Would I be crazy to give up Berkeley for UC Davis?

Question

I am a community college transfer student, accepted at Davis and Berkeley. I sent my deposit into both of the schools so i could have more time to decide between the two. My problem is that at Berkeley I would major in Psychology and at Davis in Human Development (which I like more than Psych and Berkeley doesnt offer). I would like to have a biological emphasis in the Human Development major so that I can go to med school. I am having such a hard time because Berkeley has a much better reputation but not the major. Everyone I have talked to so far has said that i would be crazy to go to Davis and give up my spot at Berkeley. Would I really be better off getting into med school if I went to Berkeley? Does anyone know if there is something comparable to HD at Berkeley that I could go to Med school with?

Anyone else?

Answer 1

As a UC Berkeley alumnus, I'd have to say you're crazy to choose Davis over Cal. But to each their own. Cal isn't for everybody.

The equivalent to biopsychology at UC Berkeley would be cognitive science. Within cog sci, there are a few tracks: psychology, neurosci, and artificial intelligence. the curriculum is broad and includes a variety of classes encompassing some neurobiology classes, computer programming classes, optometry classes, philosophy classes and so forth. It's a fascinating field, and you will have the opportunity to study under some of tthe best names in the field. For example, you will witness firsthand the feud between philosophers John Searle and Hubert Dreyfus. (Dreyfus is one of the best profs I ever had and imho, he wins against Searle, but I digress).

Now, about the pre-med part. Did you know that you can be ANY major and get into med school? All you have to do is ace the prereqs (which I hope you did in community college because taking them at UC level is a lot tougher). Prereqs for medical school include:
1 year general chem (with lab)
1 year organic chem (with lab)
1 year general biology (with lab)
1 year intro. physics (with lab)
1 year English
1 year calculus
Suggested coursework includes: psychology, statistics, biochemistry, humanities

I knew a few pre-meds who did cog sci (neurobio track).

Oh, and being at UC Davis does not mean you stand a better chance of getting into UC Davis Med. But I have heard from admissions officers who have said they put more weight on applicants from Cal because of the university's reputation for being highly selective and competitive. They know if you can surivve Cal, you are a tough and smart cookie.

Answer 2

Yes. I'm not familar with Berkeley's majors, so I can't help you on the HD issue. What I can tell you is that going to a superior/more prestigious school will follow you for many years. You'll have an easier time getting into med school (and more impressive recommendations) and so forth from Berkeley.

In terms of finding the coursework you like, have you looked into the option of having a minor that goes well with psychology to give you roughly the same stuff as the HD major? (Like biology, for example.) Or even a double major?

Also, many people's interests change in college. That's why it's generally better to go to a good school than to go for a particular interest.

Answer 3

UC Berkeley has more status. But If you like UC Davis then go there. It's a good school. Out in the real world, the college you go to is only a fraction of what employers consider when hiring you.