UCSD v USC Keck

[alos00]

UCSD
Pros

• Cheaper tuition (I am a CA resident)
• Student-run clinic
• Smaller class size (134)
• Only medical school in the San Diego area, so students get to rotate at several different hospitals

Cons

• Didn't feel that students there were genuinely happy (I may be wrong about this since I haven't attended second look yet)
• I grew up pretty close to La Jolla and would like to experience a different part of SoCal.

Keck
Pros

• Loved my interview day here
• Training at LAC
• Students seem genuinely happy and have a lot of support from faculty as well as fun social events
• Get to experience a different part of SoCal (I've heard Keck is ~15 min from downtown LA)

Cons

• The COST
• Bigger class size (~180)

Summary: I'm not really looking to go into academic medicine, so research opportunities and prestige are not as important to me. I'm especially interested in hearing what others know or have heard about the overall happiness of students at UCSD and Keck.

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[NewMedGuy]

Would also love some insight into the differences between these two schools!

 

[1203xx]

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[Brah of Science]

I am also debating between these two schools. Although, I just the large tag price for Keck is drawing me to UCSD

 

[rakasan]

Current Keck student here who also interviewed at UCSD. Obviously can't speak to the UCSD experience besides the interview, but happy to answer any questions you might have.

 

[Abradolf_Lincler]

As a fellow California resident with much love from OOS schools and none from in state: I think Keck sets you up best for your future regardless of what your plans might be. That name carries and although SD is a comparable institution, Keck has an amazing culture and a wonderful curriculum.

 

[Brah of Science]

Current Keck student here who also interviewed at UCSD. Obviously can't speak to the UCSD experience besides the interview, but happy to answer any questions you might have.

While I'm sure that the clinical training at LAC is amazing, I have heard that you pretty much shadow while rotating at Keck University Hospital. Not sure if you have started rotations yet, but can you provide some insight on the quality of clinical sites at Keck.

 

[Gray Fox]

As a research powerhouse, UCSD has the better overall reputation. Have friends there who LOVE it. Cheaper, beaches, less traffic, and affordable housing? Get outta here!

 

[Abradolf_Lincler]

As a research powerhouse, UCSD has the better overall reputation. Have friends there who LOVE it. Cheaper, beaches, less traffic, and affordable housing? Get outta here!

La Jolla is as close to paradise as the US can get. As far as research goes, it is one of the most compelling science centers on the west coast. I will fully admit that I am beyond jealous of the opportunity to attend either of these incredible institutions. There is no wrong decision here. UCSD is considerably cheaper and will ultimately set you up comparably.

 

[rakasan]

While I'm sure that the clinical training at LAC is amazing, I have heard that you pretty much shadow while rotating at Keck University Hospital. Not sure if you have started rotations yet, but can you provide some insight on the quality of clinical sites at Keck.

I personally haven't rotated through Keck Hospital, but clinical training at KeckSOM is an easy choice over UCSD. But I guess also keep in mind where your interests are. UCSD has the VA if you're interested in military med, Keck has CHLA if you want a strong peds hospital etc etc.

As an aside, I will say that the vibe I got from my interview at Keck was right on point. Students, faculty and staff are friendly, down to earth, supportive (I could speak endlessly about how well supported I feel in literally EVERY regard), funny and as a whole don't take themselves overly seriously. The people I met at USCD were nice overall, but I didn't quite feel the same "these are my people" vibe. OP, my advice is go with the school with the best fit.

EDIT: Also, how could I forget - our lectures are webcast! Don't underestimate the value of waking up in the morning and deciding, "I can just watch this on 2x later while in my PJs"

 

[NewMedGuy]

Could anyone give further insight into which provides better clinical training, especially with surgical specialities? I've heard very different opinions from lots of people

 

[Brah of Science]

I will say that USC's match list looks much more impressive IMO..of course there is a lot of self-selection at USC

 

[Kingsmen2018]

Both are amazing schools and congrats on getting not both! You really cannot go wrong. For the most part the area around USC is pretty ghetto and UCSD is beautiful. Everyone i know who went to ucsd loved the area and said it was super fun.

 

[Mammogram]

As a California resident, I would choose UC, especially UCSD over a private institution any day for the friendly costs. From UCSD you can pretty much go anywhere you want for residency (e.g. emergency med at LAC if you want to live in LA), if you work hard of course. From what I've been told you'll be spending most of your time studying anyways like ~10 hours a day and from my experience La Jolla is a much more nurturing environment than Los Angeles.

 

[DSM_302.0]

As a California resident, I would choose UC, especially UCSD over a private institution any day for the friendly costs. From UCSD you can pretty much go anywhere you want for residency (e.g. emergency med at LAC if you want to live in LA), if you work hard of course. From what I've been told you'll be spending most of your time studying anyways like ~10 hours a day and from my experience La Jolla is a much more nurturing environment than Los Angeles.

I agree with ^^, except I think I prefer the dynamism and diversity of LA over the somewhat quieter nature of SD. As a student, I might prefer SD anyway. This is spoken as a norcal dude without a ton of time spent in socal.

USC is the only secondary I didn't complete. I have a friend who went to USC and loved it, but I otherwise haven't heard all that many great of things about the school. I suppose I'm relying a bit on the reputation of USC being the University for Spoiled Children -- a playground for the uber-wealthy kids who didn't get into UCLA or Stanford. Plus, the USC dean scandal did not inspire confidence in me that the administration has its **** together enough to properly take care of all their students. UCSD also has a stellar reputation, but with in-state tuition.

Article:
USC had many warnings about medical school dean's behavior but took little action

 

[Avada Cadaver]

...It doesn't help at all that both USC and UCSD's second look fall on the same weekend x.x

 

[Brah of Science]

...It doesn't help at all that both USC and UCSD's second look fall on the same weekend x.x

Are you planning on going to either one? I know UCLA is the same weekend as well

 

[Avada Cadaver]

Are you planning on going to either one? I know UCLA is the same weekend as well

Yeah I don't like how they're all on the same weekend. I'm interviewing at LA this week so I'll assume I won't hear back till it's too late to even book flights/airbnb for their second look lol. I'm leaning towards attending UCSD's only because their itinerary seems way more fun than Keck's, but I met a couple amazing people at USC I'd love to meet up with and being that it's the only school that's offered me merit aide I'm already leaning towards them anyway. How about you?

 

[Brah of Science]

Yeah I don't like how they're all on the same weekend. I'm interviewing at LA this week so I'll assume I won't hear back till it's too late to even book flights/airbnb for their second look lol. I'm leaning towards attending UCSD's only because their itinerary seems way more fun than Keck's, but I met a couple amazing people at USC I'd love to meet up with and being that it's the only school that's offered me merit aide I'm already leaning towards them anyway. How about you?

Unless I hear back from UCLA, I am set on attending UCSD's second-look (I'm from Socal so everything is within driving distance). UCSD's weekend sounds pretty fun and engaging IMO. I saw the brewery tour option and it instantly sold me lol But I agree with your point regarding merit aid. If a school offered me some change, it would definitely peak my interest.