UCR vs UCSD?!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Before you all jump and tell me UCSD, let me tell you the details first.
I live in Fontana, I'm a senior, top 2% of my class, and I was accepted to both UCSD and UCR.</p>

<p>Here's the catch.
I want to major in biology (human), and eventually get into med school.</p>

<p>At UCSD, I was offered no money at all.
I was accepted into ERC college.
I heard that I need to take MMW and foreign language. This school is mainly for humanities major or anything related to that. So most of those classes would be pointless for me. That's time and $ wasted.
AND!.....my family cannot afford a dorm so we tried to find a condo/apt 10 min or so from the campus. Even though these houses are from the 70's or so, they're still at least $100,000. Maybe if I was taken in at muir or revelle, I would. But I made the foolish mistake of making ERC first choice because of that study abroad program. I didn't know about all these fine little details till it was too late....and I heard that intercollege transfer is HARD and for me, that's a little too RISKY.</p>

<p>I don't want to spend extra time doing GE's I don't need.</p>

<p>At UCR, I got the chancellor's scholarship. Plus I can commute (I'm under 30 miles away), my friend commutes there too. I won't be wasting time or $ on unnecessary GE's. And there's always the haider program and their future med school, which I could help to pioneer.</p>

<p>It really is a debate between time, $, and safety. You could also say reputation.
Sure UCR doesn't have the highest rep, but am I really gonna bypass it for more $ prob, housing prob, GE's I don't want or need, time wasted, and just "reputation"?</p>

<p>If I keep my grades up, I can go to whatever med school I want after my GE's right?</p>

<p>So tell me, what should I do?
I'm really confused.
Thanks guys.</p>

2

<p>Talk to the pre-med counselors at UCSD. Ask them about med school placement from ERC and the other UCSD colleges.</p>

3

<p>Your reasons are logical. </p>

<p>Med school admission is more about GPA and MCAT scores than college reputation. Plus, med school is expensive. If you think you’d be happy, disciplined in your studies and financially while attending UCR, choose UCR. </p>

<p>Keep in mind that commuting will change the entire dynamic of your college experience.</p>

4

<p>Since your family can’t afford to pay for housing, then it looks like UCR it is.</p>

<p>How much is the UCR scholarship? Sounds like even without the dorm cost, UCR will be much cheaper. </p>

<p>None of the UCs have high SOM placement, so UCSD vs UCR isn’t going to make much difference.</p>

5

<p>@siliconvalleymom: I can get into their med school, it would just take longer because i’d have to finish ERC GE’s and then my pre-reqs, which don’t mix well. At UCR, they mix better, so it would be easier. The GE’s are my only problem. If i was at muir or even revelle, it would be fine…):</p>

<p>@UCB: I’ve heard so too. I’m past the whole “UCR is a reject school thing.” It’s all about how I apply myself isn’t it? Btw, I never really wanted to dorm, I don’t know why…</p>

<p>@mom2collegekids: The UCR scholarship is $2500/year, and an additional $4000 if I get the alumni scholarship. Plus I get smaller classes and first priority pick if I get placed in honors. It really would be cheaper. Dorms at UCSD at $14000 a year. My commute is not even 30 min a day. </p>

<p>I’m sorry, but what is som placement? :stuck_out_tongue: I’m really clueless when it comes to college…</p>

6

<p>I’m not sure why you posted as you’ve clearly made up your mind.</p>

<p>College as a commuter is a whole different thing than living on campus, going away from home and having a full new experience. If you’ve thought that all through…</p>

7

<p>SOM = School of Medicine.</p>

<p>Since you say that you can’t afford room and board at UCSD, then it sounds like you’d be short of money for that school. </p>

<p>With your current scholarship, it sounds like UCR will cost you about $15k (including gas, parking, and books)…maybe less if you get more scholarship money! Sounds like a great deal.</p>

8

<p>I’m sure I can do well there. I’m determined to make the most of what I can and go far :)</p>

<p>I mean my uncle went to muir at ucsd and my dad went CC.</p>

<p>My dad’s salary is 2x my uncle.</p>

<p>It’s what u make of it, and i’m going to make it my best :)</p>

9

<p>I think UCR makes the most sense. It’s still a good school. And sometimes there are advantages to being one of the bigger fish in the pond. You sound like a determined student who will go far. Best wishes on your journey.</p>