UCSC VS UCR undergrad

[deleted673284]

Hello Everyone!

I've been accepted into UCSC for Human Bio and UCR (with a Chancellors Scholarship) for Neuroscience CHASS (I think it shouldn't be too hard to switch into CNAS).

I've tried doing comparisons of the schools and most people on College Confidential stick to dorm life, environment, etc. Which would you all recommend for pre-med if money really isn't a factor in my consideration.

I know UCR has a medical school but I've read that SC is more research oriented, and the major I'm planning on doing at SC requires you to do an internship as part of the major requirements.

Can anyone enlighten me a bit more on how these two colleges compare for pre-med and also, as both are lower tier UC's, will I have a disadvantage in applying to UC medical schools with considerable prestige like SD, LA, and SF in the long run even if I have the MCAT score, GPA, etc?

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[efle]

Neither of these are going to have significant advantage over the other for a premed. You really should choose based on location, campus vibe if you visited, dorm and food and general life quality.

The UC med schools are not too bad about prestige mongering, but they are incredibly hard to get into, so you should go into this process assuming you'll have to go elsewhere in the country until proven otherwise!

 

[coffeeandcadavers]

I currently attend UCSC and I love it here! The atmosphere and the students doesn't scream stress and there is no "gunner" vibe. Everyone minds their own business, does their work, and is overall friendly. You feel a little competition in premed classes, but it's a healthy amount. As for research, it's amazing. I joined a lab as a frosh and it's not too rare for that to happen if you are proactive and dedicated! Good luck with your decision and with college! 🙂 Feel free to DM me if you have any other questions.

 

[Jalby]

Since UCR now has a medical school I would expect the competition in the science classes to be much higher with more premed. You would probably have an easier time getting better grades at UCSC and not have to meet as many premeds. All other things being equal, I would go to UCSC over UCR.

 

[Lardy Boy]

UCR. They got programs that help you get into their medical school.


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[Hau5MD]

I currently attend UCSC and I love it here! The atmosphere and the students doesn't scream stress and there is no "gunner" vibe. Everyone minds their own business, does their work, and is overall friendly. You feel a little competition in premed classes, but it's a healthy amount. As for research, it's amazing. I joined a lab as a frosh and it's not too rare for that to happen if you are proactive and dedicated! Good luck with your decision and with college! 🙂 Feel free to DM me if you have any other questions.

Recent UCSC grad. Definitely agree. There are still a few gunners in prereqs though otherwise everyone is laidback and very willing to help each other. Research is a bit of a mixed bag. If you're attempting to get into a more niche topic such as neuroscience (lots of majors, very few labs), you will have a much harder time finding a lab position. Otherwise, finding a position is not too difficult especially if you email/visit lots of professors. Advising is between not great and non-existent. Unless they hired a new premed advisor (heard the PhD advisor is currently filling in), I found SDN and other students to be more helpful especially when it came to course selection.