Undergrad transfer CSU vs UC

[dlee2010]

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I know this probably have been discussed but just wondering what you guys think.

Alright, I am a freshman at CSU Fresno, going thru my 2nd semester. I made some new friends and what not and met some nice professors. But things that I noticed during school year was that I don't feel like I in college. I feel more like I am in honor's high school (you know where school pick smart people and educate only a few students). Yes, the work load is not that difficult but maybe because I'm taking GE classes and lower division major classes. So basically the cons about Fresno is...
1) education environment, it's not very college like or academic. All the buildings are about to corrupt, ceilings are about to fall and whatnot.
2) majority of people are from Fresno area and they are mostly commuters. People just come school and go home type. Hard to meet new people. (But I am assuming that any schools are like this)
3) when I walk around campus, sometimes I smell things like weed or alcohol even in classrooms sometimes.

Overall, I don't think Fresno provides very good academic atomosphere
The good thing I like is...
1) Once I get to know people they are nice, but I feel a huge gap in between.
2) Professors are friendly and willing to help at any time, I can just go into their office hour and bother them if I wanted to... haha

As considering pros and cons, I'm not sure about transferring to UC Davis. I came to Fresno because of Kinesiology program but UC Davis does not offer that, which means if I go to UC Davis I need to change my major. I haven't been to UC Davis but planning on to visit during summer. The fact is that if I stay in CSU Fresno I will get a high GPA for sure. But going UC Davis means I maybe try hard to get a high GPA but I might get a good quality of education? I guess it's kinda a bias thinking. I mean education is probably in a same degree or little different. Another thing is if I go to UC Davis I may be get higher chance to be active in medical club. CSU Fresno has pre-med club but they don't do much but just offer lots of volunteer places. But if I go to UC Davis I may run into events that involves medicine, such as conference and whatnot. Sorry my explanation went long. I just want to hear your opinions. But if I get a chance to transfer then I would like to transfer, depending on how I like UC Davis after the visit.

 

[nicolemeooow]

I liked Davis during my visit there. It has a really good genetics program, too. Definitely transfer. You'll get tons of opportunities to do interesting ECs, participate in research, and take challenging courses.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

I went to CSU. I should've have gone to UC but I wanted cheaper tuition. Everything was paid for at CSU, I'm sure I would have received grants to cover the entire tuition at a UC. Big mistake. Oh well, graduated, applying to med schools this summer. Transfer. 👍

 

[blehm98]

UCD's exercise bio is roughly equivalent to kinesiology I think
Honestly you should be fine in Fresno - If you can transfer I'd do it, but if you don't make it in it's not really that big of a deal
As far as atmosphere goes yeah it's different, but sometimes it feels like people here take it too seriously. And weed and alcohol are both a huge part of college life just about anywhere except for maybe places like caltech, we pretty much have a day dedicated to being drunk lol

 

[Carbon inc]

3) when I walk around campus, sometimes I smell things like weed or alcohol even in classrooms sometimes.

That little bit made me laugh 😀 Anyways, I'll give you my thoughts, having recently graduated from a CSU and been accepted to medical school (no Cali love, but it's all good!).

I considered transferring from a CSU to UC way back when (4-5 years ago) but I was told it's really difficult to transfer from CSU to UC because most of the transfer seats are for students coming from CC's. As I understood it, I guess they want to make sure everyone has a chance to earn a 4 year degree or something like that, which puts CSU students at a disadvantage since they're already in a position to do so, and UC's prioritize students in 2-year programs.

Anyways, if you really feel like you want to go through the trouble of transferring, it may provide you with a "better education" but at the end of the day, it's what you make of it. However, if you're really interested in research, then no question about it, CSU's cannot compete with UC's. The number of research opportunities you'd find at UCD will eclipse anything you can find at Fresno State. Let's face it, the CSU's just aren't research-based schools.

Otherwise, I think you'd have a fair shot at medical school coming from Fresno as long as you keep your GPA high and do well on the MCAT, especially if you want to stay in the sweet, warm bubble of CA. Be serious about your EC's and do things that you're passionate about. Also, I'd go as far to say that it's much easier to stand out at a CSU, which can lead to perks such as scholarships and various recognitions throughout your college career. I don't believe transferring to a UC will increase your chances of being accepted to medical school...I mean a poor candidate from a UC is a poor candidate. Period. While a strong applicant from a UC or CSU will be considered and recognized deservingly.

But keep this in mind, if you do stay at Fresno State. The competition is much weaker than what you will face when it comes time to apply to medical school...

 

[SnookiesOwner]

CSU 🙂

You can SHINE more, be able to maintain a work schedule, research and volunteer. You name it! and its very inexpensive compared to a UC.

I was worried about it when I applied to pharmacy school - rumors and all that- but if you maintain a great GPA and have relevant EC throughout your undergrad years you'll be fine. As the UCSD associate dean who interviewed me said -" Pshh...we admit students from CSUs all the time". I had to work so I needed to stay at a CSU close by - I actually got asked by an interviewer why I didn't go to a UC- but I had to support myself. Supporting myself while in school (full time work+full time school+research+ some EC) actually got me 7 interviews out of 7 apps : Pretty good for a CSU person I might add.

But pick a good CSU though- like Long Beach 🙂

 

[mes415]

Thought I would give my 2 cents since I started at SDSU and transferred to UCSD. 100% I think you will be a more competitive applicant and be more prepared for med school and the MCAT at a UC. You are going to have to work 10x harder at a UC to get the strong GPA like you would have from the CSU but it will be weighted more. The admissions people at ucsd told our premed society that every school weights the gpa of each applicant based on what school they went to. The example he gave was ucsd was weighted as 1 and SDSU was .8 so even if you got a 4.0 at the CSU it would be weighted as 3.2 which isn't competitive most places. The main reason I transferred was to see if I could handle the more intense science courses the UCs offer since they are more comparable to the difficultly you will face in med school. Also I've had a very lucky interview cycle with 4 interviews- 3 acceptances, 1 waitlist and I can't say that being from a UC didn't help. People all around the country know about the UCs and the reputation they have. Feel free to PM me if you have anymore questions I'm happy to share my story 🙂 best of luck

 

[jvesco22]

The example he gave was ucsd was weighted as 1 and SDSU was .8 so even if you got a 4.0 at the CSU it would be weighted as 3.2 which isn't competitive most places.

Oh rly? So with that logic, a 4.0 GPA from UCSD would be 'weighted' as a 3.0, amirite?

lol @ working 10x harder at a UC than a CSU. It might be more rigorous but c'mon man...it's not like skipping from Jr High to MIT...

Coming from someone transferring to a UC, even I think your post is dumb, no offense broski. I get what you're trying to say, but you failed.

 

[CoolWhipp]

CSU 🙂

You can SHINE more, be able to maintain a work schedule, research and volunteer. You name it! and its very inexpensive compared to a UC.

I was worried about it when I applied to pharmacy school - rumors and all that- but if you maintain a great GPA and have relevant EC throughout your undergrad years you'll be fine. As the UCSD associate dean who interviewed me said -" Pshh...we admit students from CSUs all the time". I had to work so I needed to stay at a CSU close by - I actually got asked by an interviewer why I didn't go to a UC- but I had to support myself. Supporting myself while in school (full time work+full time school+research+ some EC) actually got me 7 interviews out of 7 apps : Pretty good for a CSU person I might add.

But pick a good CSU though- like Long Beach 🙂

Congratulations on your interviews. Your interview # is not the norm.

Guess what the medical schools say about accepting CSU students? They say they accept them all the time. Do they? No, it's rare.

OP, transfer if you can. There is too much randomness involved in life, you want to make sure you that you pave an easy path. I also had to support myself, you can make up for the small difference in tuition with loans. It will be worth every penny.

I'm not arguing which institution type is "better." Who cares about that really? Undergrad degrees are the new high school diplomas. It's just about playing the game, the game of life. And the game of life is very superficial.

Best of luck.

 

[mes415]

Oh rly? So with that logic, a 4.0 GPA from UCSD would be 'weighted' as a 3.0, amirite?

lol @ working 10x harder at a UC than a CSU. It might be more rigorous but c'mon man...it's not like skipping from Jr High to MIT...

Coming from someone transferring to a UC, even I think your post is dumb, no offense broski. I get what you're trying to say, but you failed.

I really hate when people find it necessary to belittle someone elses post so all I will comment is what is relevant to the OP.

The weighting I described is 4.0 x 1 = 4.0 UCSD
4.0 x 0.8 = 3.2 I'm sorry if that wasn't clear, I'm writing from my phone so it's a little hard.

Also the only people that can tell you how difficult or easy it is transferring from a CSU to a UC is someone that has done it. So if you haven't there is really no way you can comment or judge how hard it might be. So to the OP I advise you to talk to some transfers at UC Davis to see what it was like for them.

For future if you or anyone has something negative to say about me or my post that isn't relevant to the OP feel free to PM me and not hijack this thread.

 

[CoolWhipp]

I really hate when people find it necessary to belittle someone elses post so all I will comment is what is relevant to the OP.

The weighting I described is 4.0 x 1 = 4.0 UCSD
4.0 x 0.8 = 3.2 I'm sorry if that wasn't clear, I'm writing from my phone so it's a little hard.

Also the only people that can tell you how difficult or easy it is transferring from a CSU to a UC is someone that has done it. So if you haven't there is really no way you can comment or judge how hard it might be. So to the OP I advise you to talk to some transfers at UC Davis to see what it was like for them.

For future if you or anyone has something negative to say about me or my post that isn't relevant to the OP feel free to PM me and not hijack this thread.

FYI, this is relevant to the OP.

This has been discussed so many times, a 4.0 is a 4.0 is a 4.0. Anywhere. A 4.0 is the cap, you go to a CSU, you want a 4.0. The reason being is that, they cannot judge your study skills worse or greater than any other applicant that has a 4.0 from other institutions. Your GPA is inarguable.

However, if you get a 3.75 that is when people start to speculate and "compare."

And, did you come up with that 0.8 multiplier out of your ass? Your premed adviser is an idiot if they did, but they would have to be pretty ballsy to say a specific number.

Congratulations on your interviews and acceptances, but it doesn't mean you are right.

 

[mes415]

However, if you get a 3.75 that is when people start to speculate and "compare."

And, did you come up with that 0.8 multiplier out of your ass? Your premed adviser is an idiot if they did, but they would have to be pretty ballsy to say a specific number.

This number and example came from a UCSD professor who was Previously on the medical admissions board. If you care to believe it's right or wrong is up to you.
I'm not saying I'm right or anyone else is wrong I was just clarifying what I meant by the weight.

 

[dlee2010]

UCD's exercise bio is roughly equivalent to kinesiology I think
Honestly you should be fine in Fresno - If you can transfer I'd do it, but if you don't make it in it's not really that big of a deal
As far as atmosphere goes yeah it's different, but sometimes it feels like people here take it too seriously. And weed and alcohol are both a huge part of college life just about anywhere except for maybe places like caltech, we pretty much have a day dedicated to being drunk lol

I heard that people at UC Davis take things too seriously. But they have a very good atmosphere.😀

 

[jvesco22]

I really hate when people find it necessary to belittle someone elses post so all I will comment is what is relevant to the OP.

The weighting I described is 4.0 x 1 = 4.0 UCSD
4.0 x 0.8 = 3.2 I'm sorry if that wasn't clear, I'm writing from my phone so it's a little hard.

Also the only people that can tell you how difficult or easy it is transferring from a CSU to a UC is someone that has done it. So if you haven't there is really no way you can comment or judge how hard it might be. So to the OP I advise you to talk to some transfers at UC Davis to see what it was like for them.

For future if you or anyone has something negative to say about me or my post that isn't relevant to the OP feel free to PM me and not hijack this thread.

Ahh, gotcha. Thanks for clearing that up. I know your intentions are well; it's just the way you posted made it seem like if you go to a CSU, you're not getting into medical school. I'm sure most agree that given the opportunity to go to a CSU vs a UC, they should go to the UC for various reasons (of course there are exceptions). However there are med students and premeds on this forum (and in real life) that have been accepted or applying without 4.0s. Given that, I'm not sure how a 4.0 turns to a 3.2 come application time (imagine applying with a 3.7 from a CSU, yikes!) CSUs aren't THAT terrible compared to UCs

Congrats on your acceptances though player. Play on.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

This number and example came from a UCSD professor who was Previously on the medical admissions board. If you care to believe it's right or wrong is up to you.
I'm not saying I'm right or anyone else is wrong I was just clarifying what I meant by the weight.

I'd say that that professor/medical board person is probably biased against the CSU system. UCs and their students tend to have an uppity, snotty, negative attitude towards CSU. Ask that same professor if they use a GPA x 0.5 formula for UC students to take the UC grade inflation into account? 😉😉😉

Prestigious university way of thinking: "Hurr hurr. Let's ask some really "rigorous" questions on exams and then make an A grade 85%+ and a B 75%+!"

 

[littlealex]

The trouble is that people DO have an uppity attitude towards CSU. If you want to be nationally competitive, you should try to go to a school that's well regarded. UC system is well known nationally and has the prestige of Berkeley and UCLA.

Transfer.

 

[Musclemass]

I'd say that that professor/medical board person is probably biased towards the CSU system.

I think you mean a bias AGAINST. A bias toward means that it is favored.

It's a two-tiered system, CSU is the lower tier. Compared to the UCs, the CSU system is much less prestigious, admission is MUCH less selective (and almost open), the academic programs are considered less rigorous and competitive, and students are much less accomplished (on average). I don't know the stat, but I wouldn't be surprised if the top 4 or 5 UCs EACH had more successful med school applicants annually than the entire (and much larger) CSU system in aggregate.

There most certainly are capable students in the CSU system (instead of at a UC) because of personal or financial reasons. Be one of them and you'll do fine. Otherwise, attending a better regarded school makes a difference.

 

[dlee2010]

Seems like lots of people are for UC system. Well, how about CSU Long Beach I heard that CSU is very competitive to get in and only school that has medical school on the campus (I heard it I don't know it's true or not). I hear friends who goes to UC they are working way harder than I do.

I think CSU offers less opportunities but has higher chance to be recognized? also easy to get scholarships and whatnot. But UC offers more opportunities but harder to be recognized and harder to get scholarships.

And I've hearing lots of conversations about how med school views CSU applicants. Their GPA is rated lower than UC GPA and whatnot. That is pretty a strong bias I think. CSU have disadvantages to go into med school then. Is it just like that in California or all over the med schools in US?

 

[ILikeDrugs]

Seems like lots of people are for UC system. Well, how about CSU Long Beach I heard that CSU is very competitive to get in and only school that has medical school on the campus (I heard it I don't know it's true or not). I hear friends who goes to UC they are working way harder than I do.

I think CSU offers less opportunities but has higher chance to be recognized? also easy to get scholarships and whatnot. But UC offers more opportunities but harder to be recognized and harder to get scholarships.

And I've hearing lots of conversations about how med school views CSU applicants. Their GPA is rated lower than UC GPA and whatnot. That is pretty a strong bias I think. CSU have disadvantages to go into med school then. Is it just like that in California or all over the med schools in US?

CSU Long Beach does NOT have a medical school. If it's difficult to get into it's because so many people apply. The total student population is about 40k students.

I think you mean a bias AGAINST. A bias toward means that it is favored.

That's what I meant.

 

[nadaba]

There most certainly are capable students in the CSU system (instead of at a UC) because of personal or financial reasons. Be one of them and you'll do fine.

This is my situation. If money was no object, I would have gone with a UC. I've gotten a great education at a CSU, though. Just be forewarned that you really need to shine to be taken seriously.

 

[n3xa]

I'm biased. CSU gave me ample opportunities to shine and come out of undergrad in the green as far as debt (or lack thereof) goes. I definitely would've bombed had I actually applied to a UC way back when.

 

[poshdoctor]

Even though I love Fresno.... Personally, I would go to UCD

Pros:
-Fresno is the 5th largest city in California, which means that you will have many many doctors of almost every single specialty to shadow (many who are Fresno State grads)

-There are 5 large hospitals to volunteer (Community, St. Agnes, Veterans, Clovis Community, and Kaiser)

-You can shadow the residents at UCSF Fresno

-Fresno is not LA but its not small like Merced or Tulare so there are many opportunities to shine

-There won't be as much competition as there will be at UCD

-You can SHINE MORE

Cons:
-It is not a UC

-Fresno state has a lot of non-focused students

-Fresno State is not as respected outside of fresno as it is in Fresno

 

[bookfreak89]

My opinion: Transfer.

 

[mjscal]

Transfer if you have the talent, work ethic and time management skills to do well in a UC. Much more difficult to get into medical school from CSU than a UC. Very few CSU grads in my medical school and most were URM. Look at the class composition of a UC medical school. Twice as many students in the CSU system as the UC system and more than 10X more UC grads at least at UCLA and UCSF.

 

[Salient]

Transfer if you have the talent, work ethic and time management skills to do well in a UC. Much more difficult to get into medical school from CSU than a UC. Very few CSU grads in my medical school and most were URM. Look at the class composition of a UC medical school. Twice as many students in the CSU system as the UC system and more than 10X more UC grads at least at UCLA and UCSF.

Coming from a CSU, I'm somewhat skeptical of the causality here.

It feels like maybe 5-10% of my peers (as a senior, much less as a freshman) actually put forth enough effort to get competitive grades. If there are few CSU grads in medical school, I'd wager it has more to do with the type of students you mostly find at CSU vs the type of students you find at a UC. Thoughts?

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Coming from a CSU, I'm somewhat skeptical of the causality here.

It feels like maybe 5-10% of my peers (as a senior, much less as a freshman) actually put forth enough effort to get competitive grades. If there are few CSU grads in medical school, I'd wager it has more to do with the type of students you mostly find at CSU vs the type of students you find at a UC. Thoughts?

This is absolutely my experience, having done classes at both. In general, the students who will be most successful in getting an MD acceptance are the ones who can get their **** together and get a UC acceptance four years prior. There are exceptions, of course. But it isn't the programs/schools that are the issue affecting acceptance rates. It's the overall quality of the students. More competitive undergrad programs produce more competitive MD applicants. It's correlated, not causative.

 

[Carbon inc]

Coming from a CSU, I'm somewhat skeptical of the causality here.

It feels like maybe 5-10% of my peers (as a senior, much less as a freshman) actually put forth enough effort to get competitive grades. If there are few CSU grads in medical school, I'd wager it has more to do with the type of students you mostly find at CSU vs the type of students you find at a UC. Thoughts?

Exactly. If you think it's "harder" to get into med school comng from a CSU then you're just making excuses. If you work your ass off, kill the MCAT, get involved with legitimate activities and put together a beastly application, you can land a spot in any med school. We have med alums that went to UCLA, UCSF, UCSD, Yale, USC, Columbia, etc.

If you're smart, hardworking and do what you need to do, you don't need to rely on the name brand of your undergrad to take you where you want to go. Period.

 

[enTropeeeeeeeee]

I figure I'll chime in on this topic. I'm a CSU student and the level of the average student is typically lower compared to a UC. Personally, I have a very unique (maybe not that unique) situation that has led me to the CSU system. However, I have busted my ass for the past 4 years to put together a strong application that will guide me into med school. If I can pull off a 30+, I'm fairly confident I'll get an acceptance somewhere. If I can get a 35+, I'll be competitive at higher tier schools (I hate using that phrase). True, there are less opportunities at CSU, vs UCs. However, I have found many of the opportunities that my school has to offer. In fact, my research lab has allowed me the incredible opportunity to travel across the nation to present my work. Where I'm from, you worry about survival, not building an app for graduate school. Therefore my entire college experience has been the most eye-opening, awe inspiring, and the most interesting endeavor of my life. My application reflects my background and life experiences that I have. I'm certain that ADCOMs will see this. I suppose I'll give an example. Prior to college, I have never picked up a textbook and many of my friends had gang affiliations. I have seen nearly every single thing you can see on TV, but in RL. This lifestyle has molded me into the person I am today. Is this ideal? Well, what is ideal? Anyways, picking up a book in college showed me 2 things: (1) books are interesting, and (2) I'm pretty smart. I am in no competition with anybody else, but I can honestly confess that I want nothing more in this world, than to become a doctor. My upward trend in GPA, clinical experience, research, 24/7 MCAT studying, etc, etc reflect this. I literally cannot afford food sometimes, but I'm willing to make a sacrifice so I can focus on the MCAT. I believe I am literally and metaphorically more hungry than 95% of students out there. Again, I'm certain this fire will translate well when I apply this June.

OP, the truth is that UCs > CSUs. I think you should transfer to a UC. However, regardless of where you are, you should be putting in 100% effort. Do well in your classes, do well on the MCAT, do well in your ECs, be a good person, and you'll become a doctor. Good luck on your endeavors!

 

[dlee2010]

Thank you everyone for replying to this thread. I am really touched by some of the replies. Some of the explanations inspired and motivated me to do well in classes. I guess in the end, it comes out to be how much effort and time I put into. And, BA isn't that much worth it nowadays. It is more beyond BA/BS.

 

[Tippyboat]

I really hate to bring the bad news but I just wanted to chime in with a different perspective.
I graduated from a UC, liked the experience and am confident it helped me in applying to schools.

However...have you checked out the financial state the UC's are in? California is broke and the UC system has been on such a rapid decline in the last 2 years I"m wondering how the future students will ever graduate. The state is cutting an additional $500 million from the UC budget on top of all the previous cuts, and for the FIRST TIME, student tuition will contribute more to the budget than state funding, which is ridiculous for a public school. At my particular school (not Davis but one of the 3 bigger UC's), I still get updates as an alum and next year, the number of libraries we can support will go from 6 to 2 in the projected budget. During my last quarter there, I couldn't believe that my department could only offer 3-4 classes whereas they used to offer 20+ per quarter. Luckily it had the one I needed but I keep thinking that could seriously deter someone from graduating.

I'm really worried for the UC system and it just seems to be spiraling out of control. We have a broken budget and the students are suffering. If I were you, I would take this into serious consideration. I dont' know how the funding is over at CSU, but with the current financial state of the UC's, the "pros" you described might not become reality as a result of the budget cuts 🙁. The best professors are fleeing the UC's, and the ones that are left are under so much pressure to focus more on research to bring in more money. What will happen to the quality of teaching? What happens to the student organizations that won't be funded? What does this mean for you? I think it's important to consider. Best of luck 🙂

 

[dlee2010]

My opinion: Transfer.

hahah funny...

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

Prestigious university way of thinking: "Hurr hurr. Let's ask some really "rigorous" questions on exams and then make an A grade 85%+ and a B 75%+!"

Yea, prestigious universities are a walk in the park. Most people don't work hard, competition is low, and word on the street is the students get extra credit for sleeping in class.

 

[Musclemass]

I really hate to bring the bad news but I just wanted to chime in with a different perspective.
I graduated from a UC, liked the experience and am confident it helped me in applying to schools.

However...have you checked out the financial state the UC's are in? California is broke and the UC system has been on such a rapid decline in the last 2 years I"m wondering how the future students will ever graduate. The state is cutting an additional $500 million from the UC budget on top of all the previous cuts, and for the FIRST TIME, student tuition will contribute more to the budget than state funding, which is ridiculous for a public school. At my particular school (not Davis but one of the 3 bigger UC's), I still get updates as an alum and next year, the number of libraries we can support will go from 6 to 2 in the projected budget. During my last quarter there, I couldn't believe that my department could only offer 3-4 classes whereas they used to offer 20+ per quarter. Luckily it had the one I needed but I keep thinking that could seriously deter someone from graduating.

I'm really worried for the UC system and it just seems to be spiraling out of control. We have a broken budget and the students are suffering. If I were you, I would take this into serious consideration. I dont' know how the funding is over at CSU, but with the current financial state of the UC's, the "pros" you described might not become reality as a result of the budget cuts 🙁. The best professors are fleeing the UC's, and the ones that are left are under so much pressure to focus more on research to bring in more money. What will happen to the quality of teaching? What happens to the student organizations that won't be funded? What does this mean for you? I think it's important to consider. Best of luck 🙂

I'd heard that state funds at Berkeley and UCLA are something less than 25% of total support. Any cut in funding is a problem anywhere, but UC's problems are the same as with other agencies impacted by California's budget problems. And many other states have been dealing with similar problems.

One of the solutions will probably be continued upward pressure on UC student fees, which are still dirt cheap compared to private schools. Another would be to limit enrollment growth.

I think the CSU system receives almost all of its funding from state sources, and so it is potentially more at risk.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I think the CSU system receives almost all of its funding from state sources, and so it is potentially more at risk.

Truth. Look at the differences in size between privately-funded endowments between the better UC's and any of the CSU's. Shockingly large.

 

[dlee2010]

what is up with this .8 deduction on GPA from CSU schools when applying Med school or other grad schools? I mean that is super unfair. UC gets full credit for GPA and CSU students gets deduction? I mean isn't GPA same no matter what? I mean 4.0 is 4.0 not 4.0 is 3.2 this doesn't make any sense to me. Anyone would like to explain?😕

 

[Pons Asinorum]

what is up with this .8 deduction on GPA from CSU schools when applying Med school or other grad schools? I mean that is super unfair. UC gets full credit for GPA and CSU students gets deduction? I mean isn't GPA same no matter what? I mean 4.0 is 4.0 not 4.0 is 3.2 this doesn't make any sense to me. Anyone would like to explain?😕

It's bull$hit. Ignore that comment. A 4.0 is a 4.0, as long as it's backed up by a strong MCAT score. The poster of that comment doesn't know what they are talking about, regardless of whatever anecdotal story they have from some random "former" adcom member. If that were the case, a 4.0 from Cal Tech in astrophysics would be a 4.0, a 4.0 in chemistry from UCSD would be a 2.8, and a 4.0 in Chicano studies from CSULB would be a 0.4. That's not the case. Make good grades, validate with MCAT. Go to the best school you can to make those grades. Not secrets.

 

[bookfreak89]

It's bull$hit. Ignore that comment. A 4.0 is a 4.0, as long as it's backed up by a strong MCAT score. The poster of that comment doesn't know what they are talking about, regardless of whatever anecdotal story they have from some random "former" adcom member. If that were the case, a 4.0 from Cal Tech in astrophysics would be a 4.0, a 4.0 in chemistry from UCSD would be a 2.8, and a 4.0 in Chicano studies from CSULB would be a 0.4. That's not the case. Make good grades, validate with MCAT. Go to the best school you can to make those grades. Not secrets.

 

[Carbon inc]

That's not the case. Make good grades, validate with MCAT. Go to the best school you can to make those grades.

Best advice in this thread.

 

[n3xa]

It's bull$hit. Ignore that comment. A 4.0 is a 4.0, as long as it's backed up by a strong MCAT score. Make good grades, validate with MCAT. Go to the best school you can to make those grades. Not secrets.

Right. There were plenty of my classmates from SFSU that got into places like UCSF, Cornell, and USC.

You also need to weigh out the cost factor here. You're going to have to change majors if you end up at Davis. How much longer will it take for you to finish a degree, whatever you end up choosing? Is it worth the extra time and money? Only you can decide that.

That said, it's definitely easier to be a shining star at your current place, but a.) that's not to say that you can't shine at a UC and b.) if you end up being a shining star in UG, be sure to not let it get to your head if you end up in medical school.

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

A 4.0 and 33+ will give you a shot no matter where you go to UG. If you're at a less well known UG and have a 3.5/28 that will probably hurt you. My pre-health adviser stressed MCAT. He said if there's an applicant from (insert any relatively "non-competitive" school) with a 4.0 that's great, but if their MCAT is 28 then that 4.0 will be given much less weight (as in, perhaps it was simply a relatively easy school), but a 3.5/35 at Stanford would look better since the MCAT is great and a 3.5 at a really tough school is not a 3.5 at another. If the OP is really miserable at CSU then transfer, but otherwise I'd take the 4.0 and study like hell for a 33+. No sane person will argue with those stats.

 

[enTropeeeeeeeee]

what is up with this .8 deduction on GPA from CSU schools when applying Med school or other grad schools? I mean that is super unfair. UC gets full credit for GPA and CSU students gets deduction? I mean isn't GPA same no matter what? I mean 4.0 is 4.0 not 4.0 is 3.2 this doesn't make any sense to me. Anyone would like to explain?😕

Let me just tell you this right now b/c I used to struggle with this issue. I used to feel that my GPA was a result of low competition, low averages, bad profs, etc, etc, etc. I've come across a few snobby UC students that tried to feed me the same "4.0-0.8, ADCOM told me so" garbage. Luckily that fear made me work 3x harder. I can guarantee you this, if I pull a 30+ MCAT, I will get in somewhere, period.

Let me reiterate, do well in school, validate with the MCAT, become a doctor.

 

[enTropeeeeeeeee]

A 4.0 and 33+ will give you a shot no matter where you go to UG. If you're at a less well known UG and have a 3.5/28 that will probably hurt you. My pre-health adviser stressed MCAT. He said if there's an applicant from (insert any relatively "non-competitive" school) with a 4.0 that's great, but if their MCAT is 28 then that 4.0 will be given much less weight (as in, perhaps it was simply a relatively easy school), but a 3.5/35 at Stanford would look better since the MCAT is great and a 3.5 at a really tough school is not a 3.5 at another. If the OP is really miserable at CSU then transfer, but otherwise I'd take the 4.0 and study like hell for a 33+. No sane person will argue with those stats.

Not 4.0, but you just summed up my life in one sentence. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

 

[priss bliss]

As a fellow CSU graduate who's currently an M1 at UCLA, here's my input:

-Yes, going at a UC will make you a more competitive applicant, especially in California. It's widely known that overall the UCs are harder to get into for undergrad and more rigorous academically. Adcoms do take this into consideration and may weigh a GPA from a UC or other top school more favorably. However, your undergraduate institution is only a small part of your application. There are many more factors and a whole lot of randomness in the whole process. If a school rejects you on the basis that you came from a CSU, despite having a high GPA/MCAT, you were better off being rejected from that school. This is why when I was applying, I was very picky with my schools and chose ones that had the most variety of their selection process and students.

-Make the most of what you can at your CSU. This applies to life in general as well. Not all of us had ideal upbringings, circumstances or skill sets but we take what life gives us and build upon it. Start by getting to know your professors extremely well. Not well as in "oh yeah he/she is a good student and would make a good doctor blah blah blah." I mean well to the point where they can easily describe you from the inside out and transfer all that onto a distinguished LOR. In fact, this may be easier at a CSU than at a UC since CSU professors aren't occupied with research or having long lines during office hours. Your room for error at a CSU is close to zero. You need to keep a high 3.9+ so it's expected that you work more efficiently. If you want to erase any doubts from adcoms, absolutely kill the MCAT because it's arguably the biggest thing at your disposal to separate yourself from the pack. Getting research will be tougher but not impossible; you will just have to broaden your search. Knowing your professors well and having good grades will make this easier as well.

Assuming you transfer to Davis and excel there, you will be in a much better position than at Fresno. However, you’re still in your freshman year taking general ed. and lower division classes so don’t assume everything is easy. Advanced analytical and P-Chem took its toll on me and my sGPA. Also I feel you on the commuter environment on campus; it was just like that at SJSU as well. However, if you’re complaining about the smell of weed/alcohol in class, I guarantee you’ll still smell plenty of that in Davis . Anyway, I wish you luck in the future fellow CSUer! Even though we’re at a slight disadvantage in the admissions process, it feels 10 times better when you receive an acceptance and know that you beat out students from Berkeley or Yale.

 

[dlee2010]

As a fellow CSU graduate who's currently an M1 at UCLA, here's my input:

-Yes, going at a UC will make you a more competitive applicant, especially in California. It's widely known that overall the UCs are harder to get into for undergrad and more rigorous academically. Adcoms do take this into consideration and may weigh a GPA from a UC or other top school more favorably. However, your undergraduate institution is only a small part of your application. There are many more factors and a whole lot of randomness in the whole process. If a school rejects you on the basis that you came from a CSU, despite having a high GPA/MCAT, you were better off being rejected from that school. This is why when I was applying, I was very picky with my schools and chose ones that had the most variety of their selection process and students.

-Make the most of what you can at your CSU. This applies to life in general as well. Not all of us had ideal upbringings, circumstances or skill sets but we take what life gives us and build upon it. Start by getting to know your professors extremely well. Not well as in "oh yeah he/she is a good student and would make a good doctor blah blah blah." I mean well to the point where they can easily describe you from the inside out and transfer all that onto a distinguished LOR. In fact, this may be easier at a CSU than at a UC since CSU professors aren't occupied with research or having long lines during office hours. Your room for error at a CSU is close to zero. You need to keep a high 3.9+ so it's expected that you work more efficiently. If you want to erase any doubts from adcoms, absolutely kill the MCAT because it's arguably the biggest thing at your disposal to separate yourself from the pack. Getting research will be tougher but not impossible; you will just have to broaden your search. Knowing your professors well and having good grades will make this easier as well.

Assuming you transfer to Davis and excel there, you will be in a much better position than at Fresno. However, you’re still in your freshman year taking general ed. and lower division classes so don’t assume everything is easy. Advanced analytical and P-Chem took its toll on me and my sGPA. Also I feel you on the commuter environment on campus; it was just like that at SJSU as well. However, if you’re complaining about the smell of weed/alcohol in class, I guarantee you’ll still smell plenty of that in Davis . Anyway, I wish you luck in the future fellow CSUer! Even though we’re at a slight disadvantage in the admissions process, it feels 10 times better when you receive an acceptance and know that you beat out students from Berkeley or Yale.

Thank you for insight. Everything is up to me because I decide what I want to do. Plus I do agree I will feel much better when I an acceptance letter 😀

 

[dlee2010]

If the OP is really miserable at CSU then transfer, but otherwise I'd take the 4.0 and study like hell for a 33+. No sane person will argue with those stats.

hahaha, I am not that miserable at where I am. I feel I am getting use to the environments and all. I mean like you siad study like hell and try to work hard then I could shine at CSU too. Hmm maybe I should aim for Presidents list or something.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

A 4.0 and 33+ will give you a shot no matter where you go to UG. If you're at a less well known UG and have a 3.5/28 that will probably hurt you. My pre-health adviser stressed MCAT. He said if there's an applicant from (insert any relatively "non-competitive" school) with a 4.0 that's great, but if their MCAT is 28 then that 4.0 will be given much less weight (as in, perhaps it was simply a relatively easy school), but a 3.5/35 at Stanford would look better since the MCAT is great and a 3.5 at a really tough school is not a 3.5 at another. If the OP is really miserable at CSU then transfer, but otherwise I'd take the 4.0 and study like hell for a 33+. No sane person will argue with those stats.

I'll be the first to call out the adcoms at UCSF/UCSD/UCLA/Stanford/Keck as insane then, I guess. A 4.0/33 will get you a quick pre-secondary or pre-interview (if they don't screen primaries) rejection from those schools without something special hiding in your app. Just saying. Non-CA folks can't effectively wrap their minds around the competition here. It's as bad as people make it out to be. A 33 on the MCAT not going to get love here, for good or bad.