Simply put, which school should I go to, UCLA or UCSD for Biological Sciences. Pros and Cons?
Whichever suits your interests and needs more, really. What are your interests and needs?
They both have good programs in biological sciences and strong academics in general, but very different campuses and settings. UCLA has a more urban campus, easily walkable. UCSD is spread out and you’d need a bike just to get around campus, and a short car or shuttle trip from campus to the town of La Jolla or the city of San Diego. (You could probably walk to La Jolla, but it would be a pretty long walk). Personally, I like the more condensed campus of UCLA and the shops, theaters and restaurants in Westwood are easy to walk to as well.
Academically, I think it’s a wash. Just pick which campus you like better and which campus you want to be associated with for the next 60 years of your life. If sports and school spirit matter to you, then it’s a no brainer. But the hustle-bustle of L.A. isn’t for everyone, so just go with your gut.
UCSD has a marginally stronger biology program and more overall research and internship opportunities (the area north of campus is the second-largest biotech hub in the country). UCLA is definitely more urban and collegiate, whereas UCSD has a more suburban/beach vibe. If you haven’t visited both campuses, you definitely should.
Both schools have a med schools. UCLA has a dental school and UCSD has a pharmacy school if that matters anything to you. Both are good programs tho and both have good research opportunities available for students.