<p>UC Berkeley vs. UCLA vs. UCSD
I'm really split between three UC's right now, for a molecular bio/ biochem major and pre-med track:</p>
<p>-UC Berkeley</p>
<p>-UCLA (Biochem)</p>
<p>-UCSD, John Muir college (Biochem/ molecular cell biology), regents scholar (priority registration, 2k scholarship, other priveleges)</p>
<p>I know that UCSD's bio program is supposedly ranked very high in the nation (is it just graduate program though?), UC Berkeley is the number one public school, and UCLA is just appealing in its overall well-roundedness. I'm considering minoring in music, but I don't consider this a priority. The scholarship monetary award I recieved from SD is not really a factor, but the perks that come with it might be. I just wanted thoughts, if I'm a med school hopeful what's my best bet?</p>
<p>All fine choices. Cal tends to be known for its rough treatment of pre-meds, so I might lean more towards UCLA. Honestly, if you have what it takes you’re going to be fine anywhere you are happy.</p>
<p>All of the top 3 UCs are “rough” on premeds. Cal has a wonderful music school as does UCLA. Attend the campus where you will have the most fun, which would be the big two if you are any way sports minded. LaJolla can be a sleeper on weekends. A LOT of kids still go home. UCLA claims that it doesn’t have the same grade inflation as Cal. Not sure if true, but while UCLA wears that as a badge of honor, you should not since gpa is critical for med school. (worth investigating)</p>
<p>That being said, if you REALLY want premed, go to Irvine or a less competitive campus instead where the As will come a little easier.</p>
<p>My daughter is in exactly the same place as you (without the interest in music). She is debating between Regents at UCSD with all its perks and Berkeley and UCLA </p>
<p>It’s hard to find out the stats on acceptances into med school between the three. At least with the Regents at UCSD she knows she’s in the top 2% of all UCSD students which gives her the confidence in knowing that she’d probably do pretty well there.</p>
<p>With the preference in signing up for classes, she could hopefully avoid any a##hole profs who aren’t very good or who never give A’s. </p>
<p>It makes no sense to go to a prestige school if you have a lowered chance of obtaining the ultimate goal of med school. </p>
<p>So the general opinion seems to be that the actual school is less important than what kind of grades/activities I can get there? Does anyone know if the grade inflation/ “props” they give to bigger name schools are significant in med school admission criteria? I know that there’s some of that for the ivy league HYP schools, but within the UC system would there be much of a difference? </p>
<p>I was also thinking that the name of the UC I go to could affect the internship offers available to me, and thus affect my premed application strength?</p>
<p>Btw bluebayou: I actually was considering programs such as the campuswide honors program at Irvine, but I feel like I’d be missing out on the strength of the bio departments at the bigger name schools?</p>
<p>Essentially none. Sure, a 3.6 from HYP will get more review than a 3.6 from Cal State, but a 4.0 from Cal State will beat a 3.6 from HYP nearly every time (assuming same MCAT). </p>
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<p>Nearly worthless. Med applications are first and foremost gpa+mcat. Look at it another way, at the big two, you will be fighting all the other premeds for research slots and to get a Prof’s attention. At Merced, Professors would be calling you to work on their stuff.</p>