UCLA vs UCSF

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ok....if you got accepted to go to both schools, what would be your top choice? the distinction is not that easy though....I thought it would be a no brainer...but is it?

give reasons too....thanks
 
UCSF, near my family. and i like the JMP. but i'll let you know after feb. san fran is kind of dreary though. but i think i would prefer it over UCLA.
 
UCLA only because it has better overall weather and it's near my family.

By the way, does UCSF have its own hospital? I think I remember that people had to drive 20 minutes to get to a hospital during 3rd & 4th year right?
 
UCSF was kewl and all...the only problem is that it has no undergrad campus....just couple of buildings together....i dont know...I'm confused...
 
This is a really tough one. UCLA easily wins the location category. Westwood and LA, is better than SF. The tuition is virtually identical. Cost of living is the same too...perhaps a little higher in SF. Westwood is very expensive. Weather goes to UCLA too. So does the hospitals. UCLA's hospital is better than UCSF's (even though some people don't think this is true...check the stats!) But UCSF has the better research faculty, and obviously the more prestigious name (not that that matters much). UCSF probably has the better set of students, although at this level it doesn't even matter. Oh yeah, and UCLA has the undergrad campus, or should I say a campus in general, as opposed to the few buildings of UCSF.

It basically comes down to where you want to be. Whatever you get from UCLA you can get from UCSF, and vice versa. You may just enjoy to do it in a purely health science professional school like UCSF, or a sunny environment with lots of different people.

PS: Anyone would be lucky to make this decision!
 
It's one of those situations where you can't really go wrong -- both are such excellent schools that ultimately it comes down to personal preference where you think you would be happiest. Personally I would have preferred UCLA because I like the med center better, I like the location better (weather!), and I've never really lived in LA, but have lived in the Bay Area -- I sort have a love/hate relationship with San Francisco -- I think the city is beautiful and interesting and exciting, but the people are some of the the rudest I've ever come across in the country and the cost of living is outrageous. LA isn't cheap, but it's better than San Francisco. Also, I like the fact that there is an undergraduate campus for UCLA along with several other graduate programs, like a law school. I think it makes for a slightly richer academic experience. Again, you just really can't go wrong with either one.
 
maybe I shouldnt even be worried about such choices when I havent even received acceptances from either one! hehe lol

but I just wanted to know everyone's opinions...anybody else on the two schools? thanks for the input guyz....
 
Boy, you guys are really in the dark if you are asking questions like "does UCSF have a hospital?" or if you think that UCSF is "just a couple of buildings" <img src="graemlins/wowie.gif" border="0" alt="[Wowie]" />

First, San Francisco is an absolutely gorgeous city (i.e. Golden Gate Park, the bridges, Fisherman's Wharf, Embarcadero, the Presidio, etc), has a high degree of sophistication (i.e. world-reknown opera, symphony, theater, museums, etc), and has tons of restaurants, clubs, and bars. There is a reason that people who live here love it so much, despite the fog. I've got to say that I'd never imagine that I'd be sitting here defending San Francisco, considering I went to undergrad in LA!

As for UCSF itself, it has one of the nation's top-ten hospitals (UCSF Medical Center) and has many of the nation's top programs in a variety of clinical departments. UCSF is affiliated with excellent teaching hospitals such as San Francisco General, the VA Medical Center, Mt. Zion, California Pacific Medical Center, UCSF-Fresno, community clinics, and other locations. The Parnassus campus is but one UCSF campus location... there is also Laurel Heights and the new Mission Bay campus that will be opening in a year.

At Parnassus, there is the old UC Hospital, Moffit and Long hospitals, Langley-Porter Psychiatric Institute, the Ambulatory Care Center, the Beckman Vision Center, UCSF Children's Hospital, as well as the medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, and graduate programs. Just a couple of buildings, eh?! 😛

The medical education is a lot stronger at UCSF compared to UCLA. There are better faculty and the administration is much more responsive to student needs. There is better support for the medical students and the students themselves are drawn from a more competitive group at UCSF. Moreover, the graduate programs at UCSF are MUCH stronger, as is the research overall.

I think if you want a really, really laid back atmosphere, UCLA is for you. However, I found that UCSF combines the best of both worlds in terms of professionalism and relaxation. UCSF as a whole feels like much more of a medical community than does UCLA (which makes sense since it's a health-sciences campus). UCSF has a very collegial and collaborative feel that distinguishes it from other top-notched programs like Harvard, Hopkins, etc.

Furthermore, the new curriculum is awesome. The integrated basic science/clinical blocks so far (Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Renal) have been amazing. They are truly integrated... we learn the physiology and pathophysiology side-by-side. Different subjects are interwoven (genetics, histology, pathology, medicine, radiology, etc), which provides unique interaction between basic science and clinical departments. There is only 2 hours of lecture per day, and then 2 hours of small group or lab. Then we have another class one afternoon per week. The rest of the afternoons are free for independent study or to do whatever else your heart desires! I've been able to do electives, take graduate classes, and jog on Ocean Beach, all without having to stay up obnoxiously late studying. It's awesome!

Basically, I would only attend UCLA if there was a pressing reason... i.e. close family in the area. Otherwise, I think it should be a no-brainer. 😀
 
I agree with VADER completely.

I grew up in LA for 20 years and went to UCLA for undergrad. I now live in San Francisco for my one year off before medical school. San Francisco is better than Los Angeles as far as location goes. San Francisco is a beautiful city with great people. If you want to consider weather.... you have to include smog. Smog is a part of the weather too and LA has too much of it.

I have worked in UCLA's Med Center and UCSF's Moffit-Long and San Francisco General Hospital (affiliated with UCSF also)... and there is no comparison..... UCSF has better hospitals. From my experience.... the faculty at UCLA are a bunch of conceeded snobs and are not as friendly as the SF bunch. I saw that UCLA's hospital is better ranked in US News..... but most people know that US News is a load of bull. If you want to know which hospital is better.... ask people in the medical field.... you will get a much more accurate idea of reputation.

By the way.... I loved UCLA as an undergrad and would not change a thing about it... but as far as medical school goes.... UCSF is better in most aspects. One thing UCLA does have (and UCSF doesnt) is that " college bubble" of having sports, undergrad, law school, business school and "collegy" campus.
 
I would pick UCSF. I also hear UCSF has more ethnic diversity compared to UCLA (excluding the Drew students that attend the first two years at UCLA). UCSF consistently churns out URMs at rates higher than any UC.

I heard that the Drew students are sometimes isolated or shunned at UCLA. Before anyone attacks this, a White friend that attends UCLA SOM personally told me this.
 
Vader, I heard that the new anatomy curriculum was not a hit. Any insight on that?

thanks.
 
UCSF: CR
UCLA: Grade

Seems like you have a less pressuring time at sf if u could get in both. however, is the dreary weather in sf worth it? i've heard that raining weather makes people have mental problems....(like in seattle where it rains all the time).
 
Originally posted by meddude03:
•UCSF: CR
UCLA: Grade

Seems like you have a less pressuring time at sf if u could get in both. however, is the dreary weather in sf worth it? i've heard that raining weather makes people have mental problems....(like in seattle where it rains all the time).•••


what do you mean by Grade? UCLA is pass/no pass like UCSF?

if rainy weather gives mental problems...then what the heck does snow do to u?
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by WatchaMaCallit:
•Vader I think your somewhat biased since you go to UCSF lol•••

Yeah Watcha, you're probably right. 😉 The thing is that I'm very familiar with UCLA and know how quite a bit about the med school, who they admit, and type of students who decide to attend. It's a really good school--don't get me wrong. However, I think the academics, clinical training, research opportunities, professional environment, reputation in the medical community, and other factors are better at UCSF. 😀
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by YBee:
•Vader, I heard that the new anatomy curriculum was not a hit. Any insight on that?

thanks.•••

They are definitely going to change the format of anatomy a bit for this year's entering class. We did head/neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and upper and lower limbs in 6 weeks. It was pretty stressful for many of us due to the condensed amount of material. Then again the exams were P/F so that took quite a bit of pressure off. I felt like I learned a ton, although I don't know how good my retention will be. From what I hear though, most people don't really remember most of anatomy regardless of the type of curriculum and only really retain what they need for their specialty. Also, we are not done with anatomy--a common misperception that was cleared up by the administration. For example, we have anatomy labs at the beginning of each block to go over the relevant details of the organ system we are studying at the time. In addition, The anatomy faculty are offering special electives for us if we want to dissect and review again. Furthermore, we all will review anatomy during the 3rd year surgery clerkship and 4th year electives. Therefore, we are going to get plenty of anatomy when all is said and done. 😀
Click to expand...
 
I would choose UCSF hands down.

1. Close to family.
2. The interview days were night and day. UCSF was warm, welcoming and pleasant (not the weather) and the students were nice and friendly. At UCLA, I felt like I was intruding on them and that I was a bother. (They said as much when I asked if I could visit a class.) I also only had one interview at UCLA and it was horrible.

P.S. I went to UCLA for grad school, so I am not really biased against it, either.
 
Anyone else have any thoughts??

For Vader and other UCSFers, is SF known for producing a certain type of physician (for example, I am interested in academic medicine or an IM specialty... do you feel that SF is better suited toward sending students in this direction?)
 
I have not yet interviewed at UCLA. Can anyone tell me what the curriculum is like at UCLA? I interviewed at UCSF, and I really liked the organ-based format and the problem-based learning sessions. Does UCLA have a similar curriculum?? Also, does UCLA have opportunites for patient contact in the first two years?
Thanks 😀
 
OK, I thought this was an interesting thread when I first came upon it, but now I have a vested interest in getting more details about what you all think.

As it stands right now, I count myself as extremely fortunate to have been accepted to both school's regular MD programs.

Initially, I thought that it would be a no-brainer... SF hands down. But now I am having a really difficult time.

I know that ultimately, a major deciding factor will be financial aid packages. Does anyone know if either school offers full-ride merit or financial need scholarships? If so, do you find out when you get in or at a later date? Is it true that you won't really have an idea about the financial aid package that a school will offer until the summer?? If that is the case, how the heck are you supposed to decide by MAY!!

For BeckyG (you have family in so cal if I remeber correctly) how often is it possible for you to head home?

I do think that eventually, I would like to come back to so cal for residency. Would going to LA give me an edge with the UCLA hospitals? Or would SFs strong program be more of an asset?
 
my opinion on this is UCSF all the way. 🙂
if i went to UCLA, i'd practically be in my parents' backyard.
i love LA and will go back there eventually but just not yet.
SF is cool. i'd love to live there for a few years.
 
Jessica,
If you are interested in academic medicine and/or internal medicine specialty.... UCSF is a better choice. They are much more respected in academia and their internal medicine program is top 3 in the nation (if not higher). Personally.. I would choose UCSF over UCLA no matter what.... but expecially.... if I knew I wanted to go into academics.... because that is the time where the medical school you attend matters. Of course.... if you go to UCLA .. it wont close all the doors .... but you will realize that it is harder to open them. Cheesy... but true.
 
I honestly don't know that much about UCSF besides the fact that they have more PBL than UCLA, but I do know a little bit about UCLA.

UCLA is an awesome campus. If you still want somewhat of a college experience and excitement, Westwood/UCLA is the perfect place. You definitely cannot beat the weather; it is comfortable enough to wear almost anything you want almost all the time. If your family is in SO CAL, you will have much easier access to them: 1-2 hr drive instead of 4-6 hr drive from SF. For med students who are up late studying, that makes all the difference in the world.

As far as reputation goes, UCSF does have a higher ranking in USNews, but it is really difficult to differentiate between UCLA and UCSF because they are both incredibly reputable. Believe me, no one will ever think any less of you because you come from UCLA; if anything, they will have very high standards for you. If you do exceptionally well in the boards and come from either UCLA or UCSF, I am certain that the same "doors" will be open to you. When you are considering schools of this high caliber, the difference in reputation is not worth your time.

This is very cliche now, but pick the school that best fits you. If you do that, I think you will do very well in the future. Choose the school that will bring out your strengths/abilities and enhance your shortcomings. I think that is much better than riding on reputation alone. I made a similar decision for undergrad and now believe that I am going to medical school because of that choice.

Congratulations on two exceptional acceptances! Good luck. If you come to UCLA, we'll kick it.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by me:
•Of course.... if you go to UCLA .. it wont close all the doors .... but you will realize that it is harder to open them. Cheesy... but true.•••••I vehemently disagree. UCLA and UCSF are both great schools. No matter where you go, you will have similar opportunities. I'm sick and tired of people short changing UCLA. Please don't forget that we have one of the best hospitals in the nation, and arguably the best one on the west coast. Also, the brand new hospital will be done by 2004, and will be a state of the art facility, ready for students to rotate through.

As far as scholarship opportunities, both schools offer merit-based regent scholarships. Financially, both cities are expensive. SF is probably more expensive. Jessica, my advice to you is visit both schools again, go to classes, and talk to students before you make any decision. As a former UCLA student, I can tell you that the opportunities, both in medicine and outside of medicine, are innumerable at the UCLA campus and in Los Angeles.

I have also heard that UCLA students have a marked advantage to their own residency programs. Although I do not know this for sure.

I know what decision I would make, but that will do you no good, because only you know what's best for you. But don't let anyone tell you that UCLA is second rate to UCSF. Both schools are EXCELLENT, and have a very prestigious reputation. You will be extremely well trained at either place.

Hope this helps!
 
Hey for those of you that interviewed at UCSF,

Is the interview closed file? or do they get a chance to review the essays from the primary and secondary applications? I have an interview coming up at SF in 3 weeks, and UCLA mstp in 2 weeks, i'm more scared about the mstp one tho...I just hope i get one of those schools

Javi
 
the ucsf interview is closed file, so they nothing more than your name. Good luck!
 
Thanks all for your replies. I truly appreciate you sharing your thoughts, opinions, and advice!

•••quote:•••Originally posted by jrucb:
•Hey for those of you that interviewed at UCSF,

Is the interview closed file? or do they get a chance to review the essays from the primary and secondary applications? I have an interview coming up at SF in 3 weeks, and UCLA mstp in 2 weeks, i'm more scared about the mstp one tho...I just hope i get one of those schools

Javi•••••Javi - SF is a closed file interview. Be prepared to talk about the usuals, family, motivations, your life experiences (but NO pressure) My advice to you is DON'T worry (the admissions office people at SF told us when we checked in that if you get an interview at SF, it is 50/50 that you will get in, you had to do something right to get this far. And, they also said that if you interview there, it is most likely that you will get in somewhere, even if for some reason you do not get into SF)

Both my UCLA and UCSF interviews were awesome, the people were really nice and just wanted to get to know me beyond paper. I only had a regular MD interview at LA so I can't comment on MSTP. But good luck and congrats!! :clap:
 
Jessica,
I am interviewing at UCLA in a week's time. I was wondering how the interview was, you said it went well, was it open file? Did you also have a student interview or just the faculty? I want to do really well at the interview because LA is my top choice. Thanks
 
you are picking between a mercedes and a porsche... can't go wrong 😀
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by McEntrye:
•Jessica,
I am interviewing at UCLA in a week's time. I was wondering how the interview was, you said it went well, was it open file? Did you also have a student interview or just the faculty? I want to do really well at the interview because LA is my top choice. Thanks•••••I only had one faculty interview (no student interview) with Dr. Hall (a pediatric radiologist, I believe) SUPER nice, he knew my ENTIRE app inside and out. Despite being a very busy guy (he serves on all sorts of committees and seemed to be very involved on campus) he really took the time to read, like all 20 pages of my AMCAS app, and my letters of rec. etc etc. My interview vas very laid back and conversational, NOTHING to stress about (even though I wasn't thinking that before the interview, I was soooo nervous I had to have my BF stop the car three times on the way there b/c I thought I was going to puke, totally unnecessary.) I know it sounds corny, but just be familiar with your app and be ready to have a relaxed, enjoyable day!

Oh and just to vent, I HATE the UCLA STATS REQUIREMENT!!!! I have to take that stupid class next quarter, which means for the second quarter in a row I will have lab until 6:40 pm on FRIDAY NIGHT!! <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" />
 
If its any consolation, Stats was the easiest math course I have ever taken. I guess it depends on the school, the one I took was also taken by business students :wink:
 
Yep... I did find some solace in the fact that the class would not require much cognitive effort. But still... taking stats means my only option for P Chem lab is friday night from 4-6:40 (= cruel and unusual punishment. )it sucks to leave school and find my car is the only one left in the entire parking lot! (which normally requires you to stalk people from their class to their car to find a space.) But thanks for the support, you can always count on fellow SDNers to offer encouraging words. 😀
 
Hey Jessica,

Sorry I couldn't respond right away... been studying for our renal exam that we had on Friday. 🙂

The types of careers that UCSF graduates go into is quite varied. Some end up in academic medicine or biomedical research, some go the primary care route, and yet others choose subspecialties. Basically, your options are wide open at graduation. About 60% stay in California. UCSF students continually get into many of the top residencies available. A large proportion head down to UCLA to do residency, so this would definitely support your goal to eventually move back down to SoCal. As a transplant myself (went to UCLA undergrad), I want to eventually head back there for residency after graduating from UCSF. I feel that going to UCSF will definitely help me attain that goal.

By the way, I'm heading down to SoCal this weekend to visit my family. It's not bad having only a 6 hr drive or a 1 hr plane flight. Several of my classmates from SoCal have headed down there a bunch of times since school started, so there's often someone to catch a ride with if you don't have a car.

If you have any other questions about UCSF, please let me know and I'd be happy to answer. Good luck in deciding and hope to see you this fall here! 😀
 
Jessica,

If it is any consolation, if you do well on your stats class now, you may not have to take one your first year at UCLA (if you choose to attend that school).

Those who have satisfied the stats requirement for UCLA can take a test and challenge the stats course that the first years take. That was the story that I got from the 3 first year students on our tour.
 
Hi Jessica,

Sorry I could not respond until now - Vader and I were both studying for our renal exam. Got back to LA on Friday night. I would say people at UCSF from So. Cal usually make it back to LA every 4-6 weeks (if they want to); that has been my average, anyway. If you want to come back to LA more, it's definitely possible. The drive is really easy and I always have people carpool down with me (more fun) or you can fly.

As for the academic medicine interest, I would definitely choose UCSF. UCLA is awesome and does great research, but I feel that the environment at UCSF is really conducive to research and that there are a ton of opportunities for med students to do research. (I am not comparing to UCLA, just saying what we have.) As for the "type" of doctors UCSF graduates, it really varies. You can do anything post-UCSF, so don't make that a deciding factor. I am planning to return to LA for residency and a lot of other people I know are, too. You can definitely make it back to LA post-UCSF if you want to. Again, I am not sure how to compare it to UCLA, but I know at least three people who have had choose between UCSF and UCLA, went to UCSF and have been very happy with their choices. Feel free to email me if you have further questions. Good luck on the decision!!

-- Becky
 
one thing i've heard is that ucla (well, them and a lot of other schools) really take care of their own, meaning that your chances are a lot higher applying for residency there than a non-ucla person... i'm not sure about ucsf, but i'd assume it's the same thing.

so if you wanted to do residency in l.a., maybe that'd be a factor in choosing ucla, especially if you are interested in something really competitive like derm (then again, ucsf has such a great rep that i'm sure you would have good chances too)
 
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