Which college do you think I should consider attending?

State Forums
1

Most of my college decisions have come in and these are the schools that I have received an acceptance from in California (my home state); UCR, SDSU, Univ. San Francisco, CSUSM.

I have received plenty more acceptances out of state but I can’t afford the high out-of-state tuition.

I will be a pre-med student, majoring in psychology and neuroscience. I want to go to medical school. I am having a hard time choosing my college and I know that I will need some more time to fully make my decision.

Here is what I am looking for in a college:
-Safe, busy environment, great education with helpful profs, active student life, clubs, etc…

I know that getting into medical school is entirely up to the applicants’ ability to preform exceptionally academically. I am leaning toward UCR but am hesitant because I know this school has a lot of cons—as do many other universities.

Let me know your thoughts on my colleges that I listed:
UCR, SDSU, Univ. San Francisco, CSUSM.

Which college do you think I should consider attending?

2

Have you look into the Thomas Haider program at UCR? Spots reserved specifically for UCR students.

https://somsa.ucr.edu/haider-program

What about affordability since Medical school is expensive?

You want to pick a school that is affordable, where you have the best chance of getting a High GPA, has good Pre-Med advising and access to Medically related EC’s.

3

UCR, SDSU, Univ. San Francisco, CSUSM

As a private- USF can be really expensive. It is also a really expensive place to live.

Unless they have given you a huge scholarship, I’d probably choose one of the publics. All three are good academically. As far as student experience, SDSU is probably the winner but, since you want med school - you need to go where YOU will get a high GPA. San Marcos might be slightly less competitive. Spend some time on each campus and try to visualize yourself a a student - if you can find any, talk to some students.

Good luck.

4

UCR has a medical school which would be advantageous in getting on-site exposure. It has a good reputation. I haven’t had a chance to visit yet, but I hear good things from colleagues.

Many moons ago, when I attended SDSU, a student, in our major, decided to become a physician. She frequented the pre-med advising office. We had no idea it existed!!
She spoke of how they helped her with everything, MCAT, grades, her housing at interviews, and even what to wear for the interviews. She finished her undergrad degree in our major, and eventually became a physician. She’s a local internist.

SDSU still has a “pre-med advising office” but it is now called, the “health professions advising office”
https://hpao.sdsu.edu/
SDSU is a strong, large, vibrant campus. Students love the options it provides.

San Marcos is a commuter campus and is limited in some courses since it’s population is not like SDSU’s. It doesn’t have an active social environment, especially on the weekends. I have colleagues, who take courses there to complete their degrees, so there is a large number of older adults taking courses there. If you plan to go there, this is a school that you MUST visit.

USF is very expensive. Does USF guarantee housing for all 4 years??? I think they only guarantee freshman housing. https://www.usfca.edu/housing/apply-housing
Did you earn a scholarship to pay your living expenses??

Our daughter is a student in San Francisco at UCSF-(Parnassus Campus), which is a medical and professional school and set of Hospitals. It does not have undergrads.

Her expenses, just living in SF, are through the roof!! She shares a 1-bedroom apartment where she pays $2500 per month and her roommate pays the other $2500. The bedroom does not fit 2 twin beds, so they had to buy a bunk bed. Everything is expensive there. Transportation is great. She’s in a safe “coded” security building with security guard patrols and limited parking (more $$$) and everything is going to cost you.
You will want to save your money for med school.

Visit the web sites and if you can, visit the schools. You will notice the differences.

5

That is very good to know about USF—I will most likely not go there because of the high tuition and living expenses. Thank you for your reply :slight_smile: