I’m having troubling deciding between these two amazing schools. I’ve always dreamed of going to Los Angeles, but as I’ve looked at colleges/priorities things have come into perspective that have questioned whether or not right now is the best time to drop and move to Cali.
Here’s some background:
I am a Michigan resident (live about an hour out from Ann Arbor). I’m not exactly sure what to major in yet, but I definitely want to apply to medical schools after undergrad. In the summer, I go to my aunt’s house (she lives in Novi which is much closer to Ann Arbor) and I volunteer at the University of Michigan Hospital. Last summer I interned with a neuroscience lab also at Umich. I’m scared of not finding similar opportunities at UCLA since I’ve heard it is much more competitive for pre-meds out there. In addition, I love doing theater and soccer, so I want to get involved in those two wherever I go. I’m not a huge partier, would prefer a single dorm, etc.
I didn’t get any aid or scholarships at either, so there’s about a difference of $31,000 per year for me between the two bc of in-state vs OOS. Overall, I just want to go to the best school where I can maintain my activities and social life while having access to a ton of pre-med resources and a ton of theatrical/intra-mural sports activities.
MAJORS:
UCLA - Major in neuroscience, physiological science, or psychology with a minor in theater
UMich - Major in neuroscience or public health with a minor in music (concentration for performance)
I know I should save money but the money isn’t a HUGE concern. I just need help based on my goals. Is there one school med schools prefer to see? What would some of you do in this situation, since the two schools are so similar?
ALSO -> I’ve heard racism isn’t prevalent, but more apparent at UMich than it is at UCLA. I’m 1/2 Indian FYI.
I’m just so confused. Hope someone can help me/push me in the right direction. Thanks!
I don’t see how you can justify paying $120K more to attend UCLA. Michigan makes better sense, especially since you will also be paying a great deal to go to medical school.
I’m always one for going outside your comfort zone and state. If you don’t do it now, it’s very hard to get out. I am going to be going to University of Michigan and I’m from California (accepted at Berkeley, UCLA, and all the other UCs). As much as I love these schools, I really wanted to get out, because I’ve had friends at Stanford, Berkeley, and UCLA tell me they wish they could have gone outside of this “bubble.” I don’t know if you have the same bubble in Michigan, but that’s one big reason why I’m going to UMich and I am spending, like you potentially, $120k more.
I visited UCLA for Bruin Day, I don’t know if you got the opportunity and they have SUCH great medical resources- the amazing hospital that famous people use, strong sciences, but classes will be slightly harder to get, it’s true. I love UMich for so many reasons, but I’m in business also so it’s slightly different. Honestly, if it’s not a financial burden for you, I would go to UCLA. It might be something you regret- staying in michigan your whole life. I’m going to come back to the Bay Area to work in the future, you can always return to michigan, but it’ll be hard to get out.
Anyways, message me if you still can’t decide! I know a lot about the two schools.
^You can go out of your comfort zone by studying abroad.
If you have money to burn, then whatev, but $120K buys A LOT of vacations to LA (and you’ll still have plenty left over for other things).
@cjchasinglife:
“If you don’t do it now, it’s very hard to get out.”
Simply not true. At all. (Well, a little more true for Californians, but not at all for Michiganders; the rest of us aren’t separated from the rest of the country by mountains and desert). Ask people on CC over 40 (or even 30 or even just graduated from college) how many didn’t get a chance to leave their state.
Absolutely Umich. Even if costs were the same, I’d pick Umich over UCLA as a pre-med hopeful. Save the money for med school. I think this one just boils down to common sense.
I would say umich is even better than ucla for premed and ucla is definitely not worth the extra 120k. save the money in undergrad for med school. the uc schools are already competitive enough for premed and you do not want to pay an extra oos premium for more stress. umich has one of the best medical schools in the country also with an amazing health system.
“I’m going to come back to the Bay Area to work in the future, you can always return to michigan, but it’ll be hard to get out.”
The OP can go anywhere he/she wants after graduation. Michigan does not a fence along its southern border! It’s only 40 miles or so to Ohio from Ann Arbor, but I wouldn’t recommend the trip.
Try to go to UCLA for med school! They have a wonderful program and then you could experience both schools without spending more for an undergraduate education