<p>This is my problem: I got admitted into all 3 as a Biochem major, but I don't know which would be best for premed. </p>
<p>On the one hand is Berkeley. I am aware that Cal has the best known name of the 3, and that it has excellent opportunities through its facilities, but at the same time I also know that Berkeley is known for having a difficult and cutthroat biology department, and that to some extent grade deflation is an issue.</p>
<p>On the other hand is UCSD: Less well known nationwide, but has a strong reputation in CA at least. UCSD has a top notch biology department as well, some would say its biology department is actually better than Berkeley's. But a similar issue that Berkeley has is that it is students are very competitive, and this leads to maintaining a high GPA that much harder.</p>
<p>Lastly is UCR. Has somewhat of a negative reputation statewide, although it appears that UCR as a whole is more and more improving its reputation. From what some people have told me however, Medical Schools do not consider the name of the undergrad school so much as the GPA from that school. With that said, I feel that in the context of UCR's biology department, although it would still be competitive, I would be able to maintain a higher GPA.</p>
<p>I'm very torn on this subject, any input?</p>
<p>If I were you, I would choose either Berkeley or UCR, becuase both the schools have some advantage as premed. </p>
<p>Berkeley: Berkeley is a great school and has high reputation not only in US but also internationally. It has a excellent Bio programs that can its students to medical schools for MD/phd programs. On the other hand, I have also heard that it is hard to score higher GPA and hard to get research opportunities at under graduate level. Still Berkeley is a good choice for premed as the education acquired at this school might help greatly at the medical school.</p>
<p>UCR: Though UCR is not as reputed as Berkeley, I have heard that school has excellent BIo programs that support premed. Also, it has UCR/UCLA medical program that helps students to attend one of the prestigious medical schools at UCLA. But, how long this UCR/UCLA program exists is uncertain as UCR itself is coming up with new medical school.
Also, getting research opportunities at under graduate level might be easier than at Berkeley. As you have mentioned, scoring higher GPA might be easier for a person who has already got admitted to scool like Berkeley.</p>
<p>I personally feel, you don’t go wrong with either of these schools as premed.
Please note that I have written these based on the information gathered from some of my friends attend these schools.</p>
<p>^ I would put ucsd over ucr, maybe even Berkeley. Ucsd has one of the best bio programs in the united states. It was actually ranked 1st in the nation at one point. Not to mention, ucsd also has a medical school unlike ucr that is currently in the development stages of getting one.</p>