UC or CSU for Biology?????Curve???????

[premedstudent1]

Hello all,
I am a premed student currently attending a community college and planning to transfer to a 4-year institution to get my BS is Biology.
Three question:
1- Does it matter if I transfer to a UC or a CSU?
2- Do all universities operate on a curve grading system?
3- Do all universities operate on quarter system? If not, which ones don't?

***If you guys can tell me about any web sites that demonstrate the differences, that would be very helpful.....
p.s. I live in Los Angeles, California.

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[jlq3d3]

UC is much better respected than a CSU. You will want to show you can get grades at a UC so that they don't look down on you for being a cc transfer.

Most science classes are probably curved, but not necessarily all.

All UCs are quarter except for Berkeley.

 

[RySerr21]

Hello all,
I am a premed student currently attending a community college and planning to transfer to a 4-year institution to get my BS is Biology.
Three question:
1- Does it matter if I transfer to a UC or a CSU?
2- Do all universities operate on a curve grading system?
3- Do all universities operate on quarter system? If not, which ones don't?

***If you guys can tell me about any web sites that demonstrate the differences, that would be very helpful.....
p.s. I live in Los Angeles, California.

if everything is equal, and you have the opportunity to go to a school like UCLA or UCSD....i wouldn't pass it up for any CSU school.

no not all universities operate on a curve grading system....that will differ from class to class. ive never heard of a school that designates every class to be on a bell curve.

no not all univerisites operate on a quarter system. there are semesters and trimesters as well. you can just go to each schools website and find out that info pretty easily.

 

[suwaifo]

UC is much better respected than a CSU. You will want to show you can get grades at a UC so that they don't look down on you for being a cc transfer.

Most science classes are probably curved, but not necessarily all.

All UCs are quarter except for Berkeley.

That is not necessarily true. UC and CSU have different education types. CSU prepares people to enter the work force. CSU gives a more hands on type of education while UC is more research and theory based. Medical schools probably prefer UC, but that doesn't make UC any more respected for CSU. Tons of people go to CSU for business or teaching.

Merced is on semester as well.

 

[SketchLazy]

Hello all,
I am a premed student currently attending a community college and planning to transfer to a 4-year institution to get my BS is Biology.
Three question:
1- Does it matter if I transfer to a UC or a CSU?
2- Do all universities operate on a curve grading system?
3- Do all universities operate on quarter system? If not, which ones don't?

***If you guys can tell me about any web sites that demonstrate the differences, that would be very helpful.....
p.s. I live in Los Angeles, California.

1. The school's reputation will matter when considering GPA but not so much that it should be the deciding factor. MCAT and ECs are very important also. Here you can argue that you could get more meaningful ECs at the UC but that's just what I think.

2. Whether a class is curved depends on class, instructor, and department.

3. Most of the UCs are on the quarter system with the exception of Berkeley and Merced. The calstates are far more varied in the system they use. Use this:

View attachment CSU.pdf

The schools with an S next to them are on the semester while the schools with a Q are quarter.

People tend to think of CSU as trade schools turned universities, so they have less respect in those terms. But I think that they are just as good as teaching the basic sciences as any other school because hell, it's the basic sciences. Any school can teach that. I think your only problem will be reputation and dealing with that stigma, if you go to a CSU.

 

[Monkey House]

UC professors are free to run their class any way they like. Some curve, some don't, some are nice, some are mean, some are ....... Like most of life, its random....SO....go without the one fact you know.....medical schools will probably treat a UC grade with more interest than a CSU grade.

 

[SageFrancis]

I know a "friend of a friend" on an adcom who has been giving me advice.
Not all schools do this, but at his school, you get extra "points" on your application for graduating from certain schools, according to some list. Most of the UCs are on this list but CSUs are not.

I went to a UC while most of my friends from high school went to a CSU. Some of their classes seemed similar, some seemed easier. At a UC, you'll get lots of resources like lab opportunities, pre-med orgs, hospitals for volunteering, lots of on-campus MCAT info/tutoring, etc. These all exist at CSUs, just less options.

 

[BlackDr2b]

I graduated from a CSU and I am doing a postbacc at a UC and to be honest with you, you will get just as good as an education at a CSU and you might be more prepared for medical school depending on how hard you work in undergrad. Some of the classes that I am taking are easier at the UC than at my CSU. Don't get me wrong, you will get a great education from the UC as well. I am greatful to have the opportunity to go to a UC. They definitely have more money and have more classes that one can take. They have more profs that have specialized research and teach specialized classes, so that is a really good thing.

I think it also matters what type of education you want. If you want to go to a school with smaller class size and can have more one on one time with the professor and have more attention paid to you, then CSU is the way to go. Profs in the CSU system have left the UC system because they didn't like the UC education and treatment of students. The profs at the CSU really care about your future and your goals. They will go at great length to help you get to your goal. They know you by your first name, you aren't just a number. If none of that matters to you then it doesn't really matter, in my opinion. If you don't mind just being a number and not a name then do the UC thing. Lots of my postbacc class came from the UC and honestly in some regards I know more than them and in other things they know more than me. To mee it seems that a lot of people get lossed in the shuffle at the UC. This doesn't happen at the UC. My classmates in the postbacc have also told me the same thing, they told me that they felt lost and that nobody cared about them and just let them kind of float around.

In my honest, humble opinion, you will get a better education from a CSU. I am biased but I have experienced both of them. I have a lot of friends who have been successful in matriculating into med school from my undergrad, and top schools at that (UCLA, Vanderbilt, Penn State).

This is just my opinion. You will probably choose the UC because of the name but hey, all that matters is that you get in and I pray that you do. God bless you in whatever do. God bless.

 

[veaselhaufen]

p

 

[notdeadyet]

UC is much better respected than a CSU. You will want to show you can get grades at a UC so that they don't look down on you for being a cc transfer.

Ah, typical SDN advice.

OP- Here are three issues in which it's just not worth listening to folks on Pre-Allo about:

1. DO vs. MD
2. The community college "stigma"
3. UC vs. CSU

Pre-meds have many strong opinions about this, but usually with very little to back it up.

1. Won't even touch this, but to say talk to practicing physicians. Only premeds and a few med students with grudges care if you went osteo or allo.

2. Look around at pre-allo. Do a search. I haven't seen any community college transfers who ever had problems due to their coming from community colleges. Admissions folks just don't care. I'm sure someone's friend's cousin once had a problem, but I've yet to meet or hear from anyone directly on SDN who has. It's largely myth. Don't sweat coming from a community college.

3. You can get to medical school from any accredited university. All things being equal, the better the school you went to, the better your app. But things are never equal. You're better coming from a "lesser" CSU with a stronger MCAT and GPA than you are coming from Berkeley/UCLA with a weaker MCAT and GPA.

Choose the school that will let you learn and perform the best. I know a fair few folks from CSU's who are in medical school and none of them had it mentioned on the interview trail.

 

[notdeadyet]

IAt a UC, you'll get lots of resources like lab opportunities, pre-med orgs, hospitals for volunteering, lots of on-campus MCAT info/tutoring, etc. These all exist at CSUs, just less options.

This is a valid point. If you are looking for lots of lab and research opportunities, you will have more at the UCs than most CSUs.

You will also have larger and more active pre-med clubs. Though this eliminates some groundwork, it doesn't really mean very much. If your most significant ECs are campus related, you should probably work on your app. For most folks, the most meaningful experiences are going to be through hospital volunteer programs, free clinics, hospices and other entities that have independent volunteer programs.

But SageFrancis is right about the lab issues. Most UCs have larger and more active research programs. Lab/research work is not a biggie on your app, though, so I certainly wouldn't choose a college because of it unless you have a sincere interest in doing lab research. Then hab at it.

 

[nogolfinsnow]

I went to a CSU, lots of my old work friends went to UCs. Each has its advantages; here is my brief synopsis:

Class size: CSU wins. All of our basic science classes, both lecture and lab, were taught by the professors, never once had a grad student TA do any teaching. Most classes were under 50 people for lecture and about 20 for labs, so I got to know a lot of my profs on a personal level, and even stay in touch with a few 3 years later.

EC opportunities: UC wins. Because most have graduate programs there are a lot more research opportunities. Also bigger premed organizations, and (maybe) better career counseling services. I don't think I got the best application advice, especially in terms of where to apply. Probably also more volunteer opportunities because there are so many premeds looking for ECs that things have been better set up.

Reputation: UC wins. Everyone knows where the UCs are; I always have to explain where my school was. Also, tons of students apply from UCs to med schools every year while very few people apply from CSUs. As well, there are several UC med schools and zero CSU med schools.

Overall: Go where you'll be happy. I loved my undergrad experience. I actually picked my school over 2 UCs because I thought I'd be happier and it worked out phenomenally well for me. If you go to a CSU, I think you'll want to try and keep that GPA way up and rock the MCAT just to try to overcome any preconceived bias an adcom might have.

 

[notdeadyet]

I think it also matters what type of education you want. If you want to go to a school with smaller class size and can have more one on one time with the professor and have more attention paid to you, then CSU is the way to go.

I'd be very careful about generalizing too much on this.

I agree that class size and meaningful faculty interaction can be a strong motivator in choosing a school, but I'd be careful about drawing a black and white line between the CSU's and UCs.

It's a pretty good generalization, but there are exceptions. Some of the CSU's, due to growing enrollments, are turning into grad-dominated schools in which you have primarily large lecture halls with small group work run by TAs. And there are a few UCs that focus on smaller class sizes. I know that UC Santa Cruz, for one, had a charter that only 10% of the student body could be graduate students (as opposed to about 50% at Cal), which resulted in primarily smaller class sizes and direct involvement with faculty.

 

[caliprincess]

My experience with either system is very limited as I did not attend one for undergrad. I fled California for the land of the east as fast as I could. I did however take summer courses at both Sac State and UCD. The UC definitely fostered a more research oriented environment, and I met many more pre-med's at UCD than at Sac State. Sac State did offer smaller class sizes, which gave way for more individualized attention (heck the prof. knew my name as a summer student). I found that the UC classroom was more competitive, but that could be both a positive and a negative. All of the science courses that I took at each school curved.

From an outsider's perspective, the name of the school will only carry you so far. It is more about how WELL you did at your undergrad institution during the application process, not necessarily where you went. Hypothetically speaking, if you transferred into UCLA and applied there for medical school, of course going to the UC will most likely work in your favor. However, if you excel at a CSU, then there is no reason why it should matter that you didn't go to a UC.

There are pro's and con's for each type of institution and I think you need to weigh those more heavily instead of just looking at name alone. Things like the pre-med atmosphere, academic support, location, class size, financial aid (if needed), extracurrics, and research opportunities should be taken into account. Good luck!

 

[flaahless]

It really depends on the UC and the CSU. It is true that the UC system has more money and more research opportunities, but if you go to a large CSU (SDSU, Long Beach, Fullerton, SLO), then there will be PLENTY of resources and opportunities to develop yourself as an awesome applicant, and save some cash while you're at it.

Also, I don't know about the entire CSU system, but at Long Beach, all of your science lectures and upper division labs are taught by professors. And the professors are VERY easily accessible. And there is a ton of research going on. Everything from shark physiology, to stem cells ,to using viral gene therapy to treat human gliomas.

Also in Long Beach, the VA Hospital, which is UC Irvine's major teaching facility, is adjacent to campus and you have the opportunity to do whatever research/service/volunteering you want.

In high school, my decision came down to UC Berkeley and Long Beach State, I did the CSU route and I am very grateful for it. At the end of the day, whether you're at a UC or CSU, you are in charge of your education and you create your own opportunities. Make the most of the experience wherever you decide to go. Good luck.

 

[SageFrancis]

It really depends on the UC and the CSU. It is true that the UC system has more money and more research opportunities, but if you go to a large CSU (SDSU, Long Beach, Fullerton, SLO), then there will be PLENTY of resources and opportunities to develop yourself as an awesome applicant, and save some cash while you're at it.

That's a good point. SLO and SDSU are different environments than, say Bakersfield. (Not to offend anyone at Bako...)

I had a professor who taught at both UCSD and SDSU. He used to say that the top student at SDSU would be the top student at UCSD while the bottom student at SDSU wouldn't be allowed on campus at UCSD.

As long as you can get a good GPA wherever you are, no one will question it.

 

[deleted128318]

.

 

[premedstudent1]

Then I guess UC is the way to go then.

 

[cheezer]

I went to UCSD and have been doing a postbacc at a CSU for the past year and a half. I think my CSU undergrad education is far more interactive and personal than the education I received at UCSD.

CSU Advantages
1. Cheaper tuition
2. Small class size. ~40-60/class. In fact, it's small enough where the professors know you by name.
3. Less competition. Bottom line for med school is the gpa. It has been much easier to keep a higher gpa here than at UCSD, where I was sitting in classes of 200+ and 80% of the students were just as smart as me.
4. Research opportunities. This somewhat depends on how smart you are. If you're really kick *** in the sciences you should be able to snag meaningful research experience in either system. However, they're much easier to get at a CSU. It's simply a matter of asking the prof if there are any openings. You can get them at a UC too, but depending on who's in the lab, you could be washing glassware all day or working side by side with the grad students.

Disadvantages.
1. No real sense of community at a CSU. They're commuter schools and the campus is deader than dead on the weekends.
2. Most of the campuses are in crappier locations than UCs.
3. Reputation
4. The science classes at the CSU I go to do not curve in the traditional sense, i.e. if the class average is 50%, 50% would not be a B-/C+. It'd be an F.


Anyway, I'm pretty satisfied with the education i'm getting. just my .02

 

[scrubsaresexy]

Dear OP,

I see that you are relatively new and that you started two threads recently, each with 12, count them, 12 question marks in the title. I guess you did not read the rules when you signed up. 12 question mark-titles are reserved for such life or death scenarios as these:

Should I get a puppy before school starts????????????

Hopkins or Harvard???? H is my favorite letter and I don't know what to do 😱????????

UC vs CSU is not a 12 question mark topic. 7, maybe, but not 12.

Happy posting.

Kisses,
Belding

Oh my god, I thought it was just me who was being driven crazy by the excessive overuse of the question mark. I feel validated.

 

[notdeadyet]

Then I guess UC is the way to go then.

Most folks would probably read all the posts before this and figured that the decision between UC vs. CSU was a lot more complicated. But glad you heard what you wanted. Best of luck...

 

[cheezer]

Most folks would probably read all the posts before this and figured that the decision between UC vs. CSU was a lot more complicated. But glad you heard what you wanted. Best of luck...

seriously.

 

[paranoid_eyes]

i highly recommend any UC over any CSU (except SLO)

 

[Nasrudin]

I'm for CSU for me. I'll take the drawbacks. I know UC's like Cal and UCLA are to science nerd ballers as gangsters are too Compton.

Really you can have it. If sitting in auditoriums while Nobel-nominee #17 rambles and splits for the bat cave is your thing it's yours.

For me CSU's are great. But if you want street creds you gotta roll with the heavy hitters. Just make sure you hit hard yourself. Cause it is something of a numbers game in the end. And you don't get any respect because the guy next to you is a genius.

 

[Cegar]

Don't taze me bro guy went to UC Berkley.

If that's any indication of the student population at UC's, I would say go to CSU.

 

[emttim]

Don't taze me bro guy went to UC Berkley.

If that's any indication of the student population at UC's, I would say go to CSU.

No, that's just an indication of the student population at UC Berkeley. I've been to Berkeley recently to help a friend study for an exam; those people have serious, deep-seated mental issues that will probably never be adequately addressed.

 

[Cegar]

Don't taze me bro.

 

[nick_carraway]

I'm for CSU for me. I'll take the drawbacks. I know UC's like Cal and UCLA are to science nerd ballers as gangsters are too Compton.

Really you can have it. If sitting in auditoriums while Nobel-nominee #17 rambles and splits for the bat cave is your thing it's yours.

For me CSU's are great. But if you want street creds you gotta roll with the heavy hitters. Just make sure you hit hard yourself. Cause it is something of a numbers game in the end. And you don't get any respect because the guy next to you is a genius.

It sure is a numbers game and you can check out the cumulative scores and grade distribution for nearly every class and every professor and every CA school at this website:

http://thecampusbuddy.com/

Between UC Davis and SFSU, at least, there is a substantial difference in the grade distribution even in hardcore science classes.

 

[Monarch Kong]

Common misconception: Excessive punctuation does not make a thread more enjoyable. Similarly with excessive decals and car acceleration.

 

[notdeadyet]

Between UC Davis and SFSU, at least, there is a substantial difference in the grade distribution even in hardcore science classes.

But what does that mean? I think it's an indication of the individual student, no? If Davis has more A's, it's because more of the student body is capable of getting an A, not an indication of anything in the water.

I'm not sure what a university's grade averages are supposed to tell you.

 

[Nasrudin]

It sure is a numbers game and you can check out the cumulative scores and grade distribution for nearly every class and every professor and every CA school at this website:

http://thecampusbuddy.com/

Between UC Davis and SFSU, at least, there is a substantial difference in the grade distribution even in hardcore science classes.

Well, sure. But I don't think the OP is concerned with this. They--if I remember correctly. Want respect or the prestige behind their degree. I think if this is what is desired then it's clear you should go to the best UC or stanford or ivy you can get into.

What of course is of marginal interest to me is why going to Chico state having the time of your 18-20 year old life and doing well enough to get into a state medical school is not considered the move of choice. To me that's the Sinatra move.

 

[veggieswirl]

...Had I been pre-med longer or even looked more into medicine, rather than switching to OT... maybe I would have looked more at the UCs.... but it really all depends on what you want and how much you're willing to spend. Whatever you do, I think you should stay away from CSUN, I go to CSULB and my aunt lives in the Valley and everybody drops out of CSUN or is there forever. The UCs have larger class sizes and are more research focused, but I don't think going to a CSU will really hurt your chances of med school acceptance, in fact I know it won't.... CSULB sends lots of people to med school... i've been told.... if i'm wrong... lemme know.

 

[flaahless]

...Had I been pre-med longer or even looked more into medicine, rather than switching to OT... maybe I would have looked more at the UCs.... but it really all depends on what you want and how much you're willing to spend. Whatever you do, I think you should stay away from CSUN, I go to CSULB and my aunt lives in the Valley and everybody drops out of CSUN or is there forever. The UCs have larger class sizes and are more research focused, but I don't think going to a CSU will really hurt your chances of med school acceptance, in fact I know it won't.... CSULB sends lots of people to med school... i've been told.... if i'm wrong... lemme know.

We do! Especially this year, we are killing it. Go BEACH!

 

[orangejuice]

downside: the curve at UCB is pretty hard. My GPA dropped a lot this past year. people have been weeded out by lower div classes so the kids in your upper div bio classes are a lot smarter.

upside: When I interviewed at UMich they told us that they liked UCB and UCLA alot, which was why there was a lot of us at the interview. In that sense, I guess name does matter.

 

[Nasrudin]

downside: the curve at UCB is pretty hard. My GPA dropped a lot this past year. people have been weeded out by lower div classes so the kids in your upper div bio classes are a lot smarter.

upside: When I interviewed at UMich they told us that they liked UCB and UCLA alot, which was why there was a lot of us at the interview. In that sense, I guess name does matter.

Exactly. and these are both real upsides and downsides. they go hand in hand. each the opposite at the different ends of the spectrum. No name csu to big name UC.

I think the mistake a lot of people make is to ignore the downsides of either. Do you really want to gun it with people who don't have to work full-time and have been making 4.0's since pre-school? Or... Do you really want to go to a school that will do absolutely nothing to distinguish your application?

If one can answer these with the right amount of self-knowledge other people's point of view are not that important.

 

[berkeleyvala]

No, that's just an indication of the student population at UC Berkeley. I've been to Berkeley recently to help a friend study for an exam; those people have serious, deep-seated mental issues that will probably never be adequately addressed.

Damn right we do. Don't mess with Berkeley. We bleed blue and gold up here.

To the OP: I've taken a total of 1 class at a CSU, but it seemed easier than my UCB classes. Its not much of a sample, but from what I hear, its easier to get a higher GPA at a CSU. Might want to ask a few more people about that and find out for yourself. GPA vs. how much you enjoy the school. Really though, life is short, go where you feel comfortable and you think you're gonna have a good time. People tend to do better where they're happiest. G'luck.

 

[gobears1029]

Don't taze me bro guy went to UC Berkley.

If that's any indication of the student population at UC's, I would say go to CSU.

nope. the tazing incident was at ucla.

cal's more well known for hippie's living in trees outside the stadium, naked protests, kicking out the marines, and william hung.

 

[moe_4eva]

So I had to read through this entire thread to figure out that you guys were talking about California, not Colorado. Damn I've had one too many beers.

 

[nick_carraway]

nope. the tazing incident was at ucla.

cal's more well known for hippie's living in trees outside the stadium, naked protests, kicking out the marines, and william hung.

The tazing incident you're referring to is not the same incident as "Don't taze me, bro."

As for Cal, don't forget the Milk & Cereal duo and Triangle Man.

 

[Cegar]

Yeah. Library taze was in the library.

Don't taze me bro was at the University of Florida. WTF was I thinking?

 

[Medikit]

I went to a CSU and I thought the faculty was amazing. They really got to know their students and it was extremely easy to go into their office and chat. But overall I think it hurts you for applications. It doesn't mean you won't get it, it just means you'll have to apply to more schools and that you likely won't get into your #1, even with a great MCAT.

 

[BigMDT]

go to stanford 👍

 

[RNSJ0917]

It really depends on the UC and the CSU. It is true that the UC system has more money and more research opportunities, but if you go to a large CSU (SDSU, Long Beach, Fullerton, SLO), then there will be PLENTY of resources and opportunities to develop yourself as an awesome applicant, and save some cash while you're at it.

Also, I don't know about the entire CSU system, but at Long Beach, all of your science lectures and upper division labs are taught by professors. And the professors are VERY easily accessible. And there is a ton of research going on. Everything from shark physiology, to stem cells ,to using viral gene therapy to treat human gliomas.

Also in Long Beach, the VA Hospital, which is UC Irvine's major teaching facility, is adjacent to campus and you have the opportunity to do whatever research/service/volunteering you want.

In high school, my decision came down to UC Berkeley and Long Beach State, I did the CSU route and I am very grateful for it. At the end of the day, whether you're at a UC or CSU, you are in charge of your education and you create your own opportunities. Make the most of the experience wherever you decide to go. Good luck.

WHY DID YOU PICK LONG BEACH STATE OVER UC BERKELEY. I AM IN THE SAME SITUATION AS YOU. BUT MINE IS EITHER UCI OR SFSU.

 

[CPmustangs]

As you can probably tell from my screen name I went to Cal Poly SLO, and I loved it. People seem to be hating the CSU schools. There are advantages in class size, and cost have been covered. If you are into research you can do as much research as you would like at cal poly, i am not a big fan of research so i stayed away from it but i know many friends who have done research. one advantage that know one really talks about is because of the small size and because the lectures and labs are taught by your professor you get to know them well and you get great letters of rec. The CSU might not have as many people apply to med school but the average that get acceptances are equal or higher than the national average.

 

[decafplease]

I went to a CSU, lots of my old work friends went to UCs. Each has its advantages; here is my brief synopsis:

Class size: CSU wins. All of our basic science classes, both lecture and lab, were taught by the professors, never once had a grad student TA do any teaching. Most classes were under 50 people for lecture and about 20 for labs, so I got to know a lot of my profs on a personal level, and even stay in touch with a few 3 years later.

EC opportunities: UC wins. Because most have graduate programs there are a lot more research opportunities. Also bigger premed organizations, and (maybe) better career counseling services. I don't think I got the best application advice, especially in terms of where to apply. Probably also more volunteer opportunities because there are so many premeds looking for ECs that things have been better set up.

Reputation: UC wins. Everyone knows where the UCs are; I always have to explain where my school was. Also, tons of students apply from UCs to med schools every year while very few people apply from CSUs. As well, there are several UC med schools and zero CSU med schools.

Overall: Go where you'll be happy. I loved my undergrad experience. I actually picked my school over 2 UCs because I thought I'd be happier and it worked out phenomenally well for me. If you go to a CSU, I think you'll want to try and keep that GPA way up and rock the MCAT just to try to overcome any preconceived bias an adcom might have.

I'd like to speak out in defense of the UC's in regards to the TA-teaching thing. I chose UCD over UCB (yes, I actually did that) because I felt UCD was a better fit. Part of this was the TA-thing, I've been told that TA's often teach UCB classes, though I haven't verified this personally. I'm not a numbers-*****, so "Cal being Cal" didn't mean anything to me, and I doubt it will mean much to the adcoms. That said, I've yet to have a lecture taught by a grad student at UCD. TA's are simply that, assistants. They teach discussion sections, offer review sessions and are available for questions, that's it. Some of the lab sections are "taught" by TA's, but they are not involved in grading or teaching any material.

I personally chose a UC because I loved the campus, the CSU's in my area are not known for the sciences, and I wanted access to better pre-med resources.

 

[notdeadyet]

I've yet to have a lecture taught by a grad student at UCD. TA's are simply that, assistants. They teach discussion sections, offer review sessions and are available for questions, that's it. Some of the lab sections are "taught" by TA's, but they are not involved in grading or teaching any material.

Yeah, but you could make the point that if your classroom is 300 students with a lecturer going through notes, the real teaching happen in the sections. The lecturer is just a guy talking at you.

That said, UC Davis is better about this than most of the UCs. Smaller classroom sizes are the norm. It's also true at UC Santa Cruz. If you're worried about class sizes at the UCs, check out the graduate enrollment. Davis is 13% grad student and Santa Cruz is about 9% grad student.

This makes them nice hybrids of the UC/CSU system. You tend to have the smaller class sizes, a culture of close faculty interaction, but great research opportunitites.

Do you have the same amount of nobels that you'd have at Berkeley/LA? No. But you avoid the big class glut and TA teaching that you tend to have at these campuses.

You can't really make generalizations about the UC system any more than you can make them about the CSU system. You couldn't personally pay me to have attended Cal or LA, but some folks are very happy there. And while there are some great CSU's, there are more than 1 or 2 that are in pretty dire trouble.

 

[tacrum43]

As you can probably tell from my screen name I went to Cal Poly SLO, and I loved it. People seem to be hating the CSU schools. There are advantages in class size, and cost have been covered. If you are into research you can do as much research as you would like at cal poly, i am not a big fan of research so i stayed away from it but i know many friends who have done research. one advantage that know one really talks about is because of the small size and because the lectures and labs are taught by your professor you get to know them well and you get great letters of rec. The CSU might not have as many people apply to med school but the average that get acceptances are equal or higher than the national average.

I went to Cal Poly too, and while I'm glad that I did go there because it was the right school for me, it was probably not the best choice for getting into med school. The CSUs are not well known outside of California and the UCs are snobby towards CSU students (for example, UCSF gives extra points just for going to a UC vs. a CSU).

One major benefit, however, was that I actually knew the professors personally that wrote my LORs because of the small class sizes and low number of TAs. And, most of the professors actually want to teach students (which does equal less research going on, though there is still some).

To the OP: So...if it's a tossup between a UC and a CSU, the UC would probably help more for med school. But if you really like a CSU, then go where you'll be happy. If you're happier, you'll do better and learn more. I went to Cal Poly over UCSB, just FYI.

 

[redlight]

go to stanford 👍

LOL

am i the only one who thinks this was a funny post?

 

[TheBigGREEN]

Hello all,
I am a premed student currently attending a community college and planning to transfer to a 4-year institution to get my BS is Biology.
Three question:
1- Does it matter if I transfer to a UC or a CSU?
2- Do all universities operate on a curve grading system?
3- Do all universities operate on quarter system? If not, which ones don't?

***If you guys can tell me about any web sites that demonstrate the differences, that would be very helpful.....
p.s. I live in Los Angeles, California.

Here is how berkeley addresses the situation in regards to what school you went to and how they percieve your gpa's. Take note, this is for law school admissions. http://web.archive.org/web/20000829094953/http://www.pcmagic.net/abe/gradeadj.htm
basically, the higher the "rank" score, the harder it is percieved to obtain a good gpa. based on this table, for applicants to berkeley law, students who went to any csu's would get points TAKEN OFF of thier reported gpa, and students at all of the UC's (except riverside) would not have any change to thier gpa. students graduating from williams college or swarthmore would get points ADDED to thier reported gpa.

also, i would go to a UC, just because there is so much money and so much more research going on at the UC. 3 of the UC's (Davis,LA and Berk) are ranked in the top 15 for research spending of all universities (this list includes harvard,mit,yale....). If you want to go to schools like ucsf or stanford for med, you better get some research, because i believe the last figure i saw for admitted students to ucsf and stanford, over 91%had research experience. and if you decide medicine is not for you, and want a PhD instead...well, you better have some significant research experience because this is one of the top, if not the top priority for admittance into a science doctoral program.

thats just my opinion. i went to a little liberal arts school in new hampshire, so i think my opinion is pretty unbiased as it can get. i am from cali though, so i am familiar with all of these schools.

 

[sawood]

I went to a CSU and I thought the faculty was amazing. They really got to know their students and it was extremely easy to go into their office and chat. But overall I think it hurts you for applications. It doesn't mean you won't get it, it just means you'll have to apply to more schools and that you likely won't get into your #1, even with a great MCAT.

I agree.

I went to a CSU for undergrad and grad (engineering, not bio). I just had an interview at a UC med school recently and out of about 35 interviewees, only myself and one other applicant did their undergrad at a CSU, and he was in a grad program as well. The rest were all UC's, with a spattering of private schools. I don't know if this is just because UC's have a larger pre-med population than CSU's, or if there is a stronger preference for UC students.

Go where you will be happy because its 4+ years of your life. But my guess is that you probably will have to get a little more creative with your application at a CSU in order to stay in California for med school.