Premed at UCLA vs Colgate

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Hi, I got admitted into both UCLA and Colgate for a biology major in a Premed track. I’m trying to choose between both of these schools, I know both are good academically and am not too worried about those factors for my decision (although UCLA grade deflation is worrying).

My main question is about environment. I visited both and definitely preferred the overall vibe of UCLA, but many of the extracurriculars at Colgate are more appealing. I’m an avid mountainbiker/skier/hiker, all of which are easily accessible at Colgate. Does anyone know if these are easily accessible at UCLA? Specifically, how good is UCLA for any outdoor activities I may be interested in?

Also, does anyone think that Colgate is too small/remote? It’s literally in the middle of nowhere. And how is the food there? I’ve head mixed reviews overall.

Thanks!

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I’ve heard UCLA to be considered a grade inflation school - but I’m not sure that applies to the premed classes. There will be UCLA students heading to places like Mammoth (or closer…Big Bear) to ski, based on my kid’s experience there.

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Does cost differ or matter, in the context of $400k+ medical school costs?

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Two excellent but VERY different schools – assumung both are comfortably affordable, go with your preference. Congrats.

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Skiing and hiking would be way better in CA than upstate NY. Mountains vs. hills.

Does anyone think that Colgate is too small/remote?

Yes, I do - but what I think doesn’t matter. What you think matters.

These schools are wildly different.

Are you OOS for UCLA? Personally, I’d never pay OOS tuition for a UC - large classes and all.

Best of luck whatever you decide. Two fine schools.

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The full cost of attendance at Colgate is higher than the COA at UCLA, even for OOS. Colgate is about $93,000 a year…making the OOS cost of a UC seem like a bargain!

@b6stealth you need to really think about where you want to be for the next four years…a major urban area or a smaller town.

Yes…easily accessible more on a day to day basis. And really, the skiing in this are isn’t horrible.

You can do the required courses for medical school applicants at either college. You need to choose the one where you think you will be happiest, and where you can see yourself for four years of college.

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Yes, Colgate is more. However, the experience is just vastly different.

As an example - Colgate lists a 9:1 faculty ratio and average 17 class size. Unfortunately, they don’t fill out the CDS Section I3 which gives a range of class sizes.

UCLA reports 36% of classes are 30+ kids with nearly a quarter 50+.

I’ll disagree - access to skiing - even if Mt. Baldy and hiking (assuming the fires haven’t caused damage) are far greater and close at UCLA - provided someone has transport. Skiing by Colgate is the same we had at Syracuse - Greek Peak and Mt. Labrador…they’re hills. You have to go way up state to get decent and it still won’t touch other So Cal resorts of Mammoth.

But back to cost/value - it’s really small and hopefully personal vs. large and bureaucratic, which is why I made that comment.

It would seem the OP, on that basis alone - i.e. the schools are so vastly different in so many respects (even big time sports, etc.) - could make a decision.

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“I’m an avid mountainbiker/skier/hiker…”.

Yes you can definitely do this in LA. Skiing is about 90 minutes away at Big Bear or Mountain High. Many drive up to Mammoth to ski. About 5-6 hours away. Fairly easy drive. There’s places to bike as well. Many of the ski resorts have mountain biking and the mountains are nearby. Trails and hiking are all around the area. You are close to the Angeles National Forest.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/angeles/home

D24 and I visited Colgate and are very familiar with UCLA. I’d say that food wise it’s hard to beat UCLA. I know students rave about it. Not sure about Colgate, but when we toured the cafeteria it looked fine. To me UCLA and LA really has everything you need. Convenient to the airport, there’s things to do year round, close to the beach, Hollywood, shopping, restaurants, weather, sports, and many outdoor activities. The campus is nice, but it is crowded. There are over 32,000 undergrads. It could be challenging to get classes initially. Housing is guaranteed, but if you move off campus, it’s pretty packed in Westwood and I’m sure pricey.

Classes will be vastly different at UCLA than at Colgate. Many more students. Larger classes. Likely less counseling or guidance. You may need to be more independent and on your own. Likely no handholding. And there will be probably 1200 students applying to med school. You will be competing with many others. Approximately 53% of the students who apply to a med school seem to get in, which is higher than the national average. But you will need to make the most of your opportunities since things will not be handed to you. Apparently, in 2022, 51 students at Colgate applied to med school with 75% being accepted. Not sure the accuracy. It would seem they should provide more direction or guidance since there’s only 3200 total students.

https://www.aamc.org/media/9636/download

If you are OOS, UCLA will probably be about $77,000 total. Colgate around $93,000. Both without any scholarship.

I would say if you want the big school atmosphere in a large city with tons o activities to do in great Southern California weather, and don’t mind fighting for classes initially or seeking internships or lab opportunities, and realizing you have 1200 other students like you who are applying to med school, UCLA is for you. If you want a much more intimate, remote Northeastern liberal arts school with seemingly nice weather 8 months out of the year, likely more intimate opportunities to know professors and possibly more easily attainable lab or internship opportunities, then Colgate may be right for you.

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Thank you very much for the advice! Lot of things to take into consideration overall.

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Regarding Colgate’s setting, its quaint village of Hamilton is surrounded by authentically rural farmland. This can enhance a feeling of collegium that may be difficult to find in other settings, or to recapture later in life.

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I loved Colgate even back in my day (it was one of my own top contenders). Such a gorgeous campus and setting. They used to have their own ski hill on campus with 8 runs and I believe there is a group trying to re-open it. Not sure how they are doing on that endeavor. They do have their own mountain biking trails on and around campus.

Completely different experiences between these two schools in terms of size, location, and supports.

All comes down to what environment you want to be in the next 4 years.

Congrats on two great options!

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Not really helpful, probably, but this is an interesting choice! Both are very suitable in their own ways for the things you listed. I do think most such things will be more intimate and convenient at Colgate, but then when you do something similar at UCLA it will be larger in scale. Different people prefer it either way, so it is really very personal.

And–you said you preferred the vibe at UCLA. I would suggest maybe taking that inner voice seriously. Not that I think you would be miserable at Colgate, but if you are just feeling a bit more excited about, or just more comfortable with, UCLA, I see no harm in going with that feeling given what you have described.

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Since both schools are radically different in terms of campus and student population size, location, weather, urban v rural, liberal arts vs state flagship, but both being great schools, with somewhat similar potential outcomes, I’d say it depends on your personality and what school you would best fit.

Both offer the quintessential college experience, just one being the LAC East Coast small town rural setting closed campus experience and the other the large open public school research giant with great sports teams with a distinct west coast and SoCal vibe. So what’s your personality like? Where do you think you would thrive and succeed? What experiences are you looking for?

Good luck. I think that when you look into what you like and who you are, you will make the wise decision.

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