UCLA or Harvard

[frizzyman7]

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Hey Guys,

I would appreciate any perspectives you may have on UCLA versus Harvard. I love SoCal, but Harvard, of course, has the reputation and resources. After an extension, I have one more week to decide. Thanks!

 

[JimDiGriz]

Hey Guys,

I would appreciate any perspectives you may have on UCLA versus Harvard. I love SoCal, but Harvard, of course, has the reputation and resources. After an extension, I have one more week to decide. Thanks!

A friend of mine, a nsurg resident at UCLA, who went to med school at Harvard, did not have the greatest opinion of the school and their curriculum. Of course, I go to UCLA, my opinion is biased, but every year we have students who took UCLA over Hopkins, Penn, Harvard and other top-10 schools (we are #11 - if rankings matter to you).
The study environment this year has been very relaxed, perhaps at the expense of making our 1st year is longer than most schools - 11 months (Aug till June). But at the end of 2nd year you get two full months to study for the boards (2nd year: Sep - April).

Beyond academics, the weather is nice year round, and we are next to the undergrad campus.

Perhaps some Harvard people can give you insight into their program as I dont' know much about it!

Good luck deciding!

 

[onihr]

Hey Guys,

I would appreciate any perspectives you may have on UCLA versus Harvard. I love SoCal, but Harvard, of course, has the reputation and resources. After an extension, I have one more week to decide. Thanks!

i think harvard is the definite choice. the reputation and medical community as well as the networking opportunities should not be passed up and will help you go farther in your career than ucla will.

 

[rme04]

I would say harvard as well.

unless you want to do a residency in LA. but, then again, you wont have trouble getting into any residencies with the harvard degree.

 

[pseudoknot]

Are you a California resident? Prestige usually isn't worth $80,000.

 

[crazy_cavalier]

H-A-R-V-A-R-D!!!!

But I say that only because I am East-Coast born and bred and would be biased to stay in this general area 😀

Don't weigh school ranking/rep/name too heavily! Those ranks are all bogus anyway. Pick whichever school will make you happy.

Congrats either way! 👍

 

[GasEmDee]

Are you a California resident? Prestige usually isn't worth $80,000.

Hmm not sure i agree. Debt is temporary. The Harvard name will pay you for a lifetime...

If you are interested in academia, business, consulting, etc...this will be useful. If you are interested in working in a small private practice clinic, it may not matter so much.

Congrats on being in this position.

 

[blonderedhead]

Go to Harvard. You'll be able to get a residency in Cali

 

[Code Brown]

Go with Harvard. Yes, they are probably about the same education wise. Well, UCLA might even be better. But with Harvard, you'll not only have the prestigious name behind you, but you'll be set for life should you ever have to deal with other Harvard alumni (ie. lawyers, senators, CEO's). These are the real intangibles that UCLA will not provide you with.

Make mom proud!

 

[vibesmstr]

Definitely UCLA.
1. The school is awesome and not as stressful as some (from what I hear).
2. Diddy Reese
3. Weather
4. Beach
5. The Getty
6. Sunset Strip
7. Santa Monica Mtns. (hiking/biking)
etc.

 

[tank you]

wow, thats quite an accomplishment that you are accepted to both. if i were you, i would choose harvard, unless you have extenuating circumstances that require you to be around socal. if not, harvard is the only way to go.

 

[HCA1500A]

I would suggest Harvard so you could drop the H-bomb.

 

[dr.z]

UCLA for me.

 

[synapse]

ucla 👍

 

[medstyle]

Hey Guys,

I would appreciate any perspectives you may have on UCLA versus Harvard. I love SoCal, but Harvard, of course, has the reputation and resources. After an extension, I have one more week to decide. Thanks!

where did you do undergrad? where are you from? If you are from SoCal, go to harvard. See something new. If you went to harvard for undergrad, then go back to ucla if you're sick of it. If you went to UCLA or something, go to harvard...it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity and you wont regret it.

 

[OneLove]

hey i was wondefing if you could provide me with your stats. PM me thanks!

 

[leechy]

As you can see from the split response, you can't really go wrong either way. Looks like it's a prestige vs location decision. It's hard to get at gut emotions sometimes, but try to imagine yourself in each situation. Does the idea of being miles away from your family and friends (assuming you're from SoCal) make you feel like you're being exiled? Or does it fill you with excitement? Will you regret passing up the name Harvard down the road? Or regret not being in the place you love most?

I think prestigious names are more for the wow factor among your social circle, than for practical advantages. And it's fine to go to a prestigious school for that reason. Pragmatically speaking, both schools can surely get you where you want to be. Let us know what you decide!

 

[Sparky Man]

Harvard Schmarvard...

go to ucla.

I'm on the waitlist at Schmarvard, buddy...so I'd love to see some spots open up... 😉

 

[the other Dr.]

Hey Guys,

I would appreciate any perspectives you may have on UCLA versus Harvard. I love SoCal, but Harvard, of course, has the reputation and resources. After an extension, I have one more week to decide. Thanks!

Tell us more about yourself, so we can help you. Personally I thought harvard sucked, but I did get into UCLA so I can't say anything about them. I didn't care for Boston and I thought people were a little full of themselves. Also the financial aid there sucked. Also do you like the cold?

Good Luck

 

[nabeel76]

Harvard all the way to the bank.....

 

[el matador]

Harvard all the way to the bank.....

you can't go wrong with either option, so i'd stay in a place where you'll enjoy your 4 years. there's a reason why there's a song called "California Dreamin"...i don't think anybody plans on writing "Boston Dreamin."

of course, if you want to be the president of an institution, run for congress, or head the NIH, harvard would probably serve you better. it really depends on your goals...

 

[ltrain]

there's a reason why there's a song called "California Dreamin"...i don't think anybody plans on writing "Boston Dreamin."
QUOTE]

instead they wrote a song called Dirty Water.

 

[Uegis]

UCLA sounds sweet. But Harvard is Harvard. It is one of the most known academic instiution in the world. With that name, you can go anywhere you want and instantly have an advantage. Of course, UCLA is great too and the education there will probably be comparable. Go where you will be happy, but Harvard is really a dream for a lot of people across the country. You have the opportunity to live that dream, but don't let that be your only determinant. I would personally pick Harvard ( I don't like SoCal much, just an opinion, not attacking it) Boston is cold but it is a cultural hubub full of young students and academics. The things you can do there is endless and NYC, DC, Philly are all accessible easily.

 

[striped sweater]

Definitely UCLA.
1. The school is awesome and not as stressful as some (from what I hear).
2. Diddy Reese
3. Weather
4. Beach
5. The Getty
6. Sunset Strip
7. Santa Monica Mtns. (hiking/biking)
etc.

#2 alone is reason to go to UCLA. the rest are icing on the cake.
😉