<p>For biochemistry as a transfer student.</p>
<p>I know UCSD is a better school, but my question is will it matter if I plan on going to UCSF Grad school?</p>
<p>Mostly they just look at GPA/Test Scores and part time research/jobs you've done right?</p>
<p>Sorta feeling weird.</p>
<p>Okay, I did some self research:</p>
<p>If you have the same question as me here are some good things to read:</p>
<p>Cliff Notes: A good GPA + Social Life at UCSB + Good Test Score > An above average GPA + ??? Social Life at UCSD + Good test score</p>
<p>For biochemistry at UCSB...
I was a pharmacology major at UCSB and am now in grad school.
The pharmacology major is almost identical to the biochemistry major as far as course requirements. One difference is the p-chem req for biochem is optional for pharm and instead pharm takes 1 year of specialized pharmacology courses. By the way, there are two flavors of biochem majors at UCSB - one is more biology oriented offered by the MCDB department, the other is more chemistry oriented from the Chem/Biochem department.
My personal experience included taking several hands-on laboratory electives (such as general chem, organic chem, biochem, pharmacology) as well as independent research within the Chem/biochem department. I had my own research project for 2.5 years and learned so much. If you are serious about grad school at the Ph.D level then you should get into a lab as soon as possible even if it starts out at the dishwasher level. The goal should be to do enough important research to get included as a co-author on scientific publications. If you get to that point, you are golden for grad school. GPA is important but as long as you are above 3.0 then your research experience and recommendations are much more important to evaluate your potential. If you plan to go to professional school such as med school then your gpa will be important (yet most grad students have high gpa's as well). Choosing UCSB over UCSD is not a bad decision although UCSD undoubtedly has more prestige in biological sciences. One difference between the two schools is that UCSD has a medical school. I don't think UCSB wants to have a medical school since there emphasis is on other things such as engineering and basic science. But for grad school that will not matter much if you have strong laboratory research experience which is definitely available. I think you will find out that UCSB is so much fun and the research is very serious. Don't let the beach atmosphere fool you.</p>
<p>Outstanding reply.</p>
<p>hey, i also chose ucsb over ucsd as a transfer student, im hoping i get housing, but we'll see.</p>
<p>Go where you think you will be happiest. That's where you will do your best work.</p>