<p>So my friend is a pre-med student, incoming freshman, and is down to USC and UCSD! He wants honest answers and would like to get perspectives from every angle. Lifestyle, pre-med, connections, etc.</p>
<p>how serious is your friend about academics? I think at UCSD he’ll gain a better science education, although he’ll have to work really hard. USC seems better overall in academics, but if he’s going pre-med and wants a good science major, UCSD could be the place.</p>
<p>Both are good schools, but I’m not familiar with which school is better for pre-med students.
USC has a great alumni network, better than UCSD in my opinion. However I do agree that UCSD seems to have a better biology/science department. I have a friend that chose to stay at SD rather than transfer to USC with a similar major.</p>
<p>I think the overall feel and character of the universities is very very different. That should be an important factor; where you think you will fit in. Academically, either should be good preparation for med school.</p>