hello everyone. i was waitlisted at my dream school, ucsd. i got into ucr, cpp, and csulb for biochemistry. ucr is my top choice but im hesitant because its not ucsd. i fear i would be missing out if i didnt get into ucsd. things i value are academics, vibes, research, study abroad, overall student resources/opportunities, and campus life. i’m trying to convince myself to like ucr as much as i like ucsd. what does ucr have that ucsd doesn’t? what about ucr is better than ucsd? any help would be appreciated.
UCR has a medical school, although it preferentially wants medical students with ties to inland southern California and who want to practice medicine there. But that should mean there is at least some research and other activity regarding biochemistry there.
I think you had another similar post that likely had the answers.
You didn’t get into UCSD - so not liking UCR for that reason isn’t relevant. My kid didn’t get into UNC or Rice…guess what, they’ve had a wonderful four years where they are.
You consider the schools that you can - in your case three. All are solid.
It’s up to you whether to have a great four years or not - and that’d be no different than UCSD.
If you are going to med school, if anything - UCR gives you a better chance at med school. But the college you go to doesn’t matter overall.
And if you believe the students are of a lesser caliber and I’m not saying they are, well - that gives you a better chance to shine above!!
Anyway, you are not missing out on anything academically - the classes are the same, the research, study abroad (an overall UC thing) - will all be there. Yes, there’s no beach. There’s also no off campus beach housing prices - and you can get to the beach.
Bottom line - if you want a beach, you got one in your acceptances.
But it doesn’t matter what you’re missing at a school you can’t enroll at. If that’s the case, everyone in the country would be unhappy where they were because of what they are missing from Harvard and Yale.
A lot of the pre-med classes have some additional support. I do not have first hand experience on how helpful they are, but it is something. I have also heard there are volunteering/research opportunities at the medical school.
What specifically don’t you like about UCR? You listed things that you value and I’m pretty sure UCR has all that stuff. Which one of those do you feel UCR falls short on?
A lot of people say they don’t like the inland location. If the exact same UCR campus with the exact same profs/resources was on the coast, I think it would be a coveted choice.
The things that the professional schools really like and will ask about is your volunteer work with medically indigent populations and/or with Veterinary needs.
Riverside area has access to some small farms and veterinary hospitals where people may bring you their pigs or small animals. You’re going to want that veterinary experience and you’ll have plenty of access to that at UCR.
it’s not really a big thing, but the reputation. i don’t value reputation as much but a lot of people say this is a bad school and it’s making me second guess.