CMU vs Rice vs Berkeley Regents

senconmom
Sat, 04 Apr 2015 00:30:39 +0000

My intended field of study is neuroscience/neurobiology and/or computer science (I would love to blend the two). Research is a very high priority :). I love research and would like to work in the industry after getting a Ph.D., but I’m worried about job prospects/salary. To add to my career options, I’m looking at pursuing computer science too (which is another subject I like, although not as much as biology) or combining both with computational biology. Finally, I’m thinking about med school so that I can stay solely with biology and still make a good salary, but I’m not fully committed to it yet (long process, and I’m not sure whether this is where my passions lie). I also want to watch how much I spend, because I definitely plan to go to grad school if I decide against med school.

*I came up with custom 4-year plans for Berkeley and CMU :P, so that’s where this info comes from.

CMU
Pros:
• Ability to earn a double major/dual degree between CS and neuroscience
• Amazing CS program and good neuroscience program
• Very highly regarded research university, so I can get started with quality research early
• Ability to pursue computational biology, which might be a nice way to blend both CS and biology without double majoring
• Space left in my schedule to take “fun” classes that aren’t required for my major*
• Very good job placement after UG incase I decide to work for a couple years (more financially feasible)
• Students are super motivated and invested in their field of study
• SHS Program, so GEs are more liberal arts-ish (also not as many GEs as Berkeley)
Cons:
• Cost (65k, no merit aid and will have to take out a loan for ~ 30k)
• Limited social life—most kids spend time working because of the tough academics/loving their major
• May not actually get into the double major or dual degree programs
• Not as highly regarded in biology; more of a CS/engineering school
• Weather

Rice
Pros:
• Access to Baylor Medical College and Houston Medical Center
• Ability to intern/do research
• One of the top pre-med schools
• Cost (24k Trustee Distinguished Scholarship, so COA is ~30k)
Cons:
• Not as well regarded in CS as CMU or Berkeley
• No neuroscience major, only a minor—will have to major in CS and/or biological sciences and minor in neuroscience
• Will need to go through a lengthy process if I choose to create an inter-disciplinary major
• Pre-med advising is not particularly good (they assign you an “pre-med” advisor who is basically just another advisor and doesn’t actually know about med school admissions)
• Weather

Berkeley
Pros:
• Regents Scholarship (priority class registration, better access to research)
• Research university
• Well regarded in CS and biology
• Close to home
• Cost (~30k)
Cons:
• Grade deflation, so GPA won’t be as high as grad/med schools might like
• MCB is a really competitive major (I am totally willing to put in the work, I just don’t want to be in a super cutthroat environment)
• ^ Low med school acceptances
• Safety
• Won’t have space for any “fun” classes after double majoring in CS and MCB (neurobiology)*
• 2 years of GEs before I can take any upper-div classes

As for personal preference, I like CMU the most, but I’m debating whether it is worth the cost. The decision between Rice and Berkeley comes down to how much I am considering med school (which is not very much right now, but I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot if I decide to go down that route later on). I also got into UCLA w/ Regents, but I’m not considering that as highly as the three above.

I’m looking for inputs on what you think would be best for me (any and all comments appreciated)!