UC Merced VS UCSD

Eiffel
Tue, 10 May 2011 12:55:01 +0000

No problem! When it comes to med school admissions, I’m fairly certain that a 3.9 - 4.0 at UCM will be better than a 3.6 at UCSD. As far as I know, med schools barely even consider what you school you went to for undergrad. A high GPA, high MCATS, and research experience will be what get you into med school, not the name of your undergrad institution.

Of course, more students from prestigious undergrad schools get into top med schools, but it’s not because of the school they attended; it’s merely because people who tend to go to top schools are usually already brighter and more hard-working on average than those who attend low-tier schools. Obviously, though, there are plenty of people attending less prestigious colleges that are just as intelligent and driven as their Ivy League peers. It’s the individual that matters and what he/she accomplishes at whatever school they go to.

However, there are still a few valid concerns to address in terms of choosing UCM over UCSD. Firstly, is UCM accredited yet? I’ve heard mixed things about that…If it’s not accredited yet, I’d be wary of going there. I’d make absolutely sure that it’s accredited before attending.

Secondly, you have to be extremely confident in your ability to get an amazing score on the MCAT if you’re going to choose UCM. Because if you don’t get a great score on the MCAT and end up not even getting into med school, your 3.9 - 4.0 GPA at UCM will pretty much mean nothing to other employers. A degree from UCSD in general, especially with a 3.6 GPA, will be much more appealing to prospective employers in other fields where the name of the school does matter more than a high GPA.

As for the UC system accepting winter quarter transfers, I’m not really sure. I’ve never heard of anyone applying to winter quarter, but I’m sure someone else on this forum could help answer that question. Davis does sound like a great middle option for you to consider, but keep in mind that Davis too is known for its great science departments, so the classes may be just as competitive as UCSD.

Best of luck to you! :D