<p>hi, i got accepted at UCSD at Muir for biochem/chem and into Cal at the College of Letters and Sciences for the spring semester?</p>
<p>Which UC has the better biochem program? (by the way, i'm not pre-med) Which university offers more undergrad research opportunities? In your opinion, which location do you prefer and why? Help! I really don't know where to go to. Personally, I really like SD. It just seems so nice and so right down there in socal. I live in SF, so the proximity of Cal is a real turn-off. Also, being a spring admit deters me from wanting to go to Cal. (BTW, do most spring admits graduate the same time as fall admits?) But the thing is, Cal is super prestigious and people keep telling me that going to Cal, a "big-name school," will help me find a job out of college easier. Is this really true? What do you think? </p>
<p>Sorry if my thoughts seem really scattered, but I'm just really conflicted.</p>
<p>UCSD is generally inferior to Cal as an overall school. Also, smarter people go to Cal so it’s better to hang out with peole at Cal. UCSD is a science school so if you want to major in Bio I’d say the science programs are similar in stature. However, if you’ve ever been to UCSD, you’ll know that most people there are science nerds who don’t have much social lives since they just all read their science books all day. However, Cal is similar. So it’s defiantly a hard choice, and even though UCSD is catching up to Cal’s prominance, I’d still go to Cal. I also live 1 hour drive from San Francisco and I’d choose Cal over UCSD anyday since it’s not only closer, but also the more recognized school. Of course I probably won’t even get into Cal with my 4.2 gpa. Hope I helped. :).</p>
<p>you like SD, you dislike the proximity of Cal to where you live. This makes it easy; go to SD!</p>
<p>As for the prestige factor, what are these people saying? That kids from UCSD, a highly rated UC campus, can’t find jobs? A diploma and $4 will get you a cup of coffee these days. Waving your Cal diploma isn’t going to do any magic for you. Employers are going to look at your grades & what you did in college (internships, research, etc) when evaluating you. </p>
<p>However have you actually been to UCSD? You should visit and see if it is right for you; it is quite different from Cal in appearance and setting. The social life, as has been pointed out, is different because students live scattered over the SD area rather than concentrated near the school.</p>
<p>I would go where you received the most financial assistance. If money is not a factor than I would have to say you would get a fuller experience at Cal. They are both top 10 in Biochem however, but Cal is tops in Chem.</p>
<p>[NRC</a> Rankings in Biochem/Molec Biol](<a href=“http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area12.html]NRC”>http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area12.html)</p>
<p>[NRC</a> Rankings in Chemistry](<a href=“http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area28.html]NRC”>http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area28.html)</p>