<p>I am a senior in high school right now. I got into ucsb, cal poly slo, and merced. I want to pursue a career in medicine, and was wondering which college I should go to? I got into biology for all three. Which of these schools is better academically, for medical school later, after my undergrad? Which school would be best to pursue undergrad at, and then have higher acceptance rate to a medical school?</p>
<p>Thanks so much.</p>
<p>Given that UCM will have a med school in the not too distant future, you may want to check it out a bit more. I’m not sure that SLO would be as good for pre-med as the other schools.</p>
<p>UCSB is the best academically overall. Cal Poly is good for accounting and engineering. UC Merced is new so not sure about their academics. If UC Merced gave you a scholarship or something of that sort I would consider it of course because it will be up and coming soon.</p>
<p>The decision should really be between UCSB and Cal Poly. UCM is too new, located in a relatively undesirable location, and is substantially below both aforementioned universities when it comes to selectivity, and academic reputation currently. UCM’s reputation could go either way, it could get stuck in the bottom forever like UCR (UCR used to be the up and coming UC before UCM) or it could just go sideways or up. Not worth the risk. </p>
<p>UCSB and Cal Poly have very similar student body, both academically and socially. Cal Poly is definitely superior in the engineering, architecture, agriculture, and business. UCSB is definitely superior in the life sciences, physics, and liberal arts. </p>
<p>CP tends to be more mellow socially, and UCSB is more wild. So you need to take your personality fit into consideration.</p>
<p>The decision should really be between UCSB and Cal Poly. UCM is too new, located in a relatively undesirable location, and is substantially below both aforementioned universities when it comes to selectivity, and academic reputation currently. UCM’s reputation could go either way, it could get stuck in the bottom forever like UCR (UCR used to be the up and coming UC before UCM) or it could just go sideways or up. Not worth the risk. </p>
<p>UCSB and Cal Poly have very similar student body, both academically and socially. Cal Poly is definitely superior in the engineering, architecture, agriculture, and business. UCSB is definitely superior in the life sciences, physics, and liberal arts.</p>
<p>The decision should really be between UCSB and Cal Poly. UCM is too new, located in a relatively undesirable location, and is substantially below both aforementioned universities when it comes to selectivity, and academic reputation currently. UCM’s reputation could go either way, it could get stuck in the bottom forever like UCR (UCR used to be the up and coming UC before UCM) or it could just go sideways or up. Not worth the risk. </p>
<p>UCSB and Cal Poly have very similar student body, both academically and socially. Cal Poly is definitely superior in the engineering, architecture, agriculture, and business. UCSB is positively superior in the life sciences, physics, and liberal arts.</p>
<p>The decision should really be between UCSB and Cal Poly. UCM is too new, located in a relatively undesirable location, and is substantially below both aforementioned universities when it comes to selectivity, and academic reputation currently. UCM’s reputation could go either way, it could get stuck in the bottom forever like UCR (UCR used to be the up and coming UC before UCM) or it could just go sideways or up. Not worth the risk. </p>
<p>UCSB and Cal Poly have very similar student body, both academically and socially. Cal Poly is superior in the engineering, architecture, agriculture, and business. UCSB is superior in the life sciences, physics, and liberal arts.</p>
<p>Also remember that Cal Poly is a more mellow of the two, and UCSB is more party-like. So take that into account and see if either one suits well to your personality.</p>
<p>Cal Poly has no chemical engineering major, so fair enough, it is not an exact 1 to 1 good comparison. I am sure UCSB has a very top notch Chem Engr. department.</p>
<p>Also, my previous statement is, of course, only concerning undergraduate level engineering. </p>
<p>But I would hold to my general comment concerning the quality of the the most common and popular engineering majors (EE,CE,ME,CS, etc.) in Cal Poly. But that would be outside the scope of the OP’s concern.</p>
<p>I think I shall leave that to another discussion. Perhaps for some others to debate the merits of our respective opinions.</p>
<p>@ickglue</p>
<p>Location: Mount Sumeru – very cool inside joke. Like it!</p>
<p>ha ha! Thanks. You are the only person who noticed it. Good eye!</p>
<p>Of course! Been searching for years…alas, but to no avail…</p>
<p>UCSB hands down. What is financial aid like?</p>
<p>Go for UCSB definitely… The UC system is MUCH better for premed</p>
<p>
Wait, what?? Academically possibly, but socially? Have you been to both campuses?</p>
<p>Yes, I have. Have you?</p>
<p>And if you mean they are socially different. You have a point, I think Cal Poly students party less hard.</p>
<p>that’s what I meant. They are socially quite different experiences.</p>
<p>Go to UCSB. Honestly I am thankful for spending my first 2 years at UCM, but I am more than thankful that I get to transfer. UCM is mainly for slow-paced minority (hispanic & asian) students who are content with the slow-paced lifestyle that UCM provides. It is not the average or typical college experience. </p>
<p>I actually think I missed out on a real college experience by going there…</p>