<p>I have just been admitted to UC Berkeley and i have also been admitted to UC Irvine. I only have until May 1st to make my decision and i hear conflicting information from different people. I have heard Berkeley is considered very cut-throat and that it is very difficult to maintain a high GPA there. I have also heard that med schools dont take the undergrad college into consideration too much. Is this true? Would it be smarter to just go to UCI and probably get a better grades or go to Berkeley which is a more prestigious school and possibly get a lower GPA. Does anyone have the stats on how well Berkeley students do as opposed to UCI students in getting into med school? Which school would maximize my chances of attending med school?</p>
<p>It seems like all people want to know is which school is easier to get high grades at. I've yet to hear anyone ask, "Will school A or school B provide me with a better EDUCATION?" (you know, the thing you go to college for). I find it to be quite sad. </p>
<p>There is more to life than just getting into med school. For one thing, you have to get THROUGH med school. I would want to go to a school that would prepare me best for the rigors of med school and medicine. </p>
<p>Oh and the grade thing, don't automatically assume that you will get a lower grade just by going to a better school. Would I take my 3.9 at Cornell University over a 3.95 at UC Davis? Of course. That's assuming I can even get a 3.95 at a state school. I currently attend a school where everyone is competitive and driven. In turn, that forces me to do my best. If I attend a school where people party all day and make fun of you for studying more than 3 hours a day, would I work as hard and achieve as high of a grade? Probably not.</p>
<p>Norcalguy: i completely agree with you, it is unfortunate that students often choose their undergrad school based upon the chances that they'll be admitted to med school from there. However, that is how the system is, and if one is to be able to compete, then that person must cut some corners like the rest of the competition. It is just a fact.</p>
<p>Also, if someone got a 3.9 at Cornell and a 3.95 at UC davis, it is unquestionable that the Cornell student's postion is better, however, from what i have heard the difference in GPA between a student who attended Berkeley and one who attended UCI is much greater than that (i.e. perhaps a 3.4/5 at Berk as opposed to 3.7/8 at UC Irvine).</p>