Hi SDN, I'm currently a community college student who's blessed to be deciding between UCI, UCLA, and UC Berkeley to finish my undergrad during the next 2 years. I've eliminated UCB from my list because my parents would prefer me to stay in Socal where I live.
Things I should mention:
- I did my Ochem, Physics, General Biology, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology at my community college. I will definitely take upper division science courses at both universities to compensate for this - the question is how many is enough to demonstrate competency in the sciences?
-I am primarily interested in which school I would get better grades at. From my research, this is a VERY divided topic. Some say that the rigor between the 2 schools is totally different, some say it's indistinguishable. I have no idea who to believe in this regard except someone who's attended both schools for undergrad, which I imagine would be a rare case.
-Does the name and reputation of UCLA make this a really clear choice? I've heard adcoms use the name of the school more as a tiebreaker rather than a major factor in considering applicants.
UC Irvine
Things I should mention:
- I did my Ochem, Physics, General Biology, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology at my community college. I will definitely take upper division science courses at both universities to compensate for this - the question is how many is enough to demonstrate competency in the sciences?
-I am primarily interested in which school I would get better grades at. From my research, this is a VERY divided topic. Some say that the rigor between the 2 schools is totally different, some say it's indistinguishable. I have no idea who to believe in this regard except someone who's attended both schools for undergrad, which I imagine would be a rare case.
-Does the name and reputation of UCLA make this a really clear choice? I've heard adcoms use the name of the school more as a tiebreaker rather than a major factor in considering applicants.
UC Irvine
- Offered me a 2.5k scholarship, making the total Cost of Attendance about 11.5k a year
- 25 minutes away from home, so no need to dorm
- Admitted to Honors Program, giving me Priority Registration + Priority Consideration for Research Opportunities
- Will be a Political Science Major (taking upper division bio courses). I would definitely enjoy the Political Science more than the Biology Major.
- I'd get to do Political Science Research, which seems more interesting to me than working in a Biology lab. Then again, I've had no experience working in a hard science lab.
- Science courses planned: Cell Biology, Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, 2 other upper division bio classes
- About 27K/year Cost of Attendance, no financial aid offered. I'm fortunate to have parents who are willing and able to pay the 2 years tuition/housing.
- Will be a Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology Major
- Science courses planned: Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Biochemistry (have to retake here), Molecular Biology of Cellular Processes, Lab course in Developmental Biology, and 3 more MCDB electives.
- I'd be doing research in Cell or Developmental biology most likely.
- The campus is amazing, and the name is great. If I go here, I will get more of the "college experience".