<p>Thank you db! What field are you in? My son may be interested in genetics…</p>
<p>I am a geneticist. MCDB would be a fine place for this. So would a number of the UCs - UCSD, UCB, UCLA. I actually did my graduate training at the UW in Seattle.</p>
<p>drb:<br>
Yes, he will apply to UCB, UCSD, and UCLA. Doesn’t really like UCSD but understands it is a great place for science. He will also apply to UW and CU also…Wants to probably stay out west but may consider other parts of the country. Any other suggestions? What exactly do you do as a geneticist, and without being too specific to protect your privacy, what kind of place do you work at?</p>
<p>Other state flagships with well-respected molecular biology/genetics include U Mich and UNC. Obviously the top privates will be excellent - all the Ivies, Duke, Stanford, Chicago, etc. The middle tier privates to me are less compelling for the science kid - the research programs are not as broad as the flagship state schools so why spend the $.</p>
<p>LACs are a question mark to me. The top ones are well represented in PhD and professional schools. But they don’t get much NIH $ and their faculty are not the leaders in the field. One can argue that this is not necessary at the undergrad level, and that students can get their research experience elsewhere during the summer. But to me if you are interested in research you go to a research U.</p>
<p>My research involves studying mutations in mice as models of human disease, mainly birth defects. I am on the faculty at a reasonably well-known medical school in Boston.</p>
<p>I agree about your comments about research universities. Yes, my son has mentioned Duke. Just not sure he would get admitted and then not sure we have the money to pay for the high tuition. So far he has high GPA, just took SAT so we shall see. Tends to do excellent in science related fields on standardized tests, not as good in English related subjects, tends to “overthink” the questions like a scientist would, which is great in that field but gets you the wrong answer on questions in the humanities fields.</p>
<p>He got interested in the field of virology when he was in 8th grade and had to do research on a topic of his choice. While other kids were researching subjects like soccer and pez candy dispensers, he did his investigative search on viruses. Interviewed virologists at UCLA working on HIV as part of his paper. </p>
<p>Nowadays he seems more interested in genetics, DNA, DNA splicing, etc…He is aware if he really wants to do something in that field or a related one, he will be going to graduate school for his PhD. What do you think of the future job prospects in those fields with a doctoral degree? Someone I know out here in LA told me her husband has a PhD in biochemistry and cannot find a job and is currently teaching science at a high school. Yet, an old boyfriend of mine with a PhD in pharmaceutics who works at a pharmaceutical company in NJ doing developing anti-cancer drugs, has told me he hires microbiologists with PhD’s to help them understand how the cells work in order to develop the drugs. So to me it seems molecular biology, genetics, etc, are wide open fields with lots of future growth. </p>
<p>Thanks so much for your help and comments. It always amazes me the people one can meet on college confidential!</p>
<p>I came to this site off an ABC news link and noted your question. We live on the East Coast and my son is a sophomore at CU. I went to college and law school at Florida. Both are great lifestyle schools. </p>
<p>My son is very bright, and wanted CU because he loves the outdoors. He has a great view of the mountains from his house and last year from his dorm. The weather there is not bad, it is sunny most days and does not get as cold as here on the east coast. It is a very pretty campus, and he enjoys the classes. He loves the school and is very proud to be there. They hike a lot and he has a season ski pass that includes Vail and Breck. Unlike UF, a lot of the kids seem to be from out of state - with large numbers from California and Chicago. It is growing in popularity in this area, and a boy just up the street started there this fall. Atlhetics are not very good - particularly compared to UF - but there is an emphasis on being fit and outdoors.</p>
<p>UF has a great reputation, and is a fun place to attend college - comparable if not better than CU. Both are flagship universities in their states with large research grants. I imagine you can receive a comparable education from both. </p>
<p>If I were you, however, I would choose UF. I pay around $45K all in for an out of state student. UF has one of the most generous tuition schedules in the nation for in state students - well below half of the CU expenses - even without scholarships which are very common at UF. It is a great school and you will enjoy attending, and also receive a good education. I could not justify paying more for CU versus UF, though there are a number of kids from Florida at CU.</p>
<p>I have visited Penn State for summer football camps with my son. It is in the middle of nowhere and the biggest of the three schools you mentioned. It may offer a great education, but I do not think it is as unique as either UF or CU. If you are not attending football games - five or six weekends a year, I am not sure what you would do there.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that you will be able to do well at any of the three schools. And, if you want to go to medical school, expect to spend a lot of time in the library. I loved UF and am happy I went there.</p>