UCSD vs UCI

<p>i am still deciding between these two schools. I want to major in the biological sciences, and supposedly UCSD is better in that area. However, the problem is that i got into ERC ( a college at UCSD that pretty much focuses on political science/international affairs). In order to fulfill the GEs at ERc, i will be required to take a lot of classes that are unrelated to my major (biology), and therefore i may not graduate within the scope of 4 yrs. That is why i have been considering going to UCI, and just take the classes i want. I know you have to finish the Breadth requirement at UCI, but seriously it is alright compared to ERC's. So my question is: what would you guys recommend me to do?</p>

<p>Either go to UCI or take some cc courses to avoid the truly dreaded ERC courses. Good luck to you. :)</p>

<p>"truly dreaded ERC courses"</p>

<p>are you saying this out of personal experience, collegemom? If so, elaborate please</p>

<p>No not at all. My d was admitted to UCSD and chose UCD over it due to her admission into the 6th college. She took a look at the dorms and then at the required course list for 6th and said NO WAY, lol. :)</p>

<p>yeah, i chose roosevelt at random. When i became acquainted with their GEs, and wanted to kill myself for not choosing other college. By the way, what's your d's major? and how is she doing now? has she not regretted not going to UCSD? thanks</p>

<p>She has never regretted not going to UCSD even for a moment (or SB). She is a Managerial Economics major. She has an amazing internship, an excellent GPA, and a wonderful social life. She couldn't be happier or better situated for her future. Go where you will be happiest. :)</p>

<p>i'd like to bump this since im also debating between uci and ucsd.
=/ any thoughts?</p>

<p>peanut butter:
have you sent your SIR? What's your major and the college you got into in UCSD?</p>

<p>other than collegemom, does anybody know of somebody who turn down ucsd and went to uci instead? If you do, give the reasons for such decision...</p>

<p>I have a friend wo turned down UCSD for UCI's honors program.</p>

<p>taniuxka20:
I know several people who've turned down UCSD for UCI.. But that was only because SD was too far. </p>

<p>Chexican:
I'm sure there are many bio majors at ERC who will be graduating in 4 years. I know it's a lot of useless GE's for your major but what college dosen't have useless GE's? I'm sure it's very possible for you to graduate in 4 years at ERC.
Who knows.. Maybe you'll end up loving those "useless" classes. But yeah, if I was a bio major, I would choose UCSD over UCI any day.. Especially because UCSD is known for the sciences.</p>

<p>If you still feel uneasy about it then go to UCI. UCI's a good school and if you REALLY feel you can graduate in 4 years at UCI but not at UCSD, then go with UCI. But honestly, I think it's VERY possible for you to graduate from UCSD as a bio major in 4 years... I'm sure plenty of people have done it.</p>

<p>I turned down berkeley, la, and sd for uci.</p>

<p>Well I am still collegemom but my d's two best friends turned down UCSD for Cal Poly and UCSB. Both did so because of the lack of a social climate at UCSD.</p>

<p>shoe factory:
why did you do that? explain in detail</p>

<p>uci gave me a scholarship.</p>

<p>also, im planning on goin to med school so gpa is really important. I think i do well at berkeley and LA but i think uci is a guarantee that i get into a med school. Especially because uci med school fills a quota with their own students.</p>

<p>no i havent turned in my SIR because i havent decided where to go. i got into muir at ucsd. and like shoefactory, i also wasnt to maintain a good gpa for dental school that is why i am considering uci over ucsd and also uci is closer to home. </p>

<p>shoefactory do you have any regrets about not attending la or sd? what do you mean by "fills a quota" does uci have to send a certain amount of students to med school? is that something they are known for? what about dental school? sorry for rambling... =)</p>

<p>i dont think uci has a dental school. I dont have any regrets...YET. I didnt submit my SIR yet though. You or someone can try to convince me that LA is the better choice. </p>

<p>Yeah, UCI basically gives priority to their own kids. Still going to be hard though.</p>

<p>Hey ShoeFactory, I just wanted to give you a heads up. You may get a higher GPA at UCI but that is usually compensated by the extra points UCLA and UCB applicants receive when being considered for med school admissions. However, being a scholarship student, you must be a part of CHP. CHP is going to really tip the scale towards UCI again since it's a great program, and you are treated well.</p>

<p>I'm kind of in the same situation as Shoefactory..i might be turning down USC and UCSD for UCI because i got so much money =D but also cause they have amazing study/work/intern abroad programs!!</p>

<p>UCI was never even a possible choice for me until tonight when i got my financial award and actually researched the school haha..turns out it's not too shabby =P. the pre-med program looks pretty good, plus higher gpa for med school!</p>

<p>lol. uci was my safety; even though i got into other schools, i'll be going there. Dont go to usc, its just a TON OF MONEY.</p>