UCLA vs Dartmouth

[koolbeenz]

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UCLA is ranked much higher than Dartmouth in national rankings. Plus it has an amazing medical center, lots of funding, and is in a nice part of town next to a very populous city.

Dartmouth is an Ivy League, it has a small class so that fosters community and everyone knowing each other, and I got the feeling that the administration really listens to its students.

I know these are two amazing schools and I'd get a great medical education from either, but I'm wondering if one of these has a greater "name weight" than the other. I'm interested to know how other people would decide between these two schools.

Thanks!!

 

[RySerr21]

UCLA is ranked much higher than Dartmouth in national rankings. Plus it has an amazing medical center, lots of funding, and is in a nice part of town next to a very populous city.

Dartmouth is an Ivy League, it has a small class so that fosters community and everyone knowing each other, and I got the feeling that the administration really listens to its students.

I know these are two amazing schools and I'd get a great medical education from either, but I'm wondering if one of these has a greater "name weight" than the other. I'm interested to know how other people would decide between these two schools.

Thanks!!

i highly doubt it matters when you are choosing between UCLA and Dartmouth. personally i'd pick dartmouth b/c of the small class size. i've been in that kind of environment throughout undergrad and it truly makes a difference. i feel spoiled almost. i'd love to keep that going through med school.

pick which ever school you feel you will be happiest.

 

[Dayne]

I'd probably choose UCLA because of it's better curriculum, reduced lecture hours, clinical opportunities, community outreach programs, location, weather, guaranteed and very nice student housing, and overall ranking. And are u a Cali resident? If so, the much higher cost to attend Dartmouth could definitely be a consideration for you. JMHO.

Dartmouth's got a smaller class size, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the student camaraderie at UCLA is worse. Besides there are some advantages to having a a little larger class size. It's also in a very rural and cold (albeit charming) area, but you personally might prefer the totally different atmosphere of northern new england over southern california.

 

[koolbeenz]

I'd probably choose UCLA because of it's better curriculum, reduced lecture hours, clinical opportunities, community outreach programs, location, weather, guaranteed and very nice student housing, and overall ranking. And are u a Cali resident? If so, the much higher cost to attend Dartmouth could definitely be a consideration for you. JMHO.

Dartmouth's got a smaller class size, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the student camaraderie at UCLA is worse. Besides there are some advantages to having a a little larger class size. It's also in a very rural and cold (albeit charming) area, but you personally might prefer the totally different atmosphere of northern new england over southern california.

I am a Cali resident. That's one of the major draws of UCLA. 1.5 hours of travel versus 8+ hours. Plus the savings on tuition are huge! Another thing though, other than money, that I was comparing is the curriculum. I was wondering if anyone could elaborate the curriculum at UCLA. Only a couple hours of lecture a day? Is that correct? Versus Dartmouth's more traditional curriculum of class 8-2 pm, sometimes 4. What do you do for the rest of the day at UCLA? Thanks everyone!!

 

[pntgrd]

I am a Cali resident. That's one of the major draws of UCLA. 1.5 hours of travel versus 8+ hours. Plus the savings on tuition are huge! Another thing though, other than money, that I was comparing is the curriculum. I was wondering if anyone could elaborate the curriculum at UCLA. Only a couple hours of lecture a day? Is that correct? Versus Dartmouth's more traditional curriculum of class 8-2 pm, sometimes 4. What do you do for the rest of the day at UCLA? Thanks everyone!!

UCLA isn't that few hours. It is lecture 10-12 every day, in addition to PBL 8-10am mondays and fridays, and other stuff (labs, doctoring...) during the afternoons tuedays, wednesdays, and thursdays.

 

[172858]

Dear OP:
If you're a super cool, laid back, friendly, amiable, and totally copasetic mo-fo, come to UCLA.
If you're the hardcore gunner type and aren't down with the "we're in this medicine thing together" mentality, then go with Dartmouth.
😀

 

[XerxesMD]

UCLA is ranked much higher than Dartmouth in national rankings. Plus it has an amazing medical center, lots of funding, and is in a nice part of town next to a very populous city.

Dartmouth is an Ivy League, it has a small class so that fosters community and everyone knowing each other, and I got the feeling that the administration really listens to its students.

I know these are two amazing schools and I'd get a great medical education from either, but I'm wondering if one of these has a greater "name weight" than the other. I'm interested to know how other people would decide between these two schools.

Thanks!!

UCLA...by far. You answered your own question in the very first sentence. It's a top 10 research school with the #3 medical center in the U.S. Many people argue that these rankings are meaningless, but they are definitely tied to the school's "name weight," and going to a bigger name will help you land a competitive residency spot.

That said, Dartmouth is no light weight. If you think you'll be happier at Dartmouth then go there. You'll do well either way.

 

[keepitgangster]

UCLA all the way! Great weather, culture, and medical center. Man that rhymes. I am awesome.

 

[BrainBuff]

Forget about rankings. Go to the school you think has the right environment for you and where you could thrive. Personally, I dislike flaky, superficial people ...and there are millions of them in one particular state in the west coast.

Dartmouth....classy, elitist and New England is the way to go.