What It’s Like to Be a UC Berkeley Biology Major: Rachael’s Story

Being a biology major at UC Berkeley is both a challenging and rewarding experience, especially within the university’s renowned Molecular and Cellular Biology program. Known for its academic rigor, the program pushes students to develop not just a deep understanding of life sciences, but also the resilience and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in biology research. 

While the coursework is intense, students rarely face challenges alone. Group study sessions, lab partnerships, and research collaborations are all part of the experience. This culture of cooperation fosters not only stronger academic performance but also a sense of belonging.

Rachael Tiong, a sophomore at UC Berkeley, is majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology. But her research journey didn’t start her freshman year. She was already developing scientific research skills while she was still in high school. Throughout the course of a Research Mentorship Program, Rachael was able to work closely with an expert research mentor on a project about skin organoids and skin cancer heterogeneity. 

When asked to reflect on her Polygence research project, Rachael shared that: “My grandfather had skin cancer, and the solution was skin grafting. Using skin organoids can help address similar issues. I worked with my mentor from UCLA to write a literature review that explored how skin organoids could be used to treat skin cancer. We included diagrams and sections on methods and results. I worked on it for about four to five months over the summer, meeting with my mentor weekly. I’m currently in the process of getting it published.”

Exploring Biology Majors at UC Berkeley

While Rachael chose Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB), UC Berkeley also offers a wide range of biology-related majors that cater to different interests. These include Integrative Biology, Genetics and Plant Biology, Microbial Biology, and Molecular Environmental Biology. Each pathway offers unique opportunities for research and specialization, whether you’re more excited by ecosystems, microorganisms, or plant genetics. For students considering Berkeley, it’s worth exploring all of these majors to find the one that best fits your academic and career goals.

Course Planning and Academic Roadmaps

The coursework at Berkeley can feel overwhelming at first, but there are plenty of resources to help. MCB offers sample four-year plans that map out how to balance general education, core biology classes, and electives. For example, most students begin with foundational courses in chemistry, biology, and math before moving into advanced classes like genetics, immunology, or biochemistry.

Rachael emphasized how time management became easier once she had a clear roadmap to follow. Using Berkeley’s planning tools (and being proactive about advising) ensures you can stay on track for graduation while still making room for research and extracurricular opportunities.

Why Research Skills Matter for Biology Majors at UC Berkeley

It’s no secret that UC Berkeley is a competitive program with high-achieving students. Each and every UC Berkeley biology major has earned their spot in the program, but once you’re on campus, it’s just as important to keep up. After all, the most committed students are ready to hit the ground running. In order to set yourself up for success in college, start developing time management and research skills while you’re still in high school. That’s what Rachael Tiong did with her Polygence project. 

By investing in her future and developing scientific research and writing skills while she was still in high school, Rachael was able to feel more comfortable and confident in her college courses. In turn, this enabled Rachael to dedicate more time to other challenges, such as keeping up-to-date with her professors’ latest research findings and fostering a sense of community for herself on campus.  

Common Challenges Biology Majors Face

From balancing coursework with lab work and extracurriculars to learning how to write scientific research papers, UC Berkeley biology majors face a number of common challenges. As you adapt to these challenges, it’s important to be patient with yourself, ask for help when you need it, and remain committed to personal and academic growth. It’s also important to keep in mind that UC Berkeley is a large and competitive academic community and that it may take some time to feel comfortable in this type of environment. Just remember, UC Berkeley offers amazing resources and opportunities, so do your best to lean into some of these challenges so that you can continue growing as a person and as a student.  

Rachael’s 5 Essential Skills and Mindsets for Biology Majors

For UC Berkeley biology majors, developing scientific research skills is a top priority. After all, you want to position yourself as best you can to contribute to undergraduate research projects. Therefore, in order to set yourself up for success, you’ll want to work on developing these 5 essential skills and mindsets for biology majors. 

1. Perseverance and Passion

Rachael credits her ability to find joy in the research process, despite its challenges, as a key element to her success at UC Berkeley. In fact, when asked to reflect on her first scientific research paper (which she completed in high school with Polygence), Rachael shared that “I worked on [my research paper] for about four to five months with my mentor every week. When you’re passionate about something, it’s enjoyable, so it wasn’t a hassle.” In other words, committing time and effort to long-term projects is hard work, but it should also feel rewarding!

2. Scientific Writing and Research Skills

College-level writing is always an adjustment, especially when it comes to more specialized forms of writing, such as scientific writing. Sentence structure and diction will only take you so far. You’ll need to cultivate strong research skills in order to inform and guide your writing. After all, when it comes to scientific writing, the quality of your content, analysis, and conclusions depends on the quality of your research findings. 

Scientific writing is also very formulaic, something Rachael learned early on. You’ll need to learn how to write your methods, results, and analysis sections clearly and concisely. Thankfully, Rachael’s Polygence project gave her a head start. In fact, Rachael shares that during her freshman year, “I was even able to help others in my lab.”

3. Collaboration and Teamwork

Colleges known for their undergraduate research programs, like UC Berkeley, empower students to collaborate with their professors and peers while contributing to meaningful research projects. In order to make the most out of your undergraduate experience, it’s important to embrace a collaborative culture by working on your teamwork skills. This includes working effectively with peers in labs and study groups and utilizing professors’ office hours. 

For Rachael, embracing a collaborative academic culture is an exciting process: “The professors here are very well respected in their fields, and seeing their research is so inspiring to me. The students here are so motivating, and I love working in a collaborative environment.”

4. Time Management and Organization

Balancing lab hours, classes, and extracurriculars while allotting enough time and space to study is a nuanced process, one that takes patience and practice. The key to setting yourself up for success, both inside and outside of the classroom, is to stay organized. From designated notebooks and binders to day planners and calendars, it’s important to use physical and digital organizational tools to help you stay on track and keep track of important deadlines and other commitments. Take time to experiment with different tools to see what works best for you. 

5. Curiosity and Continuous Learning

College is about indulging your curiosity and engaging in continuous learning. Give yourself permission to explore a broad range of classes and topics. After all, you never know where you might find inspiration. As a UC Berkeley biology major, you’ll also want to stay up-to-date with your professors’ latest research and scientific discovery. Not only will this help you realize what’s possible within the scope of scientific research, but it will also open the doors to undergraduate research opportunities. 

How Rachael Navigates the UC Berkeley Experience

As a sophomore biology student, Rachael does her best to take advantage of the diverse classes, as well as the top-tier research opportunities her school has to offer. Biology is a large field, so it’s nice to have the freedom to explore different topics. After all, there are lots of career paths for biology students to consider. Building relationships with mentors and lab partners is also a great way to broaden perspectives and make friends. 

When Rachael isn’t immersed in academics, she enjoys spending time outside. She especially enjoys relaxing by the clock tower and watching the squirrels, who she remarks are “much larger than the ones at home” and are always looking for food. 

Advice for Prospective Biology Majors

Rachael has plenty of advice for prospective biology majors, both in regards to applying to UC Berkeley and how to make the most out of your education once you’ve been accepted. From showing dedication through research projects to developing perseverance and strong writing skills early, Rachael looks back on her own college application process:

“You want to show a spike — something you’re passionate about or really good at. Writing a research paper can help show that passion. I used my experience with my mentor in my UC PIQs and in my supplemental essays. I also asked my mentor for a recommendation letter, which helped with my out-of-state applications.”

And for those lucky students who gain admission? Once you’re at UC Berkeley, the best way to succeed is to seek out collaborative work environments and create a solid support system for yourself. It may feel easier to keep to yourself at times, but community is one of the most important parts of receiving an education.

Research Opportunities and Support Programs

One of Berkeley’s greatest strengths is its commitment to undergraduate research. Beyond joining labs directly, students can apply to programs like the Biology Scholars Program or Amgen Scholars, which provide structured research experiences, mentorship, and community support.

For Rachael, joining a lab early gave her the chance to apply her Polygence skills in a real-world research environment. Future students can take advantage of these opportunities to strengthen their skills and build meaningful academic relationships.

Advising and Declaring the Major

Unlike some majors that students declare right away, MCB typically requires completion of prerequisite courses before declaration. Students must declare by their fifth semester (or before reaching 80 units) and are supported by an advising office dedicated to helping them navigate requirements, scheduling, and opportunities.

This structure ensures that once you declare, you’re fully prepared for the rigor of upper-division coursework. Students are encouraged to meet with advisors regularly to stay on track and to take advantage of the many academic and research resources available.

Career Pathways After Graduation

Biology majors at Berkeley go on to pursue an impressive variety of careers. Many continue into medical school, veterinary school, or graduate programs in biology-related disciplines. Others move into the biotech industry, public health, education, or policy roles where their scientific training makes a big impact.

Rachael’s interest in skin cancer research is one example of how undergraduate experiences can shape future directions. By building research skills, writing experience, and connections on campus, students set themselves up for success in both academic and professional settings.

Preparing for a Future in Biology

For many students, enrolling in the Molecular and Cellular Biology program at UC Berkeley is a dream come true. From its cutting-edge research facilities, to its collaborative academic environment, there are endless opportunities for UC Berkeley biology majors. But the key to making the absolute most of your college experience starts in high school. By fostering scientific research and writing skills early, motivated students (like Rachael) arrive on campus ready to dive in!

Interested in getting a head start while you’re still in high school? Peruse our database of expert research program mentors and take a look at our college admissions results. You might also be interested in looking into these 10 Biology Summer Research Programs for High School Students, especially if you’re interested in bolstering your resume.