I was absolutely gutted when I didn't get into my dream school (UCLA), so much that I decided to go to it's sister [BioChemistry] school (UCR) in hopes to later transfer. Regardless whichever or how many other UCs or CSUs had accepted me. I started UCR with my heart half in, the other half broken from being rejected. Alone. All my closest friends and family went to UCLA/ UCB/ UCI/ Ivy Leagues. And the feeling of disappointing myself and my strict Asian parents didn't make it any easier. How could my parent's only child embarrass them like that? LOL. I laugh now, but I sure wasn't laughing back then. Two years in -- I found myself not just leaving the Science field behind, but I also left behind a dream I just didn't care to chase anymore. I stayed at a school that didn't make me feel "rejected" or not "smart enough." The moment I accepted UCR for it's entirety, everything changed. I made friends and not just acquaintances, I explored a new field by taking courses from professors that devote their passions to, I explored their passion to find mine, and I finally started to embody that saying "college is what you make of it." Another two and a half years later, I graduated with a Business degree that paved a path to a career I didn't know I will eventually fall in love with and become successful in. I shared a stage with some of the most successful doctors and therapists on every spectrum of the medical field, that I know. And now, when I look into students eyes I can immediately feel if attending was a wholehearted decision or half broken one like mine was. My heart aches for those who measure success by the name of college they attend -- not because I wasted a part of my life feeling that way, but because I know their journey to acceptance will be a long one. For those who have yet to start college or just started, let me tell you -- I now work with graduates from various UCs (yes, including UCLA) and prestige Ivy Leagues/ private schools. Every day that I am doing a job I love, with the title/position I'm in, sharing the same building/office space with my colleagues from these other colleges -- I am reminded that my degree from UCR brought me to the same place as someone from UCLA. So ride out that feeling of rejection, cry a few times if you have to. But please don't let it consume you for the next 4-6 years of your life. Out in this "adult" world, it's WHO you know that becomes more important than WHAT you know. Leandra, I wish you the best on your future at UCR and in life. I hope one day, you too can look back and assure yourself this was one of the best decisions you had ever made. But most importantly right now, good luck on your Fall finals! Los Jilbertos, Getaway Cafe, 7-11 and Denny's got me through most of them :)
Duh! Like a job only hired everyone from one school. My husband is retiring and he trained staffs but nothing special but only joke since your degree is from USC you just attend a better school. UCLA is our daughter dream school. Something happened to her so UCM or locally home is her only choice. I see nothing wrong she still got to experienced college life from sorority to study abroad. Has a part time job with UCM that will be full time when she graduated April 22. My siblings are graduates of UCB and UCLA. Only 2 of them is working related to their degree. The others has better career unrelated to their degree.
The fact that you chose UCR as a "mature" decision rather than a "fun" one says a lot about your maturity even before college :) Seems like you did your research and really found a school that fit well with you, and it all worked out in the end!
That's how I felt about UC Berkeley. I was accepted back in 2013 but the lady at the Admission Office at Berkeley told me that I couldn't defer to Spring and added "There's 400 people on the waitlist who would gladly take your spot". I replied they can have my spot :) I got a Full Ride at UCR. So grateful!
This title resonated with me. I got into UCSD, UCI, UCLA..... But I chose UC Riverside. Other videos don't relate to my experience at all, many claiming UCR "wasn't [their] first choice, but there wasn't another option".
Hi Leandra :) I'm transferring from a CC to a 4-year for my BA. I got into UCLA, UCB, and UCSC, I felt like this video really resonated with me because while I was stuck between UCB and UCSC I ended up with UCSC :] I learned that sometimes the "bigger" more higher-ranked schools are good and all but do come with competitiveness and more rigor and pressure to fit in. You made amazing points too! I really took that into consideration and felt more comfortable at UCSC because of the smaller classrooms and friendly less stressed atmosphere
I’m literally in the same boat as a incoming freshman actively trying to pursue a career in Medicine and choosing UCR over UCLA and this video was soooo helpful, thank you.
UCSD Alum: Class of 2020 here! UCR is definitely on the come up! People like you have paved the foundation for UCR. UCSD was cutthroat as hell felt like I was at Microsoft. Congratulations anyway!
Spam Musubi Hey! I was a Pre-Law ( PoliSci Public Law) The Professors here are world class. But the students at UCSD could care less about each other. They are there to do their job. So you’re only friends will be your roommates and the one kid you sit next to the entire quarter! Also some TAs are sons of bitches. Be cool with your professor for a letter of rec, but you’ll really need to be best buds with your TA for an A possibly. Also if you a STEM major good luck because professors are ass I heard. They only teach because their research grants require them to so they don’t care for y’all. Also if you a woman in engineering, the sexism is off the charts! Good luck!
@@Turtlez20 that's disheartening to hear... UCSD was my top school of choice! you seem bitter about the school :( i hope things worked out for you in the end!
Turtlez20 Is this experience generalizable across all majors at UCSD, and how do you think Covid19 changed say what someone in your position entering as a freshman now would experience?
I had a fantastic experience at UCSD. I was a female student athlete, made MANY lifelong friends, majored in Math & Computer Science, and UCSD prepared me for great engineering positions at Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft! 👏 👏 👏
As a hs senior from the Bay Area, I was def disappointed when I only got into UCR and UCSC, and my fam was against me going to UCR bc it wasn’t close to home. However after watching your vid, touring the campus, interacting with current/former UCR students, and researching the school helped me narrow down my decision, and I’m excited to say that I’ll be attending UCR this fall as a neuroscience major on the pre med track! Ik my classmates and relatives will probs look down on it since it’s the “UC Rejects” school, but hearing your perspective on choosing UCR over LA/Cal makes me content w my decision. Thank you for this Leandra ❤️
Congrats! Don’t let which UC you are attending be anyone problem. Tell them you are going to school for yourself not them. UCLA was my daughter dream school. It’s okay I rather see my daughter lived her 2nd chance at life and nothing hasn’t stop her. She still got her college life experienced. At the end get to the finished line.
Extremely informative!! It will help my daughter so much since she is deciding to go to UCR as premed. Thank you so so much and good luck at med school 🙏👍
congrats! i graduated as en engineer last year, and landed a job before graduation. ucr is definitely an amazing school with a lot of opportunities, and really cares about growing their students.
Congratulations on all of your accomplishments! Thank you so much for making this video! I wish I had this video when I was deciding where to SIR 2 years ago because I felt all of the emotions that you were describing when I finally decided to make the "mature" decision and SIR to UCR. Again, congratulations on all of your accomplishments, and best of luck in your journey to becoming a physician!!👏🏻
wow this is super interesting i feel like most people wouldn't have even considered ucr over la or berkeley. i'm attending ucr this fall as a premed and initially i was super upset bc of the stigma (not anymore! i'm super excited to go now) thank you for sharing! do you mind talking about your experience with the school's non-academic side like parties and greek life?
Adrien B Im glad you can relate and hope you like UCR as much as I do! I will be making a video about UCR soon, hopefully it can answer some questions about the non-academic side of things!
@@leandrad.9774 Great video even if I am all about UCLA. The way you explained how you eliminated UCB and then UCLA was excellent. A road less traveled to med school is not a road that is any less destined to it. UCR gave you the support you needed, and the university knew that you were special when they gave you a Regents scholarship when the other two didn't. Their providing you with a means to incur less of a burden of cost through merit certainly was justified and borne out and will benefit you with whatever cost you incur at Hopkins (unless you're dual PhD) so as not to compound any debt. Edit: And Hopkins is just my guess on you choice. 😊 I also like that UCR was able to start their own medical school in 2016. And I like the pipeline aspect of its students feeding its med school so they can provide medical care for the area and it's a win-win. All the best.
Don’t forget UCM wiill have a medical school soon too. It will be branched from UCD. The Greek Life at UCM is nothing. My daughter is in sorority but maybe our town will take longer to see it. UCM students rent most of the home on my street. Few of the sorority sisters is here too.
Thank you for this! So many of my friends are choosing UCs based on the rankings and clout alone (we’re all premed transfers from a CC) and it stresses me out even thinking about making a decision based solely on that. The details you took into consideration are so important and it was comforting to hear another premed student share their experience :)
UC Riverside Alumnus from way back in the day when there was only West Lothian (my dorm) and Aberdeen and Inverness (A&I). Was Bio-Med back then...now Thomas Haider...excellent brutal program...I actually switched to Business Administration (Berkeley only other UC to have it) and never looked back. Great students and Top 100 US News ranked programs at one of the fastest growing UC's still having that personal touch! Received a great education/college experience at UCR...Go Highlanders!!
Hi, new subscriber here. I will say, videos like this are much more needed! "Prestige" of a university shouldn't be the overarching factor when deciding undergraduate universities (this is more so found in grad programs). But love this video!
I really resonated with your video. For me who in my third year at UCR in Biochem, still at time struggle with the feeling of rejection (UCLA,UCB,UCI,UCSD) because do to peer and other surroundings made me assume that validation comes from getting into something prestigious. I observed that why these elite schools get so much recognitions are through flashing the "success" and achievements of other people who on their own according persist and got their own success as a way for other people who desire to be like those who succeeded, which often lead to the desire ride on the coat of the success of other people and the legacy, even though that does not really help anyone to find their own achievement and success. I choose UCR cause i felt it had more to offer and also the atmosphere, although not a well known school, allows me to really focused on the importance of what the school could offer me as the environment of the place is very calm and peaceful rather than "in your face" type of atmosphere that other elite schools would have making as though you are there to boost their high standards rather than helping the students. In fact, UCR as the school is growing is expanding as it slowly getting to the point where you could get good education and practice like in LA or any other prestigious schools so UCR isn't even bad that these rumors of it being spread. What I could advice to those who are still in haziness of things are really focusing on some key factors before making a move by planning out through this Russian Doll Metaphor I be using: Russian Doll Method 1) Core Goal - What is the core goal for a good life? It is to make money or income in order to sustain the life as well as career being taken. How could this be achieved? After knowing what career or job you want to be in, you have to do research for the income of the job, then the area or place you want to work whether if it close to family or farther away, later is there aby other classes you want to take after graduating like med school or grad program before finally acting on it. It is important do research to achieve these goals in effective and uncostly manner. Why I say money is the core goal is because in order to achieve your goal within and happy life and career there needs to be money to support it. It important to rethinking the choices made to get an effective outcome that is happy and fullfilling. 2) Outter Layers - The goals like getting to an elite school or other factor that people get for validations should be considered because the school don't make the person but vice versa. If on the first round or second round (transfer) those who are able to get in the school should pursue it just only to relieve the sense of "validation" , but at the end of the day people outside school after graduation or later on in their lives don't really talk about which school a person goes to but now look at the person with a "how successful (income and career)" is this person. So getting to a elite school give a sense of validation but if you are not making a good living and end up with the mindset of getting a degree of elite school that uses previous success of other people just for people to ride on it without really allowing individuals to have a sense of importance tell us that the school has become and impose that those who attend their school are just numbers that add on to their success. My point is that just because the news or the media portrayed these elite schools through the attention and succussed receive, doesn't mean the nest where the golden goose stay always have golden eggs laid as those are rare and majority are normal plain eggs that wouldn't receive the attention and nurture of the goose unless it is golden (metaphorically speaking). I hope that it helps allow more rethinking to approach life and being successful and mindful to the choices made. 😁
Hey! I'm currently trying to decide between UCR since this was the only UC I got into when I tried so hard for my dream of UCLA. I got in as an economics major and was wondering if I can change my major if I enroll in UCR? I want to enroll as a neuroscience, biochemistry, or psychology major that's good for nursing. Thank you so much for this video, it's saving me before enrolling in a college.
Hi! Yes you can change your major during college. Make sure to talk with your academic advisor and they will walk you through the steps you need to take
My friend got into EECS at Berkeley and turned it down and I thought he was crazy, but he said the exact same things you're saying: at their admitted students event, they seemed very out-of-touch and arrogant and didn't present any resources for their students beyond its 'prestige'. He didn't want any part of that.
I think being premed anywhere won’t ever be easy, so i would say to choose a school where you will be happy! If you feel supported, you’ll do well. The majority of other students that interviewed with me at higher-tiered med schools were from prestigious undergrads, but there were a few from lesser known schools. In my opinion, what you do at your university matters more than the name.
Lauren Mendez hi!! Thank you for your interest and ideas! In terms of taking classes, I believe you should choose a major you like and make sure to take the prerequisite courses for med schools. At UCR, I went to the Health Professions Advising Center to find the list of courses needed. My major was Biology, so the majority of my classes related to that subject.
Leandra D. Thanks so much! I have another question. Did you live on campus or near it? I am interested in UCR but would have to commute. The commute would be around an hour there and back but luckily no crazy traffic. I am scared it’ll interfere with time spent on extracurriculars. If you did commute, was it a hassle balancing work, school, & commuting?
@@laurenmendez8861 hi, thank you for all your questions. I lived in the dorms my first year, and I'll make a video with tips for freshmen soon. I'll talk about my experience with housing. Please stay tuned!
Thank you for this video! It has provided me with a lot of insight. I was wondering why you didn't consider other UCs such as UCSD or UCI since they are also in SoCal as well? I am currently a high school senior making the exact decision you made 4 years ago and could really use your insight :)
Hi Audrey, congrats on your acceptances! I was accepted to UCSD and UCI too but I narrowed it down to UCLA first. UCR was still an option due to my scholarship and the reasons I stated in my video :) The first decision I made was to narrow down my choices to three, so I stuck to UCR, UCLA, and UC Berkeley.
Which med schools did you get accepted into and which one did you choose? Can you make a video on this.. I’m looking at UCR but I’m unsure because I really prioritize going to med school after
Your video is really helpful and inspiring, thank you! May I know if you joined the honor program? What do you see about pro and con about the honor program? Thanks!
Thank you so much for watching! I did not join the Honors program, so I don’t have much insight here. I think all Honors students are required to complete a capstone research project before graduation, but I’m not sure what else the program entails. Reaching out to the Honors program coordinator might be helpful.
@@leandrad.9774 Thanks for your quick response! My daughter decided with UCR Biology major and sound like it is a good path toward medical field! Have you applied for their EAP program to UCR Medical School? Did you live in Learning Communities in UCR? If so which program did you choice? Thank you!
Jana Hajj-Shehadeh Hi, thanks for your comment. I talked about my stats in the last video I posted and how it’s only one aspect of your entire application. Hope this helps!
Hello! I am also considering this and got great insight from the video. I'm just confused as why people go to Berkeley instead of UCR for med school. UCR gives better GPA, research opportunities, smaller class sizes, etc. Why would people still want to go to UCB? Is there some difference I don't know? Does any school's curriculum prepare you better for the MCAT (for example, does UCB have better teaching materials)? Berkeley is known for research but multiple people say it's very hard to get a research opportunity/letter of recommendation there. Can you please give me some insight? Thank you!
Hi I am not the creator of this video but I got accepted into UCR and UCI as a transfer for this upcoming fall semester and to be honest it mostly seems like UCR is on par if not better than UCB. The only thing that separates the two is name recognition. Berkeley is more recognizable by name but that doesn't necessarily make it better. I hope this helps.
Berkeley is known for Engineering and Computer Science, that is their strength, biosciences take a back seat at Cal. Can you succeed as a premed there, sure you can. But, know that at most UCs you are expected to learn from the text book first then prof, have 300-400 lecture size for the first two years. Upper div classes go way down to 150. I went to UCLA, and yes it was a great school, but no one will hold your hand at UCLA. We loved struggling students in premed classes, they padded the curve, not to sound mean but it is the truth. Every student at UCLA was in the top 5 percent of their HS, especially premeds so expect the competition to be rough. Any alumni will attest, it is what you make it, you the student have to network and find research, volunteering, etc. The resources are there, they do care, but they expect the top students in the nation to be self motivated and driven to do their homework on their objectives. This advice goes at any college. Find great mentors, learn from them, review experiences from You tube from past students that succeeded. Being a premed, just go to any top 50 university that fits you personally and financially. Cal does not feed as many matriculant medical students as UCLA into California medical school, it is not even close. Going to UCLA to be a premed is like wanting to go do battle it with some of the smartest premeds and hope to come out on top. I remember getting a 94% on my organic chem 132b final and feeling great but then got 88% for the class…the curve came out and it was a B plus. That is UCL A curves for serious students who take the best professors, dont expect much of any curve, 90% will be an A minus. Good luck.
@@leandrad.9774 Hello Leandra, thank you for such a wonderful video. My son is planning to go to UCR majoring in biology and got an invitation to apply for the honors program. Will this program provide any advantages other than priority registration? Wondering if you had any experiences? Thank you very much,
Hi there, thanks for watching. I chose not to participate in the Honors program, so I don’t have any personal experience with it. I think the main advantage is the priority registration like you mentioned!
hi leandra! im a current high school senior facing the exact same dilemma as you and it’s so, SO difficult… sometimes i wish i didn’t get accepted into these colleges bc of how difficult it is to balance these factors, as grateful as i am 😭 but your video is helping me put things into perspective as a premed and im rly grateful for your insight 🫶 its honestly really funny how similar my journey is with yours-falling in love with ucla via SEA Admit weekend, balancing making connections, trying to make a decision that fits with my academic, career, and personal needs… phew. i think most of all its difficult for me to lose the “what could have been” mindset if i were to commit to ucr but im rly glad you enjoyed your experience there!! i hope whatever choice ill make today to commit i won’t regret it 🥹
I was absolutely gutted when I didn't get into my dream school (UCLA), so much that I decided to go to it's sister [BioChemistry] school (UCR) in hopes to later transfer. Regardless whichever or how many other UCs or CSUs had accepted me. I started UCR with my heart half in, the other half broken from being rejected. Alone. All my closest friends and family went to UCLA/ UCB/ UCI/ Ivy Leagues. And the feeling of disappointing myself and my strict Asian parents didn't make it any easier. How could my parent's only child embarrass them like that? LOL. I laugh now, but I sure wasn't laughing back then. Two years in -- I found myself not just leaving the Science field behind, but I also left behind a dream I just didn't care to chase anymore. I stayed at a school that didn't make me feel "rejected" or not "smart enough." The moment I accepted UCR for it's entirety, everything changed. I made friends and not just acquaintances, I explored a new field by taking courses from professors that devote their passions to, I explored their passion to find mine, and I finally started to embody that saying "college is what you make of it." Another two and a half years later, I graduated with a Business degree that paved a path to a career I didn't know I will eventually fall in love with and become successful in. I shared a stage with some of the most successful doctors and therapists on every spectrum of the medical field, that I know. And now, when I look into students eyes I can immediately feel if attending was a wholehearted decision or half broken one like mine was. My heart aches for those who measure success by the name of college they attend -- not because I wasted a part of my life feeling that way, but because I know their journey to acceptance will be a long one. For those who have yet to start college or just started, let me tell you -- I now work with graduates from various UCs (yes, including UCLA) and prestige Ivy Leagues/ private schools. Every day that I am doing a job I love, with the title/position I'm in, sharing the same building/office space with my colleagues from these other colleges -- I am reminded that my degree from UCR brought me to the same place as someone from UCLA. So ride out that feeling of rejection, cry a few times if you have to. But please don't let it consume you for the next 4-6 years of your life. Out in this "adult" world, it's WHO you know that becomes more important than WHAT you know.
Leandra, I wish you the best on your future at UCR and in life. I hope one day, you too can look back and assure yourself this was one of the best decisions you had ever made. But most importantly right now, good luck on your Fall finals! Los Jilbertos, Getaway Cafe, 7-11 and Denny's got me through most of them :)
Duh! Like a job only hired everyone from one school. My husband is retiring and he trained staffs but nothing special but only joke since your degree is from USC you just attend a better school.
UCLA is our daughter dream school. Something happened to her so UCM or locally home is her only choice. I see nothing wrong she still got to experienced college life from sorority to study abroad. Has a part time job with UCM that will be full time when she graduated April 22.
My siblings are graduates of UCB and UCLA. Only 2 of them is working related to their degree. The others has better career unrelated to their degree.
The fact that you chose UCR as a "mature" decision rather than a "fun" one says a lot about your maturity even before college :) Seems like you did your research and really found a school that fit well with you, and it all worked out in the end!
That's how I felt about UC Berkeley. I was accepted back in 2013 but the lady at the Admission Office at Berkeley told me that I couldn't defer to Spring and added "There's 400 people on the waitlist who would gladly take your spot". I replied they can have my spot :) I got a Full Ride at UCR. So grateful!
damn the admission office comment was unneeded absolute prick
This title resonated with me. I got into UCSD, UCI, UCLA..... But I chose UC Riverside. Other videos don't relate to my experience at all, many claiming UCR "wasn't [their] first choice, but there wasn't another option".
same got a full ride to ucla, ucsd, ucI. decided to go to ucr. don't regret it at all
Isn't weather /heat in particular, bad? Air quality not so good right?
Hi Leandra :)
I'm transferring from a CC to a 4-year for my BA. I got into UCLA, UCB, and UCSC, I felt like this video really resonated with me because while I was stuck between UCB and UCSC I ended up with UCSC :] I learned that sometimes the "bigger" more higher-ranked schools are good and all but do come with competitiveness and more rigor and pressure to fit in. You made amazing points too! I really took that into consideration and felt more comfortable at UCSC because of the smaller classrooms and friendly less stressed atmosphere
Thank you for such a sweet comment! I’m so happy you could relate to the video with your own experience :)
I like the environment of smaller campus. 1:1 tutor. Easier to speak with Professor, etc. Big campus I always feel you are on your on.
I’m literally in the same boat as a incoming freshman actively trying to pursue a career in Medicine and choosing UCR over UCLA and this video was soooo helpful, thank you.
UCSD Alum: Class of 2020 here! UCR is definitely on the come up! People like you have paved the foundation for UCR. UCSD was cutthroat as hell felt like I was at Microsoft. Congratulations anyway!
I’m currently a rising junior in high school, just out of curiosity, what major were u and why did u feel like it was cutthroat?
Spam Musubi Hey! I was a Pre-Law ( PoliSci Public Law) The Professors here are world class. But the students at UCSD could care less about each other. They are there to do their job. So you’re only friends will be your roommates and the one kid you sit next to the entire quarter! Also some TAs are sons of bitches. Be cool with your professor for a letter of rec, but you’ll really need to be best buds with your TA for an A possibly. Also if you a STEM major good luck because professors are ass I heard. They only teach because their research grants
require them to so they don’t care for y’all. Also if you a woman in engineering, the sexism is off the charts! Good luck!
@@Turtlez20 that's disheartening to hear... UCSD was my top school of choice! you seem bitter about the school :( i hope things worked out for you in the end!
Turtlez20 Is this experience generalizable across all majors at UCSD, and how do you think Covid19 changed say what someone in your position entering as a freshman now would experience?
I had a fantastic experience at UCSD. I was a female student athlete, made MANY lifelong friends, majored in Math & Computer Science, and UCSD prepared me for great engineering positions at Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft! 👏 👏 👏
As a hs senior from the Bay Area, I was def disappointed when I only got into UCR and UCSC, and my fam was against me going to UCR bc it wasn’t close to home. However after watching your vid, touring the campus, interacting with current/former UCR students, and researching the school helped me narrow down my decision, and I’m excited to say that I’ll be attending UCR this fall as a neuroscience major on the pre med track! Ik my classmates and relatives will probs look down on it since it’s the “UC Rejects” school, but hearing your perspective on choosing UCR over LA/Cal makes me content w my decision. Thank you for this Leandra ❤️
Congratulations!! So happy my video helped, I hope you enjoy your college experience as much as I did 💖
Congrats! Don’t let which UC you are attending be anyone problem. Tell them you are going to school for yourself not them.
UCLA was my daughter dream school. It’s okay I rather see my daughter lived her 2nd chance at life and nothing hasn’t stop her. She still got her college life experienced. At the end get to the finished line.
Extremely informative!! It will help my daughter so much since she is deciding to go to UCR as premed. Thank you so so much and good luck at med school 🙏👍
Thank you for your positive comment! Good luck to your daughter, she’s going to do great 👍🏼
congrats! i graduated as en engineer last year, and landed a job before graduation. ucr is definitely an amazing school with a lot of opportunities, and really cares about growing their students.
Thank you! I’m glad you felt the same way 💓
Congratulations on all of your accomplishments! Thank you so much for making this video! I wish I had this video when I was deciding where to SIR 2 years ago because I felt all of the emotions that you were describing when I finally decided to make the "mature" decision and SIR to UCR. Again, congratulations on all of your accomplishments, and best of luck in your journey to becoming a physician!!👏🏻
Thank you so much! I’m so happy you could relate!
wow this is super interesting i feel like most people wouldn't have even considered ucr over la or berkeley. i'm attending ucr this fall as a premed and initially i was super upset bc of the stigma (not anymore! i'm super excited to go now) thank you for sharing! do you mind talking about your experience with the school's non-academic side like parties and greek life?
Adrien B Im glad you can relate and hope you like UCR as much as I do! I will be making a video about UCR soon, hopefully it can answer some questions about the non-academic side of things!
@@leandrad.9774 Great video even if I am all about UCLA. The way you explained how you eliminated UCB and then UCLA was excellent. A road less traveled to med school is not a road that is any less destined to it. UCR gave you the support you needed, and the university knew that you were special when they gave you a Regents scholarship when the other two didn't. Their providing you with a means to incur less of a burden of cost through merit certainly was justified and borne out and will benefit you with whatever cost you incur at Hopkins (unless you're dual PhD) so as not to compound any debt. Edit: And Hopkins is just my guess on you choice. 😊
I also like that UCR was able to start their own medical school in 2016. And I like the pipeline aspect of its students feeding its med school so they can provide medical care for the area and it's a win-win. All the best.
Rob Johnston Thank you, your comment is very thoughtful and encouraging! I will be revealing which medical school I’m attending soon 😊
@@leandrad.9774 Look forward to it. All the best!
Don’t forget UCM wiill have a medical school soon too. It will be branched from UCD.
The Greek Life at UCM is nothing. My daughter is in sorority but maybe our town will take longer to see it. UCM students rent most of the home on my street. Few of the sorority sisters is here too.
Love the video, thank for sharing your experience, will wait for new video about UCR!
Thank you for the support!
Thank you!! Very informative and helpful. Please make more videos showing your path from university to medical school.
I agree!!
Thank you for this! So many of my friends are choosing UCs based on the rankings and clout alone (we’re all premed transfers from a CC) and it stresses me out even thinking about making a decision based solely on that. The details you took into consideration are so important and it was comforting to hear another premed student share their experience :)
Great choice and great video; I totally relate in terms of “college feel” and scholarships 🥰🥰
Thanks, this helped a family member who's choosing schools now.
So far they got into Merced and Santa Cruz!!!
Congrats!!
UC Riverside Alumnus from way back in the day when there was only West Lothian (my dorm) and Aberdeen and Inverness (A&I). Was Bio-Med back then...now Thomas Haider...excellent brutal program...I actually switched to Business Administration (Berkeley only other UC to have it) and never looked back. Great students and Top 100 US News ranked programs at one of the fastest growing UC's still having that personal touch! Received a great education/college experience at UCR...Go Highlanders!!
This is a great video for all seniors of any majors. "Pick a school that is right for you."
Thank you for this video! It is extremely helpful! Congrats on med school!
Manisha Suresh aww thank you Manisha 💖
Hi, new subscriber here. I will say, videos like this are much more needed! "Prestige" of a university shouldn't be the overarching factor when deciding undergraduate universities (this is more so found in grad programs). But love this video!
So proud of you my friend/future doctor 🥺❤️
aw thanks hazel 💕
You’re so well spoken and beautiful soft voice
Wow thanks for the info this was very helpful!
glad I could help :)
You creates the value of your school diploma, not the diploma gives you the value.
This is so helpful! Love this and you, Leandra!!!
You were the one who motivated me :) always here for you! 😊
can't wait for more content!!
Ally Nguyen yay thanks for the support!😊
I really resonated with your video. For me who in my third year at UCR in Biochem, still at time struggle with the feeling of rejection (UCLA,UCB,UCI,UCSD) because do to peer and other surroundings made me assume that validation comes from getting into something prestigious. I observed that why these elite schools get so much recognitions are through flashing the "success" and achievements of other people who on their own according persist and got their own success as a way for other people who desire to be like those who succeeded, which often lead to the desire ride on the coat of the success of other people and the legacy, even though that does not really help anyone to find their own achievement and success. I choose UCR cause i felt it had more to offer and also the atmosphere, although not a well known school, allows me to really focused on the importance of what the school could offer me as the environment of the place is very calm and peaceful rather than "in your face" type of atmosphere that other elite schools would have making as though you are there to boost their high standards rather than helping the students. In fact, UCR as the school is growing is expanding as it slowly getting to the point where you could get good education and practice like in LA or any other prestigious schools so UCR isn't even bad that these rumors of it being spread. What I could advice to those who are still in haziness of things are really focusing on some key factors before making a move by planning out through this Russian Doll Metaphor I be using:
Russian Doll Method
1) Core Goal
- What is the core goal for a good life? It is to make money or income in order to sustain the life as well as career being taken. How could this be achieved? After knowing what career or job you want to be in, you have to do research for the income of the job, then the area or place you want to work whether if it close to family or farther away, later is there aby other classes you want to take after graduating like med school or grad program before finally acting on it. It is important do research to achieve these goals in effective and uncostly manner. Why I say money is the core goal is because in order to achieve your goal within and happy life and career there needs to be money to support it. It important to rethinking the choices made to get an effective outcome that is happy and fullfilling.
2) Outter Layers
- The goals like getting to an elite school or other factor that people get for validations should be considered because the school don't make the person but vice versa. If on the first round or second round (transfer) those who are able to get in the school should pursue it just only to relieve the sense of "validation" , but at the end of the day people outside school after graduation or later on in their lives don't really talk about which school a person goes to but now look at the person with a "how successful (income and career)" is this person. So getting to a elite school give a sense of validation but if you are not making a good living and end up with the mindset of getting a degree of elite school that uses previous success of other people just for people to ride on it without really allowing individuals to have a sense of importance tell us that the school has become and impose that those who attend their school are just numbers that add on to their success.
My point is that just because the news or the media portrayed these elite schools through the attention and succussed receive, doesn't mean the nest where the golden goose stay always have golden eggs laid as those are rare and majority are normal plain eggs that wouldn't receive the attention and nurture of the goose unless it is golden (metaphorically speaking).
I hope that it helps allow more rethinking to approach life and being successful and mindful to the choices made.
😁
Thank you for watching! :)
Hey I was in MSP. Now I'm in nursing school post-grad. They really help and support you no matter your pre-health goals.
That’s awesome, congrats!! It’s always so nice to hear from MSP alum
this was really helpful! pls make more premed videos :)
Thank you for your support! I’m working on an idea for my next one, hopefully I can upload soon :)
I got into UCD and UCSB but SIRd for UCR yesterday for the same reasons and I feel SICKK, i just hope I don’t continue regretting it the way I do now
how has it been? do you feel like going to UCR was a good decision?
Hey! I'm currently trying to decide between UCR since this was the only UC I got into when I tried so hard for my dream of UCLA. I got in as an economics major and was wondering if I can change my major if I enroll in UCR? I want to enroll as a neuroscience, biochemistry, or psychology major that's good for nursing. Thank you so much for this video, it's saving me before enrolling in a college.
Hi! Yes you can change your major during college. Make sure to talk with your academic advisor and they will walk you through the steps you need to take
@@leandrad.9774 Thank you so much! This has definitely helped me figure out what college I want to attend. Just subscribed and wish you the best
my daughter will be starting in the fall...also pre-med! Thanks for this vid! Let us know how your Med school journey goes! (went?)
Thanks for watching! I’ve posted other videos about my first two years of med school :) please enjoy!
Arriba las Chivas! We’re in the FINALS!
My friend got into EECS at Berkeley and turned it down and I thought he was crazy, but he said the exact same things you're saying: at their admitted students event, they seemed very out-of-touch and arrogant and didn't present any resources for their students beyond its 'prestige'. He didn't want any part of that.
Aw I’m sorry he felt that way, UC Berkeley is an incredible school, but I’m glad he chose what he felt was best for him :)
do you feel like it’s better to go to a school where it’s easier to get a good gpa, even if it’s not as highly ranked?
I think being premed anywhere won’t ever be easy, so i would say to choose a school where you will be happy! If you feel supported, you’ll do well. The majority of other students that interviewed with me at higher-tiered med schools were from prestigious undergrads, but there were a few from lesser known schools. In my opinion, what you do at your university matters more than the name.
Can you make a video reviewing your AMCAS application along with your classes you’ve taken?
Lauren Mendez hi!! Thank you for your interest and ideas! In terms of taking classes, I believe you should choose a major you like and make sure to take the prerequisite courses for med schools. At UCR, I went to the Health Professions Advising Center to find the list of courses needed. My major was Biology, so the majority of my classes related to that subject.
Leandra D. Thanks so much! I have another question. Did you live on campus or near it? I am interested in UCR but would have to commute. The commute would be around an hour there and back but luckily no crazy traffic. I am scared it’ll interfere with time spent on extracurriculars. If you did commute, was it a hassle balancing work, school, & commuting?
@@laurenmendez8861 hi, thank you for all your questions. I lived in the dorms my first year, and I'll make a video with tips for freshmen soon. I'll talk about my experience with housing. Please stay tuned!
Thank you for this video! It has provided me with a lot of insight. I was wondering why you didn't consider other UCs such as UCSD or UCI since they are also in SoCal as well? I am currently a high school senior making the exact decision you made 4 years ago and could really use your insight :)
Hi Audrey, congrats on your acceptances! I was accepted to UCSD and UCI too but I narrowed it down to UCLA first. UCR was still an option due to my scholarship and the reasons I stated in my video :) The first decision I made was to narrow down my choices to three, so I stuck to UCR, UCLA, and UC Berkeley.
sending this to my sister! shes picking colleges rn 😗👀
Fakesaga thank you for sharing it! :)
Hi there I was wondering what your major was at UC Riverside? It’s one of my top schools and i’m making my decision within the next month!
I was a General Biology major. Good luck!
Which med schools did you get accepted into and which one did you choose? Can you make a video on this.. I’m looking at UCR but I’m unsure because I really prioritize going to med school after
Your video is really helpful and inspiring, thank you! May I know if you joined the honor program? What do you see about pro and con about the honor program? Thanks!
Thank you so much for watching! I did not join the Honors program, so I don’t have much insight here. I think all Honors students are required to complete a capstone research project before graduation, but I’m not sure what else the program entails. Reaching out to the Honors program coordinator might be helpful.
@@leandrad.9774 Thanks for your quick response! My daughter decided with UCR Biology major and sound like it is a good path toward medical field! Have you applied for their EAP program to UCR Medical School? Did you live in Learning Communities in UCR? If so which program did you choice? Thank you!
I did not apply for EAP. And yes I lived in a STEM learning community in the dorms my first year
@@leandrad.9774 Thanks for your reply! Do you mind share your thoughts about not applying for EAP? Thank you!
could you please do a stats video for medical school
Jana Hajj-Shehadeh Hi, thanks for your comment. I talked about my stats in the last video I posted and how it’s only one aspect of your entire application. Hope this helps!
@@leandrad.9774 Thank you! I just watched it. Im going to UCR in the fall and you have been a great role model for me ❤️
Hello! I am also considering this and got great insight from the video. I'm just confused as why people go to Berkeley instead of UCR for med school. UCR gives better GPA, research opportunities, smaller class sizes, etc. Why would people still want to go to UCB? Is there some difference I don't know? Does any school's curriculum prepare you better for the MCAT (for example, does UCB have better teaching materials)? Berkeley is known for research but multiple people say it's very hard to get a research opportunity/letter of recommendation there. Can you please give me some insight? Thank you!
Hi I am not the creator of this video but I got accepted into UCR and UCI as a transfer for this upcoming fall semester and to be honest it mostly seems like UCR is on par if not better than UCB. The only thing that separates the two is name recognition. Berkeley is more recognizable by name but that doesn't necessarily make it better. I hope this helps.
probably because berkeley has better prestige lol
If you are confused why people choose Berkeley user UCR, then UCR is definitely a good fit for you.
Berkeley is known for Engineering and Computer Science, that is their strength, biosciences take a back seat at Cal. Can you succeed as a premed there, sure you can. But, know that at most UCs you are expected to learn from the text book first then prof, have 300-400 lecture size for the first two years. Upper div classes go way down to 150. I went to UCLA, and yes it was a great school, but no one will hold your hand at UCLA. We loved struggling students in premed classes, they padded the curve, not to sound mean but it is the truth. Every student at UCLA was in the top 5 percent of their HS, especially premeds so expect the competition to be rough. Any alumni will attest, it is what you make it, you the student have to network and find research, volunteering, etc. The resources are there, they do care, but they expect the top students in the nation to be self motivated and driven to do their homework on their objectives. This advice goes at any college. Find great mentors, learn from them, review experiences from You tube from past students that succeeded. Being a premed, just go to any top 50 university that fits you personally and financially. Cal does not feed as many matriculant medical students as UCLA into California medical school, it is not even close. Going to UCLA to be a premed is like wanting to go do battle it with some of the smartest premeds and hope to come out on top. I remember getting a 94% on my organic chem 132b final and feeling great but then got 88% for the class…the curve came out and it was a B plus. That is UCL A curves for serious students who take the best professors, dont expect much of any curve, 90% will be an A minus. Good luck.
Which medical school do you go to?
Kaiser permanente school of medicine
@@leandrad.9774 I go to uc riverside too I am a rising sophomore, is it possible for me to email you to ask some questions?
Hi, yes! Please use the email address found on my channel page
@@leandrad.9774 Hi thanks for the reply, I can't seen to find your email. Is it possible for you to reply to this comment with it?
Hey, do you suggest to join UCR Honors Program for premed? Pl. reply.
Hi! I did not join UCR Honors, so I don’t have much insight into the program.
@@leandrad.9774Thank you for your reply 😊
I this year what is you opinion about UCR?
Thank You
My son apply next year?
Good luck to your son!
🤩🤩🤩
thank you! ❤
Sorry but what was ur undergrad major at ucr?
Biology
@@leandrad.9774 thank u
e
Excellent
very helpful video, I am curious what premed major you have taken in UCR?
Thank you, I was a biology major at UCR
@@leandrad.9774 Hello Leandra, thank you for such a wonderful video. My son is planning to go to UCR majoring in biology and got an invitation to apply for the honors program. Will this program provide any advantages other than priority registration? Wondering if you had any experiences? Thank you very much,
Hi there, thanks for watching. I chose not to participate in the Honors program, so I don’t have any personal experience with it. I think the main advantage is the priority registration like you mentioned!
Good for you.
hi leandra! im a current high school senior facing the exact same dilemma as you and it’s so, SO difficult… sometimes i wish i didn’t get accepted into these colleges bc of how difficult it is to balance these factors, as grateful as i am 😭 but your video is helping me put things into perspective as a premed and im rly grateful for your insight 🫶
its honestly really funny how similar my journey is with yours-falling in love with ucla via SEA Admit weekend, balancing making connections, trying to make a decision that fits with my academic, career, and personal needs… phew. i think most of all its difficult for me to lose the “what could have been” mindset if i were to commit to ucr but im rly glad you enjoyed your experience there!! i hope whatever choice ill make today to commit i won’t regret it 🥹