#[Biochem Pre-med] UCLA v/s UW Seattle (UDub)

12 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

rustic oxide
#

Schools: UCLA & UW Seattle
Intended major: Biochemistry (Pre-med) but I intend to double major
Similarities: Both unis are academically stellar and provide an outstanding pre-med education. Quarter system (I acc like it). Fantastic school spirit & diversity! Joined a Pre-health LLC for both. Abundant opportunities but competitive in both. Both cities (I'm a city boy)

UCLA
School 1 Pros:

  • Sunny weather (deadly in summer though)
  • No significant grade deflation or inflation
  • Prestige

School 1 Cons:

  • $10K more expensive per year: I am an int'l student so UCLA ends up being $70K/year.
  • General pre-health counselling opposed to specific pre-med advising, which is relatively inferior to UW but still good

University of Washington, Seattle
Pros:

  • Cheaper than UCLA
  • Love the mascot
  • Prestige (Lower than UCLA though)

Cons:

  • Grade Deflation: As an int'l student GPA is everything (along with other components) while applying to med school
  • Depressing weather for winter quarter (but super pleasant during the spring)
  • Major system: I was directly admitted to Biochem but I need to undergo this for my second major

Tiebreaking considerations:

  • I only care about getting into med school & quality of education so I don't mind giving up certain student life perks.

Addendum: It was a tough decision to pick UW Seattle amongst other unis but I was satisfied with it. But after I got off the UCLA waitlist, I am extremely torn. I want to attend a uni good for int'l students to settle in and thrive. I come from Tokyo, Japan so I am biased to UW Seattle's cherry blossoms and pretty campus and architecture + my friends are attending UW Seattle but UCLA was one of dream schools and I love the Bruin culture and what it symbolizes. I thrive in the sunny weather but excessive heat is a problem. I am super unproductive and dead in gloomy places.

shadow grove
#

If you have the money UCLA is a no brainer in my opinion

#

The grade deflation at UW is a big deal for med school assuming that’s true

#

UCLA is one of the most Asian undergraduate populations in the country. It should be super hospitable for an intl from Japan.

#

Social life is probably better too + the prestige

#

That being said, med school is expensive so if it makes sense to save by going to UW do that. Best of luck and congrats!

strange sleet
#

relatively speaking i think 60k/yr vs 70k/yr is not big enough of a difference to make up for the cons of uw

#

so unless you literally can't id say ucla

true bay
#

Ucla

rustic oxide
#

Yeah I think UCLA is the right choice for me too but I wanted to make sure I'm not missing out on anything

rustic oxide
rustic oxide