UCSB Vs. Pepperdine

Im in need of advice deciding which college to attend. I’ve narrowed it down to UCSB and Pepperdine. Im planning on going pre-med at both schools with a major in biology at pepperdine or biopsychology at UCSB. I was wondering which school would be better for the medical school path. I also made the honors program at UCSB.

Net price at each?

Is the religious nature of Pepperdine compatible with you?

These are two very different schools. UCSB is a large campus. Pepperdine is not. Also, Pepperdine has a religious aspect as noted by @ucbalumnus. If you are having a difficult time choosing, go for the least expensive.

Pepperdine is aroud $27,000, and UCSB $15,000 but not really a concern. The religious nature at pepperdine is compatible with me. I was curious as to if one was really better than the other in preparation for medical school. @ucbalumnus

I’d choose UCSB.

There’s no advantage intrinsic to one or the other. Each of these schools, any college in the country in fact, can adequately teach the lower-division math & science classes required to apply to med school. And as for the rest, doing medical related ECs, getting to know some profs, studying for the MCAT, stuff like that – it all falls on your shoulders, not the school.

Ultimately it comes down to knowing yourself. Are you going to do better in the small classes of Pepperdine? Would you be more likely to find a good group of friends at a larger school like UCSB? Questions like that. We don’t know you, we can’t pick the right environment for you.

@mikemac Thanks! Your response was really helpful!