UCSD vs. UT Southwestern

[InspiredByDrama]

I am confused to where I really want to apply, no, I mean go. I expect with much studying and more get into the two major schools of my choices.
UT Southwestern in Dallas or UCSD, I live in the Dallas area and I'm wondering if staying home for school would be better or is San Diego just too good of a school to pass up?

Please let me know your opinions.

InspiredByDrama

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[Mutt]

San Diego isn't that great compared to UT SW. Being in medical school is going to be tremendously stressful and having family around would probably be advantageous. UCSD is known to be stressful as a med school, so unless you don't mind, I'd apply to UT SW if I were you.

 

[roca88]

.

 

[Anastasis]

Well I hate to be the one to say it, but... Cocky much?

But UTSW is a great school and family support will really help you adjust with the stress of med school. I would suggest that you apply to both and when, or if, you get accepted to both, then you've got the hard decision to make.

 

[potato51]

I am confused to where I really want to apply, no, I mean go. I expect with much studying and more get into the two major schools of my choices.
UT Southwestern in Dallas or UCSD, I live in the Dallas area and I'm wondering if staying home for school would be better or is San Diego just too good of a school to pass up?

Please let me know your opinions.

InspiredByDrama

If UCSD is superior to UTSW, it really wouldn't be by that much and wouldn't be worth moving to CA and paying out of state tuition for UCSD.

And you make a huge assumption about getting into UTSW and UCSD. UTSW, no problem if you're Texan and you churn out some great numbers. But even if you're awesome, your chances at UCSD as a non-Californian are still slim.

Good schools either way though. Just isn't worth it IMO to pay tons more for a school that's marginally better at best.

 

[InspiredByDrama]

I'm not a Texan by any means and I hate Texas to be honest. My chances I believe of getting into UT SW are much greater than getting into UCSD.
BUT -
I feel that the stress of medical school will overwhelm me in the beginning, I believe that if I'm away from family and home, I'm away from my comfort zone and I will push myself harder than if I were at home and could just be lazy in the event I got too stressed out.
I've taken 2 practice MCAT and received a 32 on both, although I still have a year and a half before I'm even applying to medical school I feel that with much studying, hands on training and more I can increase my score by at least 3-5 points.
UCSD is my #1 choice but fear is there because I've never lived away from home; but I think that'd be a good thing once I enter medical school, wherever it may be. 😱

InspiredByDrama

 

[browniegirl86]

I'm not a Texan by any means and I hate Texas to be honest. My chances I believe of getting into UT SW are much greater than getting into UCSD.
BUT -
I feel that the stress of medical school will overwhelm me in the beginning, I believe that if I'm away from family and home, I'm away from my comfort zone and I will push myself harder than if I were at home and could just be lazy in the event I got too stressed out.
I've taken 2 practice MCAT and received a 32 on both, although I still have a year and a half before I'm even applying to medical school I feel that with much studying, hands on training and more I can increase my score by at least 3-5 points.
UCSD is my #1 choice but fear is there because I've never lived away from home; but I think that'd be a good thing once I enter medical school, wherever it may be. 😱

InspiredByDrama

In which state do you have in-state status? This will make a huge difference. If you're not a CA citizen, then UCSD becomes exponentially harder to get into. And vice versa; if you're not a TX citizen, UTSW is going to be a pretty tough admission. Also, fyi, the US News (so take it with a grain of salt) ranks UCSD tied for 14th and UTSW 17th. So really, as far as rankings, there's really no difference.

Just curious . . . why UCSD? If you're confident in picking such competitive schools, why not UCSF?

 

[Flopotomist]

uhm - yeah - uhm... you don't have acceptances yet, and are debating between these two schools? Do you understand anything about the application process?

 

[Lorrayne]

I'm not a Texan by any means and I hate Texas to be honest. My chances I believe of getting into UT SW are much greater than getting into UCSD.
BUT -
I feel that the stress of medical school will overwhelm me in the beginning, I believe that if I'm away from family and home, I'm away from my comfort zone and I will push myself harder than if I were at home and could just be lazy in the event I got too stressed out.
I've taken 2 practice MCAT and received a 32 on both, although I still have a year and a half before I'm even applying to medical school I feel that with much studying, hands on training and more I can increase my score by at least 3-5 points.
UCSD is my #1 choice but fear is there because I've never lived away from home; but I think that'd be a good thing once I enter medical school, wherever it may be. 😱

InspiredByDrama

Just FYI, numbers are definitely not everything. I know several Texas residents who scored mid-30s on their MCAT and did not get into UTSW. It's wise to not take anything for granted in the application process.

 

[BozoSparky]

Well, the student bodies are pretty different. Where would you fit in best?

 

[lobster M.D.]

yea, umm, you havent even applied and gotten acceptances yet????? there are a ****load of other items you should be thinking about right now, you need to adjust priorities and not waste our board space with this ****

 

[Deanmonster]

UCSD is awesome. I think it´s extremely comparable to UTSW in most ways and the school is in La Jolla, one of the most beautiful cities I´ve ever visited (which is saying a lot).

Unfortunately, UCSD is just about impossible to get into unless you are a cali resident. Something like a 2.5% acceptance rate for OOS. They didn´t even send me a secondary... bastards.

 

[InspiredByDrama]

as far as fitting in, I'm flexible.

nahhhhhhhhhh i haven't applied yet but I'm debating. on average how many schools do individuals apply to?


I could honestly receive in-state status in California or Texas, I hold state id cards for both. but technically I'm a Texas resident.

 

[jebus]

I'm not a Texan by any means

I'm a Texas resident.

Which one is it?

 

[Flopotomist]

I could honestly receive in-state status in California or Texas

Actually no - you can't "honestly" do this. You may be able to dishonestly do it though. Residency is a bit difficult to establish in CA as schools are on to people playing games to establish residency. Often you will be asked for a state income tax form, utility bill or something else proving that you actually physically resided in the state. A simple ID card normally won't cut it.

 

[lord_jeebus]

Actually no - you can't "honestly" do this. You may be able to dishonestly do it though. Residency is a bit difficult to establish in CA as schools are on to people playing games to establish residency. Often you will be asked for a state income tax form, utility bill or something else proving that you actually physically resided in the state. A simple ID card normally won't cut it.

He might be able to apply as in-state, but if he matriculates he's likely to get slapped with out-of-state tuition...

When I had to prove in-state residency I had to turn in a stack of evidence half an inch thick. Summer bank statements, magazines sent to me in CA, liquor store membership card, 2 years of tax returns, the works. If your residency is straightforward (eg. lived in CA all your life) it is easier though.

 

[shortyganoush]

Alright, assuming you are fortunate enough to get in to both of these schools, they're pretty comparible in terms of almost everything except of course location. I was a UCSD undergrad with both friends and well, aquaintences at UCSD SOM, and I'm probably going to UTSW for their MSTP. For better or for worse there seem to be lot's of intense gunners at both. The students at UCSD SOM seem a lot more formal than those that I've met at my UCI interview, and their curriculum is pretty detail focused, while UTSW students have the added stress of grades and curves. Both schools have excellent research, although I'm a little biased towards UCSD there, and both are very strong clinically.

Bottom line is that if when you apply, you have a serious SO or family pulling you to Dallas, stay there because support is critical. But if when you're done studying you want a kick ass location with beaches, mountains, mesas, and perfect weather (although it's raining outside as I type) go to UCSD.

One more thing of note San Diego is almost twice as expensive to live in as Dallas regardless of what your tuition looks like. You're not the only one who wants to live there.

 

[InspiredByDrama]

Alright, assuming you are fortunate enough to get in to both of these schools, they're pretty comparible in terms of almost everything except of course location. I was a UCSD undergrad with both friends and well, aquaintences at UCSD SOM, and I'm probably going to UTSW for their MSTP. For better or for worse there seem to be lot's of intense gunners at both. The students at UCSD SOM seem a lot more formal than those that I've met at my UCI interview, and their curriculum is pretty detail focused, while UTSW students have the added stress of grades and curves. Both schools have excellent research, although I'm a little biased towards UCSD there, and both are very strong clinically.

Bottom line is that if when you apply, you have a serious SO or family pulling you to Dallas, stay there because support is critical. But if when you're done studying you want a kick ass location with beaches, mountains, mesas, and perfect weather (although it's raining outside as I type) go to UCSD.

One more thing of note San Diego is almost twice as expensive to live in as Dallas regardless of what your tuition looks like. You're not the only one who wants to live there.

I have a year and a half before I apply to medical school, so yes if I am fortunate enough, I wanted to know people's basic opinion on the schools in caparison.

 

[InspiredByDrama]

He might be able to apply as in-state, but if he matriculates he's likely to get slapped with out-of-state tuition...

When I had to prove in-state residency I had to turn in a stack of evidence half an inch thick. Summer bank statements, magazines sent to me in CA, liquor store membership card, 2 years of tax returns, the works. If your residency is straightforward (eg. lived in CA all your life) it is easier though.

I have a bank statement showing a california resident address from the past 6 months and still have a year or so before I apply to medical school + library card dated for 2004, hmm. I don't file taxes because I don't work soooo they couldn't ask me for that!, I've posted in a few other fourm's and this one is the harsh one, just about everyone seems to put a damper on everything.. So bitter.. Why?

 

[biggoron42]

its not bitterness, its the fact that you assume a better MCAT score will guarantee you acceptance into two of the most competitive schools in the nation. numbers don't guarantee you squat. they'll just get your foot in the door and give you a shot.

 

[snowkhat]

Drama......California and Texas will most likely base your residency on your undergraduate residency status. It is extremely difficult, but not impossible, to apply out of state in California or Texas. Moreover, it is highly unlikely that you can hold dual-resdencies. There tends to be a literal ton of paperwork to prove your residency, beyond library cards or driver's licenses (speaking from personal experience).

If you are currently an undergrad. in Texas apply to all the state schools and to UCSD. It won't hurt to apply and to follow your dreams. Both are awesome schools and you should investigate all factors, especially those beyond ranking (i.e. tuition, cost of living, research programs, etc.).

Good luck.