 11-12 miles away from the UCSD med center. While that’s not super far away by car, it’s still far less convenient, and if you don’t have a car, it’ll be a huge pain to get over there on a regular basis.</p>
<p>I think you are referring to the Hillcrest branch, which is indeed one of the main teaching hospitals for UCSD but not located in La Jolla. However, there are quite a few hospitals (Scripps Memorial, Scripps Green, UCSD Thornton, and VA-La Jolla) all flanking the main campus and within walking distance so the opportunities are certainly there to volunteer/do research. There are also plans to build another hospital next to Thornton: [UC</a> San Diego Health System Receives $75 Million Gift to Build New Medical Center](<a href=“http://www.ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/health/04-01hospital.asp]UC”>http://www.ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/health/04-01hospital.asp)</p>
<p>UCSD is in the top 5 universities that receive the most research money from the government.
[Universities</a> Receiving the Most Government Research Money | BestColleges4u.com](<a href=“http://www.bestcolleges4u.com/colleges-universities/universities-receiving-the-most-government-research-money.html]Universities”>http://www.bestcolleges4u.com/colleges-universities/universities-receiving-the-most-government-research-money.html)</p>