<p>I am an international student from Hong Kong and likewise to the OP in the thread "Duke v Berkeley" I have to choose between two top notch universities, in the form of UCBerkeley and UChicago. I applied to the liberal-arts college for both universities, so I suppose it is similar in this respect.</p>
<p>I understand that there are pros and cons in going to either university and hence the need to make the right choice. As of now, I am have a slight predisposition towards UChicago due to its famous economics department and its more personal atmosphere. But I also know that going to a public school in Berkeley is not as financially damaging and that Berkeley in itself excels in many areas.</p>
<p>If I had a choice, I would choose University of Chicago hands down. Although the fact that I'm a CA resident makes Berkeley slightly less valuable to me, both are top-notch universities--the only reason I'd go with U Chicago is because the personality suits me so much better. Academically, you can't go wrong with either, so my advice for you is to just get a feel for each school, and don't let financial situations deter you too much from choosing the one that truly matches you.</p>
<p>Nope, I did not apply to financial aid because my family is well to do.. but there are nevertheless financial concerns because my family has to support 2 other siblings.</p>
<p>Well, as an international student, the cost advantages of going to Berkeley aren't going to be that great. Of course you have to run the numbers to see how things work out.</p>
<p>I don't have first-hand experience with U of Chicago, but from what I understand, it is a more intellectual campus. Though of course there are pockets of intellectuals at Cal, a lot of students aren't that way. </p>
<p>I think that Berkeley/the San Francisco Bay Area is a much nicer location than Chicago, certainly in terms of weather and culture as well, in my view. But opinions differ. ;-)</p>
<p>I would definitely go to UChicago. I think many will agree it has an edge over Berkeley in terms of its prestige in Econ/Business field. And jobs in Hong Kong are all about business/finance, so yeah.</p>
<p>and let me guess, do you attend one of those elite privies in Hong Kong? If that's the case, I would agree with kenf in that you'll probably find an intellectually more stimulating environment in UChicago. Though a lot of people here hate to admit, the Average Joes sitting in the 400-students class in Berkeley are, really, very average.</p>
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But I mean, how average could students from Berkeley get?
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<p>Let's say you major in economics. Is the average student in your upper division economics class going to be very bright? Yes. Is the student in your Econ 1 introductory class going to be very bright? Much less so. If you live in a dorm, will your floor be filled with people eager to discuss philosophy and politics and literature? No.</p>
<p>Oh alright, I see what you mean now. I don't necessarily have to look for universities filled with those geeky types eager to discuss politics and stuff like that, but brightness of an average student in Berkeley should really be enough to give an indication of Berkeley's standing in terms of the other universities. In fact, students' from Berkeley will probably suit me more than students who are always looking for intellectual discussions.</p>
<p>Also, is 400 students really the usual class size of say an Economics or Mathematics course? And also what are the requirements of taking on a double major?</p>
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Also, is 400 students really the usual class size of say an Economics or Mathematics course? And also what are the requirements of taking on a double major?
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<p>For intro classes, yes. The classes break down into sections which are taught by grad students. But many universities are like that for intro classes. I don't know how University of Chicago handles it.</p>
<p>Note though, there are freshman seminars at Berkeley. There are all kinds of options to have that smaller class experience. And once you get into upper division classes that is more common. If you advance quickly you can also take grad classes if you meet the prereqs. There are no limits at Berkeley.</p>
<p>You can go to schedule.berkeley.edu and check it out in detail class sizes. You can go to webcast.berkeley.edu and you can watch economics 100 courses online too.</p>
<p>As far as double majoring goes, it's very easy to do, especially if you've taken AP classes to cover some of the General Ed requirements.</p>
<p>I had this same dilemma last year. I ended up choosing UC Berkeley because of the cost. You realize sooner or later that no matter where you go, if you do well you will still get into a great grad school. And the large classes really don't matter in the end since the discussion sections are small and more personal.</p>
<p>A lot of people in Berkeley really aren't that bright but because it is so much bigger than Chicago, you'll find enough bright people as well. You should go to Cal because Berkeley has much more prestige in Asia than UofC and is cheaper. And really, Chicago doesn't compare to the Bay at all.</p>
<p>What can we tell you. Berkeley and Chicago are both tops in mathematics and economics. You have to decide what kind of enivronment you want to be in and WHERE you want to go to school. Chicago the city is quite a bit different from Berkeley, weatherwise, culturally, etc.</p>
<p>If you know you are math / econ, or some type of quant subject at the least, I would choose Berkeley hands down. The academics will be a wash save for class size (which does not matter anyways, since at both schools in these subjects it is a professor and a chalk board, not seminars), you will save something financially over four years to pass along to your siblings, the quality of life in the Bay Area is hard to beat, and Berkeley has a cache in Asia that Chicago cannot touch. That is not to say people in finance do not know of Chicago, it is just that the sheer numbers of Berkeley graduates that filter back to China and rise to positions of significant prominence in nearly every field are many times more.</p>
<p>Uchicagoalum,
I also was thinking that Berkeley probably has cachet in Asia that Chicago doesn't. I say this as a parent whose mathy S loves Chicago, got in EA and did not apply to Berkeley for UG. If OP intends to return to Hong Kong after graduation, perhaps he should try to touch base with the firms he's interested in working for to see where they recruit.</p>
<p>Chicago=expensive, Berkeley=cheaper
Both have top programs in every field offered pretty much
Both are 2 of the most well known Unis in the world.
Chicago has more nobel prize winners (81) Berkeley(61)
Chicago has more famous econ. However, both school's econ programs are considered to be some of the best (if not the best for chicago)</p>
<p>Chicago wants to help you and hold your hand. Berkeley doesnt.</p>
<p>Chicago is more intellectual when it comes to the overall student body.</p>
<p>Berkeley is better at sports. Berkeley is perhaps more social, too.</p>
<p>Both offer highest respects in regards to grad school placement.</p>
<p>Both are incredible. </p>
<p>Ide say chicago is better for Undergrad overall simply because it is much more personal, and the immenseness of the core curriculum will carve your brain out of diamond. </p>
<p>But really, it all comes down to preference. Visit both and choose one. The are both 2 of the greatest schools in the world.</p>