-
The 2026-2027 MD School Specific Threads are now live in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 cycle threads can be found here. -
Scholarship Access: Becoming a Student Doctor course
Free access to comprehensive medical school prep. Eligible students include AAMC FAP recipients and HS graduates from underserved areas. Apply today.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
UCSD vs Stanford
Started by shotofb12
Which one would you pick?
I'm originally from San Diego which gives UCSD both pros and cons.
I would definitely choose Stanford! Congrats on your acceptance btw!
UCSD because Triton 4 life.
Stanford >>>>>> UCSD
Stanford all the way
Moving to SSD
Moving to SSD
I mean, how attached are you to San Diego? Did you go to college somewhere else and struggle with being far from home the whole time?
Stanford. Same state as home. It's Stanford. Go to Stanford.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I'm a Californian.Judging from the responses here none of you have actually been to San Diego. I know med school isn't supposed to be fun, but SD is simply a top 3 city in the US.
I've been to San Diego.
I've been to East Palo Alto.
San Diego >>>>>> East Palo Alto (not the question he asked)
Stanford >>>>>> UCSD (The question he asked). The prestige and professional advantages of Stanford far outweigh those of UCSD.
Judging from the responses here none of you have actually been to San Diego. I know med school isn't supposed to be fun, but SD is simply a top 3 city in the US.
Guess you haven't been to Palo Alto. Not exactly a step down...
Edit: Guess I haven't been to East Palo Alto -- Sounds like I needn't rush to change that...
Last edited:
Stanford. My dad did residency there, and he calls it the country club of medical schools. His med students would leave at 5:30 pm because they would have a test the next day. The only downside is that a lot of Stanford students don't finish in 4 years, they take a year off to do research, or "find themselves". Don't think much has changed. Great school, really let you focus on what you want to get out of med school. And you can't beat Palo Alto!! Good luck to you, this is the definition of first world problems.
I did my grad school work at UCSD. Though SD is a nice city, I would definitely pick Stanford over UCSD.Judging from the responses here none of you have actually been to San Diego. I know med school isn't supposed to be fun, but SD is simply a top 3 city in the US.
I'm a Californian.
I've been to San Diego.
I've been to East Palo Alto.
San Diego >>>>>> East Palo Alto (not the question he asked)
Stanford >>>>>> UCSD (The question he asked). The prestige and professional advantages of Stanford far outweigh those of UCSD.
Yes but location had to be a factor. Deciding to attend Johns Hopkins has to be weighed against the idea of being in Baltimore. Especially in that region of Baltimore
You cannot equate Palo Alto with Baltimore. Even if it is just an example. I have a friend who got her PhD from Johns Hopkins and lived next to the school. She tells me the crazy stories, but she survived and actually enjoyed the city.Yes but location had to be a factor. Deciding to attend Johns Hopkins has to be weighed against the idea of being in Baltimore. Especially in that region of Baltimore
Last edited:
I voted for Stanford twice. Go to Stanford.
.
Last edited:
.
Last edited:
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Of course it's reasonable to consider geographic location especially if you're comparing two comparable schools.Yes but location had to be a factor. Deciding to attend Johns Hopkins has to be weighed against the idea of being in Baltimore. Especially in that region of Baltimore
The problem is you aren't.
Stanford is a much more prestigious school than UCSD.
Well almost… If you multiply it by 10EPA is so far from Stanford. It's almost like saying UCSD is in escondido
(EPA 3 miles away; Escondido 30ish).
Well but Escondido is 35 min on I-15, EPA is 35 min on stand-still University Ave. Ok, maybe 25 min and Poway. (Hyperbole, like EPA's rep. )Well almost… If you multiply it by 10
(EPA 3 miles away; Escondido 30ish).
I dunno, I think the main point is that Palo Alto and La Jolla (the real comparisons) are pretty much equivalent. Where La Jolla has a beach, Palo Alto has interesting food and high culture.
Last edited: