Please Choose Uc Irvine Vs. Pitt

[CalGirl]

Hi everyone, I was recently accepted to one of my state schools (UC Irvine) and am now choosing between UCI and Pitt. I have sort of already made my decision, but I was wondering what people think. UCI is cheaper, has good local reputation, good weather, get to stay closer to home etc. But Pitt has really great facilities like WISER, a number of great hospitals surrounding it, and a really good reputation. Please choose one and any comments would be appreciated!! Thank you so much! 🙂

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[docinthemaking]

Bump. It looks like I might have to make the same decision soon. I reeeaaallly liked Pitt but I wasn't so sure about the area. I feel like UCI is a good school but I just didn't get the same feeling (not even close) during the interview day. I know I would be lucky to get an acceptance at a CA school, and if I am planning on practicing in CA, it would help to attend a school in CA. However, I don't know if I can give up the opportunity to attend Pitt. Do people think that the extra 15-20K a year would be worth it?

 

[CalGirl]

Hi doc...well I am glad someone else is in this boat with me hehe. As far as I know, going to UCI would be the smarter choice cuz getting residency in Cali will be easier then. Pitt is a great school tho..I don't know if it is worth the extra money however. 😕

 

[Code Brown]

Pitt has a really good reputation so it wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea to go there over UCI (even though it may cost more, although this is debatable as the cost of living is so much lower at Pitt so your final bill may be the same). Have you ever lived anywhere else besides California? If not, it may be a good idea to try living in other parts of the country. I highly doubt you would have problems getting residency in CA if you went to Pitt (what's their match list like, do people end up in CA?).

Sorry to give you more to have to think about 😀

 

[Kazema]

You could pretty much match anywhere if you went to Pitt.

Do you know anyone who lives in or near Pittsburgh? That would help with the adjustment to a totally different environment.

 

[docinthemaking]

Calgirl, I was just comparing the match lists of Pitt and UCI and Pitt's was def more impressive. Many more Pitt graduates got into competitive specialties and even though practically everyone at UCI matched in CA, most people seemed to be going into primary care fields. But it's hard to interpret the data not knowing what each person's top choices actually were. As for Pitt, there were about 10 people matching in CA and most of these people did really well (2 ortho, 1 plastics, peds at UCSF, etc) so Code Brown and Kazema should be right that going back to CA for residency shouldn't be a problem. Code Brown brings up another good point. Have you lived outside of CA? I did my undergrad on the East Coast and have been living here for about another year, so I'm used to the colder weather and being away from home. Why not come out to second look weekend if you're not sure?

 

[LBCCOMPTON]

first off, I got into both of those schools myself too. and I'm heading to Pitt. I've visited that campus twice, talked to students, etc... and the Pitt atmosphere of education, quality of education being the highest priority here, is what I am after. It was a difficult decision, but i believe i made the right one. Come to Pitt and we shall all work together! well, in the end for me and alot of people i know, the ranking is very important. Student atmosphere and closeness is also a big factor, and Pitt has that too!

 

[scootad.]

if your considering a competitive specialty I would lean towards Pitt, if you just want primary care then UCI. But these are just ways I would lean, you can do either types of medicine from either school.

 

[Tra La La]

But isn't Irvine in sunny, warm Caleefornia?

Can't beat UCI weather. Academically, however, I think that Pitt is better in many respects: research, affiliated hospitals, facilities...

 

[scootad.]

although isnt the word on the street that UCI has highest Step 1 scores in all of California? So maybe that would be another help for competitive specialties

 

[Code Brown]

But isn't Irvine in sunny, warm Caleefornia?

Can't beat UCI weather.

Especially on those days where the Air Quality Index hits the crapper right 😱 ? I can handle the congestion, traffic and the high prices, but the smog is starting to bother me.

 

[CalGirl]

Hi all,

Everyone brings up some really good points. To answer someone's question, no I have never lived outside of Cali..raised in the Bay Area and I went to Berkeley. I am a cali girl at heart and I REALLY don't know about living in the cold weather hehe. Unfortunately I can't go to Pitt's second look because of a lack of $$$ after this whole application process. So I'm just making this decision by finding out more about the schools and talking to people...I think it is also really important to talk to residents and doctors, people who are done with the med school part of it, to get their perspective.

Docinthemaking so do u think you're headed to Pitt?? I am most likely going to Irvine but I am not 100% sure.

 

[Tra La La]

Especially on those days where the Air Quality Index hits the crapper right 😱 ? I can handle the congestion, traffic and the high prices, but the smog is starting to bother me.

Isn't Irvine on the coast? Their air quality can't be terribly bad.

Anyhow, I think I'd prefer some smoggy days over nine months of snow.

 

[hapkidochic]

calgirl, i too am Cali born and raised. Grew up in SF and went to berkeley. I was torn between davis and pitt. I haven't regretted my decision to come here, even during these cold winter months. I've actually enjoyed the weather (kind of). Pitt was my first choice but davis was a close second so i was definitely torn. but i think ultimately Pitt will provide you with more opportunities, and will definitely allow you to come back to cali for residency. i'm sure i would've been happy at either school (i really liked uci too) but i think there's definitely a lot of life experience to be gained by leaving cali for a few years.

 

[docinthemaking]

Hi all,

Everyone brings up some really good points. To answer someone's question, no I have never lived outside of Cali..raised in the Bay Area and I went to Berkeley. I am a cali girl at heart and I REALLY don't know about living in the cold weather hehe. Unfortunately I can't go to Pitt's second look because of a lack of $$$ after this whole application process. So I'm just making this decision by finding out more about the schools and talking to people...I think it is also really important to talk to residents and doctors, people who are done with the med school part of it, to get their perspective.

Docinthemaking so do u think you're headed to Pitt?? I am most likely going to Irvine but I am not 100% sure.

At this point, I'm about 90% certain I would go to Pitt over Irvine. For me, the caliber of the program is a much more important factor than location so I would be willing to spend another 4 years away from Cali. On the other hand, if UCLA were to come through ... 😉

 

[CalGirl]

Yep...everyone I ask tells me something different hehe. Pitt is a great program..but UCI is my in-state school, great location, closer to home etc. Plus everyone I know is happy there! Hmm.