<p>OP - have you already applied to the UCs? Based on the other colleges on your list, I’d say your chances for Cal and UCLA OOS are slim … heck, chances are slim for those of us applying instate.
So this discussion may well be academic.</p>
<p>If you do get in, plan to visit in April and decide by May 1.
The top three UC’s are way better than others on your list
if you’re planning to be an engineer. You may want to double check some of your ranking info as well … UCSD is ranked
above Cal and LA in some cases.</p>
<p>There’s also the question of which city you want to be in.
Cities comparable to SF and LA are New York, Boston, and
Chicago in terms of the variety and richness of your experience.
San Diego is a small city, but the beaches are the best in the U.S.
and you’ll likely do the three hour drive to LA at least once a month.</p>
<p>Question is: are you willing to pay the price for the richness of your college experience or would you rather empty beer kegs in a basement in rural america for four years?</p>
<p>Well USC and a bunch of other private schools costs more or as much as the UCLA or Cal for OOS. So what’s the big deal, is USC a better value only because it’s private, I mean cal and ucla are ranked higher. Aren’t all good schools around 50k nowadays.
Is ths discussion just about the fact that private schools give out more scholarships?</p>
<p>Berkeley’s environment ain’t for everyone. I’ll admit I was pretty shocked driving down Telegraph Ave when I first visited the school. But, I grew to love it and thought it was a much more student-oriented, pedestrian friendly, intellectual environment compared to UCLA.</p>
<p>Yes, there are large lecture classes…primarily for the lower division science, engineering and econ courses. I took quite a few humanities and social science courses and they were much smaller (~ 20 students) to foster discussion. Like all universities, class size is primarily dictated by the subject matter.</p>
<p>UCB, I disagree. Telegraph is not shocking. I agree that UCSD is not a joke, whoever said it was, I’m sure was making a joke. But it seems like OP does not have the stats to get into top schools from the East Coast, he thinks he might have a better chance now with the top UCs. Is prestige worth $50K? if yes then these top UCs worth OOS tuition.</p>
<p>I’m almost positive I do have the stats to get into at least one of these UC schools; I have a 4.3 gpa, 5th in my class, good EC’s. However, another part of my original question is whether or not it is worth the money considering the fact that California is bankrupt and the UC’s are receiving budget cuts. I’ve heard that there are all sorts of walk-outs and things going on and huge class sizes…doesn’t sound like a great place right now.</p>
<p>I know people who are at Cal, UCLA, and UCSD, and all of them have varying opinions. Most of them love their school. All three are among California’s elite colleges and the degree will definitely mean something when you graduate.</p>
<p>I would have said that the OOS tuition is definitely worth it several years ago, but now with all the California public school budget cuts and the rising costs of a UC education, I’d only highly recommend coming to a UC OOS if this is ABSOLUTELY the place you want to go. However, if you’re willing to pay for a private school like BU or Northeastern, I’d choose one of those three UCs because I feel as though they are academically superior.</p>
<p>It really depends on what you are seeking. If your ultimate goal is prestige, then Cal is definitely worth $50k since it has a prestige factor as high as the top Ivies. But, if you think about attending your instate public for free and graduate with $200k in the bank, which offers a better “value”? Cal degree minus $200k, or Instate public for free? (And note, the same student could be in a star at Podunk U.) Hmmmmm</p>
<p>IMO, and it’s just MY opinion, privates ranked lower than Cal/UCLA/Mich offer a better four-year collegiate “value” for the same (or less) money.</p>
<p>Financially, Michigan is better off because it has an endowment larger than Cal’s and UCLA’s combined. The UCs (and many other public and private universities) have had to let faculty go lately. Michigan is actually hiring new faculty. </p>
<p>In terms of campus and environment, the Michigan/Ann Arbor campus is more “pleasant” than Cal/Berkeley and quainter/more collegitate than UCLA/Los Angeles. This said, Cal is very conveniently located near San Francisco (which is an awesome city) and UCLA is located in one of LA’s nicest areas. Truly, all three universities offer undergraduates virtually unrivaled experiences.</p>
<p>Academically, all three are excellent (top 20 in the nation), though Cal is considered slightly better than Michigan and Michigan slightly better than UCLA.</p>
<p>As far as cost goes, Michigan’s tuition is highler than Cal and UCLA, but when you take cost of living into account, all three schools cost roughly the same.</p>
<p>Do NOT underestimate the California budget crisis. It is a CRISIS. I’m a CA resident, and even I’m hesitant to consider a California college in this economy. I am afraid that the quality of education will go down at UCs because of the financial problems. In fact, I think it’s impossible for the quality of education NOT to go down. I don’t anyone here can tell you whether or not it’s worth it, since that is such a personal decision. However, I think you should NOT make your decision based on perceived prestige of these schools. It’s possible that they will not be able to offer the same education they have in the past.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong. UCs, especially Cal and LA, are great schools. But there are many problems in the system right now. Do some research on the budget issues California is facing, and the possible effects on the schools you are considering.</p>