Hey y’all!
So i’ve recently had the privilege of being accepted to several schools, and I’ve narrowed down my decision to UC Berkeley, UC Davis w/regents, UCSB w/regents, Baylor U (full ride), and Case Western (full tuition). (I remain on the waitlist for schools such as UChig and Duke).
I was accepted as a Chemistry major everywhere, with the intent of being premed. My goal is to get into a top med school–but i’m having trouble making the decision about which college to attend! I’d really appreciate any insight anyone could provide.
Finances will not be a problem for any of the schools I’ve mentioned. Baylor is completely free, with Cal, Davis, and SB only costing a couple thousand. CWRU will cost upwards of 20k a year, but is manageable with no loans.
The most important thing is to be able to maintain a high GPA and have a good shot at the top med schools. For reference, my ACT is a 35, and my unweighted GPA is near-perfect at a highly competitive high school. I’ve never felt too much competition during HS, however, so I probably dont’ have the best study habits. But i’m willing to learn! 
So naturally, given these choices, most people would choose cal. it seems like the most academically rigorous environment, where one is surrounded by highly motivated peers and inspirational faculty. I’d also have access to great labs and big name profs in the field of science. however, i’m worried about all the nasty things I’ve heard about it being cutthroat and generally not good for premed due to the fact that you are competing against brilliant people on a curve. Though my stats fall within the top percentiles of admitted students, the fact is that most people are motivated and want to succeed, and everyone there is brilliant. Thus, I am concerned about my ability to succeed. I realize that I will be a small fish in a big pond. I also realize that it will be hard to get good recs given the huge class sizes.
Thus, I turned to Davis and SB, which offered me regents scholarship. This would alleviate some of the problems associated with attending a public school by offering perks such as priority registration, yet I’d still be able to get a great education. In addition, I’m more confident in my ability to be near the top of the class. However, I’d still be stuck in large classes, and I’d probably have not the best recs. In addition, I sacrifice some of the brand name that Cal has (though i’m not sure how big a factor this plays in med school admissions, if at all) as well as access to the best professors. Though I’ve heard that profs at Davis, etc. are actually more accessible than the ones at Cal. Also I feel like I’d fit in pretty well at Davis, though I probably wouldn’t have too hard of a time fitting in anywhere. I’ve heard a lot of good things about kids that go thru Davis as premed. So i’m just crazy confused now LOL.
I gave a good look at Baylor. They offered a full ride. I’d be in several honors programs as well. I won’t face the same kind of competition that I would at Cal. Indeed, it’d be a GOOD type of challenging and I feel like at Baylor I’d be learning for the sake of learning. I won’t have to face the same rat race that I would at a UC. However, I’m concerned about going to a predominantly white Baptist school when I am an Indian Hindu that has never set foot outside California. I’m worried about finding a group of like-minded individuals there. Also concerned about Waco. But I’m making the trip next week so I should be able to get a better feel for it.
I’m tending away from CWRU due to the harsh winters there and the supposed grade deflation. It’s really not a top option right now.
I guess right now I WANT to make the jump and immerse myself into the unfamiliar environment at Baylor. Yet Davis kind of feels like the safest route.
Any insight that anyone could provide is greatly appreciated!