<p>So, I think I’m down to these three, and I would really love some opinions. I’m probably studying Economics (and maybe biology) and then going straight to law school. However, this is really just the plan at the moment, and I want to keep other options open. I’m from Silicon Valley. Cal will be the cheapest, but not by a very significant amount. I want to end up back in the Bay Area after college/grad school (I love it here). Honestly, I think I could deal with both a big or a small school. Please help!</p>
<p>Berkeley
Pros:
A decent distance from home.
Prestige for Econ and bio
Possibility of graduating in 3 years (if I choose to only to Econ) since I have 12 APs
Great job prospects in the Bay if I decide to not go to law school
Cheapest (this, however, is not a major consideration)
Can take graduate coursework, good weather, and lots of friends at Cal.
Cons:
Grad school placement way lower than Amherst and Pomona
HUGE classes–how do you even get a rec letter?
Possibility of graduating in 5 years because of the difficulty to get classes
Ugly dorms and safety issues. And crazy competitiveness.</p>
<p>Amherst
Pros:
Incredible grad school placement
Open curriculum! Opportunity to explore for two years before deciding a major, and its really easy to double or triple major
Small classes, safe, awesome dorms
Option of staying home all of January thru Interterm
Trying something new! I’ve never lived on the East Coast
Cons:
Little known on the West Coast, so it might be hard to get jobs over here from there.
Far from home! And I’m weather spoiled.
Food for vegetarians is apparently not the greatest.</p>
<p>Pomona:
Pros:
Great grad school placement
Just far enough from home
Small classes, safe, great dorms, awesome food, fabulous weather
5C colleges and LA nearby
Cons:
No one’s heard of Pomona! I know this shouldn’t matter, but it does a little. Especially when people ask if its a state school
Alumni network extremely limited to California–particularly SoCal
Because of the above things, getting a job after graduation seems a bit risky. However, law school would def be okay.</p>
<p>Soo, I’m a bit stuck. I’ll be posting this on all the threads, so feel free to be as biased as you wish! :)</p>
<p>I’ve served on law school admissions committees, and I would take an Amherst or Pomona grad over a Cal grad, all things being equal. Both of these great LACs do a great job teaching students to think analytically, and write well. Your professors will know you, and you can’t be anonymous. At Cal, you can have a great time and great learning experience, but it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. If money doesn’t matter, I’d definitely recommend Amherst or Pomona. They’re very similar in terms of reputation and quality, I think, so it might just come down to the weather. I know it did for my D. She decided that the ability to be outside all the time would just make her a lot happier than enduring winters in a remote New England town.</p>
<p>Maybe the “man on the street” doesn’t know Pomona or Amherst, but all the professional schools do. Plus you’ll have access to a great alumni network for the job thing if you change your mind.
Why graduate in 3 years anyway? College really is “the best days of your life” and even if you are borrowing the $$, many people take out similar sized car loans, for goodness sakes.
Use the time to make the connections which will move you ahead in the future.
Pomona or Amherst, you pick.</p>
<p>I agree. Amherst or Pomona, you pick. If the decision is based on weather (which seems odd to me, but for some people it is) I’d pick Amherst. I was born and raised and lived most of my life in So CA and don’t like that weather there at all.</p>
<p>Amherst will get you out of your comfort zone. Try something new, become someone else; that’s what’s college is all about.</p>
<p>Or, be perfectly comfortable at Pomona. Great consortium too (a better one, I confess). Known by people who matter, where it matters.</p>
<p>Berkeley is prestigious because of its top Econ and Bio graduate programs. As you said, Berkeley isn’t that much cheaper. And, how do the following two statements fit together?</p>
<ol>
<li>Great job prospects in the Bay…</li>
<li>… crazy competitiveness.</li>
</ol>
<p>If ~13,000 Berkeley undergrads are toughing it out to get on top, what makes you think they won’t keep up the contest when it comes to getting jobs?</p>
<p>@kwu: I know Cal is competitive, but getting jobs never seems to be a problem. I think its because their alumni network is huge, so that many opportunities are available. I’m not sure if this is true for Amherst and Pomona too.</p>
<p>Thanks for the opinions everyone! They’re really helpful, Cal is going lower and lower on the list. Any other thoughts?</p>
<p>I agree- Pomona or Amherst. My daughter attends Amherst and I teach at the Claremont Colleges. I constantly hear students say that no one has heard of Pomona or Amherst. But, I can assure you all of the top graduate schools have. These are the top of the liberal arts colleges with outstanding instruction and alumni networks. I’d say go to Amherst just as someone already said to get out of your comfort zone. But, Pomona is outstanding as well. Good luck to you and congratulations on having wonderful choices.</p>
I know this shouldn’t matter, but it does a little. Especially when people ask if its a state school