UCLA vs. Michigan vs. UIC

[WolverineAlum]

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I am really fortunate to have been accepted into these 3 schools, but I'm having a tough time deciding. I'm a non-trad student and would like going to a school with really down-to-earth students and approachable faculty. I don't know right now what field of medicine I'd like to go into.

My thoughts so far:

UCLA: I lived in San Francisco for a few years and loved California weather. I'm not sure if LA is right for me, though. While the school seems great, I really hated dealing with traffic while I was visiting, and LA definitely has a different feel from northern California. I'd be paying OOS tuition the first year, and then in-state the the next three.

Michigan: I went to Michigan for undergrad, and while it was a lot of fun, I'm not sure if I could be in Ann Arbor for another 4 years. Again, it's a great school, but it's not in a big city. I'd be paying OOS all four years.

UIC: I'm from the Chicago-area, so this would be my in-state school. I've also received a scholarship, so this would definitely be my cheapest option. It's not as highly ranked as the other two schools, but I don't know how much difference that makes in the long run.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

You should do the math for how much each school will cost you over 4 years and compare those numbers. It sounds like you are not that thrilled about Michigan, and if you're paying OOS all 4 years, it might be more expensive than UCLA.

Which brings your decision to UCLA vs. UIC. Here you have to weigh location, benefits of ranking, where you want to match, etc, against cost (if UIC is really that much cheaper than UCLA).

 

[Arbor Vitae]

Michigan all the way. They are like the new Harvard. Ann Arbor's the best.

 

[sinombre]

Michigan all the way. They are like the new Harvard. Ann Arbor's the best.

Your handle implies that you're biased

Another vote for whichever school is cheapest.

 

[yamssuck]

I'd go with UCLA here, and with the in-state tuition for 3 years I think it becomes a no brainer. Traffic in LA can be pretty terrible, but if you live close to campus it becomes a non-issue. Perpetual sun is a pretty amazing thing. I'm not accepted to or on the waiting list for any of the schools by the way.

This is assuming UCLA and UIC are relatively close in price. If UIC is wayyyyyy cheaper I'd have to think about it, but if it's equal or only slightly cheaper I'd happily be a Bruin.

 

[Nymphicus]

UCLA or Michigan unless UIC is significantly cheaper and/or you have a compelling reason to be in Chicago.

 

[Juan Solo]

Hmm. That's a though one. I think it really depends on where you feel most comfortable at. I too have lived in San Francisco for almost 5 years and part of me does not want to leave California (UCLA is also one of my finalist schools that I am choosing between). I too am a non-trad and so I think there are a lot of other factors in when deciding a school. If you have a gut feeling then I think most times it is best to go with that.