UC Berkeley vs. UCLA honors vs. Northwestern?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am trying to decide amongst these three schools - UC Berkeley, UCLA honors program Pre-Mol Bio, and Northwestern undecided. I am not exactly sure what I want to go into after undergrad, but I'm thinking either medical school or work in a bio-tech company. I would also like to minor in business.</p>

<p>Here are my thoughts:
I have heard that the education system is better at Berkeley, but I quite dislike the weather and environment there the last time I went <it was="" raining="">. It seems to be a gloomy/depressing campus. I don't understand why Berkeley's reputation is better than UCLA...especially when I know a lot of people with lower stats that got into Berkeley but not LA. =/ I'm very attracted by the UCLA honors program - I think this would give me a leg up in the huge public school system. However, Berkeley just has a better international reputation, their forum has more posts =P, and their career website seems to be more accessible. (oh, I've taken 9 AP classes in high school, so I would be able to opt out of a lot of the bigger, intro lectures)
I'm also considering Northwestern because it is a very well rounded school - good in econ, sciences, engineering, theatre. Since it is smaller, I would get more personal attention w/ profs -> better recommendation letters (and better education). I also come from a small private high school, so I might feel more comfortable there? Is it worth another $20K?? However, I went to a public middle school, so I don't think I would have much of a problem adjusting to UCs either.</it></p>

<p>What is your advice??</p>

2

<p>It'll probably rain more at Northwestern than UC Berkeley.</p>

3

<p>do u really need international repuatation for your major? im biased as u can see haha but.. i unless u want to do international business or what not.. international reputation isnt that important... i personaly dont like berkely.. but that's just me. Go visit berekly again, i dont think it typically rains that much, and see how you feel about it. Northwestern has freezing winters... UCLA./ welll haha wit hthe exception of the past few months.. its usulaly sunny year round. (i live in so. cal)</p>

4

<p>I would say come to Northwestern; great engineering (but very, very difficult!). and sciences, pretty good social atmosphere. The weather can be bad, but spring/early summer is great! As for education quality i would say: </p>

<ol>
<li>Northwestern
1.5 Berkeley
2 UCLA</li>
</ol>

5

<p>Northwestern's grading also isn't as harsh as Berkeley. :) When compared to Berkeley, it's more collaborative instead of competitive. You should also do some research to find out if many classes may not be accessible (e.g. quotas; I've heard Berkeley's Hass is hard to transfer into; how hard to get in as minor?) to non-majors in UCLA/UCB because you seem like you want to take classes in many different areas. At Northwestern, as long as you have the prerequisite, you can take anything you want (except in school of journalism).</p>