<p>I can't decide which school to go to: UCSD or UCLA. I'm planning on majoring in life sciences: zoology/animal behavior. I plan on going to veterinary school after I graduate. I know UCSD has one of the top biology programs in the nation, but UCLA is a top rated university. Which school will give me a better education in terms of instruction? Which school will give me a better chance of getting into veterinary school?</p>
<p>Go to Davis</p>
<p>What happened to Davis in this decision?</p>
<p>yea… davis has the best veterinary programs…</p>
<p>Both UCLA and UCSD are great schools. The difference between them is relatively marginal in terms of getting into Vet school. Go where you think you would have the greater personal happiness and better quality of life for the next four years. You are more likely to do better where you are happy. Then apply to Vet school, very possibly at Davis. You wouldn’t want to do your undergrad at Davis if you consider going there for Vet school because in the first place, you should have more life experience than a sleepy college town (Davis) for a full 8 years. And in the second place, graduate programs like to take people from other programs, not their own undergrads. When choosing between two great schools, go to the one that feels right in terms of happiness when you are on the campus. It’s dumb to choose a school because you speculate that some hypothetical admissions person or job interviewer might be more impressed with the name of your college. They might just as likely be a happy alumni from the other school or have a cousin who hated the one you went to because of the big name.</p>
<p>I didn’t imply he should apply to Davis; however if the OP wants pre-VM coursework that is more pertinent to grad programs, UCD would have the largest breadth of work.</p>
<p>If you know what path you’re going to take, you should choose the UG program that will prepare you the best. Animal models in medicine is very different than human medicine, which is why MD/DO’s can’t gain automatic licensure to practice as a DVM.</p>
<p>I considered going to UC Davis, but I decided that I ultimately didn’t really like the campus. Although, Davis probably does have the best pre-vet program. But, since I didn’t really like it there, I’m stuck deciding between UCLA and UCSD.</p>
<p>Then you can’t go wrong with either one because neither has the pre-vet specialty. Both are strong science programs and both will prepare you well enough (assuming you do your part) for vet school.</p>
<p>Like how you made your UCD decision, your LA/SD will be subjective, too.</p>
<p>
So is UCSD.</p>
<p>From an academic perspective it won’t matter that much one way or the other. Remember that many people switch majors and grad school plans as they go through college so although you’re thinking of vet school now, who knows what you’ll really want to do after 4 years? </p>
<p>Visit both campuses and the area around them and decide where you’d rather live for the next 4 years or so. Everyone’s different and people like different things and their personal situations are different. Some people want to head someplace new and some want to head someplace familiar. Some want to save every dollar they can and will choose based on cost. So again, visit both, make a decision, and know that in the end it doesn’t matter that much since both are excellent choices.</p>