I’ve gotten admission offers to UCR, UCSC, and University of Washington (CA resident).
How’s the bioengineering program at UCSC/ UCR? I’m considering going to a CC for and transferring to UCLA/ UCSD but I really don’t want to miss out on the freshman ‘experience’. Is going to a CC worth it, or are the above mentioned engineering schools reputable?
Why. Just go to UCSC then transfer to UCLA/UCSD. It would be a much easier and worth while experience in my eyes.
@TheManWithHope UCs give priority transfer to those from California Community Colleges. It’s tough to transfer from one UC to another. Also, by going to community college, @northwoodian could potentially save tons of money depending on his or her financial circumstances.
If you’re debating community college vs. these colleges, look at the lower division curriculums. UCSC’s lower div bioengineering program is nearly identical to a biology program and can easily be completed at a community college. Their upper division isn’t too focused either, mostly borrowing from their electrical and comp sci departments. Riverside has a couple of bioengineering-intensive reqs, but IMO not enough to choose it over community college (http://student.engr.ucr.edu/majors/course_plans2011/BIEN.pdf).
Washington (http://depts.washington.edu/bioe/academic-programs/undergraduate/sample-4-year-schedules/) appears to have a great bioengineering program, with a lower div program that cannot be replicated at a community college. They also offer a program that completes med school pre-reqs at the same time, if that interests you. If living in another state is fine with you, I would definitely choose Washington.