UCLA vs UW (University of Washington)

[franniemeow07]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Umm, it is not a stereotype. I have been there several times to witness it, and the facts say that Seattle is one of the grayest cities in the US with 226 cloudy days on average per year (http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/cldy.html). There are 82 partly cloudy days, and just 58 clear days.
LA has pretty much no more smog alerts, and I have never heard anyone say anything about the air "smelling" bad or hurting their breathing except during wildfires for a few days a couple years back.

I am living in Seattle and have done so for the past 8 years. It is not a stereotype.

 

[MJ is KING]

HAHAHAHAHA, thats really funny..everytime i think of where to go to med school (i'm deciding b/w stanford and ucla) i think of the song LIVE AND DIE IN LA! Thanks for posting the video, what a great song.


OP---LA is truely the place to be. We have beaches, babes, and anything else anybody could possibly ask for. You like the fast paced, bar/club scene, we have the best of that. You like the artsy/music scene, we got that. Anything you can possibly like or want is in LA. And this answers the question ppl who are asking "Why are all the UCLA med students so ecstatic?" hmmm, maybe CAUSE THEY LIVE IN LA and go to a TOP 10 SCHOOL!

As Dr. Dre said, What else can i say? I love LA!

 

[smq123]

I'm concerned with quality of life and quality of education, mostly. Many people have brought up good things about both schools and both locations, so I truly am having a hard time deciding. I really don't want to be kicking myself a year later if I make the wrong decision.

No matter where you go, the chances that you'll be "kicking yourself a year later" because you picked the wrong school are fairly small. You may be kicking yourself a year from now because you regret going into medicine, but that's not related to the school you're going to.

The main reason why people kick themselves because of poor school choice is because the school that they chose was too far from spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend/family, and they feel lonely and isolated as a result. Their relationship may even have disintegrated because of the distance.

The people who are arguing about location and weather....blah. 🙄 It's not that important unless you're one of the rare people who is supremely sensitive to SAD or something.

The MS1 experience is remarkably the same at every school - top tier, bottom tier, MD, DO, whatever; it's all the same. The stress is the same, the tough adjustment is the same, and the study demands are the same.

The BIGGEST differences (and I didn't realize this until I was an MS3/4) is the clinical curriculum. Does your school allow you to explore ALL specialty options as an MS3? Or do they only allow you to do electives as an MS4? This is key because some specialties, like ophtho, are early match, and if you don't have exposure to ophtho during MS3, you may not be able to get your residency application together in time.

For that reason, looking at each school's website, I actually liked UCLA's MS3 and MS4 curriculums better. They have fewer MS4 requirements (i.e. easier to schedule interviews, because they rarely let people skip days during required rotations). They also have some elective exposure during MS3. UCLA's schedule is definitely NOT optimal (I can see some things that I'd dislike about it) but it is more flexible than UW.

That being said, don't discount UW entirely. They still are an excellent school that sends students into competitive fields every year. But that's my thought on the two schools, as an MS4.

 

[TupacalipseT96]

I'd do UCLA.

My impression is that UCLA draws from a more competitive pool of applicants, whereas UW is more limited. So while the UW medical school itself might have a little more NIH funding, my impression is that the UCLA students are more impressive, simply because the selection pool is larger; and as a student, the caliber of your peers matters a whole lot more than NIH money, imo.

PS: Pac's To Live And Die In LA is timeless.

 

[copingmethods]

Los Angeles is the best city in the world.

👍

 

[searun]

You learn alot about a place by the quality of its water. Water is very important to me. Frankly, the quality of the water in the Pacific Northwest is superb, exquisite and refreshing, as our native rainbow and cutthroat trout will attest.

Drinking the tap water in LA is like drinking from a sewer. And don't tell me to drink bottled water, an environmental abomination. If I lived in LA, I would spend 4 years feeling dehydrated because I cannot tolerate the water of LA. I guess I could increase my intake of beer, but that would be counterproductive to my academic performance.

 

[pntgrd]

You learn alot about a place by the quality of its water. Water is very important to me. Frankly, the quality of the water in the Pacific Northwest is superb, exquisite and refreshing, as our native rainbow and cutthroat trout will attest.

Drinking the tap water in LA is like drinking from a sewer. And don't tell me to drink bottled water, an environmental abomination. If I lived in LA, I would spend 4 years feeling dehydrated because I cannot tolerate the water of LA. I guess I could increase my intake of beer, but that would be counterproductive to my academic performance.

Best tasting water in the world is in LA. "The title for Best Municipal Water in 2008 is shared by Clearbrook, British Columbia, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which serves Los Angeles.

"It's not the first time Los Angeles has won, they've won a number of times over the years," said event producer Jill Klein Rone. "It means they give special care and attention to their water and how it is processed."
http://cbs2chicago.com/watercooler/Tap.Water.Taste.2.661967.html

 

[DrWookie]

Best tasting water in the world is in LA. "The title for Best Municipal Water in 2008 is shared by Clearbrook, British Columbia, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which serves Los Angeles.

"It's not the first time Los Angeles has won, they've won a number of times over the years," said event producer Jill Klein Rone. "It means they give special care and attention to their water and how it is processed."
http://cbs2chicago.com/watercooler/Tap.Water.Taste.2.661967.html

That amazes me...every time I go down to LA my mom and sister tell me to NEVER drink from the sink (They've been living down there for 3 years now). i also hate drinking bottled water so it is always really hard. I usually buy those huge gallons from the grocery to limit the waste.

The thing I notice the most about the water in LA though is how hard it is when I'm taking a shower. I always feel so unclean coming out of the shower, like there is a thin film still stuck to me.

(Oh and its another BEAUTIFUL sunny day in the northwest with big fluffy white clouds)

EDIT:

I checked the website of that contest...there wasn't an entry from the northwest 🙁 (Parts of Canada, but not Wash/Or/Id)

 

[searun]

Best tasting water in the world is in LA. "The title for Best Municipal Water in 2008 is shared by Clearbrook, British Columbia, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which serves Los Angeles.

"It's not the first time Los Angeles has won, they've won a number of times over the years," said event producer Jill Klein Rone. "It means they give special care and attention to their water and how it is processed."
http://cbs2chicago.com/watercooler/Tap.Water.Taste.2.661967.html

LA water definitely fails my taste test, and I am a water afficionado with an educated palate. New York City water is much much better than LA.

 

[DrWookie]

LA water definitely fails my taste test, and I am a water afficionado with an educated palate. New York City water is much much better than LA.

LOL

I'm really bad a tasting any sorts of liquid, let alone water...I tried to get into wine a year or so ago but I just can't seem to taste the differences and the subtleties.

Actually the only thing I've been good at tasting was whisky when I was in Scotland.

Anyway, that's a tangent.

I don't really care about the best tasting water, I just want the healthiest water. I've never heard anyone say LA has healthy water.

 

[drizzt3117]

LA water definitely fails my taste test, and I am a water afficionado with an educated palate. New York City water is much much better than LA.

I dunno, I liked the water in LA personally. It's much better than the water here in the Midwest or that of the East Coast IMO.

 

[TupacalipseT96]

Are we really using the quality of tap water as a med school selection criterion?

The smog in LA is great too, imo. Clears the sinuses -- no tree mating-juice in the back of your throat. Great if you have pollen-based allergies, like me.

 

[DrWookie]

Are we really using the quality of tap water as a med school selection criterion?

The smog in LA is great too, imo. Clears the sinuses -- no tree mating-juice in the back of your throat. Great if you have pollen-based allergies, like me.

Water quality is a VERY important factor when choosing medical schools...it is the number one indicator that you will be able to get into the residency you want and meet a beautiful European model someday to marry.

 

[wammabamma]

Do you think that's an advantage or disadvantage for UCLA?

ucla MS1 here. its HUGE plus. you wanna spend 6 hours per session in anatomy cutting fat? or 3 hrs looking at exactly what you need to know and getting out so you can study other stuff, hang out, exercise, party, drink, eat dinner aka live a normal life.

 

[DrWookie]

ucla MS1 here. its HUGE plus. you wanna spend 6 hours per session in anatomy cutting fat? or 3 hrs looking at exactly what you need to know and getting out so you can study other stuff, hang out, exercise, party, drink, eat dinner aka live a normal life.

I'm not sure if you want to ask that...i bet some people on here would actually rather spend 6 hours cutting fat than living a normal life. We are all pre-med (or med) students after all 🙂

 

[franniemeow07]

(Oh and its another BEAUTIFUL sunny day in the northwest with big fluffy white clouds)

Maybe in Portland, definitely not in Seattle...😀

 

[shindotp]

Oh my god... LA WATER IS JUST LIKE WATER EVERYWHERE ELSE.

It's f-ing water. Same ****. Definitely feel just as clean walking out of a shower here in the Northeast as I did in LA.

 

[DrWookie]

Oh my god... LA WATER IS JUST LIKE WATER EVERYWHERE ELSE.

It's f-ing water. Same ****. Definitely feel just as clean walking out of a shower here in the Northeast as I did in LA.

Not all water is created equal.

Go drink some glasses of water in Zimbabwe or parts of Mexico and tell me all water is the same.

 

[drizzt3117]

ucla MS1 here. its HUGE plus. you wanna spend 6 hours per session in anatomy cutting fat? or 3 hrs looking at exactly what you need to know and getting out so you can study other stuff, hang out, exercise, party, drink, eat dinner aka live a normal life.

I think we've spent maybe one hour in the entirety of anatomy cutting fat, and I think dissecting through to find structures has been really helpful in understanding anatomy. Prosection was one of the major factors that turned me off of UCLA/CCLCM (although not so much the latter b/c of their use of non-preserved cadavers)

Regarding curricula, I've changed my mind somewhat towards traditional curricula, I used to be a bigger PBL advocate before actually going through it, it's great when it works well but can be painful when it doesn't.

I don't think you could go very far wrong with the environment/associated hospital at UCLA though, although I could potentially see why someone might prefer Seattle.

 

[searun]

Oh my god... LA WATER IS JUST LIKE WATER EVERYWHERE ELSE.

It's f-ing water. Same ****. Definitely feel just as clean walking out of a shower here in the Northeast as I did in LA.

No it is not the same. Have you taken a close look at the skin of people who drink bad water, like the water in LA, after a few years of drinking bad water it takes a toll on your skin. That is why the shelf life of Hollywood starlets is about three or four years. Seriously, have you taken a close look at Lindsey Lohan lately. If she had been living in Seattle or Portland, she would be much easier on the eyes, seriously. Better water and less harmful rays from the sun equals hotter girls. If you go to med school in LA, take a close look at the girls as MS1 and then look at them when they receive their MD degree. Alot of aging, due to too much sun, and bad water, and of course, the stress of living in LA.

 

[TupacalipseT96]

No it is not the same. Have you taken a close look at the skin of people who drink bad water, like the water in LA, after a few years of drinking bad water it takes a toll on your skin. That is why the shelf life of Hollywood starlets is about three or four years. Seriously, have you taken a close look at Lindsey Lohan lately. If she had been living in Seattle or Portland, she would be much easier on the eyes, seriously. Better water and less harmful rays from the sun equals hotter girls. If you go to med school in LA, take a close look at the girls as MS1 and then look at them when they receive their MD degree. Alot of aging, due to too much sun, and bad water, and of course, the stress of living in LA.

Women of LA:

Women of Washington:

Take your pick. To each their own.

 

[pntgrd]

No it is not the same. Have you taken a close look at the skin of people who drink bad water, like the water in LA, after a few years of drinking bad water it takes a toll on your skin. That is why the shelf life of Hollywood starlets is about three or four years. Seriously, have you taken a close look at Lindsey Lohan lately. If she had been living in Seattle or Portland, she would be much easier on the eyes, seriously. Better water and less harmful rays from the sun equals hotter girls. If you go to med school in LA, take a close look at the girls as MS1 and then look at them when they receive their MD degree. Alot of aging, due to too much sun, and bad water, and of course, the stress of living in LA.

Are you serious? If it is, you're crazy.

 

[bstk]

I'm a WA state resident and I didn't even bother applying to UW for the following reasons:

1) MS1s and MS2s tend to be MISERABLE. They complain about the curriculum style (which is blocks with no integration with systems) and the amount of class time that is required. Compared to my friends at U of Michigan and UCLA... who are very happy with their medical schools.

2) Match lists. UW's match list is ... not impressive, nor is their USMLE Step 1 score average. Especially for competitive fields like surgery (if you want to do ortho).

3) WWAMI program. Chances are you'll have to move to Pullman, WA or Boise, ID for your first two years. Then for your clerkships you have to pick up and move every 8 weeks. That SUCKS.

Bottom line, if you have an acceptance to a top 10 medical school, take it rather than going to UW. 🙂

 

[megamega]

I'm a WA state resident and I didn't even bother applying to UW for the following reasons:

1) MS1s and MS2s tend to be MISERABLE. They complain about the curriculum style (which is blocks with no integration with systems) and the amount of class time that is required. Compared to my friends at U of Michigan and UCLA... who are very happy with their medical schools.

2) Match lists. UW's match list is ... not impressive, nor is their USMLE Step 1 score average. Especially for competitive fields like surgery (if you want to do ortho).

3) WWAMI program. Chances are you'll have to move to Pullman, WA or Boise, ID for your first two years. Then for your clerkships you have to pick up and move every 8 weeks. That SUCKS.

Bottom line, if you have an acceptance to a top 10 medical school, take it rather than going to UW. 🙂

Thanks for the info. I will look into the step 1 scores for each school and I will continue to look for a match list for UW (the UCLA match list looks very impressive).

The only incorrect thing that I know of, is that all UW med students spend their second year in Seattle, and many of the first year medical students get to stay in Seattle as well, but it is not guaranteed. Also they do have clerkships in WA state, so the moves may not be so bad.

 

[202781]

Women of LA:

Women of Washington:

Take your pick. To each their own.

Thank you Tupacalipse!
I live in Portland and this is true. The women mess themselves up with tats/piercings.
Just the other day I met this hot chick in a club (or so I thought) and when she invited me back to her place I noticed that she had her nipples pierced and had several tats including one on her lower back of a frog on a lilypad...it was a major turn-off

 

[DrWookie]

Thank you Tupacalipse!
I live in Portland and this is true. The women mess themselves up with tats/piercings.
Just the other day I met this hot chick in a club (or so I thought) and when she invited me back to her place I noticed that she had her nipples pierced and had several tats including one on her lower back of a frog on a lilypad...it was a major turn-off

Ya I will admit the northwest (Especially Portland) does tend to harbor a lot of creepy hippie girls (and guys).

However, at least in Portland, there is also a big growing population of people buying property from Southern California because A. It is cheaper up here and B. It is more relaxed and a lot of people are trying to escape the hectic lifestyle

We are also the most bike friendly city in the entire country, which is pretty cool 🙂

 

[202781]

Ya I will admit the northwest (Especially Portland) does tend to harbor a lot of creepy hippie girls (and guys).

However, at least in Portland, there is also a big growing population of people buying property from Southern California because A. It is cheaper up here and B. It is more relaxed and a lot of people are trying to escape the hectic lifestyle

We are also the most bike friendly city in the entire country, which is pretty cool 🙂

It is cool...unless you are a car.

 

[Reddpoint]

To the OP, pick the school based on the city you would most like to live in for 4 years. Once you are in school you will realize that the differences between curriculum of med schools is not that important. At the end of the day, everyone has to learn the same info and there really is no perfect way to do it.

The reputation of these two schools are completely equal in terms of getting into residency. Dont let anyone convince you that the small numerical differences on USnews will make a difference in your life. Good luck and remember that there is no wrong choice here.

 

[shindotp]

Not all water is created equal.

Go drink some glasses of water in Zimbabwe or parts of Mexico and tell me all water is the same.

Okay I obviously did not mean water from different countries in the world. Please don't make me have to clarify the obvious: I meant all tap water from the United States is close enough to be indistinguishable when used for regular hygienic purposes.

If it's not, get a filter. You should be drinking filtered water anyway. Paying $20 + Los Angeles >>> Seattle.

No it is not the same. Have you taken a close look at the skin of people who drink bad water, like the water in LA, after a few years of drinking bad water it takes a toll on your skin. That is why the shelf life of Hollywood starlets is about three or four years. Seriously, have you taken a close look at Lindsey Lohan lately. If she had been living in Seattle or Portland, she would be much easier on the eyes, seriously. Better water and less harmful rays from the sun equals hotter girls. If you go to med school in LA, take a close look at the girls as MS1 and then look at them when they receive their MD degree. Alot of aging, due to too much sun, and bad water, and of course, the stress of living in LA.

Wow, some posts on this forum are just ridiculous.

USC and UCLA are both rated A for girls according to:
http://collegeprowler.com/rankings/girls/

 

[WannaBePreMed]

It seems to me like UCLA would be more fun; bunch more pretty girls, great weather, what else do you want...

 

[riceman04]

I guarantee you that will you be kicking yourself in a year if you turn down UCLA. You don't turn down UCLA... it's a blessing from whatever god you pray to. Honestly man, go to UCLA.


edit: I think everybody should say where they are are from.. obviously I am biased since I am a california resident and I would never ever ever in a MILLION years choose U-dub over UCLA.

for biased reasons...clearly you are not in this person's shoes...and really none of us can be....which is why I never understand threads like this.

To the OP: Not to sound mean, but do your homework. I know UCLA's interview day is probably the most unorganized ever, but you still had ample time to go and talk to students. I never went up to UW for anything so I cannot comment; however the same applies.

Once you get to this stage you should be able to make a decision for yourself

 

[veaselhaufen]

It seems to me like UCLA would be more fun; bunch more pretty girls, great weather, what else do you want...

Maybe I'm crazy but I didn't find girls on the UCLA campus to be all that impressive 😕

 

[bstk]

Thanks for the info. I will look into the step 1 scores for each school and I will continue to look for a match list for UW (the UCLA match list looks very impressive).

The only incorrect thing that I know of, is that all UW med students spend their second year in Seattle, and many of the first year medical students get to stay in Seattle as well, but it is not guaranteed. Also they do have clerkships in WA state, so the moves may not be so bad.

Here's 2006's data: http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/NR...518-4831-8526-DB5740CC23BA/0/2006GRAD_RES.pdf

I forgot that MS2s stay in Seattle. My mistake. However, keep in mind also that at UWSOM, MS1s/MS2s take classes together. Often, this leads to the MS1s feeling lost and stupid (quote from my friend).

Finally, there are clerkships all over the place. Chances are you will have to do at one rotation in Alaska and two-three in Idaho, Wyoming, or Montana. Trust me on this one - my sister graduated from UWSOM, and this was her primary complaint - that she had to live out boxes for the majority of her MS3 year.

 

[Svenska]

Dumbest comment I've read on SDN.

I've lived in LA for 18 years and loved it. After moving to the east coast for college, I miss LA dearly.

To the OP:
Choose UCLA - you'll love it there. Excellent choice for wanting to eventually be a CA resident. And when people ask about what med school you went to, you won't be like "University of Washington... it's good I swear." They'll just know "oh WOW UCLA medicine is amazing and so you must be also."

Actually I'm about to show you the most ignorent statement I've ever read, anywhere:

"Ask 20 people on the street which school they think is better (UW or UCLA) and unless you're living in Washington, I think I know where the responses will lean towards. I'm not talking about people who are into medicine, I'm talking about the layperson. "

How many places have you lived to make such a grandiose statement? Ever lived abroad? The University of Washington is one of the most recognized centers of education and research in the world. I've lived in Japan, Sweden, the eastcoast and westcoast and I consistently am surprised by the reputation UW has, anywhere.

Have you ever been to Seattle? Guess what? It happens to be the most educated city in America, based on per capita # of higher education degrees awarded.

I've been to L.A., sadly, many times. I believe it ranks #1 in per capita silicone breast implants. Good if you want to practice plastic surgery, OP.

Oh, and a little something I happened upon from Wikipedia:

Quote "Los Angeles County is home to 152,000 gang members organized into 1,350 gangs.[69] Among the most infamous are the 18th Street, Mara Salvatrucha, Crips, Bloods, and the Surenos street gangs. This has led to the city being referred to as the "Gang Capital of America." " /end Quote.

Sign me up to live the next 4 years in America's Gang Capital.

But seriously, OP, if you want to live in California the rest of your life you might actually consider UCLA. If not, the decision is that much easier.

 

[megamega]

Here's 2006's data: http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/NR...518-4831-8526-DB5740CC23BA/0/2006GRAD_RES.pdf

I forgot that MS2s stay in Seattle. My mistake. However, keep in mind also that at UWSOM, MS1s/MS2s take classes together. Often, this leads to the MS1s feeling lost and stupid (quote from my friend).

Finally, there are clerkships all over the place. Chances are you will have to do at one rotation in Alaska and two-three in Idaho, Wyoming, or Montana. Trust me on this one - my sister graduated from UWSOM, and this was her primary complaint - that she had to live out boxes for the majority of her MS3 year.

Thanks alot for the match list, that really helps.

Does anyone have UCLA's USMLE average?

 

[pntgrd]

Actually I'm about to show you the most ignorent statement I've ever read, anywhere:

"Ask 20 people on the street which school they think is better (UW or UCLA) and unless you're living in Washington, I think I know where the responses will lean towards. I'm not talking about people who are into medicine, I'm talking about the layperson. "

How many places have you lived to make such a grandiose statement? Ever lived abroad? The University of Washington is one of the most recognized centers of education and research in the world. I've lived in Japan, Sweden, the eastcoast and westcoast and I consistently am surprised by the reputation UW has, anywhere.

Have you ever been to Seattle? Guess what? It happens to be the most educated city in America, based on per capita # of higher education degrees awarded.

I've been to L.A., sadly, many times. I believe it ranks #1 in per capita silicone breast implants. Good if you want to practice plastic surgery, OP.

Oh, and a little something I happened upon from Wikipedia:

Quote "Los Angeles County is home to 152,000 gang members organized into 1,350 gangs.[69] Among the most infamous are the 18th Street, Mara Salvatrucha, Crips, Bloods, and the Surenos street gangs. This has led to the city being referred to as the "Gang Capital of America." " /end Quote.

Sign me up to live the next 4 years in America's Gang Capital.

But seriously, OP, if you want to live in California the rest of your life you might actually consider UCLA. If not, the decision is that much easier.

I'm sure you'd be encountering gangs all the time in Westwood and and its surrounding areas (Bel-Air, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills...)🙄.
LA overall has actually become a safe big city, and it's murder rate is as low as it's been since the 1950s.

 

[shindotp]

Actually I'm about to show you the most ignorent statement I've ever read, anywhere:

"Ask 20 people on the street which school they think is better (UW or UCLA) and unless you're living in Washington, I think I know where the responses will lean towards. I'm not talking about people who are into medicine, I'm talking about the layperson. "

How many places have you lived to make such a grandiose statement? Ever lived abroad? The University of Washington is one of the most recognized centers of education and research in the world. I've lived in Japan, Sweden, the eastcoast and westcoast and I consistently am surprised by the reputation UW has, anywhere.

Have you ever been to Seattle? Guess what? It happens to be the most educated city in America, based on per capita # of higher education degrees awarded.

I've been to L.A., sadly, many times. I believe it ranks #1 in per capita silicone breast implants. Good if you want to practice plastic surgery, OP.

Oh, and a little something I happened upon from Wikipedia:

Quote "Los Angeles County is home to 152,000 gang members organized into 1,350 gangs.[69] Among the most infamous are the 18th Street, Mara Salvatrucha, Crips, Bloods, and the Surenos street gangs. This has led to the city being referred to as the "Gang Capital of America." " /end Quote.

Sign me up to live the next 4 years in America's Gang Capital.

But seriously, OP, if you want to live in California the rest of your life you might actually consider UCLA. If not, the decision is that much easier.

Uhh did I say UWash was unrecognized? Perhaps you should reread my statement. I said UCLA > UWash in terms of recognition, and that is quite indisputable. And I've been out of the country too - trust me, UCLA is internationally way more recognized than UWash. Nice job bringing up points to help my argument.

Oh and yeah you definitely see gangs rolling around LA all the time just shooting people 🙄

Good for Seattle for being the most educated. That sure matters a lot for medical school... 🙄

Oh no, #1 for breast implants. How terrible! Girls in Los Angeles have bigger breasts?! The madness. Oh wait, I'm straight.

I've never been to Seattle (how many people in the world have?), and I never plan on going. You bringing up the fact that you've been to LA and I've never been to Seattle only reinforces my belief that LA has more going on.

 

[batman1983]

At UCLA I already know that I will receive a $20,000 SOM Scholarship and they said that I will get that every year, so the tuition will ultimately be similar for both schools in my situation. The difficulty I'm having is that both schools seemed great when I interviewed there, so neither one stands out above the other for me.

Damn....thats crazy, what did you do? Have a 4.0GPA, 40+MCAT, and find the cure for AIDS? Anyways, congrats on both(I wish I just had one). Yet, by going to UCLA, would you be able to get state residency? Im not exactly sure of how residency placement works, but I would think that state residency would play some factor in what state/schools you match at similar to the medical school admissions? Nonetheless, both are very highly regarded, so I dont think either will hurt you for residency placement.

Honestly, since the costs are the same(however, there is a high chance that tuition for UCLA and all the UCs rises substantially within the next 4 yrs), I think the UCLA vs UW debate is more an issue of location and educational environment. While I love LA, its not for everyone(ie, lots of smog, superficial culture, congestion, and some parts of it are plain dirty). Also, there are some types of ppl that don’t like UCLA’s PBL curriculum since its more discussion/group based and less structured than the typical lecture instruction.

 

[majahops]

USMLE average? Are you kidding? It's freaking UCLA.

However, I should warn you that they tend to accept highly spatially intelligent kids who are social tools.

(of course you'll get a UCLA student posting here telling you that I am wrong and the class is full of highly social people... but trust me, TOOL-LAND).

Great faculty though. If you have personality, I'm sure the doctoring faculty would see you as a breath of fresh air!

Thanks alot for the match list, that really helps.

Does anyone have UCLA's USMLE average?

 

[megamega]

I know this is an old thread now, but I just want to thank everyone for posting. I've chosen UCLA and many of the comments here helped my decision.😀 Thanks

 

[silas2642]

I am accepted to both UW and UCLA. I really liked both schools and am not sure where to go. I don't have family in either place and their tuitions are fairly similar. I know that UW is ranked #6 in research by US News, while UCLA is ranked #9 in research.

Eventually I would like to live in California, but right now I'm a resident of Washington, so I wouldn't even have to move if I stay here. On the other hand, UCLA is sunny, warm, and I could possibly become a California resident after my first year.

Should I decide by the numbers or go where it is slightly less expensive or go for the better location? I know that UCLA matches pretty well in residency, but I can't even find a match list for UW. Also how bad is the smog at UCLA?

Lastly any insight onto the positive/negative apsects of UCLA vs. UW curriculums. Any opinions would be helpful.😀

UCLA-- location, location, location.

 

[chiz2kul]

I know this is an old thread now, but I just want to thank everyone for posting. I've chosen UCLA and many of the comments here helped my decision.😀 Thanks

🙂 P/F is better than 8hrs of class a day..

 

[shindotp]

I know this is an old thread now, but I just want to thank everyone for posting. I've chosen UCLA and many of the comments here helped my decision.😀 Thanks

GREAT choice!