I’m interested in the following schools. I am visiting CA next week and visiting all 3 schools. I’m from NY and really am not familiar with the school/area. Can someone help me out on which would be the best for someone interested in pre med? I would also like to be in a safe, fun area. I heard there is not much of a social life at UCSD
Coming to California as Pre-Med actually is a bad choice due to the competition for the precious few Medical school slots available and the heavy weed out classes at the UC’s and USC.
Are you and your family able to afford $65K/year to attend UCSD or UCLA? There is no financial aid for OOS students at the UC’s and with the cost of Medical school on top of Undergrad, financially it does not make sense.
USC might be a better deal $$ if you are able to get some good FA.
I would run the Net Price Calculators on all schools.
Since you are visiting, only you can decide what you would consider a “fun” campus/area. UCSD may have a reputation as being “socially dead” but your social life is up to you and you can have a vibrant social life anywhere if you make an effort.
As a parent, I would say UCSD would be safest campus of the 3. UCLA would be next followed by USC. Only you determine which school would be the best fit for you in terms of all your criteria.
Indeed, privates should end up cheaper than UCs. Perhaps look at USD, Chapman, LMU, Oxy, Claremont.
As a pre-med, you probably want to go to a SUNY (or other low cost school in or near NY) to save money and be relatively near NY public medical schools for interview purposes.
UCSD and UCLA are in pretty safe areas. La Jolla and Westwood have a lot going on. USC is not so safe, but campus security does a great job. Just don’t walk alone at night outside of the campus. Also, all three schools are highly competitive. Hope your stats are in line, as competition is fierce for OOS, especially at the UCs.
The UCs won’t give much, if any, aid.
Check NPC for cost to attend USC and compare that to the schools @ucbalumnus suggested to ascertain whether it should remain an option.
Unless money isn’t a consideration at all (factoring in the high cost of med school), the smart move is to save money on your BA/BS.
If you are in a financial situation that would lead to a good deal of aid from generous private schools, by all means, consider them. And if your stats make you eligible for auto merit awards, you might consider schools that offer them too.
Again, no financial aid at the UC’s for out of state applicants and virtually no merit aid.
what are your stats?