I’m having a really tough time deciding on schools so I’d love any advice you can give me.
Background: I’m a transfer student studying chemical engineering and material science from a CCC in Irvine. As I live in Irvine now, UCI is definitely a cheaper option for me housing wise and I also have the Reagent scholarship from them. The cost isn’t a main factor for me but just something I’m keeping in mind. Eventually I’m planning on getting a PhD and researching materials that can be used in the biological field.
After talking to a friend in Berkeley in the chemical engineering department, the classes sound brutal. So from the viewpoint of a grad school, is it better to get perfect grades at UCI or get straight B’s from Berkeley? Also would double majoring help my chances of getting into a good grad school? I was thinking of double majoring in chemical engineering and biology if I go to UCI but I know it won’t be feasible at UCB. I’ve also heard research experience is huge for grad schools so is it extremely difficult to get into a lab at UCB? I have a few years of lab experience but only in biological laboratories.
So, Berkeley has the prestigious college of chemistry. But Irvine is a strong school too, and it sounds like it leaves you in better shape financially if you want to pursue graduate school. A degree from UCI with good grades will still leave you in a good place for graduate school apps.
Double majoring does not help you get into grad school. Major and get research experience in what you want to go to graduate school in: if you’re a biologist, don’t major in material science or vice versa.
Thanks! I also heard that it’s hard to get into the grad school of the university you attended for undergrad; do you know if this is true? I would be interested in getting my PhD at Berkeley is why I ask.
Okay I’ll keep that in mind about the double majoring. I just looked up the research at UCI and it seems they have a whole subset of research in the material science department devoted to biomolecular engineering so I’ll definitely try to get involved with that as soon as possible!
So do you think the differences in course difficultly would be that large? I know I mentioned straight B’s in my post but do you think getting an A at UCI probably takes as much effort as a B in Berkeley?
You’re not going to get into a top grad school solely on a 4.0. Likewise you won’t be disqualified for having some B’s. Go to the school where you can most effectively show your passion and abilities for the subject, and where you can immerse yourself in the subject.
Congratulations! Getting into top UC engineering programs through the CCC route is a big accomplishment!
It really sounds like your best path is to take the Regents offer at UCI, which will save you significant money and give you a great education, and aim for grad school at Berkeley. As @ucbalumnus points out, ChemE at UCB outright says that they won’t accept their own undergrads to their grad programs. If I were you, I would save Berkeley for grad school, which is its greatest strength.
The Regents scholarship is not just about the $2500/year. You get priority enrollment, which is a huge, HUGE advantage at a UC. (Because getting the education you’ve dreamed of is all about getting into the actual classes you want, and that is NOT always easy as a UC undergrad!) Being a Regents Scholar will appear on your transcript and will add gravitas to your resume. There are other perks as well. http://www.ofas.uci.edu/content/regentinfo.aspx?year=2017&sp=1
(Also, since you’re interested in biological applications, it’s worth noting that UCI has one of the top Bioinformatics programs; if you have any background or interest in programming, adding some coursework in this field could really enhance your opportunities.)
You should not feel that getting your bachelor’s at Irvine is in any way a compromise. It is an excellent undergrad education in every way, and your clear path to a Berkeley PhD if that is your goal.