Hi.
I need opinions and some convincing. I am an accepted freshman to Ohio State, in the Pre-med program. I know Ohio State has one of the top medical programs in the nation, and I completely adore the school for their advocation of diversity and togetherness.
However, I am torn to make a decision between this school and UCSB. It's really eating me up inside, and I'm scared I'll make the wrong decision. If someone, ANYONE, could help me please. Don't be afraid to write what you feel, I need all the comments I can get. So please please please help.
Going to OSU undergrad does not mean that you'll necessarily go there for med school although you might have more opportunities to find out about the program and work/volunteer around the medical center.
I don't know much about UCSB but I have been to Santa Barbara a few times and found it to be a much more beautiful city than Columbus.
RMGsmom- But I've researched and generally most people who attend the school have a pretty smooth process getting into the medical school. And wouldn't it be smarter to go there considering that UCSB doesn't even have a pre-med program? :/
If they cost the same, just pick the vibe you want.
They will both serve your purpose, are pretty much equally competitive, and both awesome.
Edit: no, it doesn't matter that UCSB doesn't have a premed program. You just take the premed classes, do research/hospital volunteering/other ECs and you're golden.
People are more...serious? But not in a bad way, they just don't have that laid back Cali thing where we pretend everything is chill all the time. Everything is a little more fast paced. But these were big cities, so idk. Not sure if Ohio counts as "east coast"
Try going on the Ohio thread and asking for Californians who went there
Hey laurencanfly, i'm from California (the Bay Area), going to Ohio St. A bunch of people from my school are going to ucsb. I've heard great things about both ucsb and Ohio state, but in the end chose osu because I wanted to go somewhere new and different. There's only so much beachy laidbackness I can take haha. Anyway, in the end it all comes down to what makes you happy. Both are excellent schools and in the end I'm sure you'll pick the right one for you. Good luck!!
Ohio State will be colder!! Seriously, it gets cold here in Ohio...not 30 below but cold and you'll do a lot of walking at OSU. It's a huge campus. I graduated from there and loved it, I think most people who go there love it. It's also extrememly diverse--people from all walks of life. There are clubs for everything--even a bacon club! And I think Ohioans are generally friendly. Columbus is a pretty big city with lots to do and places to go. If you go to OSU, you will have everything you could want at your fingertips. I've not been to UCSB. Personally, I'd pick the one with the least cost--you'll get a solid undergrad almost anywhere that's accredited. Why incur more debt than necessary? Columbus loves their Bucks! I'd tried to picture yourself at each place and wherever you're more comfortable, go there! good luck!
OSU does not have a "pre-med" program. You have a lot of choices for majors but "pre-med" is not a major. My son will be applying to med school at some point and he is an engineering major at OSU. He had to actively solicit most of the pre-med advsing that he has received.
