<p>Let me start by saying I've got the chance (or I'll very likely have the chance) to choose between these two schools (let's also add Dartmouth) - not likely Williams or Pomona due to international financial aid policy. Let's suppose I get the Regents scholarship at Cal and the financial aid at Amherst.</p>
<p>But I'm facing a dilemma. At UC Berkeley, the school gives out generous AP credits. By the time of enrolment, I'll probably have 14 AP credits plus some community college courses done. This means that if I do the degree at Berkeley, I graduate two years faster than if I do it at Amherst or Dartmouth. Amherst uses AP for placement only, and Dartmouth will cease offering AP credits this year (according to NPR)</p>
<p>Facing this situation, how should I choose between UCB and Amherst? What if I happen to get into one of the HYPs? Should I still choose UCB because it's faster?</p>
<p>I'm looking to work at a MBB/IB after college if possible because I want to go to b-school.</p>
<p>note: I've got a 2300+ SAT, three SAT IIs on average 770, and 7 APs as of today (but will add 7 more APs as of matriculation)</p>
<p>The main advantage to graduating earlier is to save money. If that is your motivation, calculate the total cost to graduation for each option and use that as a factor in your comparison between schools.</p>
<p>But you really won’t know what the choice is until all decisions, including financial aid and scholarships, are in.</p>
<p>Yes. But comparatively there’s little difference in job prospect between Berkeley and Amherst, am I correct? </p>
<p>If I get in Amherst, I’ll be receiving full aid (as in, $58,xxx per yr). I got in Middlebury and other similar LACs before, receiving full aid, but did not attend. The Berkeley regents aid is uncertain. </p>
<p>My struggle now is deciding what to do if both options are full ride but one is 2 year one is 4 year. I’m having this struggle now is because I need to decide if I should actually go to community college this fall or doing something else. I am unsure if community college credits will be transferable to Amherst. </p>
<p>Another thing is, I’m afraid I’ll be too old to apply to b-school if I stay in college for the extra 2 years because at college matriculation I’ll be close to 25.</p>
<p>As you already know, I’m thinking of going for community college for the coming year and apply to those two schools in the fall.</p>