<p>I am currently a senior in high school and an aspiring premed student. I am considering whether to go to a UC or a private liberal arts school next fall. (More specifically, a top-notch UC such as UCLA, UC Berkeley, or UCSD versus a top-notch liberal arts college such as Amherst, Williams, or Swarthmore, which tend to be much smaller in size). </p>
<p>I have spoken to people familiar with the learning environment of the top-notch UC schools. Many have told me that it is in my best interest to attend a small liberal arts school if I want to pursue medicine, both for its cooperative learning environment and for its general greater rate of acceptance to medical school. I have heard that the UCs provide a cutthroat, competitive, and impersonal environment for those who wish to pursue medicine. (I'm not talking about business, economics, history, or engineering, but medicine specifically, with an emphasis on biology and chemistry). </p>
<p>Would anyone please support or refute this? If you have any experience with premed, UCs, or liberal arts colleges, I'd be very grateful if you could share your experiences.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>