Tough decision between UC Berkeley, Emory and UMD (state school)

College Search & Selection
1

Hi all!

Hope some of you can take some time out of your busy schedules to respond to this thread because I am so torn over my college decision right now and only have 5 days left to make it!

After a grueling application process, I was accepted to my state school UMD, honors college with a $20,000 scholarship, GW with a $100,000 scholarship, University of California Berkeley with no money and Oxford Emory with no money. With aid factored in, UMD will cost around $20K a year, GW around $45K, Berkeley $60K and Emory $64K.

I have always loved Berkeley. My Aunt and Uncle live there and I loved the diversity and culture of the campus when I visited. However, I am interested in attending medical school and have heard that Berkeley is not a great option for pre-med students due to intense competition and grade deflation. Further, I am interested in studying Public Health for my undergrad major and while Berkeley is often rated the top school for studying Public Health, I am told this rating is biased by grad programs which may not have any effect on my undergraduate experience.

On the other hand, Emory is a great option for pre-med. It is a private school and has the resources and location necessary for pre-med students. Unfortunately, I have not been able to visit and decisions are due in 5 days :frowning: and it’s very expensive. Money is not necessarily an issue for my family but I know I plan to attend graduate school if not medical school after undergrad and am not sure how much I should pay for my undergrad.

I am really not considering George Washington University, though I have heard it’s international relations program is ranked top 10 in the U.S. Any input on this statistic? I am interested in studying international relations with a concentration on public health.

Lastly, UMD. I have been a part of a very competitive magnet IB program for the past 4 years and have worked hard in part, so I wouldn’t end up at UMD. A part of me feels like if I go to UMD, I’m settling for mediocrity. I have heard the culture and diversity isn’t as great as it would be at Berkeley and the alumni network is nothing special. On the other hand, I’m sure I could make the best of the situation and come out very successful if I put my mind to it. I just want to know I won’t be giving up anything for the good price at UMD. Any input??

Thanks so much.

2

UMD is not mediocrity. Unless your family is made of money, it is the most obvious premed choice out of these.

3

This is why you should study, learn, and work hard not to get in to a specific college but because it would help you develop and prepare you for life ahead.

4

Agree. UMD is by no means mediocre. And it is certainly not settling for anyone to go to their flagship university . I think many kids would love to have that opportunity and the money you are getting. Good luck with the decision.

5

Two things to address.

First, Berkeley definitely is challenging and competitive but so is any other top university, and definitely not to the nature that is publicized. Plus other students are really willing to help when you need it.

Two, would you be able to afford it?

6

An OOS premed should NEVER go to a UC…never.


[QUOTE=""]
if I go to UMD, I'm settling for mediocrity <<<

[/QUOTE]

What? UMD-CP is not mediocre!

Read this quote from @ucbalumnus …


[QUOTE=""]
Unfortunately, premed is not really compatible with being pushed out of your comfort zone any more than necessary. Your undergraduate years will be spent worrying about your grades according to the following scale:

[/QUOTE]

A = acceptable
B = bad
C = catastrophic
D = disastrous
F = forget about medical school

The risk of a grade lower than A will deter you from seeking academic challenges.


[QUOTE=""]

[/QUOTE]

What do you think he’s saying? What point do you think he’s making?

7

My D is in Honors College at UMD. You will be pleasantly surprised with academic opportunities, I series classes, smaller Honors classes, guaranteed on campus housing all four years.

8

your undergrad gpa and mcat score is much more important than the name of the undergrad for med school so save the money and go to umd for premed.

9

@PurpleTitan what do you mean?

10

@jorgelorenzo yes, but I also hope to go to medical school afterwards which will be very expensive. Not sure Berkeley will pay off in the end for the career path I want to pursue, though I love the school