<p>And also, I hear things about Berkeley that research opportunities/positions are extremely hard to get. So, my friend who graduated from Berkeley said that out of a few hundred applications only 2 or 3 people can get the opportunites...</p>
<p>^ I don't think a BA matters...what are your career goals?</p>
<p>If that's true about research opportunities, I doubt it's any easier to get opportunities at UCLA and UCSD.</p>
<p>if med school is THE consideration, then go to the "easiest" school, which statistically is SD. However, you have a better chance by attending Merced -- where you could be a star!</p>
<p>Thanks guys!</p>
<p>I submitted my SIR in for UCSD!</p>
<p>Reasons why I chose UCSD over Berkeley & UCLA (it shows that not all students who go to UCSD are Berkeley & UCLA rejects!)</p>
<p>(1) It's awesome for research for biological sciences.
(2) 1/3 of the nation's biotech companies are situated in San Diego.
(3) Named "Hottest School" for sciences by Newsweek.
(4) It's not socially dead, I believe. Social experiences is what you make of it.
(5) I'll be staying with my brother as opposed to living alone/with roommates in Berkeley or UCLA. At least I'll have a familiar face to come home to.
(6) Sure, it doesn't have the same name recognition as Berkeley or UCLA, but UCSD is an up and coming promising school! Only 48 years old, it's the 3rd most selective of the UCs. :)
(7) Yes, how can one say no to the awesome weather? :)</p>
<p>Let's just hope I can shine with good GPA and go to grad school later on. (Undergrad name is not that important when applying to grad school, that's what I learned)</p>
<p>My main goal is to be a pharmacist actually. I've had friends who graduated from UCR (is now a USC pharm student) and UC Davis (Western pharmD graduates)... I also have a friend who graduated from UCSD and is currently a UCSD medical student. :)</p>
<p>I learned a lot to not just look at the prestige. Damn, I cracked my brain over this for so many weeks! But I'm happy with my choice. :)</p>
<p><a href="5">quote</a> I'll be staying with my brother as opposed to living alone/with roommates in Berkeley or UCLA. At least I'll have a familiar face to come home to.
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<p>Bad move. You don't want to box yourself in--that may make UCSD seem a bit "socially dead."</p>
<p>FWIW, Berkeley and UCLA both have better placement into med schools... but to each his own.</p>
<p>^
I don't see how living with family would "make UCSD seem socially dead". I'm a pretty sociable person in real life (though that you may never know).</p>
<p>I do understand they have more students getting admitted to med schools. But think again, it's not the NAME that helps you get in. It's the GPA + MCATs.</p>
<p>Obviously, students in UCLA and Berkeley have to be top students to have been admitted to UCLA and Berk. Therefore, it's natural to see more students getting into med schools from those UCs.</p>
<p>UCSD doesn't have that poor of a percentage either. It has around 40+%
UCLA has 50+%
Berk has 60+%</p>
<p>I think it all comes down to the individual working hard to get those grades + ECCs + doing well on MCATs, DATs, PCATs or GREs.</p>