Pritzker vs. UCSD

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What's the cost difference and what are you looking for in a med school. IS staying close to your fam important? You decide. We can't decide for you.
 
all else being equal, i'd pick UCSD over Pritzker. Right now UCSD is in a growth phase whereas Chicago is going down the toilet in bio pretty much. Their immunology dept has suffered a massive brain drain in the past two years, same for cancer/cell biology.

Plus, San DIego is SOOO much more pleasant than south side of Chicago. AND UCSD is ranked higher in USNews 🙂

On the other hand, if you have relatives in Chicago or something, then maybe that should be taken into account. But all in all, I personally think these days Pritzker is pretty much worse off than UCSD is just about every aspect as far as medical school education. However, the clinical resources at Chicago is probably better.
 
WOw, how did you get into UCSD out of state? that's awesome! 👍
 
Originally posted by Lux Aeterna
WOw, how did you get into UCSD out of state? that's awesome! 👍
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I concur. How much does UCSD cost for out of staters??? Normally I'd vote against UCSD here, but I've heard similar things about both schools so I'll abstain.
 
UCSD will probably still be cheaper than Pritzker in tuition, even with the potential 40% increase.

Anyways, I too, may choose UCSD over Pritzker. The two schools are pretty much on the same level to me in terms of reputation. I'm not a big fan of living in San Diego, but I'm not crazy about Hyde Park either. Tuition is a key thing to me between these two schools.
 
GO TITANS! or was it tritons.. anyways UCSD
 
Originally posted by exmike
GO TITANS! or was it tritons.. anyways UCSD
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sungods, tritans...ucsd and their 500 mascots who knows what they are haha.
 
Although I haven't visited UCSD....I would probably choose Pritzker....it's such a great school, and the admissions staff is so acommodating and friendly...I don't know how you could go wrong! They allow you to take other classes, too....like Spanish for health providers, or lit classes, or music, or whatever you want...which I think is unique...they promote the idea of you KEEPING the well-rounded personality you've created...otherwise, you could drown in medicine without giving your other interests some cultivation. I am sadly waitlisted at UChicago....and would love a chance...even if it meant giving up my state school acceptance...at the University of Washington!
 
I'd choose Pritzker, even though I didn't apply. After interviewing at UCSD, I realized how utterly detestable it is....
 
Originally posted by Jenuine
They allow you to take other classes, too....like Spanish for health providers, or lit classes, or music, or whatever you want...which I think is unique...they promote the idea of you KEEPING the well-rounded personality you've created...otherwise, you could drown in medicine without giving your other interests some cultivation.
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I wouldn't say this is an advantage. They make you take a 3-4 hour a week "elective" along with the 28-32 hours of class you have otherwise. It definately is very unique though and would make you a bit different when applying for residency.
 
Originally posted by Jenuine
Although I haven't visited UCSD....I would probably choose Pritzker....it's such a great school, and the admissions staff is so acommodating and friendly...I don't know how you could go wrong! They allow you to take other classes, too....like Spanish for health providers, or lit classes, or music, or whatever you want...which I think is unique...they promote the idea of you KEEPING the well-rounded personality you've created...otherwise, you could drown in medicine without giving your other interests some cultivation. I am sadly waitlisted at UChicago....and would love a chance...even if it meant giving up my state school acceptance...at the University of Washington!
Click to expand...

ucsd has special electives set aside for tuesdays and thursday for you to take spanish, art, preceptorships, etc.
 
Originally posted by Jenuine
I am sadly waitlisted at UChicago....and would love a chance...even if it meant giving up my state school acceptance...at the University of Washington!
Click to expand...

I was waitlisted at Pritzker too. When I first went there and shortly afterwards, I was still very interested in school, even with the traditional curriculum. But then I realize that I probably prefer some other schools that I'm waiting decisions for instead...Nevertheless, I'm holding onto the waitlist for now.
 
great responses, guys, thanks! i'll try to answer all your questions...

i have no clue how i got into UCSD. i think it was probably the secondary (i put a lot of effort into my essay, they must have seen how interested i was in that school to write such a long one)

no family in either place (SD or Chicago...in fact, i really don't know anyone at either school)...so no emotional factors in my decision

i admit, SD is by far the most beautiful place

my worry is the supposed "competitiveness" of San Diego. klookless, why did you detest it so much?

sluox and jalby - what's so bad about pritzker. i got the impression when visiting that it's a top notch school, great resources, amazing faculty, and a great place for med students to be - low competitiveness, cooperative environment, etc...

any feedback would be awesome! thanks!!!
hoping2004
 
I just want to answer your question about prizker's faculty...i happen to know UChicago's biological science depts very well. The biology portion of University of Chicago has not been traditionally their strong suit, and, recently they had a very big brain drain. Which means, you'll be taught by something less than a world class faculty.

UCSD wins over the quality of research in basic biological sciences hands down. As far as clincial faculties, Pritzker probably has a better hospital, but I honestly don't like the people I've met there--and its ranking has been DROPPING. I don't want to trash Prtizker too much, but unfortunately this is how it is. It is going DOWN HILL rather than up. UCSD is directly opposite.

ANd, think about the CHicago Winter, and the getting robbed on the south side. YES, hyde park is THAT bad...probably worse...(I know quite a few people who got robbed in Hyde Park.) Whereas SD is one of the safest, most pleasant place in US to live.
 
Originally posted by hoping2004

my worry is the supposed "competitiveness" of San Diego. klookless, why did you detest it so much?
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I have heard that both schools are very competative. I know more about UCSD because I have friends there and who have interviewed there and I live near there. I don't know as much about Univ of C, but I have heard many (5ish) times that the students arn't happy there.
 
I've heard all the negative comments about student happiness at UCSD, while Pritzker's atmosphere (according to other sdn users that are current students at Pritzker) is warm and not nearly as cut-throat. Of the UC's, more than half of the student complaints against them are about UCSD and it's competitiveness.

In terms of cities, San Diego probably wins out because it has a decent size and is in the most temperate climate in the US. Don't sleep on Chicago though, as it's one of the largest cities in the country (albeit with cold winters).

Both schools are ranked highly, so look at the intangibles and go with your gut. I think this is a very desirable dilemma to be having! 🙂 Your instinct may be your best guide.

tf
 
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