<p>i know Berkeley's science departments are phenomenal at graduate level, but i just wanted to know the strength of its undergraduate programs. i'm considering berkeley and upenn for undergrad.</p>
<p>also, how's econ program at berkeley?</p>
<p>I picked Berkeley over UPenn, mostly for location and also for the research opportunities, which are what really matter in a grad school app.</p>
<p>location matters for grad school app?</p>
<p>does berkeley really have better research opportunities?</p>
<p>Compared to Penn?</p>
<p>Yes. Penn has many strengths, but it is not nearly as focused on research as Berkeley is. If you heard about the possible new low-cost drug for malaria that was created at Berkeley that some experts say could potentially wipe out the disease, recently, it's that sort of thing.</p>
<p>A great deal of research is going on, and a great deal of important research in that group. Naturally, there would be more opportunities with a greater volume of research.</p>
<p>Economics at Berkeley is top 10. I believe it goes about Harvard, MIT, U Chicago, Columbia, Berkeley, other school, Penn (economics program isn't as strong as Wharton, but still pretty strong)... Stronger than Penn, but not so much stronger that it would be a huge consideration.</p>
<p>Undergraduate experience, of course, is a different consideration as well that can be argued that Penn has over Berkeley. However, the criteria of research and strength of the economics program favors Berkeley.</p>
<p>how easy is it for an undergrad student to get involved in researches? is there like UROP kinda program there to make it easy?</p>
<p>No, it isn't, you have to be aggressive and is easier if you've taken a prof's class and gotten an A.</p>