Berkeley v. Cornell v. CMU

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>Okay so now that i'm done waiting for decisions, I now have to choose between Berkeley, Cornell, and CMU, I got into engineering at all of them. I’m having a really hard time deciding for many reasons, firstly I feel uninformed about ALL of them. I visited Berkeley over the summer and liked it but I haven’t visited the other two, but I mostly feel like I don’t know anything about their programs. Here are my views so far…</p>

<p>Berkeley: Pros: Its in California, need I say more? It has prestige that is very unique to a public U. I have family who go to Berkeley and in the area. Cons: Huge class sizes. Huge student body. TA’s teaching classes. Out of state tuition is pretty steep for a public school</p>

<p>Cornell: Pros: I’ve heard its gorgeous. Prestigious, and its an Ivy. The food is supposed to be really good. Cons: not only is Ithaca really hard to get to, its in hickville. Tuition, I get $0 aid. </p>

<p>CMU: Pros: Pittsburg… Cons: less well known as the others, I’ve heard its techy, and geeky</p>

<p>If you didn’t notice, I’m completely uninformed about CMU, I applied on a whim. I want to go to Med school, but want to get a degree in engineering because I think that will be an asset in med school and if I decide not to go to med school I have another feasible option. </p>

<p>I’m worried about two things mainly, for one Cornell is in Ithaca. I’m trying to plan my visit there-its so far from anything a mall, a decent size city. And I’m wondering if it makes sense to go to Berkeley pay out-of-state and sit in a classroom with 350 kids. </p>

<p>If I don’t go to one of these two, I will go to the U of Minnesota’s IT honors program. It’s a really well ranked school, and they are making their honor’s program into a very intense program that can rival any other school’s. </p>

<p>Now that’s all I know, I’m aware that its not much at all which is why I’m looking for all my brilliant cc-er’s opinions on this. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance</p>

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<p>I don't know much about CMU so I won't comment on it other than it's probably not better than Cornell.</p>

<p>As for Berkeley, when I visited, I absolutely hated it. The average GPA in Berkeley engineering is in the 2.5-2.6 range-not good for med school. Berkeley's acceptance rate to med school is only in the 55-60% range (a couple of years ago they were actually below the national average). Cornell's acceptance rate has been relatively steady in the high 70% - low 80% range.</p>

<p>I gave up in-state tuition at Berkeley to come to Cornell. Surely, you can omitt their outrageous out of state tuition.</p>

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<p>But surely u cannot possibly compare a 2.5-2.6 gpa range at UC Berkeley to a 2.5-2.6 gpa at UCR when applying for med school.</p>

<p>Overall, UC Berkeley would win anyday</p>

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<p>what's UCR?</p>

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<p>Oh sorry, I thought this thread was looking for a comparison between Cornell, Berkeley, and CMU, not UCB vs. UCR.</p>

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<p>do you mean you thought this thread was looking for a comparison between UCB vs. UCR. not Cornell, Berkeley, and CMU. If so gotcha, if not i'm more confused</p>

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<p>Sorry, that was sarcasm by me. </p>

<p>Damn u UClover! Why must you bring UCR into the fold? Now you're just confusing everyone.</p>

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<p>Cornell and UCB are both huge schools, but isn't Cornell more personal as it is divided into little sub-colleges?</p>

<p>So you'd be paying similar tuition, since you're out-of-state, then why go to a public school?</p>

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<p>Don't worry about Ithaca being Hicksville. It was named by Utne reader as the most enlightened town in the U.S. With two universities it is a vibrant and diverse town with amazing choices in food, entertainment, social causes, bars and culture. It is also safe, inexpensive compared to the bay area and a haven for natural beauty. It's usual drawback of cold weather won't bother you compared to minn. </p>

<p>Something else to keep in mind is program and financial stability. Because of the State of Californias budget crisis it is invevitable that all the Public Universities will undergo financial shakeups in the years to come.</p>

<p>Go Big Red</p>

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<p>I can't say much, but if I am to choose, it would be between Berkeley and Cornell just because those are two of the more well-rounded schools. Unless you are absolutely determined to do computer science related majors, think twice before you set your mind on CMU as it isn't very strong in areas other than comp sci.</p>