UCLA vs UCSD vs Williams

Hi! I’ve been accepted to UCLA, UCSD, and Williams and I’m confused as to which school I should go to. I’m going to be pre-med but am not 100% set on it yet. I’ve heard that UCSD and Williams would probably be best for premed but I’ve always liked the UCLA campus and social life more than UCSD, but never seriously considered Williams until very recently. Williams would definitely be more costly than the other two and is more isolated (which I’m worried about). Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

I would pick from the UCs then. I’m a human bio major (pre-med) at UCSD and I’m enjoying it so far. Don’t listen to the people who say UCSD is socially dead - it really isn’t if you try. There are so many bio labs very close or on campus, as well as 3 major hospitals on campus, so you’ll definitely be able to start gaining experience in hospitals.

UCLA because that is where you want to go.

Even if you don’t do premed, UCLA has everything. Look at the numbers of students who are trying to get into UCLA. Did you even visit?

Thanks for the replies! For premed though are UCs hard to maintain the gpa needed for med school? Also, since I did not get regents for either would class enrollment be a problem I should consider?

@“aunt bea” yes I did visit and I really liked the vibe of the place. I’m just concerned about giving up the opportunity to have smaller class experiences/better professor relations at Williams

All Upper UCs will be good for pre med and are tough for GPAs. Go where youlll be happiest. That’ll make a huge difference for your gpa. Class enrollment at UCLA is easy. There’s plenty of spots and as long as you’re flexible in times and profs you’ll never not get a class.

Yes. The UCs are really tough and just because you attend a UC does not guarantee that you will get into that med school. It’s killer competitive. You should not have a problem getting classes at UCLA.

Within your department, you shouldn’t have issues meeting with your profs.

@10s4life @“aunt bea” thank you so much for the replies!! Are clubs/organizations at UCLA easy to join as well or are they more competitive in process?

Yes, plus you can generate your own club, but there are so many!

@“aunt bea” thanks! Also with regards to class size what is the normal size for upper divs? Does it get much smaller than the intro classes and is it also easy to get involved in research?

I’ll let @10s4life take this one.

Williams is going to be so far and away different than UCLA. I wouldn’t commit to going there unless you are able to visit. In my opinion, you should go to UCLA because that’s where you want to go.

@Trixy34 that’s true. I’m planning on visiting both before I commit but I think I am leaning more towards the UCs

@memelover123 Upper divs can be as small as 15 and as large as about 50-75 depending on the class. Personally I prefer the 200 person classes over the 25 person ones. Research is super easy if you want it. Getting paid for it is much tougher. Lots of resrouces to get involved with research. Most people i know who donit just emailed the prof they were interested in working with

This point suggested here might be key. You currently don’t seem to have enough information to know whether Williams would be good for you (it could, in reality, be great). The question seems to be whether you can confirm its potential before attending.

@10s4life that’s really good to hear. Is there a specific reason why you like the bigger lectures more? Also is premed super cutthroat and is there a recommended major for premed specifically at UCLA? I know that any major works but just wondering if you had an opinion on that

@merc81 that’s true. I like the aspect of smaller classes at Williams but other aspects seem to point towards UCLA/UCSD. I hope to visit all but don’t know if 2 days at Williams is enough to get a full picture of it

Williams College is very different from the other two in many respects.

First, the most obvious: weather and location. If you really dislike the cold and limited daylight hours of winter, you might be unhappy at Williams. But the area is very beautiful- there is a reason that its alma mater song (the nation’s first college to have a song!) is called “The Mountains.” Ephventure orientation programs, the annual Mountain Day when classes are cancelled and students hike up a local mountain, and an active Outdoor Club all take advantage of the lovely setting. Since the location is rural, although the area is steeped in the fine and performing arts, most of the action takes place ON campus. There is so much to do every weekend on campus, from student performances and sporting events to speakers and presentations to activities like trivia contests and dances and parties, as well as dinners with professors and departments and activities run by clubs/ organizations.

Next, why you might or might not want a small college environment:

  1. The sense of community is incredible. It starts with your first two weeks as a freshman, when you will enjoy activities getting to know the members of your entry (an “entry” is a group of about 38 freshmen living together with 3-4 unpaid Juniors called Junior Advisers) and participate in an intense Ephventure for 3 days with another small group of students and your Ephventure student leaders. Your entry, clubs, and classes will further develop the community feel thoughout the year. Everywhere you go, you will bump into people you know.

Down side: lack of anonymity on campus.

  1. Incredible teachers who are also amazingly accessible. The professors who choose to teach at Williams are there because they love to teach, as well as loving their subject areas. And it shows. Quote from a freshman first semester: “My worst class at Williams is better than my best class in high school.” Most classes are small and incorporate discussion. With no grad students, all research opportunities go to undergraduates. And professors often dine with their students and get to know them as people.

Down side: you can’t fake it in class. Do those readings!

  1. In a small college, it is easy to join or start up a club, and easy to rise to a leadership position within it.

Down side: larger universities may have more people who share one’s less typical interests.

  1. In a university, there are more professors in each department and a larger course catalog. If you have a less common research or study interest, you may be more likely to find a professor that shares it at a larger university.

In addition, Williams has an intensely intellectual atmosphere, where students engage in discussions in and out of class, including in dorms and dining halls. I am not sure if the other two choices have that to the same extent or not… maybe they do… but it is certainly an aspect of Williams to consider, as is the very heavy workload. If you don’t really love learning and ideas, Williams would be torture. If you do, it’s nirvana.

Glad you can visit and get a “feel” as to whether it is a match for you or not. Williams College provides an amazing experience- which is why it develops such loyal alumni who help provide support to students and graduates. But it is not for everyone.

As your decision moves further along, I’d just caution you not to under-regard the opportunity that Williams represents. This Forbes article is just one of many that recognize its excellence: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nataliesportelli/2017/04/26/10-expensive-colleges-worth-every-penny-2017/.