MSTP: UCLA versus UCSD Bioengineering

[kvm90]

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Can't believe I'm actually doing this right now, but here it goes:

I got into UCLA and UCSD's MSTP programs, and I'm excited and humbled by both acceptances. I'm pretty paralyzed by choice, so I'm hoping for some insight from non-biased others. Frankly, I'm surrounded by MDs in my job, and so I'm having difficulty truly accessing the weight of the MD program (which my MD coworkers seem to weigh more heavily) versus the weight of the PhD program (which PIs along my interview path, as well as my intuitions, feel should be weighed more heavily). So, the following is my thought process so far, and commentary is most welcome.

I'm 95% sure I want to do my PhD in Biomedical Engineering (leaving 5% purely because who knows what can happen?). Some facts I'm struggling with are:

Pro UCLA:
1. PIs at both schools said UCLA's medical school is more highly regarded, and that's possibly a plus
2. A very impressive professor in BME took a particular interest in me, and really can take my career towards the path I currently aspire to (which has been the same since I've been 16). He spent the entire day with me, took me out to lunch, and showed me his lab/research environment/current projects etc.
3. The curriculum is really flexible, and the students have a really high QOL - the camaraderie of the class was evident
4. It's strong across the board, so I have insurance in case (for some reason) I switch PhDs or research interests

Con UCLA:
1. Housing is expensive and small relative to SD (but nicely organized and fosters community)
2. IMO I like SD a tad better than sprawling LA... though I do like LA
3. Their bioengineering is not really on the map, especially relative to UCSD

Pro UCSD:
1. UCSD has one of the strongest bioengineering programs (arguably #1, 2, or 3 in the country)
2. I like SD a little better
3. I really connected with the MSTP students as well as the MD students, and felt a similar camaraderie between all classes
4. The UCSD profs I met with were similarly strong; one was the #5 most funded in his field, another #30 in that same field. They all were more than interested in having me in their lab (but didn't take the entire day off for me - like the prof at UCLA - so I got less of a feel for their ability to mentor)
5. Grad housing is cheap - I'd live more comfortably

Con UCSD:
1. I'm sacrificing med school strength (arguably?)
2. I may just be charmed by the city's beauty and in reality could have little idea if I'll like it more than LA

I feel blessed to be in this position, and I want to just finally make my decision so I can rejoice and move forward. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Patros]

I don't get it. You like San Diego better, it's cheaper, their department is better funded, and you like their research/PIs better. Doesn't seem like much of a debate to me. I wouldn't be too worried about the "med school strength," honestly. At least by reputation, UCSD is no slouch.

Also don't get too vested in the celebrity PIs who get boatloads of research funding. You should talk to the current students and ask them for their opinions, because their personalities and mentorship might be different from what you observe on the revisit day.

 

[kvm90]

I don't get it. You like San Diego better, it's cheaper, their department is better funded, and you like their research/PIs better. Doesn't seem like much of a debate to me. I wouldn't be too worried about the "med school strength," honestly. At least by reputation, UCSD is no slouch.

Also don't get too vested in the celebrity PIs who get boatloads of research funding. You should talk to the current students and ask them for their opinions, because their personalities and mentorship might be different from what you observe on the revisit day.

I probably am looking to split my time between research and clinical responsibilities. For this reason, I'm second-guessing myself for considering taking a slight hit in the MD front for a boost in the research rankings. Honestly, this doubt might come from my lack of knowledge around the paths that MD/PhDs can take after their program!

From what I've heard - the academic world is pretty keen on rankings, hierarchy, and prestige. Though I know the research opportunities/reputation in bioengineering at UCSD are top notch, I can't help but feel like the most frequent question I'll face from here on out is "Where did you go to medical school?"

 

[Passsword]

Harvard vs Stanford

Harvard Pros:
Harvard

Harvard Cons:
Harvard

Stanford Pros:
Not Harvard

Stanford Cons:
Not Harvard

 

[kvm90]

Harvard vs Stanford

Harvard Pros:
Harvard

Harvard Cons:
Harvard

Stanford Pros:
Not Harvard

Stanford Cons:
Not Harvard

Responses to the original post are more appreciated. Like I said, I feel blessed. And yes, this is a first-world problem, but it's one that I need to solve.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Maebea]

From what I've heard - the academic world is pretty keen on rankings, hierarchy, and prestige. Though I know the research opportunities/reputation in bioengineering at UCSD are top notch, I can't help but feel like the most frequent question I'll face from here on out is "Where did you go to medical school?"

There is no difference between UCSD and UCLA; both are great schools with strong reputations. Either would be fine, but it seems that UCSD is a better fit for , as it has a larger number of excellent researchers in your field.

btw, the only people who care about which medical school you attended are those outside of academia and medicine. The residency thread that Fencer started shows great matches from schools at all tiers.

 

[samsunimomo]

If you are interested in bioengineering, you may also be interested in the preponderance of biotech companies in San Diego, as many of the PIs are involved in the current biotech boom. It may be an interesting a opportunity that you may not have in UCLA.

 

[radiology2014]

I did bioengineering undergrad at UCSD, chose UCLA MSTP over UCSD, did BME for grad school, and am now finishing. Both are awesome choices and you will do well with either. A couple points:

1) The strength of Bioengineering as a department at UCSD was very nice as an undergrad (more primary faculty appointments for teaching core curriculum, etc.), but this is almost meaningless as a grad student. It all depends on the individual PI you end up with (which at either place possibly won't be in the Dept. of Bioengineering even though your academic appointment may be). Just make sure you pick an MSTP that has a critical mass (enough PIs, journal clubs, T32s, other training programs/courses, core facilities, in-house conferences, attracts top speakers, etc.) in whatever field interests you. Both UCSD and UCLA have this in probably all fields you are considering.

2) Department research rankings mean little. Again, it all comes down to your particular interests and your PI. UCSD grew as a traditional biomechanics program, which may or may not be your interest. Also realize what goes into the rankings. For example, one thing worth caring about is the total $$ going into your research area, but what the rankings give you instead is the total $$ going into each department. University to university you will see that the total funding for a given research area is variably split between several departments (e.g. neuroimaging between neuro, psych, college psychology, radiology, bioengineering, neurosurgery, biomedical physics...), which makes it hard to judge strength in a particular area by looking at the gross department numbers across schools.

3) Med school wise they are both far above the threshold where you should care about the individual differences/details.

4) Regarding hospital system/training: UCSD is regional, UCLA is world-class. Both great, but UCLA is clearly stronger.

Good luck!

 

[Juggs Gotcha]

If you're by any chance interested in the molecular/synthetic biology side of Bioengineering, then keep in mind that at UCLA you can work at Caltech, which has some of the top faculty in this area.

 

[kvm90]

I did bioengineering undergrad at UCSD, chose UCLA MSTP over UCSD, did BME for grad school, and am now finishing. Both are awesome choices and you will do well with either. A couple points:

1) The strength of Bioengineering as a department at UCSD was very nice as an undergrad (more primary faculty appointments for teaching core curriculum, etc.), but this is almost meaningless as a grad student. It all depends on the individual PI you end up with (which at either place possibly won't be in the Dept. of Bioengineering even though your academic appointment may be). Just make sure you pick an MSTP that has a critical mass (enough PIs, journal clubs, T32s, other training programs/courses, core facilities, in-house conferences, attracts top speakers, etc.) in whatever field interests you. Both UCSD and UCLA have this in probably all fields you are considering.

2) Department research rankings mean little. Again, it all comes down to your particular interests and your PI. UCSD grew as a traditional biomechanics program, which may or may not be your interest. Also realize what goes into the rankings. For example, one thing worth caring about is the total $$ going into your research area, but what the rankings give you instead is the total $$ going into each department. University to university you will see that the total funding for a given research area is variably split between several departments (e.g. neuroimaging between neuro, psych, college psychology, radiology, bioengineering, neurosurgery, biomedical physics...), which makes it hard to judge strength in a particular area by looking at the gross department numbers across schools.

3) Med school wise they are both far above the threshold where you should care about the individual differences/details.

4) Regarding hospital system/training: UCSD is regional, UCLA is world-class. Both great, but UCLA is clearly stronger.

Good luck!

Hey radiology2014 - do you mind if I P.M. you? Your comment was very helpful, and I'd love to know more about your experience at UCLA now that you're nearing the end of your MSTP.

CONGRATS!

 

[radiology2014]

Hey radiology2014 - do you mind if I P.M. you? Your comment was very helpful, and I'd love to know more about your experience at UCLA now that you're nearing the end of your MSTP.

CONGRATS!

Yes of course. Happy to help.