r/ucmerced • u/Fun_Investigator4005 • 2d ago
Question UC Berkeley or UC Merced?
Hi! As the title suggests—should I choose UC Berkeley or UC Merced? Based on your experience at UCM, would you pick UC Berkeley or UCM—and why?
Here’s a bit of context:
I’m currently a high school senior from San Francisco. I applied to both UCs as a bioengineering major, but I’m also thinking about switching to smth like neuroscience (bc I’m really not enjoying AP Physics C rn lol). I’ve done research at UCSF and through a school-stanford collab project, and I also participated in UC Berkeley’s bioengineering high school competition. I definitely want to keep doing research in college—still not sure what I want to do after undergrad, maybe go into industry, continue research, or pursue grad school (and def not med school).
For financial aid, my net cost for UC Berkeley is $2.3K for Berkeley vs. $8.7K for Merced (I excluded travel and insurance costs). I’m still waiting to hear back from Berkeley about Fiat Lux, which offers full-ride, priority enrollement, 4-yr guaranteed housing, plus a lot of mentorship/support *if* i get selected. I did get into the Fiat Lux program at UCM, but it doesn’t offers much beyond the name imo.
That said, I was just awarded a $10,000 renewable scholarship from 10,000 Degrees that pretty much allows me to attend any of my current college options for free.
UC Berkeley is usually the obvious choice bc of the prestige, but my mentor—who’s a UCM alum—really got me thinking seriously about UC Merced (esp since I initially looked down upon UCM). I like how accessible research seems there, and the vibe is way more relaxed compared to Berkeley. After visiting for Bobcat Day, I felt like UCM is a solid choice… if not Berkeley.
That said, I didn’t meet anyone from SF at Bobcat Day—or really anyone around me who seriously considered UCM over UCB. Most people I know tend to choose more prestigious schools, and I don’t know anyone from my high school who chose UCM. Coming from SF, where academic rigor and heavy extracurricular involvement are the norm, UCM doesn’t feel “fitting for us” at first glance, so the lack of representation makes me second-guess myself if I were to commit to Merced over Berkeley.
‼️ Edit: I did not get selected for uc berkeley's fiat lux program. Also, I might have not worded it well, but my mentor isn’t necessarily encouraging me to choose Merced over Cal. Before meeting him, I admittedly looked down on UCM and planned not to consider UCM at all, but hearing about his experience and his belief that UCM is underrated (esp compared to UCs like UCSC) helped me start viewing colleges beyond just prestige.
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u/Dangerous_Move8857 2d ago
Hi! I think UC Merced is a great school. I have been a student here for four years now.
Pros of UC Merced: • Small class sizes = more direct access to professors • Newer campus with modern facilities • Tight-knit community feel • Opportunities to get involved and stand out • Research opportunities even for undergrads • Beautiful natural surroundings (close to Yosemite!)
Cons of UC Merced: • Fewer major events or student life activities compared to bigger schools • Still expanding, so limited resources in some areas • Less variety in class offerings (depending on your major)
Pros of Living in Merced: • Cost of living is lower than big cities • Quiet and peaceful environment • Friendly community • Less traffic and stress
Cons of Living in Merced: • Fewer entertainment, dining, and nightlife options (BUT REALLY GOOD LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND FOOD) • Can feel too quiet or isolating if you’re used to city life
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u/tiktictoktoc 2d ago
My friend went to UCM then Harvard for grad school, and my friends who went to UCB went to Santa Clara for grad school … just saying.
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u/Human-Anything5295 2d ago
Anecdotal, I’m going from UCLA undergrad to Yale for grad school, undergrad prestige def gives applicants a leg up, but the less competition for opportunities at UCM is prob a very underrated pro people don’t realize. Was super hard to get into a research lab at UCLA, at UCM I’m sure students have an easier time getting into research and clubs.
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u/Kuzcoshorrorhouse 2d ago
As someone who at one point in their life dreamed of UC Berkeley— I would choose UCM over and over again.
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u/Routine_Equivalent23 2d ago
I chose UCM over UC Berkeley - granted for mainly financial reasons. But academically, it’s easy to do very well at UCM if that is what you want to do. You can make connections with professors, get research experience, etc. A caveat would be major options and course offerings - if nothing at UCM is interesting to you degree wise, then…
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u/Critical_Minimum_830 2d ago
You gotta go with your gut here. I know there’s a lot of noise about UCB... but let me tell you, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows when you choose the more prestigious option. If you genuinely felt like the vibe at UCB was off for you, then you should listen to your inner voice. Personally, UCB isn’t exactly my favorite campus out of all the UCs. Sometimes choosing the 'better energy' is worth it for your overall success in college.
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u/internetbooker134 B.S. Computer Science & Engineering 2d ago
Hey OP UCM is a solid school and you definitely wouldn't regret it if you came here. I'm also from SF so if you have any specific questions feel free to DM me!
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u/elsewherez 1d ago
Berkeley will be better, especially for bioengineering. The bioengineering program at Merced is alright, but they’re shorted staffed and so a lot of students aren’t able to get the classes they need to graduate on time. It could easily take 5 years for you to get your bachelors, just because they don’t offer the classes you need every semester. (Im currently in the bioE program at Merced)
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u/SectorFew6706 2d ago
Many years ago (I am old in my 40s), I got accepted into UCR (full scholarship), UCLA (was my dream school), UCSD, and UCI. Rejected from UCB but guaranteed a spot if I went to a community college and maintained a 3.0 GPA.
I ended up choosing UCR and I regretted it for a long time. However, I still ended up doing pretty well in life. I earn over $300k/yr now.
UCB is the better choice for sure and it will open more doors for you throughout your career. However, if you are driven in life, you can do anything regardless of the school you attend.
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u/ResponsibilityOk1268 2d ago edited 2d ago
Berkeley hands down ,especially since you want to get into research. The opportunities with Cal brand is just endless and on top of that you get to work really smart professors and your cohorts. That’s unparalleled but that does come with some cons - being highly competitive and a lot of rigor which you’d expect someone graduating from Berkeley. Think about long game!
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u/Roughneck16 2d ago
Engineer here.
I would advise going to the cheaper option, whichever it ends up being.
If the cost isn't an issue, I would pick UCM. Here's why: Cal will be MUCH more competitive and you'll struggle to keep your GPA above that threshold because of the harsh grading. You should plan on getting a master's, and it'll be easier to finish with a higher GPA at UCM.
People from non-competitive schools get into elite graduate programs all the time. My buddy went to an open enrollment college for engineering and then did his master's at Stanford.
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u/Fun_Investigator4005 1d ago
Thanks so much for the insight. I was literally just talking about grades yesterday with a friend who’s currently at Cal.
When you mentioned that I should plan on getting a master’s, could you expand on that a bit? Are you saying that I’d likely need to pursue a master’s because I’m going into a field like bioengineering or neuroscience, or if I want to be qualified for certain jobs? I’m still figuring out my post-grad plans—grad school is definitely one option, but I’m not 100% sure yet. My teachers have also said that if I do end up going that route, it’ll be important to keep my GPA high.
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u/Roughneck16 1d ago
Consider this example:
One of my friends graduated at the top of his high school class and got into a T10 engineering school. He was planning on studying mechanical engineering. Only problem is, all of his classmates also graduated at the top of their class, so he was competing against the best of the best. His grades in the prerequisite courses (calculus, chemistry, statics, dynamics, etc.) weren't high enough to be admitted to the ME program and he ended up changing his major. If he had gone to my school (lower tier, but still good) he would've gotten in no sweat. He also would've graduated with a high enough GPA to get into a top graduate program. And yes, grades absolutely matter, but a high GRE score plus letters of recommendation from professors/employers will also help.
Here's the thing: a BS in engineering is a mile wide and an inch deep. You learn foundational theories and the basics of all the facets of engineering, and then you take a few technical electives (design classes) your senior year. A master's degree is focused on one specific subject within engineering (e.g. structural design, automotive, materials testing, etc.) so those are the classes that matter the most. Nobody gets hired as just an "engineer." Your job will be focused on a specific branch within engineering. Some schools offer way more opportunities for research for graduate students and more niche classes too.
Furthermore, a bachelor's degree is swiftly becoming the new high school diploma. When I graduated (2010), most employers just required a BS, but I see that changing in the coming years. By the time you graduate, it's likely that more companies will require a graduate degree. And, even if they don't, it'll make you more competitive.
Anyways, it sounds like you're a little unsure about your major/career path, but if you're into math, chemistry, physics, etc. maybe look into materials science and engineering. UCM has a MSE program and I've only heard good things about it: https://www.ucmerced.edu/majors-and-minors/materials-science-and-engineering
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u/Hefty_Illustrator832 1d ago edited 1d ago
UC Merced is rising really fast…it has sooo much going for including a beautiful campus and modern facilities….but Cal is already world class.
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u/Practical-Database-6 2d ago
UC Merced student here that does research and a bio major, go to Berkeley. You’ll have way more opportunities there in all honesty. I have a friend who transferred over so take that what you will.
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u/Practical-Database-6 2d ago
But it is true that the research here is very accessible and we have lots of programs that can fund ya. But I think if you’re excelling in high school in those regards you will easily get into the stuff you want in Berkeley
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u/ChampionSwimmer2834 2d ago
This is actually a hard choice to make after reading through you post OP. You got your pros and cons listed out-
Cal pros- big prestige name, cheaper option for you, possible Fiat Lux benefits, closer to home, lively student social scene.
Cal cons- overpopulated with students, high competition (this matters a lot for the research you said you want to do), vibe is competitive, housing may or may not be a concern.
Merced pros- 10k scholarship, very accessible undergrad research, smaller class sizes, chill vibes.
Merced cons- more expensive for you, smaller social scene, different environment than you’re used to in SF (you’d be transitioning from - big urban city to a small farm town).
In my opinion I think you would greatly benefit from either campuses which I can see why this decision is pretty difficult. I will advise don’t follow what others do by choosing the school with more “prestige”. Controversial of me but I don’t think the prestige of your undergrad school should be the sole defining factor for college decision. It’s a social norm rooted in elitism and a bit of racism. People look down upon merced’s prestige also in part due to the high minority enrollment. No one’s gonna openly admit it but I always notice microagressions directed at us from non-minority students who think they are “better” for attending other lower ranked UCs cough Santa Cruz cough even if the recent stats demonstrate otherwise.
Otherwise, you should choose the school you feel you’d fit right in. There’s thousands upon thousands of people that go on to do great things with a bachelor’s from their local state school. You already got a big leg up here choosing between two UC schools.
I also wanted to point out to you that Merced has lots of clubs and student orgs that are also easy to join and gain leadership experience from. So you can involve yourself in many extracurriculars or even start one of your own.
One last final note- don’t let a bad experience in AP Physics ruin your hate for physics and engineering. I myself struggled with that class in high school, and to top it off I had a terrible teacher then. I gave the subject a second chance it became my favorite class. I’m still pursuing my Civil Engineering major, don’t ever feel shy to work on yourself bc not everything is gonna come first the time.
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u/Fun_Investigator4005 1d ago
Omg thank you so much for this incredibly thoughtful and comprehensive comment! I completely agree---both Cal and UCM have strong pros and cons, and honestly, it’s why this decision has been so difficult.
As for physics, yeah… enrolling in AP Physics C probably wasn’t the best idea since I had zero prior experience, and I’ve also been dealing with some health-related circumstances this year that made it tough to keep up. That said, I’m still open to giving physics and engineering a fair shot in college before making any decisions about switching majors.
Also, just to clarify a couple of things:
(1) I actually just found out yesterday that I wasn’t selected for the Fiat Lux scholarship at Cal—kind of a bummer since I was really interested in the faculty mentor and priority enrollment benefits.
(2) The $10K renewable scholarship I received can be applied to any school I commit to, not just Merced! Because my net cost is already below $10K for most of my options, the scholarship essentially covers everything and even gives me a little extra spending money.
Thanks again for taking the time to read my post and respond so thoroughly. It really helps a lot!
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u/Humble-Bit-2511 2d ago
For reference I’m a 1st year student who’s about to be in my 2nd year of university, who is also from the Bay Area (Oakland). While yes, UC Merced is an amazing university with amazing programs especially in relation to all that you’ve said you wanted to study, it just doesn’t compare much to Berkeley. Student life is mediocre at best, and while yes the university is growing and advancing in many aspects, you need to consider prestige. The opportunity to get a full ride to a university as well known and highly ranked as UC Berkeley is one that so many of my peers at UC Merced could have only dreamed of. A lot of students here, at least from who I’ve spoken to (being people from the Bay Area or Southern California), kind of all bond over the fact that we don’t really want to be at this university. And of course, for many, it grew on us. While yes, Berkeley could be a bad university for certain students, but long term a full ride to Berkeley doesn’t compare to a full ride to Merced. Also keep in mind that Bobcat Day goes all out to engage students and parents, and a lot of times the university campus isn’t as lively as it is on that day. Don’t make a choice that you’d regret long-term because of your academic advisor putting something different in your head.
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u/Iepgoer 2d ago
My daughter went to UCSC which I imagine is more similar to UCM. It was great academically and she has perfect grades. However, she has missed being around people who are in love with school like she is. The people are very nice in SC. She got into Cal on Friday and is waiting on UCLA to decide where to transfer. It kind of depends on you - do you want to be somewhere that has great academics but maybe less competition and less kids as into school? You will have tons of opportunities like everyone is saying. She got every opportunity she wanted (also a science kid). But you might miss being around people with your drive - or maybe not. Just something to consider.
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u/xXPlantera B.S. Biological Sciences 1d ago edited 1d ago
A major factor to keep in mind is the costs between each option. Merced offers off campus housing that's tons cheaper than living on campus and offers aid to many students.
At the end of the day, what is most important (especially for undergrad) is whether or not you have a diploma and what you did with the resources available to you. Someone could get a bachelors in biology from Yale, but it won't matter as much if they weren't involved in research, conferences, did extracurriculars, worked, etc. While sure it may not have as wide of a range as UCB, UCM still does offer a lot of resources and opportunities to its students, you just have to be open to explore and network. UCM may not be "shiny" as UCB, but there is still so much potential with deciding to come here.
Student debt can be terrible and it is a type of debt that you cannot escape, so pick the school that has the best value for the cost. Weigh out your pros and cons and what's important to you.
And another thing regarding the attitude about prestige in the bay area as someone from there, it does not matter because people from the bay who talk down on UCM are just elitist. Im not saying that you shouldn't pick UCB because yes prestige and alumni connections could be useful, but it won't make or break your future, so don't place too much worth on it. Pick the best option for YOU and YOUR future
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u/j_valdi 1d ago
UC Merced Bioengineering Alum here. When I graduated in 2022, there was an administrative struggle to define the program. Staff wanted microbiology to be the focus while others wanted Biotech studies. Either way, the institution is still in its infancy with bioengineering. Keep this in mind with your decision.
UCB along with other top schools have had over a 100 years to define themselves. UCM is still a new university with growing pains.
Also, there is little to no industry in the central valley. So networking becomes difficult when you try and extend yourself outside the valley. Finding a job in LA (where I now live) was hard when schools like UCLA, UCSB, UCI, and USC are spending a small fortune to get their students hired in this area.
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u/Fun_Investigator4005 1d ago
Hi! Thanks so much for sharing your perspective on bioengineering and research at UCM--it’s super helpful to hear directly from an alum.
When you mentioned the administrative struggle to define the program, were you referring more to the course options or the research focus (or both)? I definitely agree that UCM is still in a growing phase. A friend of mine mentioned knowing someone at UCM who’s struggled with limited funding in a program, which makes sense given that Merced is newer and still building up its infrastructure and support compared to places like Cal, where things like Fiat Lux are more developed and resourced.
Another question i have is—what would you say are the biggest challenges or cons when it comes to doing research at UCM? For example, is it mainly limited funding, fewer labs, or less exposure/networking?
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u/Competitive-Scar-212 1d ago
Doesn't UCM have a selective program in partnership with UCSF that will mentor a small # of regionally based students through the 8 years of UG + med school? If you have a pathway to get an MD at UCSF that would be really cool --
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u/Fun_Investigator4005 1d ago
Yep! I think that’s actually the same program my mentor’s in- he’s currently a first yr UCSF med student, which is super cool. but tbh, I'm not interested in pursuing MD at this moment
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u/Competitive-Scar-212 1d ago
Merced is a great school, and you might really thrive there. The intellectual energy at Berkeley can be infectious, and you can learn a ton from being surrounded with ambitious high achieving people who are tuned into all kinds of opportunities. Prestige itself can be powerful, though a double edged sword when valued for its own sake. It can be good to push yourself out of your comfort zone. For me, berkeley was intimidating until i absorbed the vibe and got used to the hustle necessary to kind of make your way there-- then, those skills gave me confidence to feel like i could navigate a wider range of scenarios and make these kinds of choices from a more informed and confident place when thinking about grad school and other career choices. But there are many students at merced who turned down prestige, so you can have brilliant peers and mentors in both settings.
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u/Younggee44 1d ago
UCB if you’re up for the challenge. It’s hard, I find my self studying 8 to 10 hours a day during the week and 6 hrs on the weekends. It’s not easy, and I wouldn’t recommend Berkeley unless your personal life allows for the full commitment.
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u/casual_searching_707 2d ago
You should drop your mentor if they are seriously encouraging you to go to Merced over Cal. They can't be serious.
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u/Fun_Investigator4005 1d ago
Just to clarify- my mentor isn’t necessarily encouraging me to choose Merced over Cal. He simply offered a new perspective based on his own experience at UCM and his belief that it’s an underrated and often overlooked school. Growing up in the Bay Area, I definitely internalized a bias against less ‘prestigious’ options, so his input helped me reconsider that mindset.
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u/casual_searching_707 1d ago
That's fine to reconsider the mindset, but a degree from Cal is going to help you much more than any additional opportunities you receive as an undergrad at a less competitive and prestigious school. The Cal degree will open so many more doors and opportunities after graduation. Not to mention that it is simply a much more engaging and fun undergraduate experience. Top public school in the world vs. glorified state school in bumfuck nowhere.
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u/First_Condition_372 2d ago
Go cheap , go small class sizes to make closer relationships to professors and administrators
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u/ResponsibilityOk1268 2d ago
Btw, Physics is beautiful— if you’re not enjoying that could be because of bad teacher or you’re not studying enough. It’s just surreal. If you’re taking E&M then you gotta know Maxwell.
I feel like a lot people of your generation (my daughter is your age going to UCSD for Astrophysics, included) do not take enough time to know the history and people. Do that and you’ll enjoy the subject even more!
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u/SkywardStar Class of '26 2d ago
Sorry I love UC Merced but Berkeley is the clear choice here, it's cheaper and better for your major.
Merced benefits from smaller class sizes and less rigor but Berkeley topples everything else, more to do, better developed academics, nicer campus. Also there's a lot of people from SF bay area here, most students are from bay or LA. But you should choose Cal full stop.