<p>My son is planning to pursue pre-med with a bio-tech undergrad program. He has short listed three UCs (MCB at UCB, Bioengineering at UCLA, and Bioengineering at UCSD). He has slight preference for certain campus but his more important questions at the moment are: (1) which program would be an advantage for getting into a good med school (performance remaining the same i.e. good grades and good MCAT scores), (2) which campus/program will provide better opportunities for the extracurricular/volunteering activities and (3) which program is easier to score better grades? Any feedback is appreciated.</p>
<p>Right now, all of the California state schools concern me due to budget restraints, so if private is a possibility at all, I would think that would be a better way to go. But then I really don’t know how the budget cuts are affecting the quality of education at the state schools. I think all 3 of those schools are comparable in their programs. There is a very different feel/vibe though between the 3 schools, so that might be the best way to answer your questions. I would probably list them in the order of UCLA and B a close second, with SD third. Nothing concrete to use to explain that, just my own personal research.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input.</p>
<p>UCLA has most opportunities for premed students due to a combination of favorable UCLA and unfavorable Berkeley location factors.</p>
<p>In terms of reputation, both MCB of Berkeley and BioE of UCSD are clearly among the very best programs in the country. But if your son can do well in any of the 3 programs, he should have no problem getting into some very good med schools with a decent MCAT score. </p>
<p>Assuming your son is smart, self-motivated, and hardworking (which is a given since he got into these very competitive programs), the thing I would watch for is what type of student he is. Bionengeering programs in general have curricula more similar to other engineering majors, packed densely with required engineering, math, and physics courses, in addition to the standard premed offerings like O Chem, BioChem etc. The traditional premed tracks (various Biology concentrations) have lot fewer required courses besides the few core Biology and Chemistry classes. As a gross generalization, to do well in bioengineering track, a student needs better math and analytical skills and bio-majors will require more memorization (I am sure some people will disagree with me on this). </p>
<p>In recent years, bioengineering is considered one of the (if not the) most sexy fields and attracts many top students. But in general, bioengineering majors have lower average GPAs than premeds in other biology tracks. And I was told by some well informed people that some med schools do take it into account and admit BioE majors with slightly lower GPA cutoffs accordingly.</p>
<p>Definitely choose for the environment where your son thinks he’ll be happiest. When he’s happy, he’ll perform his best and get the best grades. Environment plays a role. </p>
<p>For me the best environment was Berkeley. But a lot of kids don’t like the colder, rainier weather; the grittier urban environment; the lack of good looking women, etc.
I liked Berkeley for the change of pace from Socal; the more intellectual college-town feel; football played on campus; access to public transportation with all the attractions the Bay Area provides.</p>
<p>UCLA has the sun and glamour; UCSD the location and smaller residential colleges…but both seemed bland to me compared to Berkeley.</p>