Where should I go for undergrad? UC Los Angeles, UC Irvine?

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UCLA or UCI for Undergrad?

  • UCLA

    Votes: 44 81.5%

  • UCI

    Votes: 10 18.5%
  • Total voters
    54
  • Poll closed .
Jaded03

Jaded03

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UCLA - (Pre) Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Genetics
UCI - Biological Sciences

I'm definitely entering as a Pre-Med student. I have narrowed my chocies to the above and am entering as well as committing myself to those majors. Both have medical prestige. I want the greatest opportunities to be open to me. I am seriously fearing not getting into the medical schools, especially the ones I want for myself. Thanks a lot. Please post your reasons if possible.
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Members don't see this ad :)
GO FOR THE BEST.......UCLA......HANDS DOWN........THE MED CENTER IS ON CAMPUS WHEREAS UCI'S MED CENTER IS NOT ON CAMPUS....IT IS IN ORANGE NOT IRVINE....


UCLA!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I know the whole prestige blows UCI out of the water. Lookin at my perspective I'm wondering if the competition is just too stiff. I get the whole: "UCLA, stupid. Not a hard choice." However, I'm just taking into consideration what will most likely get me into med school afterwards rather than which is better. Get me?
 
Chances are... competition at UCI will be just as tough. People also tend to rise to the challenge. I don't think your GPA will be much different. That's just my guess though.
 
I agree with Street Philosopher; for the sciences, UCI would probably be pretty comparable in difficulty to UCLA. You wouldn't see much difference in GPA at either school... so you might as well go for prestige at UCLA. 🙂
 
Wow, what a landslide. I'm seriously taking all of your responses into consideration. I'm sending in my SIR this week, so keep it coming. I'll post whether I'm a BRUIN or an ANTEATER soon enough. Thanks. Late.
 
Hahaha :laugh:

I am a Cal BEAR myself but why would anyone want to go to school in Orange County???

cheers 🙂
Go Bears! 😎
 
Jaded03,

Keep in mind that any poll w/ "ucla" as a choice is gonna have inherent bias cuz nearly 10% of SDNers attended ucla (based on a poll i did awhile ago). needless, u should def choose ucla. funny thing, i was doing an advanced search of SDN members and the most frequence names inlcude the words "UCLA", "Bear", and "bruin". 😛
 
UCLA. better location, reputation, and opportunities w/ equal cost.

not that i'm biased or anything...

--joe joe
 
Hands down UCLA.............UCLA might be a little more difficult than UCI but I think UCLA is a way better school. The only UC school that is really hard is Berkeley. I myself chose UCSD over UCLA and was kinda peeved when I found out that UCLA was probably easier and less competitive than UCSD (from what my friends tell me). I love UCSD though! Out of those two, I would easily choose UCLA cause of the prestige factor.

Jetson
 
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Originally posted by Street Philosopher
UCLA has Division I sports teams to cheer for. 🙂
Click to expand...

Considering how they did this year (football, basketball), I wouldn't use that as a reason to attend UCLA... :laugh:
 
Originally posted by Slickness
I'd say go to UCI. I have lots of friends who were geniuses that have gone to UCLA and got screwed over because everyone there is also a genius. By that I mean everyone does well on the tests, the curves are bad since the averages are high, and most people will get Bs and Cs while only the outstanding students get As. The result is that while you may have been a valedictorian in high school, you definitely will just be average at UCLA. At UCI, I think the competiiton is not as fierce so your gpa may be higher. On the otherhand, UCLA does have better looking girls.
Click to expand...

I agree that you'll most likely go from being stellar to being average at UCLA, but what you said about curves/averages is wrong. The averages in most of my science classes (and I have taken quite a few) have usually been in the 60s and 70s... not astronomically high. The curving is fair, but it really depends on the professor... for the sciences, at least, professors do have to adhere to departmental limits for grading (so they can't fail the entire class, etc.). I remember one of my life science teachers said that he would assign grades that were as generous as the department would allow.
 
Hmmm...I think that UCI might be a better choice since there would be less competition there - you would be less stressed out and happier. Undergrad institution does not matter as much as high as you can get your GPA. If you get crushed at UCLA then you will have little chance at med school. If you go to UCI...you will at least have a shot at med school. For the record, I go to neither school.

I go to a USNWR Top 20 school and people here felt like if that they had gone to an easier school they would have stayed pre-med.

If your goal is to get into a Top 20 med school then you should go to UCLA but to just get in (which is already difficult - no easy task) then go to UCI. It also depends on how strong you think you are academically. Hmm...if you were not pre-med then I would automatically say UCLA but the pre-med factor makes college choices confounding. Good luck on with your choice.
 
Those who are FOR UCLA are adament about it, yet have given me little as far as reasoning goes. Yet, those who said UCI have restated all my doubts about UCLA. It's competitive nature that is more overwhelming than UCI is what bothers me. The real life failures really hit hard. If anyone can prove a success or failure into medical school from either college can be shown, please do.

I grew up leaning towards UCLA; leaned towards UCI this senior year; and now left between two choices that pretty much determines my future.

I don't know if this helps, but it might: My academic background.
HS Senior/Valedictorian. Not great 1380 SAT. 4.44 Weighted more or less, I don't even know anymore. I'm not stupid, just not all that great. See why I'm really freaked? Yeah. Thanks a lot though. Both views are really helping me out.
 
I think you're underestimating yourself - at the very least, with those stats you ought to be capable of handling UCLA. 🙂 But OTOH, don't automatically assume that you'll stand out at UCI. You'll find your share of motivated premeds there too and will still need to put a lot of effort. (btw, the same goes at non top ten med schools!) UCI has a med school, so it's not exactly Podunk U.

Undergrad is an experience that you really should enjoy. If you think you can be happy at UCLA, I'd go there. You probably will have some more doors open if you do well. But if you're getting bad vibes (aside from fear of the competitiveness) compared with UCI, then don't let the prestige factor keep you from being happy...especially since you'll be much more likely to do well in that case.

Good luck deciding!
 
Hey Jaded03,

Congrats on your acceptances to both schools :clap:

My advice after just graduating from UCLA and as I am about to start medical school - is to go where you feel you'll have the greatest opportunities.

My stats after high school were not as good as yours. I chose UCLA and survived as a premed.

UCLA is competitive- but if you?re disciplined, open minded and persistent you'll get into medical school. You can still have a life and get into medical school out of UCLA.

After spending some time on the UCI campus and talking to premeds there- i felt UCLA has a better pre-med applicant pool because of the competitiveness. You?re forced to stay on your toes, and explore your other options. I'm not saying that the premeds from UCI are not as smart or not as well rounded. However, UCI students seemed to be less focused.

The competition is not as bad as you may think. There are a handful of classes where the curves may hurt you. For the most part the curves help.

There are so many opportunities for clinical and research experience through the school and in the surrounding areas. The medical center is on campus, which adds to greater exposure to the medical field.

The main negative aspect of being a premed at UCLA- at least in my eyes- is the lack of a good premed counselor. Karol Johansen at the career center is supposed to be the new "pre med counselor", but she just adds to the pessimism geared toward premeds on campus. The upperclassman will give you the best advice.

Professors teaching the "weeder" classes tend to have negative attitudes toward premeds- all you have to remember is that they are there to teach you about xyz, they are not your career counselor. There is a reason they have a PhD. and not and MD. - and you have your reasons for going after the MD.

Recently, there have been a handful of new premed organizations popping up. Those groups have done a great job at bridging the gap between the UCLA med students and the premeds.

Go visit the UCI campus and find the premeds, find the premed AMSA people, ask them about the kind of research you can get involved in as an undergrad, what kind of clinical opportunities there are, and what kind of support/counseling system there is for premeds there.

Whatever decision you'll make - I am sure it will be the best one.
But I don't think a little competition should discourage you.
 
Hi Jaded03,

I am currently a senior at UCI and I also faced the same situation as you four years ago. Both UCLA and UCI offered me the regents scholarship so money wasn't a factor in either case. In the beginning, I also question whether I should forgo the prestige associated with UCLA to go to UCI but now, I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever, and felt that I made the right choice. First of all, UCLA is definitely more competitive than UCI, both in terms of grading and also atmosphere. At UCI, I didn't have to worry about every little point to stay ahead of the curve, I lead a much more relaxed and less stressful lifestyle. I have time to do a double major in Econ and Neurosci in four years because I didn't have to study like crazy to get an A in the bio classes. I was able to join various clubs, get into leadership positions and still have time to hang out with my friends at the beach. I guess what I'm trying to say is that overall, UCI offers a much more well-rounded lifestyle, although in the end, it all depends on the individuals. I agree that the pool of pre-med at UCLA would probably force you to work harder, but your own self-discipline should play a larger role in motivating you to study. I think that for the same amount of energy and time you spent, you would be able to do more and accomplish more at UCI than at UCLA.

About research and clinical experiences. It's really almost too easy to get a research position at UCI. You can do any type of research you like, basic science and/or clinical cuz we have labs at the main undergrad campus, the med school, and the hospital in Orange. Likewise, you can find clinical experiences through volunteering positions that the Bio Sci office is always advertising for. And I must say that our Bio Sci counselors are among the most professional and caring. They spent over an hour with me to edit and improve my personal statement for med school app.

If you're worried about how the name of the school might affect your med school application later on, don't. I found that out from personal experience. If you apply yourself and work hard, you won't be at a disadvantage. Several of my friends and people I know are holding multiple acceptances from UCs med (SF, LA, SD), Stanford, U Mich, Wash U, Columbia, etc... It really depends on you.

If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.

Best wishes!
 
I did not attend either school, but I certainly had my own dilemma when choosing a college. Choosing "where you'll be happy" is a general piece of advice that's thrown around a lot, but you should evaluate it closely.

Exactly what type of person are you? Are you a disciplined, daily studier or do you procrastinate and cram (nothing wrong with this if you can do it)? Are you looking for a really active social scene (lots of parties/drinking) or do you not care at all? Have you ever pursued activities or opportunities that weren't easily obtained, or do you prefer taking on things that are nearby, convenient, and well-advertised (nothing wrong with this as well)? How much does your physical environment affect how you're feeling from day-to-day?

The truth is, wherever you choose, you'll probably do comparably well on the MCAT. Your GPA and the activities you pursue, however, will be depend largely on how well your personality fits the schools'. Despite UCLA likely being a more competitive school, it's highly possible that you could receive a higher GPA there if you fit the school better. You could certaintly do better at Irvine as well. It all depends on you.
 
😱Wow, DZM and StarryEye must have made the most outstanding arguments I've ever heard <including from my HS counselor>. Talk about a serious sway of the pendulum. But this is definitely what I was looking for, so thank you to both of you. It would be nice if I can get further indepth arguments as yours.

Well, I have the time right now...

HS Senior/Valedictorian. 4.44 weighted or something like that (UC is like 4.35). SAT 1380. Pretty average on a larger perspective.
UCLA for (Pre) Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Genetics
UCI for Biomedical Engineering - Premedicine (switching to Biological Science with undecided emphasis)
Procrastinator (who isn't?), more studious than social, from suburbia.

I'm worried about getting into medical school, having to (though up to if necessary) consistently study, working and elaborating on my major or minors. I definitely wouldn't mind going into the top 20s (Drew, Stanford, SF), but I'll take what I can, being Jaded and all. lol.
 
Hey Jaded,

If I were you I?d sit in on some classes at each school for each major. I am sure the students and professors at both schools will welcome you.

For MMIG at UCLA

I?d start off with some pre-med classes:

This quarter I?d recommend

LS2 with PHELAN
LEC 1 TR 9:30A 10:45A FRANZ 1178
or
LEC 2 TR 2:00P 3:15P FRANZ 1178

LIFESCI 4 GENETICS
With JOHNSON
MWF 10:00A 10:50A FRANZ 1178

For the major itself this quarter I'd try-

MIMG C174
W 10:00A 11:50A MACDNLD 1441
&
MIMG 101 INTRO MICROBIOLOGY
LEC 1 MWF 9:00A 9:50A FRANZ 1178

If you still haven?t decided by this Summer ? check out
MIMG CM156 HUMAN GENETICS
MTWRF 9:30A 10:20A BOTANY
This was one of my favorite courses at UCLA- it?s also offered in the fall I believe.

Those are some basic classes that can give you a taste of the major and what pre-med classes are like.

You can get in to a top 20 school if not the number one school- even if you procrastinate- all it takes is balance and persistence.

I procrastinated more than most people I know, but I've been accepted to a top 20 and I'm on "high priority" at a top 10.
 
Your stats sound exactly like the four other people I was randomly paired up with at the UCLA dormes my first and second year. Two were #1 at their high school, and two were #2 at their high school, and they had similar if not higher SATs. Guess what... they all ended up doing fine and its because they are naturally driven people. I did not come to UCLA with many accomplishments but I did o.k. (I will be going to medical school), and I'm sure you will too. My advice is to cool it on the science courses first year and grab a counselor and mentor. UCLA can be very competitive, but med schools know the tough schools to get a good GPA. As for UCI, I don't have much experience with that university. However, alot of my friends like it and feel that they received a good education. If I were making the choice I would pick UCLA without hesitation (like I did when I was a senior in h.s.), UCLA is in a great location, has great research, a great med center, diverse student population, and has a good reputation. Oh yeah, you said Drew was a Top 20 med school? Drew is not the same program as the UCLA program. Sure Drew is affiliated with UCLA and it is very tough to gain admission, but you do the first two years at UCLA and then you do the clinical rotations and clinical evaluations (the most important factors in getting a residency) in Drew Hospital and not with the faculty at the UCLA med center (someone correct me if I am wrong), and thus in my opinion Drew is not necessarily a Top20 program.
 
I would go for UCLA. I don't know a ton about it, but it seems like a bigger university with a lot of opportunities for undergrads in research & such. It also seems like a FUN place to go... big, DI sports, LA... Don't just pick the school for academics and prestige. Most of my professors, Washington University in St. Louis, got their undergrad degrees at average/less-than-average schools. You want to get some enjoyment out of your undergrad experience... I REALLY don't think I would have chosen this school, if I had to do it all over again.

GOOD LUCK!

Casey
 
SDNers on this thread have made valid points; however, I would like to add a few things about UCI:

(1) Although UCI was only established 38 years ago, many of its programs have been ranked in the top 50 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report: Cell Biology and Developmental Biology (21), Neurobiology and Behavior (24), Organic Chemistry (11), and Cognitive Science (30) just to name a few. Furthermore, the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program is ranked 22nd by the National Research Council. As you can see, 3 out of the 4 departments in the School of Biological Sciences at UCI are ranked within the top 25 in the nation.

http://today.uci.edu/news/release_detail.asp?key=985
http://today.uci.edu/facts/biosci.asp

(2) The fast-growing university begins fall 2002 with more than $767 million worth of projects in the planning, design or construction stages, including the pro-posed new hospital at UCI Medical Center ($365-million), Natural Science Unit 2 ($60-million), Hewitt Hall?Biomedical Research ($26.8-million), Croul Hall?Earth Science ($26-million). Last year, the Natural Science Unit 1 ($54.1-million) and Sprague Hall?Biomedical Research ($26-million) were completed. The Biological Sciences III building is still in the planning and drawing stage.

http://today.uci.edu/pdf/uci_news/UCINews02Oct.pdf
http://today.uci.edu/pdf/uci_news/UCINews01Oct.pdf
http://today.uci.edu/news/impact.asp

The UC Regents has designated UCI as a ?growing university? and as a result, UCI is currently receiving significant funding from the UC Regents. Since the UCI campus is approximately 3X larger than UCLA, there is still a lot more room for growth.

(3) The School of Biological Sciences encourages vigorous faculty and student research programs. It strongly believes that excellence in research is essential for effective, enthusiastic, and up-to-date teaching. The School provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduates to participate in research, through the Biological Sciences 199 program. In 1999, over 800 (out of 2757) undergraduate researchers pursued faculty-supervised independent study in the biological and biomedical sciences. In addition, the 185-acre University Research Park, located across from the Medical School, allows undergraduates to obtain internships with any of the 31 companies.

http://www.admissions.uci.edu/more_why_uci.html
http://today.uci.edu/facts/urp.asp

(4) Unlike UCLA, UCI does not place a cap on the number of unit a student is allow to complete. This allows UCI students to take various classes and to double majors. Furthermore, I never had trouble adding any class since UCI has only 23,500 students as compared to 37,000 students at UCLA.

I graduated from UCI with majors in psychology, biochemistry & molecular biology and a minor in biomedical engineering. So if you have any questions regarding the biomedical engineering, biological sciences program, or UCI in general, don?t hesitate to PM me. UCLA is a great university so I am confident that you will receive a good education regardless of your decision. Good Luck.
 
A problem for me now is opportunity. Can I get the research I'll need? Can I get the counseling I'll need? Etc. UCI seems to have the upperhand in this, unless a UCLA student can prove me wrong. I have no doubt that both are available, but just as accessible?

As far as major goes, I feel that I'll enjoy UCLA's major (Pre Micro, Immun, Molec Genetic) more than I would UCI (Bio Sci). However, I am changing majors since I'm adament about not taking BioMed Engineering, so I'm open to suggestions otherwise I was planning on Bio Sci.

Social things seem to come up so I'll give some light on that as well. Personally, I'm one of the five students who got into UCLA from my HS. 2 of which are not attending (instead USC and UCI). Additionally most of my friends will be attending UCI. This isn't such a crucial factor, just a fact.

I know that UCI is growing, so it may have advantages? But I'm not sure it overshadows any advantages of UCLA.

Just a couple of my two cents as I draw near filling out the SIR. Thanks again for the pearls of wisdom.
 
There are SO many opportunities at UCLA. Research shouldn't be a problem. There are flyers about research opportunities everywhere on campus. Also, if there is a particular science professor that you like, it isn't hard to go up and ask if you can work in their lab or if they know of anyone looking for someone. Or, if you volunteer in the hospital (like I do), you can do research. It is very easy to find what you are looking for.

As for counseling... I have some VERY GOOD counselors. My department counselors (in the bio dept.) are spectacular and they know a lot about med. school, etc. In fact, they planned out my schedule of classes for my entire four years at UCLA... they did this in my first week there! I also have honors counselors for the honors dept. who have been quite helpful.

Anyway, you sound like you are leaning toward UCI... good for you! Good luck with your decision! Both schools are very good and I am sure you won't be disappointed with either. 🙂
 
Wow, I didn't think I was leaning towards UCI. The context of my post really was to evoke that UCI students were pulling me harder towards their direction not that I was actually pulled. (excuse the bad anology) I really can't say; I'm still in the middle.

I'm highly critical of UCLA just because it I'm leaning towards it(natural and familial tendency), and I have to qualify or change my standings.

The Honors program was brought up though. I am seriously interested. I don't think I'll make the cut to get in though. But I'm wondering if I need to be honors at UCLA to have the opportunities of UCI at UCLA. Or vice versa. 😕

Another thing about environment: I am sort of uneasy about the fact that what DZM said about having all those Valedic/Salutatorians. I got lucky; I really consider myself one of the average joe students, and I'm wondering if I will feel absolutely intimidated. That would seriously affect my decision if I am. I don't work too well with people breathing down my neck if you catch my drift. I know that there will always be competition (bring it on). That's just a comment given to me by someone at my HS, qualify it if you want to.
 
The Honors program at UCLA is nice... students in it get priority enrollment (which is REALLY useful for GEs/science pre-reqs that fill up quickly). But, by all means, Honors isn't necessary to have good opportunities. I know several people who aren't in Honors who are doing research, volunteering, etc. Also, you don't need Honors to be a competitive med school applicant. In my case, it is just convenient for enrollment purposes. Plus, you get access to the Honors counselors, but I almost always go to my department counselors... I am going tomorrow, actually.

Like you, I was seriously leaning toward UCI. Part of what turned me off was their Honors problem. My stats qualified me for their Honors program, but UCI said that since they already had so many biology students in the program, I would have to change my major to English if I wanted to be in the program. This just goes to show that although UCLA is higher ranked, UCI still DOES have many competitive pre-meds.

You're going to find lots of valedictorians/salutatorians at both UCLA and UCI. It isn't such a big deal... people are competitive, but not everyone is a gunner. In fact, in the lower division science classes that I have taken, there have been only a few gunners.

Anyway, I hope this helps. If you have more questions, feel free to post... I can always use a break from studying for midterms. 🙂
 
I wouldn't worry about the competitiveness of each pre-med student body as much as the overall stress level. I don't know a thing about either ucla or uci, but Berkeley was a rather stressful environment for me as a pre-med. Not much in the way of social support, and I felt I was surrounded by a bunch of overly anal and anxious pre-meds. But then Berkeley is notorious for this. Maybe the ucla/uci SDNers can comment on this factor?

How large the classes are at each campus matters too, say, if ucla's are over 100 and uci's are under 100. If both are over then I don't think it matters.

Also, I would be concerned about the general campus surroundings. I'm a city girl, so I wouldn't go to school in Orange County (and my political sensibilities wouldn't like it either). 🙄

Hope that helps!
 
Originally posted by Jaded03
As far as major goes, I feel that I'll enjoy UCLA's major (Pre Micro, Immun, Molec Genetic) more than I would UCI (Bio Sci). However, I am changing majors since I'm adament about not taking BioMed Engineering, so I'm open to suggestions otherwise I was planning on Bio Sci.
Click to expand...

The Departments of Chemistry and of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry are offering "advanced, mature, and motivated students" the opportunity to graduate in 4 years with majors in chemistry and biochemistry & molecular biology.

Please see the "Accelerated Track and Joint Majors" program:
http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~faculty/mbb-major/tracks.html
 
in this day and age of inflated high school GPAs and private tutoring/prep courses for SATs, there aren't as many academic "superstars" at a school like UCLA as you'd think.
 
You're right. Huh. I never thought about it that way. Inflation, etc. does occur. Ok, so at least I can think about UCLA in a more realistic perspective.

Hmm, the deal with the Honors program at UCI does bug me. One of my strongest points to go to UCI was that I actually thought it was easier to enter its Honors program, and the your "story" seems to be a genuine and realistic one.

The major for UCI though seems really attractive though.

I can't seem to quite decide, but it looks like I will in a couple of days.
 
Jaded, I pmed you.
 
Oh yeah, you said Drew was a Top 20 med school? Drew is not the same program as the UCLA program. Sure Drew is affiliated with UCLA and it is very tough to gain admission, but you do the first two years at UCLA and then you do the clinical rotations and clinical evaluations (the most important factors in getting a residency) in Drew Hospital and not with the faculty at the UCLA med center (someone correct me if I am wrong), and thus in my opinion Drew is not necessarily a Top20 program.
Click to expand...
- Weirdo

I made a mistake; I actually got confused UCLA and Drew because of that special interaction, but you know what I mean. Top20, wouldn't mind going to an institution of that calibur.
 
This is might be controversial, but I?m just archiving what people have said?
PROS👍
UCI
1. Less competition
2. Extracurricular activity opportunities
3. Easy research and clinical experiences
4. Little trouble adding classes
5. No caps on education
6. Opportunity to graduate in 4 years with majors in chemistry and biochemistry & molecular biology

UCLA
1. Easy research and clinical experience
2. Medical Center on campus
3. Honors program
4. Good counseling
5. Competitive inspiration
6. Prestige and enduring reputation

CONS👎
UCI
1. Honors selection
2. Less focused
3. Medical Center not on campus

UCLA
1. Strict pre-med lifestyle, rather than open undergrad
2. Rare professional counseling
3. Difficult to attain courses
 
Last year, the University of California published a research paper on the correlation between high school GPA, SAT I, and SAT II in predicting freshman GPA at the UC:

--------------------HSGPA, SAT I, SAT II

UC Berkeley----------.21, -.02*, .27
UC Davis--------------.30, .04, .27
UC Irvine--------------.25, .09, .21
UC Los Angeles------.23, .05, .26
UC Riverside----------.31, .16, .10
UC San Diego---------.27, .03*,.25
UC Santa Barbara---.36, .11, .15
UC Santa Cruz**----n/a, n/a, n/a
UC System------------.27, .07, .23

*Not statistically significant at <.01 level.
** Does not assign conventional grades.

http://www.ucop.edu/sas/research/researchandplanning/pdf/sat_study.pdf
(the above table is from page 6 of the report)

While this shows there is a correlation between HSGPA, SAT I and SAT II in predicting freshman GPA at the UC; the correlation,however, is not dramatically significant.
 
Well, I'm still pondering over the emphatic and not-so-emphatic responses once again. I'm pretty determined to come to a final decision by tomorrow. So if there are any more opinions or suggestions for University of California, Los Angeles or University of California, Irvine for a future pre-med student, I'd appreciate it. Thanks for all your help because I have a lot less work to do now. Thanks again.
 
Made your decision yet? Am I too late?

Jaded, I was in a similar situation out of high school. I was holding acceptances at Harvard and UCI among other schools. For several reasons (tuition costs, location, my dad was a prof at Harvard med school and I found out he went behind my back to talk to the admissions commitee), I decided on UCI. It was the hardest moment ever when I commited to UCI instead of internationally respected Harvard. But I think I made the best decision I could have possibly made.

Irvine DOES have an honors program, and also an honors neurobiology major to which you can apply your second year. There is competition, and it can get dirty sometimes. We even had a "notes" police at the science library because encrazed premeds were sabotaging notes and books left unwatched. But if you do want straight A's you will have to study as everything is on a curve. Biology is a more difficult major to get into so the stats on UCI are actually a bit higher for the bio students (same for engineering). However, I don't imagine I am studying as much as I would be at Harvard (assuming no grade inflation). I have so much time to focus on other things. I got involved in research my sophmore year and have now travelled the US presenting at conferences and symposiums. UCI has given me grants and scholarships for my research and I have no trouble balancing everything out. True that the med center is in a different city, but the med school is on campus. I do research there and rarely do I ever find the need to go to the med center. There are so many hospitals and clinics around that offer so many opportunities. A nearby hospital offers a 1 year internship in which you get to rotate through departments like plastic surgery, main OR, ER, labor and delivery, etc. I've seen breast implants done and babies delivered! Then we have a underpriveledged city nearby where there are tons of free clinics and health education programs available. Since the competition is less, there are less people at office hours and I have become great friends with many professors. There is so much to do and enough time to do it all here at UCI. And I don't think it's podunk university either. We have profs that have won nobel prizes, and one won the National Medal of Science last year (the US version of the nobel prize). All in all, I have no regrets about my choice, and while name recognition may help the average applicant, if you get great grades and strong letters with a good MCAT score, you won't even need the added name recognition to get you in to your top choice. Hope this helps.
 
After going to each campus, I brought it down to which school provided me with the most distinction. I'm just a slightly above average joe when it comes to academics. No regents, no nat merits. At UCI they recognized me as such, the average good student. At UCLA they recognized me as such, but offered an honors scholarship.
Based on that, I was happy to decide on UCLA as my undergrad school. I looked over everything and realize I'm going to get little from faculty and tough competition wherever I go. So it was no longer a decision of education and prestige (for they have more or less of both), but of my worth at the university. I felt that UCI didn't believe I had enough potential with whom they accepted. Logical fallacy: yes, but it was an apparant difference and in the end it was a coin flip.
 
Congrats on making a decision! 😀
 
I am sure you will receive a good education at UCLA as well. Best of luck at UCLA~!
 
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