Ucla vs Ucsd
Hi all! Let me just start and say I know that this probably isn't the best place for advice, but I'll take it where I can get it.
I recently got into both schools as a transfer from SDSU and I'm really unsure of which school to choose. Some background info: I'm a Biology major and I've lived in SD all my life. I'm not even sure if I want to continue on to medical school or just find a job in research or something after obtaining a Bachelor's degree.
Now, I know that UCSD's Biology department is well-respected (moreso than that of UCLA's) but I really am considering UCLA for obvious reasons. Who wouldn't? But at the same time, I feel like my GPA would take a hit at either UC whereas I'd be able to maintain a good GPA at SDSU. Clearly if I want to go to medical school, staying at SDSU where I can (relatively) easily outperform others to maintain a GPA would be my best bet. On the other hand, should I realize that medical school isn't for me, a 4-year degree from UCLA would open many more doors than a 4-year degree from SDSU would.
I'm not expecting amazing advice or anything, but I'll seriously consider any legitimate opinion offered here. Thanks!
4 Comments • Newest first
@NonSonoFronz Yeah, it stands for San Diego State University I thought about transferring because SDSU wasn't my first choice school. I've aspired to be at a UC since high school so it's pretty humbling to have gotten in two years later. For the past two years here, I've been exposed to all kinds of people - both academically good and bad - but a majority seem to not really care. Some common phrases: "so long as I score higher than the curve (which is like 50% in some cases) I'm happy" or "C's get degrees." Here I am on the other hand, not really in that same mindset. I continue to strive for good grades. Like I'm trying to remain humble through the whole process but I can't help but think that oh, I'm better than these kids - med school should be cake! I know for a fact that this is a misrepresentation of how tough it is beyond the scope of undergraduate school. And like you said, at a UC, the possibility for self-growth is priceless. Thank you for the opinion, it means a lot coming from a current student in a similar situation!
@BabysAreFood Ah, you better bet that I'ma be referring to your post through to June 1st which is the deadline to SIR.. Lots of valuable information here that is definitely going to aid me in my decision. Ty! & Yeah, I for one really was confused about which Biology constituted what kind of emphasis. I applied and got accepted into the MIMG major because the latter part of the title included "Molecular Genetics." My personal statement was based on genetics and this choice seemed to resonate most with what I wrote. Then upon acceptance, I do the slightest of research to find out that it focuses on bacteria and fungi. That's cool and all but it's not exactly what I was looking for. I'm trying and hoping to change majors to MCDB if it's possible. If not, maybe I'll come to like bacteria and fungi... Who knows? It seemed to intrigue me in labs I've taken at SDSU so I really won't know until I get there. I'm a mess... I'm honestly still figuring out what I want to do with life.
i had to make this decision two years ago though i'm not a transfer. as a current second year pre-med student, i'm happy to have chosen ucla for a few reasons
1. ronald reagan hospital is located on campus and is a great resource for clinical experience. many people can get the opportunity to work in the hospital with a select few applicants being able to work in the emergency department.
2. i think ucla is more similar to the traditional college experience. ucsd is very much like a "concrete jungle" when i visited and the students don't get to enjoy having a large sports program. the architecture on ucla's campus is beautiful by comparison.
3. ucsd dining sucks according to many of my friends who go there. ucla's dining is much better.
4. i don't think there is a significant difference in competition between ucsd and ucla
5. i think there are a lot of resources and opportunities located outside of the campus and in the city. people from ucsd tell me how it's "uc socially dead" and how they feel trapped. la is a great place to explore if you're new to the area.
just a warning if you applied as a "biology" major to ucla then it probably means that you are studying "evolutionary biology and ecology". there are many different bio majors at ucla such as molecular, cell, and developmental biology; microbiology, immunology, and genetics; human biology and society. if you're looking for anatomy based coursework, physiological science is the major you should be looking for. the "biology" major at ucla confuses many people because a lot of people don't understand that it talks about evolution and ecology.
Even if your GPA takes a hit, med schools [i]should[/i] understand that it's purely because of the school you're going to. Not because you're dumb or not a hard worker.
I'm kind of in the same situation with my university. Except I'm already a freshman at the school that's going to cause a hit in GPA.
From my experience, working harder for worse grades and being around so many intelligent people is better for your actual growth as a person and a student than being at a worse state school. Because you're going to need to BUST YOUR ASS IN MED SCHOOL. You will be better prepared than the kids who got a good GPA at worse schools since you had to work a lot harder than they did. Also, UCLA has soooooooo many opportunities there. More so than SDSU. And I literally know nothing about either school since I live on the east coast. But I know for fact UCLA would look better on paper than SDSU. (I don't even know what SDSU stands for. San Diego State U.?)
The why I've been seeing it in my case, a GPA doesn't define whether or not you're going to be a good doctor. That's why med schools conduct interviews. What exactly made you think about transferring anyways?
It all comes down if you're truly thinking about going to a medical school or not. The safest option (in my opinion) is UCLA but if you're willing to endure many more years of studying and be rewarded in the end, go for a medical school and stay at SDSU.