<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>I've been reading some of the previous threads on this site, and there seems to be a lot of knowledgeable and informed people here; I figure I may as well ask a couple of my questions to put an end to my many questions and dilemmas ;)</p>
<p>Basically, I'm a California community college transfer student (Orange Coast College), and I'm a Bio-major that has a career goal of going pre-med. By next semester I'll have General Chemistry, Molecular/Cellular Biology, Calculus as well as my G.E. under my belt with an overall GPA of 3.72 (although this GPA is likely to take a hit, probably into the 3.6 range). I was taking Physics as well, but decided to drop because I was earning an undesirable grade. I was basically just working on my pre-med prerequisites. I'll be transferring in as a Junior with over 60 semester credits.</p>
<p>On to my dilemma... I DON'T KNOW WHAT SCHOOL I SHOULD CHOOSE!!! I've pretty much already ruled out UCB and UCLA as I don't want to kill my GPA just for the sake of prestige alone and UCI is just to close to where I live. So this pretty much leaves me with UCSD, UCSB, and UCD; UCSD being my top pick. </p>
<p>I'm skeptical about UCSD because I hear the classes can be just as competitive as UCLA and UCB, but I don't want to go to an easier school like UCSB and UCD and miss out in a potentially better education, what are you opinions on this? How would you rate UCSD's biology classes in terms of difficulty?</p>
<p>For people to have gone or are currently in UCSD, how are the research opportunities, and are they difficult to acquire? How do these research opportunities compare to others in the UC system.</p>
<p>Another question to those who have attended UCSD: How difficult would you rate UCSD biology classes to biology classes in other UC system schools. </p>
<p>Does UCSB/UCD have Biology related research in their respective schools?</p>
<p>I've heard from a friend of mine at Berkley of post-baccalaureate (sp?) programs for students who might not have had the greatest GPA's in college. From what I understand, you can apply to these programs at a medical school that you'd like to attend and ultimately have a greater chance of being admitted; can anyone shed the light on this for me?</p>
<p>A question to anyone in the medical field: When did you start studying for the MCATs, and at what point did you take them? </p>
<p>Lastly, I hear the social life at UCSD can be quite dull, so if I go there, I plan on joining a frat. Do you guys think that's a viable with the course-load I'll be having at UCSD? Or am I doomed to not have a social life as a bio-major going pre-med? >.< </p>
<p>Haha, well I appreciate you guys who have taken the time to read this, and I apologize for the wall of text. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>P.S. I hope that this is in the right thread!</p>