UCSD Summer Program or Europe?

[Chnobli]

Hi everyone,

I can't make up my mind, so I am looking for advice please...

I graduated 2 years ago, and then worked in a immunology research lab since then. My biology grades are good, mostly A's.

Should I go to Europe to visit family, or should I do the summerprogram?

The summerprogram at UCSD covers the following topics:
Medical Physiology,
Human Genetics
Immunology
Molecular Biology
Stress management

Thank you very much for any advice/input...

Chnobli

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[Elysium]

All of those classes look pretty cool, but I would definetly go to Europe! Unless the UCSD program will give you a significant edge in applying/getting in to med school (or preparing for med school), I would opt for traveling.

That's just me. Then again, I'm spending 6 weeks in London this summer, so maybe I'm biased...

 

[Patiently Waiting]

chnobli,

C'mon. Europe all the way!!!! You've done well in all of your bio classes and you will have an ample, let me stress again--"AMPLE", opportunity to take all of the listed/similar classes when the school begins. I think, that summer program is mainly for those lacking the science background.

 

[Hero]

Chnobli, the only reason i'm not going to Europe is b/c UCSD hasn't accepted me... I will have to prepare for the MCAT durin the summer and reapply...

go to Europe for me

 

[lilycat]

Ok, as someone who carefully researched the UCSD summer program last year and thought very seriously of attending (like you, I had been out of school for 2 years), I would say go to Europe. I talked to a lot of the "alums" of the summer program, and while they thought it was helpful, it didn't sound like it gave you a very distinct advantage in the fall. The main thing people noticed was that people who took the summer program were slightly less stressed out in the fall. I talked to other people from similar backgrounds (1 or more years out of school) who didn't take the program, and they felt fine without. Summer program or not, just be prepared to buckle down and focus on your studies once classes start. I think you may find that easier to do having enjoyed your summer in Europe.

 

[Chnobli]

Thanks for all your advice guys! It looks like everyone tells me to go to Europe... Well, maybe I should do that, it sounds like soooo much fun!

EUROPE, here I coooooooooooom!
<img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

Chnobli

 

[Chnobli]

I mean "Europe here I come with an '"e"!

 

[Chnobli]

Hero,

Are you currently waitlisted at UCSD? You sound like you really would want to come to UCSD, so I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

All the best,
Chnobli

 

[Hero]

Thanks Chnobli!! During the summer, there will be water in the a-pool. So i'll still have that hope left!(weird metaphor)

Be sure to get drunk at munich for me !

 

[doc3334]

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[E'01]

chnobli I had the EXACT same thread going. I suggest that you do the summer program. I ended up canceling a trip to Hawaii - well I'm trying to reschedule everything - so I can come back by June 10th for my summer program. I'd rather prep myself and rid myself of any pre-school anxieties than travel for the summer because while I'm away I'd be thinking what if had been doing the program. Plus after speaking to students who did the program, they said that it helped them so much - particularly with biochem and anatomy in the fall. Anyway that's my little input. I posted a poll and everyone who took the time to voted (which I really appreciated) said to go and travel with the exception of 2 people. I know myself - I would be lounging on the beach worrying about not being in the prep program. Anyway I decided to do it AND I can still travel - I'm going to LA, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and I need another trip in place of Hawaii - probably head to London since I have family there. Granted I won't have the whole summer off to travel, but a week here and there is good enough for me. SOrry if this post is badly worded, I just woke up an hour ago!

 

[UC-Lover]

Hi chnobli;
Go to Europe!! Definitely. This is gonna be THE last summer of your life ever. Make the most of it. I'm going to travel back to my birthcountry too although i haven't received any love from any UC yet (my in-state schools).
This thought just popped up in my head: what if med school accepts me while I was out of country? Dammit....

 

[BlackPuma]

defintely take summer school....just know this at least half the class will take it...so half the class will be ahead of u come fall...u dont want to be behind do u?!

 

[matthew0126]

hey, chnobli
i'm gonna take this summer off instead of opting for the summer program. i get the feeling from the students that it's more for people that didn't major in science or have been out of school for a while. it can't hurt, of course, but i feel that it wouldn't really make that big of a diff for people that just got out of science majors. i'm going to enjoy myself

good luck whichever route you choose, and see you in august

 

[Chnobli]

Hi Watchamicallit,

You are funny!!! Will you be going to UCSD also?

Yesterday, I have made some reservations for Europe with my frequent flyer miles that I collected from flying around the US for my interviews! But I could still cancel... <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

Chnobli

 

[Chnobli]

Hi LHP,

Good luck to you! At the interview at UCSD we were told by Dr. Resnik that in case we were waitlisted we should be reachable AT ALL TIMES since they will give the spot to the first person they can reach!

So maybe you want to invest in a world-wide cell phone so that you can take that call while you are icefishing in the antarctica! :wink:

In any case, I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

Chnobli

 

[Chnobli]

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for your advice! What are you going to do this Summer?

Chnobli

 

[Chnobli]

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for your advice! What are you going to do this Summer?

Chnobli

 

[Chnobli]

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for your advice! What are you going to do this Summer?

Chnobli

 

[matthew0126]

well. since you ask three times ... i'm gonna soak up the rays and spend most of my time on the beach in socali. i was gonna go to europe but no money -- have to buy a car. that's okay, i love kickin it down there.

 

[lilycat]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by matthew0126:
•hey, chnobli
i'm gonna take this summer off instead of opting for the summer program. i get the feeling from the students that it's more for people that didn't major in science or have been out of school for a while. it can't hurt, of course, but i feel that it wouldn't really make that big of a diff for people that just got out of science majors. i'm going to enjoy myself

good luck whichever route you choose, and see you in august •••••As for who takes the summer program, there are some people who are accepted with the caveat that they MUST attend the summer program prior to starting in the fall. I'm guessing this is for people who showed academic promise that wasn't necessarily proven by their grades or MCATs. There is a second group of people who apparently receive emails/letters that suggest they strongly consider attending the program. Again, I think some of these people may have had slightly weak stats, or have been out of school for some time or were non-science majors, but this is not true for everyone who may fit some of those criteria. The third group are students who just think it sounds like a good idea for whatever reason. I fell into the third group -- I was a non-science major and had been out of school for 2 years, so given the reputed intensity of UCSD's basic sciences, I thought I could use a boost. However, I spoke to people from a similar background to mine who said they decided against the summer program and they did fine, passing all their classes, etc. The people I talked to who did the summer program felt that it was helpful, but that if you do it, you really have to make a strong commitment to it and focus on the progam, otherwise you won't get anything out of it.

Also, keep in mind that if you don't do the summer program, and feel stressed or overwhelmed in the fall, UCSD is known for having a really excellent tutoring and academic support service, so it's not like you will be totally adrift.

Watcha -- where did you hear that half the class took the program? I don't think it was anywhere near that high.

 

[HanSolo]

Hi, I'll be attending the summer tutorial program at UCSD in June. I do it just to get me into good study and reading habit more than anything else. So, Chnobli dont worry that you'd fall behind if you dont do the summer tutorial You'll be ok! See ya in the fall