youngyoungc

Hey everyone. I'm in the middle of deciding to attend either UCSB or UCI. My goal is to get into med school or pharmacy school if i don't get into the first. I'm looking at probably a major in like Biochem? As of now, I've heard that in terms of med stuff, UCSB is easier than UCI, therefore, they're telling me that I can get a higher GPA. However, they say if you want to learn alot, UCI is better for learning more but your GPA will suffer a bit. Campus wise, I haven't been to both because I've been procrastinating lol. But I'm going to SB this weekend to check it out. UCI...probably later this week. Just wanted to know what the pros and cons are for both SB and I in terms of pursuing a medical career. Thanks a lot!!!!

salmonscrubs

I think you'll find UCSB a lot more attractive of a campus that Irvine.

As for Premed classes, UCSB has a great reputation in the sciences, so I don't see why you wouldn't learn as much as you would at UCI.

beachboy

People are going to tell you that since UCI has a med school you'll have more opportunity to do research. Try not to listen to biased opinions because these schools are very similar and you'll get a quality education from both. There are plenty of opportunities for research at either school, but volunteer work and a balanced full life experience is what med schools look for (along with MCAT and GPA of course, but you need something to set yourself apart from the rest of the geniuses). You need to visit both campuses and choose the one that appeals more to you, and try to ignore numbers or hypothetical opinions. Also, someone who is serious about their grades won't let parties and distractions get in the way (they will if you don't have self control) so try to ignore reputations.

salmonscrubs

PS I'm very much considering (planning on trying) premed as well.

nypd0

I myself am in the same situation as you, also going in the premed direction. I'm geared toward SB because the campus really attracted me, and I feel pretty confident in my self control. but I had to visit both campuses to make a decision and I suggest you do the same.

I had one question for anyone who knows, I hear freshmen in UCI are already starting undergrad research, but I've been told that you generally don't start research until junior year or after you complete GE courses. Does anyone know about this? would you be disadvantaged if you didn't start research as a freshman?

wf909

not at all... most people dont do resaerch freshman year

wasupieboy

^ uhm actually a friend of mine is at UCI and she is a freshman and she is starting her research this summer.....

and UCSB's sciences are good but I'd say UCI sciences are better...however for engineering it is the other way around

US NRC Rankings in Biochemistry , Molecular Biology(Biochem, Molec Biol) 2007

UCI (52) is ranked higher than UCSB (55) for biochem....and wow UCSC (51) is ranked higher than both of them for biochem!!

UCI also allows for a lot more "connections" and oppurtunities because it is in the OC which has lots of industries whereas UCSB is in SB (i know its not really in SB it is actually 6 miles north but for the sake of this conversation) which is more of a tourism kinda place, so there arent very many big companies...

collegemom16

Those are graduate school rankings.

wasupieboy

Many UCI's graduate programs received top-50 rankings from U.S. News & World Report, earning distinction in literary criticism and theory (2), criminology (4), behavioral neuroscience (5), creative writing (6), health care management (9), organic chemistry (9), information systems (11), drama and theater (12), third-world literature (12), cognitive psychology (13), English (16), psychology – neurobiology and behavior (16), chemistry (18), experimental psychology (19), gender and literature (19), executive M.B.A. (20), cell biology/developmental biology (21), 19th- and 20th century literature (22), psychology – cognitive science (22), sociology (27), aerospace engineering (29), computer science (29), physics (29), mechanical engineering (30), civil engineering (31), biological sciences (32), history (32), environmental engineering (34), fine arts (34), political science (35), business (38), biomedical engineering (40), engineering (41), medicine (41), materials science engineering (45), mathematics (47), psychology and social behavior (47), economics (48), and electrical engineering (49)


and this is UCSB:
Biology (40th),
Chemical Engineering (9th),
Chemistry (31st),
Computer Science (34th),
Earth Sciences (21st),
Economics (36th),
Electrical Engineering (19th),
English (28th),
History (32nd),
Materials Science and Engineering (3rd),
Mathematics (42nd),
Physics (10th),
Political Science (48th),
Psychology (47th),
Sociology (29th).

especially compare UCI's chem and bio to UCSB's chem a bio..huge difference...

All this is undergrad...UCI's sciences rank A LOT higher than UCSB so its gonna look better to have a degree from UCI when ur applying for med school or pharmacy school...and u have to think about "connections" as stated in my earlier post

BirdKiller

If you copied from Wikipedia, I must say that those rankings are from GRADUATE programs.

wasupieboy

o wow im stupid...

wasupieboy

still say UCI over UCSB

mikemac

I doubt they draw any distinction between these 2 UCs, and why would they need to? They have your MCAT score to show how well you learned the sciences. Med/pharm schools are going to look at what YOU did in college. If you have research experience & volunteer work, with good MCAT scores and GPA, spend some time getting to know a few faculty members so you have enthusiastic rec letters, you're a very strong candidate.

Take a look at this page for comprehensive info on med admissions: Amherst College Premedical Guide

Visit both campuses, find out which is a better fit for you. That's where you should go.

collegemom16

Also there are freshman doing research at all UC's. The earlier you start with research the less in depth your involvement will be.

nypd0

do you suggest starting research in your freshman year? will med schools and grad schools prefer people who do more research projects during undergrad, or will it matter more on how in depth the research is? (not sure if my question made any sense the way I typed it =x)