UCSB vs UCR vs UCSC for pre-med?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi, I'm a senior in high school and I got accepted UCSB, UCR and UCSC.
Sadly I was rejected from UCI, UCLA and UCSD.... :(
I'm still waiting on UCD and UCB but my hopes are very low.</p>

<p>Anyways, I'm going to major in Biochem and plan to go to a med school in the future.
Which college is better for pre-med students?</p>

<p>My dad wants me to go to UCR because that's where all of my older sibilings are.
My 2 brothers are attending UCR at the moment and we also have a house over there.
But.....I really don't want to go to UCR knowing that it's nickname is UC rejects.... :(</p>

<p>As for UCSB I've heard it's higher ranked then UCR or UCSC but...it's a party school.
I'm the type of girl that likes to sit in a library and read rather than go partying and drinking.
I don't know if I'll be able to get used to the extremely wild atmosphere over there.</p>

<p>and lastly UCSC.....I really dunno anything about this school.
I've never lived in Santa Cruz and neither have my parents.
The only thing I know is that it's one of the lowest ranked UCs like UCR.</p>

<p>Alot of people say it's better to go to a less competitive undergrad school
if you plan to do med, cuz you really have to take care of your GPA and
going to a competitive school is not going to make that any easier.</p>

<p>I like the quiet but I also like to go out on the weekends to
go shopping in the mall or hang out with friends in a small bar.
I've been to Riverside a couple of times before but UCR seemed like a SUPER boring place.
Like literally...they had no malls or theaters or anything like that around the school.</p>

<p>What should I do???
Some friendly advice plz??? :)</p>

2

<p>You should probably wait to weigh your options for pre-med after your notice of admissions at Davis and Cal; Davis is well-regarded for its pre-med and Cal is an overall high quality university (but beware, Cal’s pre-med is pretty cutthroat…to the point of sabotage; it’s one of the reasons why I didn’t apply there).</p>

<p>Anyways, looking at your options now: UCSB, UCR, and UCSC. </p>

<p>As you know, UCSB is the widely agreed as the highest ranking of those choices; but you’re right, it’s known as the party UC. It’s proximity to Isla Vista and its wonderful beach environment cause for some distraction. I love the campus myself (bikes!!!), but I’d rather avoid that sort of scene. When it comes to pre-med, I heard it’s decent; it’s biological sciences are pretty good too.</p>

<p>UCR. Well, it isn’t that great academically or pre-medically in comparison. It also sounds like you’re not so keen on going there, which is important! Since you really can’t succeed as well if you’re not happy in your academic environment. Your family may want you to go there, but you’ll still make them proud if you do really well at another university.</p>

<p>I’ve seen some good things about pre-med and the Human Biology major at UCSC; it seems like they’re really trying to prepare you for med schools and professions with their comprehensive curriculum (they even require you to take courses in Spanish so that you would be a potentially more effective doctor). However, and I don’t know if they do this still, I’ve heard that UCSC doesn’t give out letter grades, but rather evaluations, which are less effective for med school applications. So a big drawback right there. Also, one thing about the environment: it’s sort of in a forest…you should definitely visit before May 1 to know what I mean (in fact, visit all schools you’re considering; it makes a great difference!!)</p>

<p>But if you get into Davis and/or Cal, those should be priority choices over UCSB, UCR, and UCSC. What gets tricky is if you get into both Davis and Cal; I suppose that’s when you can create a new thread? And definitely talk with your folks and college guidance counselors about any additional concerns/questions you may have.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>PS: Ironic for your situation how Davis and Cal decisions both come out tomorrow, huh?</p>

3

<p>I can tell you everything you need to know about UCR since I’m a UCR student. First of all, I wouldn’t say UCR stands for UC Rejects anymore because there are increasing number of people who choose to go to UCR instead of better UC schools since they give better financial aids as well as scholarships. People also choose to go to UCR for their business program. I don’t know if UCR is pretty good for pre-med program, but I see a lot of people ending up at a great medical schools. UCR had been a GPA booster because it was pretty easy to get good grades if you had the right professors. I don’t know if it is easy to get good at UCR in the future because the school is becoming more and more competitive, especially in their bio program because it’s very impacted. (14 percent is a bio major.)</p>

<p>yea, it is true that there’s really nothing to do at riverside unless you have a car. There’s actually a theater and some restaurants in front of the campus, but nothing else. Mall is about 20 minutes from the campus if you take the bus. It seems boring, so most people make their own fun in the dorms with their peers. I don’t know if this school fits to your personality, but i think UCR campus has a pretty good setting for studying since all the buildings, libraries, and dorms are gathered together, so it only takes 5 minutes to go to the library and classes from the dorms. It was easier access for me to study anywhere. UCR still party, but I don’t think it is as big as UCSB. </p>

<p>can’t say much about UCSB and UCSC because I go to UCR, but I know they are better schools than UCR in terms of rankings. But I wouldn’t solely look at the rankings. Visit each school and see which school cliques with your personality (environment, people, program, etc.) because that’s what really matters in the end.</p>