UWSOM vs. UCR vs. UCSD (waitlist)

[Stressedoutpre-med]

can you help me decide which schools may be the best option?

I hope to pursue dermatology

UWSOM - Seattle

• pros:
  • fell in love with Seattle when I visited it during my interview. love the weather, the people, and the fashion.
  • great reputation for both research and primary care
  • love the progressive nature of Seattle - can truly be my gay self and feel safe
• cons:
  • far from family and dont know anyone in Seattle (from CA)
  • cost.- will be slightly more than UC schools - though not by much since I got instate tuition offer
  • old facilities
  • not as diverse?

UCSD: Wailisted

• pros:
  • subsidized grad student housing
  • sunny San Diego
  • new facilities
  • great reputation (though not as high as UWSOM?)
• cons:
  • not as well ranked as UWSOM?
  • cost could be higher than UW? really depends on what I get offered if accepted off waitlist

UCR:

• pros:
  • closest to home
  • deans grant that covers majority of my tuition
  • diverse, progressive and social justice oriented
• cons
  • riverside doesn't have anything here - been living in the area for the longest time
  • too hot and dry - no nature/greenery feel like Seattle or San diego
  • not as well ranked and students dont match into competitive specialties like Derm.

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[Phoebus Apollo]

Come to Seattle 😍

 

[puahate]

UW

 

[Stressedoutpre-med]

UW

Do you have any reason you would pick UWSOM?

 

[puahate]

Do you have any reason you would pick UWSOM?

Highest ranked while still being progressive

 

[lalalallala]

UW is a great school but you seem like you want to stay in CA. What is the COA difference between UCR and UW?

 

[PeleHonuaMea]

Sure Seattle was nice, but what time of year did you visit? If you're a sunshine type of person, just remember that the northwest has pretty depressing weather 9 months out of the year.

I vote UCR or UCSD: cheaper, sunshine, family.

 

[hmug]

Sure Seattle was nice, but what time of year did you visit? If you're a sunshine type of person, just remember that the northwest has pretty depressing weather 9 months out of the year.

I vote UCR or UCSD: cheaper, sunshine, family.

Seconding this. I moved to Seattle 3 years ago, and if I had known at the time how much the winters would affect me I would have reconsidered the move. Don't underestimate PNW sunless winters, especially if you're someone who likes to be outdoors.

 

[PeleHonuaMea]

Seconding this. I moved to Seattle 3 years ago, and if I had known at the time how much the winters would affect me I would have reconsidered the move. Don't underestimate PNW sunless winters, especially if you're someone who likes to be outdoors.

They told me "it takes 3 years to adjust"... I lived there for ten years and was never able to adjust to that grey and gloomy weather! Ew.

 

[Stressedoutpre-med]

regarding the weather, I actually love the rain! haha. in regards to cost differences, UW will be like $60,000 more than UCR, throughout the 4 years.

 

[Phoebus Apollo]

regarding the weather, I actually love the rain! haha. in regards to cost differences, UW will be like $60,000 more than UCR, throughout the 4 years.

Just want to say I also love the rain

 

[hmug]

regarding the weather, I actually love the rain! haha. in regards to cost differences, UW will be like $60,000 more than UCR, throughout the 4 years.

I have nothing against rain, it’s when the sky is gray for weeks on end that I start getting antsy. If you do end up moving to Seattle, I recommend a UV light and vitamin D supplements. They made my second and third winters so much more bearable!

 

[PeleHonuaMea]

regarding the weather, I actually love the rain! haha. in regards to cost differences, UW will be like $60,000 more than UCR, throughout the 4 years.

Seattle gets less average rainfall than places like Miami and Hilo. It's not the "rain"... it's the grey and gloomy weather. But you should try it out, you might love Seattle 🙂

And I second the recommendation from @hmug you'll need all the vit D you can get.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Stressedoutpre-med]

Thank you for all the insights!!! Becoming more and more convinced with uw 🙂

Just thought about how I’ll be $180,000 + $50,000 from undergrad in debt and I just wana cry.

Any tips on how to save money in med school?