UCSD vs. UCLA vs. UC Berkeley - Pre Med Track

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>So I've been accepted to all three schools listed above, and I was wondering if anyone could provide some insight as to which one would be the best to pursue a pre med track in/study biology. I understand that they are all very good schools, but I was hoping to find something to differentiate them. I would rank the campuses on atmosphere alone as UCSD, UCLA, UCB, but all of them were pretty enjoyable. I also like how both Cal and UCSD provide undergrad research opportunities, but I am not sure if UCLA does the same. If anyone here could help me out that would be awesome, as I have about two more weeks to finalize my decision. Thanks!</p>

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<p>Any price difference (due to scholarships)?</p>

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<p>all have top bio programs. all provide undergraduate research opportunities, but you will have to seek them out.</p>

<p>Personally, as a big fan of college sports, I’d put SD on the bottom of the three. Also, not a fan of the ‘college’ /housing system at SD. But those might not be relevant to you.</p>

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<p>UCLA has a hospital and research labs right on campus-that has to be a plus over Cal.</p>

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<p><<<<
I figured this would be a decent way for prospective students to index their chances. By the way, I am from Pittsburgh, PA.</p>

<p>Applied to: Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Fordham University, Duke University, University of Virginia, UCLA, UCSD, UC Berkeley, Tulane University, Stanford University, USC, Brown University.</p>

<p>Accepted to: Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Fordham University, University of Virginia, UCLA, UCSD, UC Berkeley, Tulane University.</p>

<p>Rejected from: Duke, Stanford, USC, Brown.</p>

<p>GPA Weighted: 4.5
GPA Unweighted: 3.9</p>

<p>SAT: 2210
Reading: 750
Math: 760
Writing: 700</p>

<p>ACT: 34
English: 34
Math: 33
Reading: 35
Science: 34
Writing: 33</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: Athletics all year round throughout entire high school career, and some volunteer work/clubs/other organizations. Definitely could have been stronger.</p>

<p><<<<<</p>

<p>???</p>

<p>WHY would any OOS premed student want to go to a UC, particularly one of those three??? What advantage could it possibly provide? If your aim is a UC SOM, then change your aim. </p>

<p>go to Pitt or PSU</p>

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<p>I hope you’re kidding with this notion. Here’s a link to the UCLA commencement 2013, with Dean Rudnick of Physcial Sciences introducing the crowd to those who’ve done undergrad [research]( <a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBNhsj-S9BY&t=50m26s”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBNhsj-S9BY&t=50m26s&lt;/a&gt;) at the U, about 1/2 of the students. Here’s the same youtube video showing Dean Sork of Life Sciences announcing [life-sciences majors](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBNhsj-S9BY&t=1h37m”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBNhsj-S9BY&t=1h37m&lt;/a&gt;) to the crowd. It appears that life sciences is making inroads in numbers compared to social sciences at the U. Biochemistry and Biophysics are housed in physical sciences. Check out the MIMG and MCDB majors. You can attach a biomedical research minor to any of the majors. As is the theme of this board, be sure to hedge your premed (presumption on my part) ambitions by doing, say, a bus-related minor. </p>

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<p>Certainly both Cal and UCLA would be easier to gain entry for oos, than for instate, generally, but just a tad or even the same for the sciences. For instate CA students, it’s unusual to see USC reject students that both Cal and UCLA have accepted; perhaps you applied to some specialty major there, though apparently USC doesn’t offer the 7-year, Bac/MD program anymore, or do they?</p>

<p>I imagine that UVa is very good in the life-sciences, as would be Pitt, Tulane, too, for that matter. Again, though, I wouldn’t consider any of the UC’s if cost is a factor. By your not mentioning this, I would assume that it isn’t. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Pitt with the merit money and top 15 med school next door is a no-brainer. OOS fees for a UC and then med school is beyond foolish. Don’t prove that PT Barnum was right.</p>

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<p>If I may play the guessing game, I would guess he feels that Pitt is probably too close for him, and perhaps he believes that Penn State is maybe too secluded, and he has a desire to get away; maybe he does want to practice in CA. I’m also curious as to why he didn’t apply to CMU. The only way he should go to one of the UCs is if his parents literally have money to burn. Otherwise it’d be better for him to think long-term by saving the $$$ and go to Pitt. </p>

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<p>Even if his parents have money to burn, OOS at a UC as a premed isnt a good choice. If going to PSU or UPitt wont be considered, then he’d be better off at Tulane, UVA, Fordham</p>

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<p>yeah I get all that drax, but if one ‘wants to get away’, get away to a private college (since the UCs will charge you private rates for public services).</p>

<p>The OP would be a star at Pitt. The researchers in the med center would be lining up for him to work in their labs. At UC, he’d be just another number in a hyper-competive, gunnerish premed culture. Not worth $50k, IMO, particularly when Pitt is instate (well kinda, since PA publics have a different arrangement) AND the OP qualifies for an automatic merit scholarship/honors. Buy a porcshe with the savings!</p>

<p>btw: very surprised at the rejection from 'SC.</p>

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<p>^ That’s why i say that he must have applied to one of USC’s specialty majors. Oops, I guess the description of ‘premed track’ was in the subject heading. I agree, I like the idea of Pitt for premed and saving $$$ for med school, or he could also save all the money for all four years and make a downpayment on a house. But the allure, I’m sure, of UC is to attend school in CA and wear flip-flops, shorts and tee during December, the ancillary things all three have to offer. However, I hope OP chooses Pitt, which would be a wise long-term choice. </p>

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<p>That’s what the Claremonts are for – much farther inland, so little chance of the pesky morning fog; flip flops in January. :)</p>

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<p>Nah, if you’re going that far inland, that’s what ASU is there for. More eye candy, for the guys. ;)</p>