<p>I am in a dilemma right now. I am currently choosing among three colleges/universities: UC Berkeley, UC Davis and Claremont McKenna College. Im interested in the health sciences and Im also leaning towards pre-vet and pre-med
but Im not sure which institution will be the best for me. UCB is strong in chem, is affiliated with UCSF School of med and has a wide breadth of courses, but Im really intimidated by the school because of its cut-throat competitiveness, the largeness of the school and the lack of personal attention. Unfortunately, my father and many of the people I have talked to are telling me to go to Berkeley because of its affiliation with UCSF, great profs and that its more prestigious- nationally and internationally. CMC on the other hand, although a much lesser known institution has quite a good reputation for its academics, and based on what Ive heard from the health advisor there, 90% of med applicants get into 1st choice med school (double the national mean). However, they are less strong on pre-vet, although the occasional few annual pre-vet students successfully get into pre-vet schools (not sure if 1st choice though). UCDavis on the other hand, is superb in its animal sciences and pre-vet major as it has the no. 1 ranked vet-school in the nation. They have their own pre-vet advisor and have lots of opportunities to get hands on experience with animals- which would be beneficial for applying to vet school. However, it is less known for its pre-med (Im not quite sure about how its ranked) and other academic courses. Although I do know for a fact that the academics arent as good as UCB or CMC, the huge class sizes of UCD might still make it challenging for me to do well (because Im not used to attending huge lectures where you wont get to interact with your professors at all). Also, I am not 100% sure that I want to become a vet, so I fear that in the event that I change my mind about continuing pre-vet, I will have to take courses that are not as strong as the other colleges I am considering, Any advice on what I should do? Do you think that it would be more beneficial for me to just study in CMC and take summer classes in other universities to satisfy the other pre-vet prerequisites not offered in CMC? I love CMC and UCDavis but Im just scared that: 1) by going into CMC, becoming a vet will be much harder since they do not have pre-vet advisor nor animal facilities (unlike UCD). 2) that if I study in UCD and decide not to continue pre-vet, I will have to take courses it is less known for (that are taught in huge lecture halls- not my kinda thing). Basically the only reason why I am drawn to UCD is because of its Animal Science and pre-vet major and pre-vet advising and the benefits it may have on those who seek to go to vet school in the future (since it has a lot of hands-on opportunities with animals).
Sorry for having such a really long paragraph to read- and thanks for any advice at all that you can give me!</p>
<p>I would reccomend contacting a prof in the joint science center at CMC so that you can get the most realistic idea of what you can get out CMC. Otherwise, make sure you choose a campus where you think you will be happy, not just academically, but socially as well.</p>
<p>Your occupational goals demand that you attend graduate school. So, undergraduate for you would be a time to study, get involved, and relax a little bit. CMC with its joint science program is very strong. From what i hear, it is difficult and demands hard hours of studying. You need to pick a school where you would have a great time and get prepared for grad school. CMC gives you the undergraduate education you need to get in to gradschool. Don't worry about that. You want to be a vet, apply to vet grad school post CMC. You just need to make sure you are eligable to apply for those schools and there are people on campus to help you get into the school of your dreams post CMC. Get a true undergraduate experience- going to CMC will get you a broad education in prep for gradschool.</p>
<p>But like RedSox said, contact the joint sciences....</p>