<p>I attended Cornell as an undergraduate and Berkeley as a graduate student (engineering). Cornell’s program is superior: smaller size, more flexibility (you don’t choose a major until end of Sophomore Year, and transferring between UG colleges is fairly easy) and more opportunities (internships, research, etc.) at all levels. Cornell’s student population is also more diverse (Berkeley’s UG population consisting of 80-85% California residents).</p>
<p>I would also add that Berkeley is now living off its reputation from the last century. The UC system as a whole is going through a downturn (partly financial, partly political) that might last for decades. Finally, Cornell students do noticably better than Berkeley at the top grad schools in terms of placement. Do a search for the Wall Street Journal for “Top Feeder Colleges to Graduate School” and look at the data.</p>
<p>Unless your reasons are financial, I would tell most students in your situation to go to Cornell.</p>