Psychology, Neuroscience, or Cognitive Science?

<p>So, I would be applying (as a transfer student) to UCSC as a Neuroscience and Behavior major, Davis as Psych (B.S.), and Berkeley as Cognitive Science. I'm trying to get all my pre-med stuff done. I think Neuro & Cog Sci sound really awesome, too bad Davis doesn't have one of them or it would be my first choice. </p>

<p>Anyone have experience with these majors? Insanely difficult, really interesting, boring, etc?</p>

<p>As far as the choices go, which one do you guys think would be better for medical school, major and campus wise? I'm really loving the Neuroscience and Behavior, but is Santa Cruz ranked too low to help me with med school?</p>

<p>Psychology is incredibly interesting, and is currently my major at my local CC. I’m in a similar situation as you. Next Fall I’ll be a junior either at: UCD Psychology, UCLA Psychology, UCSD Human Development, or UCB Philosophy. My major is Psych, but I’m applying as Human Dev and Phil at UCSD and UCB respectively because I don’t have the necessary psych pre-reqs done for those schools. </p>

<p>I’m also premed and aspiring to become a child psychiatrist. Essentially, I’m in a similar predicament, and what it boils down to is what we enjoy the most. I’m also really interested in cog sci and neuroscience and behavior, and I’ll undoubtedly be taking some of those courses as electives. However, if it came down to UCD psych for me, or UCB phil, I don’t really know which I would choose. I love Psych the most, and it pertains most specifically to my future career plans, but UCB is the best university (by prestige). Since I’m premed, my major is completely irrelevant, and odds are most of my classes will be comprised of O Chem, Calc, and Physics, so at this point I think I’m sticking with the most prestigious university (if I were to be accepted) with UCB. </p>

<p>As a Premed student, major is totally insignificant, but it is important to do what you enjoy. The campus prestige of where you graduate from does factor in though, and a BS at Berkeley with lets just say a 3.7 would look more impressive than a 3.7 from UCSC. If you get into berk, I would honestly say go for it. I love Davis and the people and environment, and apparently Psych there is great, but if I get into UCB for Phil, I’m most likely going. I’m trying to further myself as much as possible for med school, and if that means going to UCB in a major I like slightly less, then so be it. Obviously, though, your decision will ultimately be up to you. I wish you luck :).</p>

<p>Thanks! Good luck to you too. I’ve heard that when you’re accepted to Cal, (if you’re applying for a major in the letters & science dept.), you’re accepted into the actual dept. and not the major until you declare once you get there. So, according to their website, you declare second semester of junior year. If you complete the Psych pre-req’s first semester you’re there, you can declare as a Psych major even if you were admitted with Philosophy (which I also love, btw) as your intended major. Just food for thought. If I get into Cal, I will be going. For sure! I just can’t decide between UCSC and Davis if I don’t get in. Ahhh, decisions.
I want to be a psychiatrist too! (Just not a child one - a forensic one, actually).</p>