I am an incoming senior in California and need to narrow down my college choices, I want to study science in college
I haven’t exactly figured out want I want to do but I have been feeling an inclination toward Biology or Pre-Med (to become a doctor). What UC’s and CSU’s would be best for my major and have the best programs? Please also rank the choices, thank you!
Premed isn’t a major, so you can major in biology and decide whether you want to apply to med school or not. You’ll have to check to see if the bio major includes all the premed prereqs, and include whatever isn’t included.
What are your stats?
The best programs will be based on your Stats and intended major. What is your GPA/Test scores and EC’s? How much can you and your family afford and will you require financial aid?
Different publications use different criteria for rankings, so rankings are not always accurate especially for undergrad. For Biology, most the rankings I have seen are for Graduate level programs not undergrad.
Here are rankings based on pay:
http://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report-2014/best-schools-by-major/biological-sciences
Rankings for Grad school programs:
this summer, meaning now since it is mid-July, get a volunteer position at a local hospital or care facility. You’ll get enough exposure to medicine to decide if its really the right field for you. Why the rush? Bio majors with a BS are a dime-a-dozen and end up in mediocre jobs. Unfair, since it is a tough major, but true. To work in the sciences (Bio, Chem, Physics, etc) you need a Phd. So the idea of being a Bio major, unless you want to get a Phd, is not one I’d recommend. Unless you want to go into the medical field. And I say field because there are lots of other jobs that don’t require all the debt and years of prep that becoming a doctor takes. Physical Therapist, Nurse, Physician Assistant, to name a few.
Your problem isn’t “What UC’s and CSU’s would be best for my major and have the best programs?” Its deciding if this is really the right area for you.