<p>Hi, I'll probably end up going to a UC. I want to know which is the best for me based on these factors: </p>
<h2>(Most Important factors)</h2>
<p>*I want a top-notch program for the majors of molecular biology or neuroscience.
*I want TONS OF research oppurtunities and other things that can help me get into med school. I'm basically looking for top-notch research that is widely, easily available and respected.
*I need to have a good GPA coming out of the college. So I dont want one that is ridiculously hard and WAY TOO COMPETITIVE. I can't come out with like a 2.0.
* I want one that will also put me in a good position for med school (don't really know what that means, guess it includes factors listed above)</p>
<p>(Important)
*I want a school where the quality of life is good and relaxed. I want a clean place.
*I want a school where i can do lesiure activities and have good fun.</p>
<hr>
<p>THANK YOU VERY MUCH! if u could also suggest some non-UCs (Hopkins, Duke, WashU, Cornell), that would also be appreciated. But i mainly want UCs here</p>
<p>those all sound like schools that would fit you.
the only trouble i can think of is hopkins is a little competitive although you'll be in a great position for med school.</p>
<p>I actually don't think that neither of the schools would offer what you want. there is going to be competition, and you're going to not have an easy time getting a high gpa at ucla ucb or ucsd.</p>
<p>Berkeley is scruffier than UCLA and UCSD. That said, they're all wonderful places to spend four years, and there will be research opportunities at all three campuses. </p>
<p>Seems to me that some of your factors are battling some of your other factors. "Top notch program" often means a program is competitve and/or demanding. If you want a high GPA and a good recommendation from a research lab, you're going to be putting in the sweat equity.</p>
<p>UCSD's strength is biomedical engineering (#2 behind MIT at the Ph.D. level).</p>
<p>For straight molecular biology, Berkeley is Top 5 and San Diego is Top 10. UCLA is Top 15 in molecular biology but not well ranked in bio engineering. </p>
<p>Berkeley and UCSD would be just as prestigious within the molecular biology community as any of your other private options... part of this is that UCSF is #1 in molecular biology at the Ph.D. level. So the three UCs carry a lot of credibility.</p>
<p>Given the "arms race" that seems to be prevelant for admissions these days, perhaps the better part of valor is to apply for all three of these UCs and save the decision making for after the fat envelopes arrive. Although I do understand the desire to narrow the number of applications due to the work involved, especially if you're also applying to the privates listed.</p>
<p>Also look at UCDavis. Husband went to a top-tier med school from there and felt well-prepared.</p>
<p>However, your GPA - that you'll just have to work at, no matter where you go. Great opportunities and reputation go hand in hand with difficulty. If you can't get a good GPA at a great school, you don't deserve a spot in a good med school.</p>
<p>If you really want to go to med school, consider Davis, Irvine and Santa Barbara. If you have the stats to get into Cal (or Duke or Cornell) you will likely earn a Regent's at a mid-tier UC. As a Regent Scholar, you are at the top of the list for research opportunities. And, as a Regent Scholar, you'll know that you are near the top of the accepted pool....thus, your competition for grades will be much, much less than at Cal (or UCLA or SD), not to mention Duke, Cornell. Since grades + test scores are the first cut of med school admissions, attending a college where A's come 'easier' is the most logical choice. Not to mention, that Cal and UCLA can be cut-throat.</p>
<p>Of course, the downside is that if you change your prospective major, and care less about grades, Cal & UCLA can be a lot more fun if you are into D-1 sports.</p>
<p>Since you're focusing on UC schools, you should take some time to reflect on whether a UC campus is right for you. Some people thrive, others are lost and bewildered.</p>
<p>The opportunities you seek are present at UC schools, as are top-notch programs. But here's the kicker. **You have to seek them out. Profs aren't going to ask you to work in their labs, nor are they going to make announcements in class asking for volunteers to help out. Your persistence is what will get you in; both in uncovering opportunities and getting in. Same with med school; to get good recs you're going to have to make the effort to get to know some profs. For that matter, the pre-med advisor isn't going to be calling you to suggest things you ought to do in order to be a competitive candidate (such as volunteer work in a medical setting, an unwritten requirement for med school admission). You go talk to her/him.</p>
<p>You can contrast this with other schools where there is more nurturing of undergrads, where the faculty are happy to provide opportunities to participate in research. Since it sounds like you're in your research phase, take 15 minutes and look for posts by molliebatmit on this forum; she was an undergrad at MIT (now in Harvard grad school) who writes about how she got involved while an undergrad. Reading her posts you'll sense there is indeed a difference between a large public U and a smaller U that prides itself on what it provides undergrads. It's not that the overall opportunities aren't present at a UC, its that it's going to be on your shoulders to track them down.</p>