<p>Your problem is that you assume that UGA is as accommodating with your research endeavors. You may have more time for it, but you have to get it first. The other two make it very easy to land the research. Doing a publication is in your hands and is dependent upon your ability. Again, do not assume your GPA at CalTech will be crap because it’s hard. The average GPA at CalTech is actually very high among the Engineering/Science predominated schools b/c of the take home exams and stuff (as said above). Also, I’ve seen their work in say bio and organic chem, it really isn’t that hard conceptually (though the workload maybe annoying). In fact, their orgo. even seems easier than our harder profs (like no contest), same with Cornell. At Caltech, it’s the physics and math core that is extremely tough (whereas everything at say MIT is brutal). Bio at Cornell is known to be hard, however, I would imagine that research opps. are accessible as early as first year like at any other top 20, so the size doesn’t really matter. Research universities have so many lab that every bio major can get in so don’t worry. Also, Cornell probably does have lots of pre-meds, but the grading is kind of softcore like the other top 20 privates (except Princeton, Chicago, and MIT which are probably the harshest graders. Actually, MIT is just plain hard), not many courses have averages below B- (in fact, only about 2 do). </p>
<p>I honestly think the additional rigor at Cornell could be beneficial boomshakalaka. It’ll help supplement your research endeavors better. Don’t view it as something that will simply get in the way. If you have more intellectually rigorous material, you’ll understand your research or field of interest much better. Plus, many science classes/profs. at top schools tend to focus on teaching students how to do science and think like one(application) moreso than simply being able to take an exam and do well (memorization, which will not help intellectual/research endeavors but so much). For example, even intro. level sciences will try and heavily incorporate research apps. and experimental design into the curriculum. Both Cornell and Caltech will do an awesome job at this. UGA’s honors may do it too, but I’m betting it’s implemented on a larger scale at the other two. That’s the reason I’m actually glad to be at Emory, it takes science education very serious as it is trying to train many very serious aspiring doctors and researchers. And the number of advanced courses offered for your intended major will probably be greater. If Caltech is less affordable, strongly reconsider Cornell. The rigor will not hurt you. It’s really sad that people think rigor is something that can only get in the way. You’ll find that it pays off and perhaps increases the chance that you publish a paper. As a person who was admitted to all 3 of these institutions, you should be no stranger to it. And the fact that you applied to Cornell and Caltech indicates that you should be somewhat comfortable with the idea of a solid, but rigorous curriculum. To make an allusion to Cornell: My friend who is now here, had an opportunity to take microbiology at Cornell when he was in HS and got an A-. He’s a hard worker, however, this just shows you it is possible to do well. </p>
<p>Also, at private schools, there are less hoops to jump through in terms of pre-reqs and stuff for certain courses, especially after intro. courses. After those, “you can have w/e you like”.</p>