<p>I am having the hardest time deciding between these two schools. From what I have heard, they are fairly similar academically. They both have the school spirit and sports that I am looking for in a school as well. Also, I have visited both campuses and find them both equally beautiful. Would one or the other be a better pick if I plan on studying physiology (and ultimately going on to medical school)?</p>
<p>Also, for awhile I was considering NYU because I loved everything that you could do in the city and the fact that the university takes advantage of the city (and I ultimately decided against it because of the lack of school unity). However, I was wondering if either of the schools utilized their cities. Also, in general, which city is more like NY in terms of what there is to do? Do students actually go into the city and do things, or do they mainly stay on campus (or in Westwood for UCLA and the Ave for UW)?</p>
<p>One of the main things that is holding me back about UCLA is the fact that I have heard the students are very superficial and materialistic. Is this true? And if so, would it be better to pick UW as I would fit in more there? </p>
<p>Lastly, does it REALLY rain all of the time in Seattle?</p>
<p>I don’t think the students at UCLA are all superficial and materialistic. Sure there are some that are but you will find some on every campus. Students at UCLA come from many different countries, ethnic backrounds and economic groups. You have many, many students there who could not afford a fancy private school and are very regular, down to earth kids. My daughter is a freshman this year. I would say she was way more materialistic and into clothes, etc. when she was in high school. She got pretty dressed up for school everyday. At UCLA she tells me she wears wharever is comfortable to class (sweats, flips flops, t-shirts) and that everyone is really friendly and unjudgmental. As I said I am sure there are plenty of those types there but not in huge numbers. Most of her closest friends from high school are at small private schools and from what she has told me they are surrounded by fancy cars, clothes and people who have money and like showing it. I really don’t think you will find that at UCLA.</p>
<p>I know she and her friends enjoy Westwood a lot and go out to dinner often. She is in a sorority and I know they are frequently out on the town as part of sorority/frat functions. It is also very easy to get to Santa Monica and the beach. Whether you go to UW or UCLA it will be up to you as to whether you stay on campus or get out and explore a bit. My daughter was actually thinking very seriously about NYU. We went for a weekend open house event. Although the school would have been great for area of interest, and we all love NY City, she decided she wanted a more traditional college experience, with sports, school spirit and more contained campus. So she chose UCLA and loves it. The academics are strong and she has a great social life and loves going to the football and basketball games.
UofW and UCLA are probably very similar in a lot of ways except for weather. My older daugher goes to school in the Pacific Northwest and teaches snowboarding on the weekends. She loves trees, mountains, rugged landscape and people. My daughter at UCLA loves sunshine, the beach and warm weather. I think weather will be your deciding factor. If you can visit each school again and think about the climate you want to live in for 4 years. It doesn’t rain all the time in Seattle but it rains a lot and is damp and overcast much of the year. It is also a beautiful city and I love visiting up there but I don’t think I’d want to be there full time. If you can visit UCLA soon while school is in session, walk around and I think you’ll see that there is a huge variety of student types and that they are not all superficail and materialistic.</p>
<p>one thing i would consider is cost (out of state for either schools?) weather is also pretty important for some people (including me, not a big fan of walking around in the rain but would like snow tho…) as for UCLA being materialistic, its not what the stereotypical socal materialistic (like U$c) i rarely see student dress up to go to class (although i heard north campus students does it way more than south campus)</p>
<p>UCLA is ranked number 25 of national universities and number 3 of public schools, i dont see UW ranked anywhere near the top 50. plus the pre-med program here is really top notch and gets you ready for MCAT and med school, i have alot of friends who are pre-med: bio, physiology, psychobio, etc. and they have to study alot. so the school is pretty rigorous.</p>