Berkeley or Cornell

College Search & Selection
1

<p>They are the schools that I want to attend the most, and I like them both almost equally.</p>

<p>So basically I'm so unsure about whether to apply for Early Decision for Cornell.</p>

<p>Pros of Berkeley:
Higher chance that I'll get accepted - doesn't consider freshman year
In CA, where I am living right now
Next to a big city, but in a residential area
Has more options for majors that I'm interested in
Does not follow affirmative action policies
Strong in sciences
Have more options overall</p>

<p>Cons of Berkeley:
Student population is huge
I'm really scared of possible earthquakes ._.
Neighborhood not exactly safe
Class sizes are huge and interaction is less personal</p>

<p>Pros of Cornell:
Small student population
Class sizes are small and interactions are more personal
Safer neighborhood
In NY, where I originally came from. I'd love to go back there again
I know people who will be going there, so I won't be lonely
I can visit some old friends
Better education quality overall and my second major is Government, which I assume Cornell has a stronger program in</p>

<p>Cons of Cornell:
An Ivy - it's harder for me to get in, especially that their decision making is more subjective and I have a terrible freshman year and not-impressive ECs, and my overall stats are not awesome either
Almost in the middle of nowhere
Less options for majors
Don't think it's strong in sciences as Berkeley</p>

<p>My chances will be higher if I apply Early Decision to Cornell. But if I [for some miraculous reason] get accepted, I'm not sure if I'll regret not being able to have the opportunity to consider Berkeley [if for some miraculous reason I get accepted there as well. If I don't apply ED, then I risk having a higher chance of not getting accepted to both.</p>

2

<p>If you can get into HYPSM, go to any of those schools. Otherwise, stick with Berkeley.</p>

3

<p>I think if you are choosing between the two solely on academic quality of their government program you may be splitting hairs. Talk to your parents about the money issue and put in the ED app at the school you want most that they say they can afford. App to the other regular decision and go where you want to go as long as money isn’t an issue.</p>

4

<p>Are you in-state for Berkeley?</p>

<p>Keep in mind that Berkeley doesn’t give its aid to non-residents.</p>

5

<p>If you do a search on the other university’s name on each sub-forum you will find roughly 300,000 prior threads addressing this same topic.</p>

6

<p>This is from another thread by the OP:

And he is in-state for CA.</p>

<p>Frankly, both schools are going to be huge reaches.</p>