l2en said:
Hey, I know this question has probably been asked before but how do these schools compare with respect to:
1) Location (How safe is the area? what is there to do around there? etc)
2) Quality of Education (How Clinically based, etc)
3) Cost of Tuition (For foreign students; I'm from Canada)
4) Cost of Living
5) Do they go by Semesters or Quarters?
and
6) What was your overall experience or impression of each of these schools?
If you are a student at any of these three schools, please shed some light on the pros/cons of your school and what it is like attending/living there. Thanks in advance!
I can tell you about SCCO:
1) Location (How safe is the area? what is there to do around there? etc)
SCCO's location is awesome. Absolutely beautiful weather all year round. The area is very suburban and also seems pretty safe. Lots to do around here...Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm is super close. After all, it is in the Los Angeles/Orange County area and there are a million things to do here.
2) Quality of Education (How Clinically based, etc)
I hear a lot of people say that SCCO is highly clinical (well, vs. Berkeley at least). But of course, that's just an opinion.
3) Cost of Tuition (For foreign students; I'm from Canada)
Not too familiar with cost of tuition, but just go to
http://www.scco.edu
4) Cost of Living
The 1 BR apartments here cost roughtly around $850-$1200. Gas prices aren't so bad here either (as of today now at about $3.10-$3.20). Apartments around here aren't that new, but they aren't super old either and seem to be very well kept.
5) Do they go by Semesters or Quarters?
Quarters.
6) What was your overall experience or impression of each of these schools?
Absolutely beautiful. The clinic is brand spankin new and the equipment is very state-of-the-art. And again, you can't beat the location. This is why I chose SCCO over Berkeley.
And Berkeley:
1) Location (How safe is the area? what is there to do around there? etc)
Very urban and crowded. IMHO, I don't really like the city of Berkeley (this is why I declined my acceptance there!). And a lot of bums. BUT, on the flipside, there is TONS of food to eat there. Very diversified city, and a very liberal atmosphere.
2) Quality of Education (How Clinically based, etc)
I hear that the education at Berkeley is superior, but then I also hear that the focus is more drawn to research than clinical. Again, that's very debatable.
3) Cost of Tuition (For foreign students; I'm from Canada)
Just go to
http://spectacle.berkeley.edu
4) Cost of Living
Overall, the Bay Area is very expensive. I don't know of the price range too well, but expect above-average prices for below-average conditions...Berkeley has a lot of older, run down apartments. And if you live in a newer place, expect to pay a premium! Gas prices around there, when I last visited a few months ago, was typically above average. But you really shouldn't drive there anyway because I hear that public transportation is very efficient there.
5) Do they go by Semesters or Quarters?
Semesters.
6) What was your overall experience or impression of each of these schools?
The students and faculty were very warm and friendly, but the school facilities seemed a little dated. I remember seeing one of the labs and the exam rooms looked pretty old looking. But then again, it's a public school so funding may be the issue. I know that the quality of education is great there, but I didn't want to live in Berkeley.
