<p>I’m looking to major in some sort of environmental studies. Amherst has one environmental major, Berkeley has many environmental majors. Berk=bigger classes, but more resources, etc…</p>
<p>Which do i choose? Got into Berk already, lined up to go, but amherst just old me they’re probably going to choose me from their wait list… So may not get in, still, but…</p>
<p>thx!!!</p>
<p>Have you visited Amherst? The choices are so different - huge public versus small liberal art college. You need to determine what type of campus life you’d prefer. Also, the geographical differences are significant - west coast versus New England (which includes snow). Congratulations on both of your choices.</p>
<p>I think feel and fit considerations massively outweigh any academic differences. Berkeley has 15 times as many undergrads as Amherst, plus another 6 or so Amhersts worth of grad students. That should either scare or excite you. Choose accordingly.</p>
<p>I was in a similar situation, I got into Cal and into Amherst, and it’s really about fit. Cal is an amazing school but their infamous curve and large lectures made me decide against. It’s up to you. I decided that a small LAC would be better for my undergrad. Cal and other universities will be around for grad school. You only have one shot to go to Amherst. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re a finaid student, Amherst is likely to give you more aid.</p>
<p>Congrats on getting off the waitlist! Amherst takes very few, if any off the waitlist each year.</p>
<p>With the California budget cuts, Berkeley is not going to be in a good situation in the near future. Berkeley, admittedly, has more resources, but they are spread too thin because of the large student population. TAs often teach classes at Berkeley.</p>
<p>Amherst’s small class sizes, attention from professors, and immense diversity will serve to benefit you greatly. Unless Amherst doesn’t give you good financial aid, you really should consider going.</p>
<p>Amherst is really beautiful and even though Amherst is technically an LAC, I think you will receive ample support from the student body.
The small-town and weather will be tough to adjust to, but Amherst isn’t in the middle of nowhere, and it’ll be a good way for you learn how to adapt to different environments.</p>
<p>Berkeley can take 5 to 6 years to get through. Classes are so crowded that students get shut out of choices they need to complete their major so they need to attend an extra few semesters to fulfill graduation requirements. We have two sets of good friends in CA who love Berkley and their experiences there but both directed their children away from Berkley for that reason. This is not the case at UCLA (if you’re looking for State) or Stanford (if private’s fine).</p>
<p>
False! TAs do not teach classes at Berkeley. Resources are definitely there for anyone who wants them.
False! No one who’s taking classes full time failed to graduate in 4 years. </p>
<p>Having said that, go with the cheaper route.</p>
<p>I totally disagree with midsmith advice about going with the “cheaper route”. You should go with the institution that best meets your need. I have a strong bias in favor of Amhest because of its size, emphasis on undergraduate education and the close relationship you’ll have with your professors. I attended a small liberal college for undergraduate and a huge university like Berkeley for graduate school which is fine because you’ll be working with specific professors in one field. However, you don’t want to be just a number is a crowd as an undergraduate. I’d definitely go with Amherst.</p>
<p>Yes! Please go to Amherst unless it’s going to be impossible for you to pay for. Berkeley is too crowded, California is cutting funding for its public universities, and the area is not for everyone. I didn’t have many problems with it, and the liberal atmosphere was rather attractive to me at first. But I don’t know if I would’ve been able to handle the hills and the overly urban-ness of Berkeley for 4+ years.</p>
<p>I was faced with a similar decision… except that both schools were going to cost the same. I’ll be honest, I didn’t wholeheartedly love Amherst and I am still scared (I’m from California), but I think this decision will pay off in the long run. I met people who broadened my perspectives in a period of three days (at Openhouse weekend). Amherst is different socially, not like Berkeley or LA, where it may be easier to blend in and meet people like yourself. However, it is a risk worth taking. It will test your mettle and the small size provides a nice living environment. </p>
<p>And since the environmental studies major is one of the newer ones, I think the faculty will be open to experimentation and new ideas, and you’ll have so many possibilities for research. I’m pretty sure you’ll get one-on-one attention… unlike Berkeley where you’ll be struggling to meet professors during office hours and competing with many others who desire letters of recommendation for grad school.</p>
<p>The dorms are really nice (compared to Berkeley I bet). </p>
<p>Please choose Amherst! See you next year! </p>
<p>(And ignore my odd screen name, I only made an account to keep track of my waitlists, but that’s all over now. I thought I’d choose a generic screen name. I’m more credible than it may seem.)</p>
<p>I enjoyed reading the following post by Hawkette; it reminded me of this thread, and it captures wonderfully what I had wanted to communicate:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1062776082-post154.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1062776082-post154.html</a></p>
<p>I agree with kwu. 130 reflects my concerns about both schools, but 131 answers my concerns about Amherst well. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1062773780-post130.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1062773780-post130.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1062773800-post131.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1062773800-post131.html</a></p>
<p>I dread, dread not being able to take a class I’m excited about because a professor will taking leave out of the blue. I’m experiencing this for the first time, and, frankly, it ****es me off.</p>
<p>I can’t take Industrial Organization next year because the professor who teaches it will be teaching at Yale as a Visiting Scholar. I can’t take Art and Architecture of Europe from 1400 to 1800 because it conflicts with International Trade, a course I want to take early so that the rush of major requirements don’t overwhelm me. I can’t take Baroque Art because it conflicts with Murder, a course I’ve been dying to take, taught by a superb professor. And, the Associate Director of the Writing Center, a professor of philosophy, will be on leave, so I won’t be able to take any of the great courses that she offers on the ancient philosophers. I’m not sure either how adversely the Writing Center will be affected by the temporary loss of such a great professor.</p>
<p>I wanted a strong grounding in art history from Amherst, but that simply won’t be possible because of scheduling conflicts and because certain courses are only offered every other year.</p>
<p>If I take Fundamental Chemical Principles, I lose out on the possibilities of taking Chinese Civilization to 1800, Law, Speech, and the Politics of Freedom, Greek Drama, and Readings in the European Tradition I.</p>
<p>But, if I forgo chem this semester, I lose my last chance to pursue a career in medicine… yet I gain the opportunity to learn so much more in areas I never imagined I could explore.</p>
<p>I could go on and on… but, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get into any course, as long as you stay on top of the game and pre-register strategically. But, damn, conflicts can be agonizing.</p>
<p>I went to Berkeley as an undergrad. I told my two girls that they are not allowed to go to Berkeley. It is too large, too impersonal, too distracting, too everything. I can’t remember the name of any one of my professors. Yes, professors teach the classes - large, auditorium-based, lectures. TAs run the discussion groups which is where the learning occurred. No one knew if you went to class; no one cared if you went to class. Yes, I had a social blast for 4 years. And I have a great credential on my resume. But education? Not really…</p>
<p>I went to Stanford. My experience there was very similar to what ShesOnHerWay describes at Berkeley. I did not wish my d to even consider applying to Stanford or Berkeley. She is currently a very happy student at Amherst. I have seen the excellent quality of her college experience there firsthand. Amherst is exceptional.</p>
<p>kwu describes something my d has experienced at Amherst. Two courses of her four courses were unexpectedly canceled between semesters. This happens. What surprised me (a faculty member at another liberal arts college) was the lack of any response to this by Amherst – no comparable “replacement” courses were added, no help in finding additional courses, no new courses (even generic courses within the discipline) were added. </p>
<p>Still she is clearly grateful to be at Amherst, compares notes with friends at larger institutions, and after a full year there would make the same decision. </p>
<p>There are many perspectives on this. And of course different students thrive in different environments. I’ve met students who conducted impressive research at Stanford as undergraduates. Our own advice to four children has been – push the writing, critical thinking, and communication skills that are more typical of small liberal arts colleges at the undergraduate level. Take advantage of learning from professors and peers in and out of the classroom. THEN check out the major universities for graduate and professional school. Michigan, Berkeley, Stanford, Yale, Harvard.</p>