<p>I'm in a predicament and can't decide which school to attend. I know that UCSD is renowned for bio majors and other science related majors while UCI is not bad either. My parents have been telling me that I should go to UCI because it would be easier to get a higher GPA since there is less competition there. I am planning on going pre-pharm and eventually would like to go to a graduate school. I know that a high GPA is critical for into a good grad school. I also heard from other people that what UG is not important and I was wondering how much of that is true? My parents are fine with me attending UCSD and transportation and money is not a problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated</p>
<p>Funny you should ask this. UCI has one of the largest undergraduate chemistry programs in the country. The chemistry faculty is well known and respected, including one Nobel Laureate. While San Diego has a great reputation as well, UCI offers more upper-div. elective choices than UCSD, and the competition is quite intense. </p>
<p>It will not be easier, by any means. Your undergraduate education will be about the same difficulty no matter where you go… some of the most difficult classes I’ve ever had were at community colleges (and I score 2 standard deviations above my peers in upper div. UC chemistry classes), so don’t fall for the hype. Choose the school that fits your personality better. Choose the school that makes the most sense for your personal life. UCI and UCSD and any other UC are on par with each other. Grad schools aren’t going to discriminate based on the last one or two letters in your schools abbreviated name… your undergraduate institution flat-out doesn’t matter when it comes to the rest of your life - unless a B.S. is your terminal degree.</p>
<p>UCI also has a Pharmaceutical Sciences program under the College of Health Sciences in association with the School of Biological Sciences.
Your competition at either school will be comparable, but really its not hard if you go to class and put in the effort.</p>
<p>I do not know much about the chemistry programs at either school but personally I have come in to college never really having chemistry(chemistry honors in High School consisted of memorizing multiple choices answers given to me) and really enjoying general chem at UCI, I have had 2 really good teachers! and the classes were not bad. </p>
<p>Chem Lab is different story for another post…</p>
<p>^I think that’s Jersh’s advice is fantastic. Couldn’t have said it better myself.</p>
<p>I know several people who chose one school over another because of its perceived prestige or because they thought it would be easier to get a high gpa and are miserable.</p>
<p>You should definitely choose the school where you’re going to be happier for four years. Remember, you’re not only going to classes in this place. You also have to live there on the weekends, hang out there, meet friends, etc.</p>