<p>Hello everyone. Currently, I have been admitted to all 3 of the aforementioned universities. I will be majoring in biology. As for my plans after undergraduate education, I would like to go on to either a pharmacy school or a medical school. I'm considered in-state for UT Austin and UF and out-of-state for UCLA. I'm really torn as to which university to choose. UCLA's OOS tuition is around $31,000. So, does anyone think it's worth the extra $20,000 a year or so to go to UCLA? My parents can pay for the OOS difference, but it will be a great burden on them. Will UCLA's prestige be of any significance when applying for med and pharm schools? Will going to UT Austin or UF mean having a life versus having no life at UCLA? Does anyone know if getting a good GPA (3.5-3.9) is significantly harder at UCLA than UT Austin or UF? Thanks.</p>
<p>Pharm school: You could probably get in from anywhere with decent, not great grades.</p>
<p>Med school, a bit tougher.</p>
<p>Apps to med school yearly basis:</p>
<p>UCLA or Cal, usually switch on which has most, gap, UF, gap, UT. UF is top 10 usually. </p>
<p>Acceptance rates? </p>
<p>UCLA and Cal’s would be mid-50% range, UF, UT, don’t know, could be higher becuase students there apply to less restrictive med schools in southeast, southwest, etc.</p>
<p>Mid 50% range isn’t bad for CA becasue med schools, 8-9 are toughest in nation as a group, added that there’s no adminsitrative restriction for each of these CA u’s to pump up % acceptance rates.</p>
<p>If you REALLY need to experience CA, then UCLA, added to the fact that you might become a Californian. Someone will have a ride for you to experience CA. Serveral activities don’t take much $$$. Depends on burden on parents also. Too many variables wrt $$$ and your and your parents’ happiness, so short answer, go to UT or UF. Rich kids oos or int, different story.</p>
<p>You could be into volunteering [video</a> 1](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtnfHVOPU-8]video”>UCLA Volunteer Day Heroes - Sept. 22, 2009 - YouTube), [video</a> 2](<a href=“CBS Network News - UCLA Volunteer Day 2009 - YouTube”>CBS Network News - UCLA Volunteer Day 2009 - YouTube) and see various spots in Southern California throughout the academic year, including Point Dume, Malibu which is featured behind some of these students; you can start your own student group to explore some of the areas of interest to you, take intramural surfing, etc. </p>
<p>If I were you though, I wouldn’t put my parents in debt, force them to take out loans on whatever house equity, etc, just for you to come out west. You could do that later, added to your (their) increasing financial burden of med or pharm school. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insightful input!</p>
<p>I’m also deciding between UCLA and UT Austin and will be majoring in biology. Which do you think has a better bio dept?</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, UCLA has a more prestigious biology department. With all the budget cuts that I’ve heard UCLA’s been experiencing, you might find it easier to get into the classes you want and matter at UT Austin. Of course, I’m debating where to go myself. I also recently got into UC Berkeley, so that’s on my list now.</p>