<p>Hello!</p>
<p>I know I'll get some biased advice if I post here, but I need a good amount of input. </p>
<p>A bit of background: I plan to major in either molecular biology or biochemistry and go on to graduate school to get a PhD in genetics. However I also hope to explore various areas of study and maybe even double major in a humanities. I'm from California which factors in a bit on my decision.</p>
<p>I'm mainly leaning toward either Yale or UC Berkeley, but I was invited to Penn as a Vagelos Scholar in the Molecular Life Sciences. I'm looking to get into research early on and perhaps even publish a paper before I finish undergrad.</p>
<p>Aside from environment and aesthetics (I've visited all three universities), which of these three would best prepare me with connections, research opportunities, and a good biology education?</p>
<p>My thoughts: UC Berkeley has a great biology program but it's one of the more popular majors; it's also a fairly large, competitive school. Yale isn't as well known for the sciences but has a smaller Biology department that may be beneficial in terms of attention and research opportunities. I don't know much about Penn.</p>
<p>Any help is greatly appreciated. I never thought I would find myself in such a difficult, yet fortunate position.</p>
<p>Thank you!!!</p>