a) USC has a significantly better reputation than UCI, as any doc in LA will tell you. USC's clinical training will expose you to more diseases and prepare you better for things like surgery, emergency medicine (the best in the state), and optho (Doheny Eye Institute is well respected), for example. Residency directors know this, and will probably give a USC grad the edge, all other things being equal.
Plus USC's bank account is huge right now with the $110 Mil Keck grant, and they're about to revamp the med system with top neurogenetic research facilities. They're aggressively going after a Nobel prize and a top ten ranking. Now would be a good time to get involved with the school.
UCI's a good school too, though, but you're gonna have to perform even better there to stand out. Of course, UCI is almost 20k cheaper. Which is more important to you?
b) You can still wait for UCLA up until UCI's or UCLA's orientation, whichever one comes first. Time is running short, though, because UCLA starts around the first week of Aug.
c) By all means you should call them. You've got nothing to lose at this point. Tell them your situation exactly as you've told us.
Originally posted by strokchik
I got a call from the Dean of Admissions at UCI this morning offering me a spot in the class. I'm in at USC and was planning to go there. I have until Friday at noon to tell UCI either way. The only thing is that I am on the waitlist at UCLA and that's my number 1.
I guess I need help deciding:
a) Which is better, UCI or USC.
b) If I accept UCI, can I still wait for UCLA? Does anyone know when UCI starts?
c) Should I call admissions at UCLA and tell them the situation to try to speed up their decision?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
