<p>How do the two programs compare? I would like to go to medical school after Undergrad. I also want to focus on developmental neuroscience. How are research opportunities for fresh/sophomores?</p>
<p>I am curious as well. I got accepted into UCR for Neuroscience and into UCSC for Neuroscience (I think, since they didn’t tell me), except I’m not planning on going to medical school.
Any information would be nice.</p>
<p>If you want to attend medical school, go to UCR. For biology, I think UCSC is a little bit better. From the statistics I have seen for medical school, the medical school tend to accept more students from their university(this only matters if you want to attend UCR medical school). Also, you can get research opporutunities from the medical school which is on campus. Both school have fair amount of research opportunities for neuroscience major and I have seen some undergraduates who went to prestigious graduate school and medical school from both school. I think its pretty difficult to get into research group in 1st or 2nd year, but it is not impossible.</p>
<p>Would you happen to know any differences between the two programs?</p>
<p>I don’t know about UCSC but I love the neuroscience program at UCR. I have a quarter left till graduation and am currently taking exciting courses like cancer biology, neuropharmacology, human neuroanatomy, etc. Human Neuroanatomy at UCR is specifically designed for premeds to be equivalent to the first year med school. I’ve also taken developmental, systems, learning and memory, etc. with ivy league/UCSF trained professors and it’s been just great. Along with neuroscience, you’re also exposed to a wide variety of biology courses as electives such as genetics, microbiology, human anatomy & physiology, etc. </p>
<p>UCR med school does have 20 (?) reserved seats just for UCR grads. But medical schools usually DO NOT have preference for students from their undergrad institution. Also, I don’t believe research opportunities at the medical school are given to undergrads. Simply put, we have no affiliations. However, there are many research opportunities at UCR. Most of my friends majoring in sciences (~80%) are in some type of research. It’s usually better for freshman/sophomores 'cause the professors can invest time to teach you and you can work for longer than say, a senior. If you’re a premed like myself, don’t restrain yourself just in neuroscience research. I was in a biochemistry lab working with bacteria, DNA, and protein and it shows my wide scope of interest.
We also have a very good premed advising committee called HPAC that works closely with you. Also, we have SO many premed clubs for volunteer opportunities including a free student run clinic hosted by UCR medical students and other ways to get involved, as well as a neuroscience undergraduate club. We’re known to be one of the schools that give back to community most (it might actually even be #1), which is what med schools look for. The neuro club also worked with the neuroscience graduate department as well for an event, but I don’t think UCSC has a neuroscience graduate program, which tells you that we probably have more resources and better faculty/support system for neuroscience.</p>
<p>Cool thanks. Would you say UCR premeds are able to apply to med school in their junior year and get in?</p>
<p>well… i’d say it depends on the student, not on the school. Neuroscience is a very difficult major and people barely graduate on time. in CNAS, 1/3 drop out or transfer, 1/3 switch major out of CNAS to CHASS, and only 1/3 graduate. and among CNAS majors, neuroscience is one of the most difficult ones. if you think you can manage to study for MCAT, volunteer, do extracurricular, manage all your difficult neuroscience classes, hold leadership positions, do research, prepare for interviews, etc. then yes, you may be able to apply in your junior year and get in. however, i personally don’t know anyone who’s done that and i believe it has nothing to do with the school. also, keep in mind that you’re competing against former professors (one of my ochem profs at my c.c. was applying to med school), people with exceptional skills and background (some with research publications, EMTs, etc), people who have done a postbacc program, master’s program, etc.
but if you meant does UCR prepare you well? my answer is a definite yes. but what and how much you do is up to you. 
keep in mind that nowadays volunteering at a local hospital isn’t enough, people go abroad to study and volunteer, and the new MCAT in 2015 is adding sociology, psychology, and biochemistry… so if you ask me, i wouldn’t recommend applying in your junior year.</p>
<p>When do you plan on applying? Have you been able to co-publish on research?</p>
<p>@kalon12 Well I thought the medical schools have preference, but I guess I was wrong. I thought they do have preference because I saw statistics from some medical schools and most of their medical students were from their undergraduate school.</p>
<p>I guess it depends on the school. UCD didn’t when I personally asked them, although they were happy to say that their undergrad program prepare their students well enough to be accepted into their program often. I mean med schools aim for diversity and some have BS/MD combined programs, etc. and I know most state schools have preference for their residents but I personally don’t know any schools that blatantly say they choose student from their undergrads. I’m sure they’re human and that would be factored into it when they look at their applicants but I don’t know anyone who’s officially like that. There may be some though.</p>