<p>What do you guys think? I have no idea. </p>
<p>These aren't my top choices but they're my middle schools and none of my top schools have replied yet. So, I am just trying to figure some stuff out and I need advice. I have only visited UMichigan out of all of these. Im from Arizona. And I want to major in public policy or political science.</p>
<p>Berkeley > UVA >> Mich = Chapel Hill IMO</p>
<p>berkeley is mostly better because of location. But paying in state UVA vs out of state berkeley isnt even a contest</p>
<p>idk much about west coast schools but</p>
<p>UVA > Michigan >Chapel Hill</p>
<p>Berkeley is amazing, but not worth out-of-state tuition.</p>
<p>Michigan is also great, but they aren’t too nice when it comes to financial aid and out-of-state students. Their political science department is one of the best in the nation though.</p>
<p>IMO, the only public universities worth out-of-state tuition are UNC and UVA. Those are both great schools and you will do fine at either one.</p>
<p>UCB > UVA = UNC = UMich</p>
<p>They’re all amazing schools though.</p>
<p>"idk much about west coast schools but</p>
<p>UVA > Michigan >Chapel Hill"</p>
<p>You don’t know much about the midwest either. LOL.</p>
<p>I’d say for Poli-Sci and Public Policy:</p>
<p>Berkeley=Michigan>UVA=UNC</p>
<p>“berkeley is mostly better because of location. But paying in state UVA vs out of state berkeley isnt even a contest”</p>
<p>The OP is OOS to all four schools…</p>
<p>LOL, of course the biggest Michigan ■■■■■ comes to post. Funny business is funny.</p>
<p>UNC and UVA are affordable out-of-state. If you can get in, those schools will make sure you are able to attend. There is no debating that.</p>
<p>Michigan and Berkeley are amazing schools, but they aren’t the smartest choices for an out-of-state student.</p>
<p>UVA is also two hours away from DC, and the respect for the school is great. I am sure there are plenty of opportunities for the serious UVA student.</p>
<p>thanks to a huge gift, UVa founded the Batten School of Public Policy. They were able to hire many great profs (when no one else was hiring). Right now they offer masters and combined bachelors/masters. Within the next couple years, they expect to offer a straight bachelors degree.</p>
<p>The new home for the Batten School is almost done with a complete reconstruction. It is Garrett Hall, which is a historic building right off the Lawn.</p>
<p>Research the budget cuts of each school. UVa and U. Michigan have mostly weaned themselves away from state money and have the endowment and alumni donations to make it work. UNC receives huge funds per student from the state. I just read today that another big budget cut was announced for California public universities.</p>
<p>@rjkofnovi</p>
<p>Well I guess both U.S News and World Report and I both "don’t know much about the midwest either. " because they ranked the schools the same as I did.</p>
<p>I’m with charlieschm on this one…Berkeley is hemorrhaging right now as are all the CA state schools. Most students in CA will require 5 years to graduate due to the inavailability of required courses. For an OOS student, that’s a lot of $. Heck, it’s a waste for the IS student as well. Also, even though Cal is quite large, I feel it’s definitely the least diverse of those schools mentioned when it comes to its political climate. To some, this might make a difference.</p>
<p>As for UVa’s poli sci dept…I’m not really abreast on the who’s who for this area of study, but doesn’t UVa have Larry Sabato as one of its professors?</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice. really. it helps so much to hear what other people think. my mom went to unc so of course she is biased and my dad went to haverford so he thinks state schools are the devil. </p>
<p>i don’t qualify for any need based financial aid and i really doubt i will get much merit based at these types of schools. (i wasn’t offered any or anything)</p>
<p>i’ve already been accepted to all but UVa but i received a likely letter from them so i am keeping my fingers crossed. </p>
<p>if i get accepted i think i am definitely leaning towards UVa. I want to get away from the west. and when i visited michigan the size was overwhelming. but i still don’t know! these are very hard choices to make! </p>
<p>@charlieschm - thanks for all that great information! i really didn’t know much about their public policy school. i will have to check it out on their website. </p>
<p>again guys, thank you so much.</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but I don’t believe UVA gives out merit based aid. They do meet 100% of demonstrated need for all of its students though. UNC does as well.</p>
<p>If you are good enough to get in, the school will make sure you can attend.</p>
<p>Yes, UVa’s merit aid is mainly tied to the Jefferson Scholarships, which are privately funded. However, UVa really does meet 100% of need. They even stress that the admissions office has no way of knowing who is a big donor. I know a big donor whose son was rejected. </p>
<p>Yes, Larry Sabato (who is often quoted in national media) is a full prof in UVa’s Politics department. It used to be named “Government and Foreign Affairs”, which I liked much better. The department has a very large number of profs, and always had a great reputation within the University.</p>