<p>All right. Congrats to everyone who got into their transfer school of choice. For those who didn't, it's not the end of the world. Everything is right as it is. </p>
<p>So, what I'm wondering and needing advice on is this: </p>
<p>I'm a Canadian student, currently studying Cell Biology & Genetics at the University of British Columbia (hereon shortened to be UBC* note its similarity to Berkeley's initials). I got accepted as a Junior Transfer for Fall Semester 2008. I want to pursue a degree in medicine (I've done quite a bit of research/lab work, and it's not exactly my cup of tea). Here's the dilemma: </p>
<p>Should I abandon everything I've built in British Columbia to pursue a BA in MCB at the world's #1 public institution? (Phrased like that, the question sounds like a no brainer...but I'll elaborate my situation a tad). </p>
<p>What's here for me at the University of British Columbia/Vancouver
2 years into my Cell Biology & Genetics Degree. 2 more years left: only upper division courses needed, finished all breadth requirements.
Frosh Committee Planner/Member for incoming freshmen students (that's about 300 freshmen students: an orientation event coordinated by a team of 6).
Vice President of the Pre-Medical Society at UBC (2 years)
Medical Admissions Day Coordinator (conference geared towards 200 pre-meds, inviting admin officers across N. America to come and speak on admissions)
Charity Gala Coordinator (With a target funds-raised of $80,000 towards Hope International, a nonprofit organization that aids impoverished nations overseas)
Heavy involvement in intramurals
Hospital Volunteering (1.5 years)
Research work in neuroscience at an on-campus laboratory
Awesome friends, family, great support network, oh free healthcare. OH RIGHT, and it only costs me 15K a year.
Great professional and social network. I know exactly which courses I need to take to graduate, have a circle of upperclassmen I can contact in case I hit a rut or get all academic-crazy-insecure, I've planned out my course schedule for winter semester, and already know where I'm living. </p>
<p>What Berkeley has to offer me:
An undergraduate degree from the #1 public university in the world (big ego stroke there)
A chance to be completely and utterly independent, in a new foreign environment, and see how well I fare.
"Better" profs, in the sense that the profs have graduated from world-class institutions and carry such teachings into the lecture hall (I'm hoping)<br>
More doors opening. I feel that getting a B.Sc from UBC will make it more difficult for me to get into American medical schools, and that I'll end up going to UBC medical school and in the end, be limited to a career in Vancouver. </p>
<p>Things deterring me from Berkeley:
Having to rebuild my social and professional network (how hard is it to establish solid, long-term volunteering positions? how tough is it to approach profs and est. a rapport?) *I'd also have to do all this within a year's time, in order to apply for medical school in time.
Suffering a GPA drop from adjusting to a new school, new way of doing things, new environment, finding new friends, etc. (And the GPA drop would hurt my med app, I'm thinking).
Having to make up lower-division pre reqs and breadth requirements (this could prolong my degree duration, making it 2.5 years)</p>
<p>So, I think that pretty much does it.
Should I accept the Berkeley offer?</p>