UC Davis, Berkeley, LA, or San Diego for pre-med?

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Joemm426

Joemm426

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Hello,

I submitted transfer applications to those four schools. I expect to be accepted to most of them, if not all. Can anybody tell me about their experience as a pre-med at any of these schools?

Thank you,
Joemm0426
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In my honest opinion, your undergraduate program doesn't entirely matter for being pre-med.

If you're looking for prestige, then UCLA or Berkeley, I'd say both are equal.

San Diego is next

Davis is last - I'd pick any of the other 3 over Davis.

What IS important is doing well in your science classes at any program you go to. UCLA and Berkeley are both extremely competitive schools, not to say the others aren't but there's a specific atmosphere in the science classes at these programs that only certain types of people prefer. If you like the competition, then I'd say go to UCLA or Berkeley, if not, maybe San Diego.

Most importantly, you're going to college, pick a school that you will ENJOY. Being in college allows you to grow as an individual, meet people, see what interests you have outside of the world of science, etc.

I get that we're here trying to become Doctors and such but don't forget to enjoy yourself along the way.
 
Of the UC's listed, UCD matriculates more of her own undergrads (22% of the class), Next is UCSD at 20%.
The only UC that matriculates more is UCR (48%).

For total number of premed applicants/undergrad enrollment: UCLA: 1,011/30K, Cal: 819/27.5K, UCSD: 580/28K, UCD: 469/9.5K.
 
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What year are you transferring into? I'm a Berkeley alum, and in my experience the worst part was the weeder intro level classes you take freshman and sophomore years. i.e. GenChem, OChem, Bio. Partly this was because I went to an easy/non competitive high school, and the jump in difficulty took many points off my GPA until I could adjust. The upper level classes in molecular bio were tough too, but by then I was used to it. Also the undergrad/pre-med advising is pretty much non-existent, I'd just use SDN for any advice.

As for competitive atmosphere, I never really felt that anyone was out to get me, or that my peers were trying to throw me under a bus. However, the chemistry and molecular bio departments score on a curve, so the incentive was definitely there. On the other hand, the atmosphere wasn't friendly or accommodating either. It's pretty much, "you're on your own."

Can't speak for experiences at UCD, UCSD, or UCLA. But I feel that UCLA is probably similar to Berkeley.
 
First find out which ones actually accept you so you don't waste time.
Second look at the financial aid packages, especially if you're as competitive as you say you are.
Third, ask yourself if you want to be on the quarter or semester system.

Personally, it would be between Cal and LA for me. I think they are equally terrible/amazing. You can base it on major (they have some different majors. As a transfer UCLA won't let you switch 99% of the time, but Cal will 99% of the time), as well as location, etc.
 
yaka said:
What year are you transferring into? I'm a Berkeley alum, and in my experience the worst part was the weeder intro level classes you take freshman and sophomore years. i.e. GenChem, OChem, Bio. Partly this was because I went to an easy/non competitive high school, and the jump in difficulty took many points off my GPA until I could adjust. The upper level classes in molecular bio were tough too, but by then I was used to it. Also the undergrad/pre-med advising is pretty much non-existent, I'd just use SDN for any advice.

As for competitive atmosphere, I never really felt that anyone was out to get me, or that my peers were trying to throw me under a bus. However, the chemistry and molecular bio departments score on a curve, so the incentive was definitely there. On the other hand, the atmosphere wasn't friendly or accommodating either. It's pretty much, "you're on your own."

Can't speak for experiences at UCD, UCSD, or UCLA. But I feel that UCLA is probably similar to Berkeley.
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I will transfer as a junior. Yes, I have heard that people at Cal are not very friendly.
 
OchemOficionado said:
First find out which ones actually accept you so you don't waste time.
Second look at the financial aid packages, especially if you're as competitive as you say you are.
Third, ask yourself if you want to be on the quarter or semester system.

Personally, it would be between Cal and LA for me. I think they are equally terrible/amazing. You can base it on major (they have some different majors. As a transfer UCLA won't let you switch 99% of the time, but Cal will 99% of the time), as well as location, etc.
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree that financial aid packages will be important. I think those two (LA and CAL) are the most prestigious.
 
gyngyn said:
Of the UC's listed, UCD matriculates more of her own undergrads (22% of the class), Next is UCSD at 20%.
The only UC that matriculates more is UCR (48%).

For total number of premed applicants/undergrad enrollment: UCLA: 1,011/30K, Cal: 819/27.5K, UCSD: 580/28K, UCD: 469/9.5K.
Click to expand...
Yes, there are many applicants from the UC system, especially UCLA.
 
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Joemm426 said:
Hello,

I submitted transfer applications to those four schools. I expect to be accepted to most of them, if not all. Can anybody tell me about their experience as a pre-med at any of these schools?

Thank you,
Joemm0426
Click to expand...

I don't know about the others, but I attended UCSD. It's a great school, with so many opportunities for research (Scripps Institution of Oceanography, The Salk Institute, Sanford-Burnham all with the best researchers).

UCSD is especially strong for life-sciences, always ranked near the top in the nation for public universities.

It is literally right next to the beach, I was in Muir College, and Black's beach was a 5-7 mins walk. If you're into surfing and all that, it's beautiful weather all year round and you'll find plenty like-minded people. Related point, the 6 college system is pretty unique and cool!

I'm repeating myself here, but the weather is actually really amazing all year round, but then so is it at UCLA and stuff....(Alright, I later transferred to McGill University in Montreal, and winters there are like -40C and stuff, so maybe that is why I'm stressing so much on the weather)

It is not a party school, so as a pre-med you'll find many students with same academic goals as you, and equally driven. It is full of smart and talented people. BUT that's not to say that it is "socially dead", there is always something fun going on, people do drink/party over the weekends, you'll find all kinds of people!

La Jolla itself is a beautiful town/city, it's literally gorgeous. You have to go visit and see for yourself to know what I mean! San Diego, too, is one of the finest cities in America.

Geisel!!!!!!!!! the library!

Newer buildings.

FOOD. There's so much ethnic food to try nearby and the mexican food is amazing!!

Another point related to academics, UCSD follows the quarter system. So you have 3 quarters rather than 2 semesters during the school year. You can take a lot more classes in a year (i.e. opportunity to graduate early, or if you're not taking full courseload, can still easily graduate on time, rather than have your graduation delayed). Classes are only 10 weeks long, instead of 15 weeks at universities that follow the semester system. I have done both at undergraduate level (quarter system at UCSD, semester system at McGill) and I definitely prefer the quarter system A LOT MORE. If I hate a class, it doesn't have to suck for too long, because it'll be over before I know it.

But if your only criteria is which one of them is the best as a pre-med (i.e. academics), then classes at UCSD are challenging, but compared to what I had to deal with at McGill, a walk in the park (what I'm trying to say is, it's pretty easy to have a high GPA and still have tons of extra time for recreational activities). It is one of the top 5-10 in the country for life-sciences. Enroll.
 
treefriend said:
It is literally right next to the beach, I was in Muir College, and Black's beach was a 5-7 mins walk. If you're into surfing and all that, it's beautiful weather all year round and you'll find plenty like-minded people. Related point, the 6 college system is pretty unique and cool!
Click to expand...
UCSB would fit the definition of being actually right next to beach. LOL.
 
treefriend said:
I don't know about the others, but I attended UCSD. It's a great school, with so many opportunities for research (Scripps Institution of Oceanography, The Salk Institute, Sanford-Burnham all with the best researchers).

UCSD is especially strong for life-sciences, always ranked near the top in the nation for public universities.

It is literally right next to the beach, I was in Muir College, and Black's beach was a 5-7 mins walk. If you're into surfing and all that, it's beautiful weather all year round and you'll find plenty like-minded people. Related point, the 6 college system is pretty unique and cool!

I'm repeating myself here, but the weather is actually really amazing all year round, but then so is it at UCLA and stuff....(Alright, I later transferred to McGill University in Montreal, and winters there are like -40C and stuff, so maybe that is why I'm stressing so much on the weather)

It is not a party school, so as a pre-med you'll find many students with same academic goals as you, and equally driven. It is full of smart and talented people. BUT that's not to say that it is "socially dead", there is always something fun going on, people do drink/party over the weekends, you'll find all kinds of people!

La Jolla itself is a beautiful town/city, it's literally gorgeous. You have to go visit and see for yourself to know what I mean! San Diego, too, is one of the finest cities in America.

Geisel!!!!!!!!! the library!

Newer buildings.

FOOD. There's so much ethnic food to try nearby and the mexican food is amazing!!

Another point related to academics, UCSD follows the quarter system. So you have 3 quarters rather than 2 semesters during the school year. You can take a lot more classes in a year (i.e. opportunity to graduate early, or if you're not taking full courseload, can still easily graduate on time, rather than have your graduation delayed). Classes are only 10 weeks long, instead of 15 weeks at universities that follow the semester system. I have done both at undergraduate level (quarter system at UCSD, semester system at McGill) and I definitely prefer the quarter system A LOT MORE. If I hate a class, it doesn't have to suck for too long, because it'll be over before I know it.

But if your only criteria is which one of them is the best as a pre-med (i.e. academics), then classes at UCSD are challenging, but compared to what I had to deal with at McGill, a walk in the park (what I'm trying to say is, it's pretty easy to have a high GPA and still have tons of extra time for recreational activities). It is one of the top 5-10 in the country for life-sciences. Enroll.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your thorough input. 🙂
 
Joemm426 said:
Hello,

I submitted transfer applications to those four schools. I expect to be accepted to most of them, if not all. Can anybody tell me about their experience as a pre-med at any of these schools?

Thank you,
Joemm0426
Click to expand...
Joemm426 said:
Hi,

I will interview this week at a few UC Davis labs. A couple of the interviews are for voluntary research positions while one is for a paid position (helping with chores in the lab). I have a stubbly (short facial hairs) beard and I am not sure if I should completely shave it off or just clean it up before my interviews.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
I'm confused - why are you asking which of those 4 schools you should go to and also interviewing at UCD labs? Why did you submit a transfer app to UCD if you're already at UCD?
 
walloobi said:
I'm confused - why are you asking which of those 4 schools you should go to and also interviewing at UCD labs? Why did you submit a transfer app to UCD if you're already at UCD?
Click to expand...
I am not a student there yet. I am likely to be one in the fall though, and am trying to get my foot in the door by conducting research there in the summer and after! 🙂 Still, I am open to the option of going to other schools also. I am trying to keep many doors open.
 
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Just a different perspective...If you are absolutely sure about premed, go UC Davis. The cut throat atmosphere at UCLA and UCSD (I don't know about Berkeley but probably similar) has ruined many would be premeds. With Davis you've got a chance of going to that excellent medical school, with the other three you've got a good chance of doing something other than medicine...

If you aren't set on medicine, go to one of the other schools for the name.

Disclaimer: there are lots of other (likely better) ways of choosing an undergrad than which is better for premed that could easily trump these factors.
 
ScreenName23 said:
Just a different perspective...If you are absolutely sure about premed, go UC Davis. The cut throat atmosphere at UCLA and UCSD (I don't know about Berkeley but probably similar) has ruined many would be premeds. With Davis you've got a chance of going to that excellent medical school, with the other three you've got a good chance of doing something other than medicine...

If you aren't set on medicine, go to one of the other schools for the name.

Disclaimer: there are lots of other (likely better) ways of choosing an undergrad than which is better for premed that could easily trump these factors.
Click to expand...
Thanks Screenname
 
ScreenName23 said:
Just a different perspective...If you are absolutely sure about premed, go UC Davis. The cut throat atmosphere at UCLA and UCSD (I don't know about Berkeley but probably similar) has ruined many would be premeds. With Davis you've got a chance of going to that excellent medical school, with the other three you've got a good chance of doing something other than medicine...

If you aren't set on medicine, go to one of the other schools for the name.

Disclaimer: there are lots of other (likely better) ways of choosing an undergrad than which is better for premed that could easily trump these factors.
Click to expand...
I second this. Pre-med at UCD is very easy. I doubt it's easy at UCB/UCLA/UCSD.
 
walloobi said:
I second this. Pre-med at UCD is very easy. I doubt it's easy at UCB/UCLA/UCSD.
Click to expand...
I have a classmate who transferred to UCD. Although she earned a 3.6 her first quarter (due to taking three stem-classes), she enjoyed UC Davis very much. Another classmate who transferred to UCB, and who was the class valedictorian at our junior college (smartest girl I know, will probably end up at a top 10 medical school), earned a 4.0 her first quarter at UCB. However, she says the environment is miserable at UCB because of competition/ lack of teamwork.
 
walloobi said:
I second this. Pre-med at UCD is very easy. I doubt it's easy at UCB/UCLA/UCSD.
Click to expand...
Yes, I want to earn a great GPA and participate in enjoyable extracurricular activities. UCD is conducive to those goals.
 
from personal experience, Berkeley can be tough as a premed. it's great for teaching you how to fight for your opportunities, but it can also be exhausting with the competition and elitism that many (not all) premedical students exude.

there are plenty of research opportunities, but most of those will either be wet lab or public health based since there is no medical school or hospital affiliated with the university. volunteering and community service opportunities are more than abundant, much in line with the culture and history of the university.

the prestige is nice, but if I'd been more mature and done my research (and knew what I know now about the medical school journey), I would not have gone to Berkeley.

but most importantly, I really urge you to visit these institutions and see where you feel at home. undergrad is a time to figure out who you are and who you'd like to become, and that can be a lot easier when you're somewhere you feel comfortable and connected to. this is more important than the name brand in my opinion; you can get to medical school from any of these schools, but you won't get another undergrad life experience.
 
I was a graduate student and TA in the sciences at Berkeley. Firstly, most of your professors won't care much about you. Secondly, TAs have virtually no teaching experience or training. I attended a LAC and was frankly shocked at the teaching I saw in our department. Will this be different at UCLA and UCSD? Probably not. UCD? Perhaps. I do not know with any certainty.

I did not observe the undergraduate classes at Berkeley to be particularly difficult. The grades are curved, but a lot of students were such unprepared and disorganized messes that it is easy to be towards the top. The top 10-20% of students were quite spectacular. You would be lucky to have them as classmates.
 
Another UCSD grad weighing in here. Personally, I really liked my school. Quiet atmosphere on most weekends (except Sungod), beautiful campus, and students take studying seriously. We also have a growing team of pre-health advisors (no prehealth committee though), who are somewhat helpful imo.

I've never once in my 4 years felt any sort of a "cutthroat" atmosphere at UCSD. The students were all generally friendly, and the atmosphere was pretty cooperative-- especially in lab classes. If you're a hard worker, getting a great gpa at UCSD isn't that difficult either. Ultimately you should choose whatever school you feel is the best fit for you; prestige is virtually meaningless if you aren't able to succeed and do your best at that school.
 
Current UCD student. I would pick Davis again because of the student environment. Not cut throat at all and really nice professors. For my upper division electives I was able to take classes with UCDSOM professors that are writing me great letters. Classes are still difficult but not as competitive as SD, LA, cal. Research is plentiful. We have student run clinics and internship lottery system so everyone gets the opportunity to shadow and volunteer. The only downfall is the city of Davis is boring but if you work on our campus Coffee House it's basically like a frat. I would recommend working there if you want to go to parties and stuff.


Med schools don't really care about prestige (edit: Privates do vv), at UCD you can get involved in a lot of EC's that can make your app stand out. The environment is very friendly and med students do a lot of work with undergrad students. Really easy to network here.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
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wb100 said:
Med schools don't really care about prestige, at UCD you can get involved in a lot of EC's that can make your app stand out. The environment is very friendly and med students do a lot of work with undergrad students. Really easy to network here.
Click to expand...
Private med schools do

upload_2017-3-21_11-21-35.png
 
wb100 said:
I guess it depends what rankings/selectivity stats they use?
For rankings UCD and UCSD are tied at 44 according to US News. LA and Cal are top 20s.
Almost all the UC's including UCD are ranked top 10 public universities.
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Pretty sure LA isn't a top-20, and Cal barely is. Neither of them quite measure up to ivy league schools/Stanford/Chicago/etc

And it doesn't really seem to matter that UCD is a top-10 public school if it's only top-50 overall
 
wb100 said:
I guess it depends what rankings/selectivity stats they use?
For rankings UCD and UCSD are tied at 44 according to US News. LA and Cal are top 20s.
Almost all the UC's including UCD are ranked top 10 public universities.
Click to expand...
Rankings differ depending on which source you're looking at. UCSD is placed higher than Davis on almost every other list aside from US News. Ultimately, prestige isn't gonna be a huge plus factor on your application if you decide to go to a UC, so there really is no point in comparing rankings.
 
gamieg said:
from personal experience, Berkeley can be tough as a premed. it's great for teaching you how to fight for your opportunities, but it can also be exhausting with the competition and elitism that many (not all) premedical students exude.

there are plenty of research opportunities, but most of those will either be wet lab or public health based since there is no medical school or hospital affiliated with the university. volunteering and community service opportunities are more than abundant, much in line with the culture and history of the university.

the prestige is nice, but if I'd been more mature and done my research (and knew what I know now about the medical school journey), I would not have gone to Berkeley.

but most importantly, I really urge you to visit these institutions and see where you feel at home. undergrad is a time to figure out who you are and who you'd like to become, and that can be a lot easier when you're somewhere you feel comfortable and connected to. this is more important than the name brand in my opinion; you can get to medical school from any of these schools, but you won't get another undergrad life experience.
Click to expand...
That is such a wise response. Thank you
 
wb100 said:
Current UCD student. I would pick Davis again because of the student environment. Not cut throat at all and really nice professors. For my upper division electives I was able to take classes with UCDSOM professors that are writing me great letters. Classes are still difficult but not as competitive as SD, LA, cal. Research is plentiful. We have student run clinics and internship lottery system so everyone gets the opportunity to shadow and volunteer. The only downfall is the city of Davis is boring but if you work on our campus Coffee House it's basically like a frat. I would recommend working there if you want to go to parties and stuff.


Med schools don't really care about prestige (edit: Privates do vv), at UCD you can get involved in a lot of EC's that can make your app stand out. The environment is very friendly and med students do a lot of work with undergrad students. Really easy to network here.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Click to expand...
I was networking there today 😉, spoke with URO, HPA, BASC, even received an offer to do research on monkeys!
 
I appreciate everyone's generous feedback. I think each of these schools has much to offer. Nonetheless, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to attend any of these schools!
 
wb100 said:
I guess it depends what rankings/selectivity stats they use?
For rankings UCD and UCSD are tied at 44 according to US News. LA and Cal are top 20s.
Almost all the UC's including UCD are ranked top 10 public universities.
Click to expand...

You mean CAL state ??


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
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