Should I go to a University or Community?
Asked by Double KI got accepted to the University of California, Riverside. I want to attend medical school in the future and UC Riverside has a pretty good program for it. I was wondering should I attend UC Riverside, live the dorm life, enroll in the program, and then apply to medical school? Or should I attend Pasadena City College, which is one of the best community colleges, transfer to a better school, save tons of money, and then apply? Will I get a higher GPA since I attended a community college my first two years (because it is easier) rather than a University, which overall will increase my chances of getting into medical school?
Favorite Answer
Answered by Imaka
You have already received a few good opinions on this question. Probably the most important factor is you yourself, and whether you have the determination to stick to your plans whether you take the community college route or the university route. As other posters have said, the university route is more supportive for your intentions. You know yourself best. How much do you want the university experience as an undergraduate? It is different from community college, and university experience as a grad student is different from undergrad experience. Having read these responses, do you think you can stick with it and continue if you go to community college rather than university? If so, you might want to choose community college because you will save a considerable amount of money. Personally if it were me, and if I could manage it financially, I would choose university, but I am looking at the situation from the vantage point of hindsight. I know the difference in the two experiences, and I know that I much prefer the university life. You get that chance to be a freshman in university as a young person only once. In terms of being able to go to medical school, you will get there by either route if your grades are good and if you are determined. So, what to do? Make a list of the pros and cons of each. Think about what you really want. Talk to people in your family and to friends you trust. Research the schools carefully and look at medical school entrance requirements. Consider your own characteristics and what experience you want to have over the next few years. Then decide. Keep in mind something Shakespeare said - To thine own self be true, and it must follow as the night the day, that thou canst not then be false to any man. Best of luck, whatever your decision.
You have already received a few good opinions on this question. Probably the most important factor is you yourself, and whether you have the determination to stick to your plans whether you take the community college route or the university route. As other posters have said, the university route is more supportive for your intentions. You know yourself best. How much do you want the university experience as an undergraduate? It is different from community college, and university experience as a grad student is different from undergrad experience. Having read these responses, do you think you can stick with it and continue if you go to community college rather than university? If so, you might want to choose community college because you will save a considerable amount of money. Personally if it were me, and if I could manage it financially, I would choose university, but I am looking at the situation from the vantage point of hindsight. I know the difference in the two experiences, and I know that I much prefer the university life. You get that chance to be a freshman in university as a young person only once. In terms of being able to go to medical school, you will get there by either route if your grades are good and if you are determined. So, what to do? Make a list of the pros and cons of each. Think about what you really want. Talk to people in your family and to friends you trust. Research the schools carefully and look at medical school entrance requirements. Consider your own characteristics and what experience you want to have over the next few years. Then decide. Keep in mind something Shakespeare said - To thine own self be true, and it must follow as the night the day, that thou canst not then be false to any man. Best of luck, whatever your decision.
