<p>I'm from MN, and very interested in music and either pre-law/pre-med. I like both schools a lot, though the housing situation at Berkeley doesn't thrill me. I'm afraid that Wesleyan may be too laid back or may be a school too full of drugs. I'm REALLY not into that, and would hope to avoid it... Is it any better at Berkeley? Are the academics any better (profs)? Is the lack of attention made up for by the range of classes offered? Are the students of similar intelligence? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Bump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Is it any better at Berkeley? </p>
<p>Probably about the same.</p>
<p>Are the academics any better (profs)?</p>
<p>Probably about the same.</p>
<p>Range of classes?</p>
<p>Better at Berkeley.</p>
<p>Similar intelligence?</p>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>I actually just decided between the same schools. I chose Wesleyan. </p>
<p>As far as I can tell, the professors at Wesleyan are a lot more tuned in to your needs, whereas at Berkeley they are mostly just concerned with their grad students, or, a lot of the time, you will just have a grad TA teaching, not a real professor. </p>
<p>After talking to people, it seems like the drug situation is not that big of a deal. I'm of the same opinion as you, and, from what I've been told, there is NO pressure at all to do drugs if you're uncomfortable, and PLENTY of people you don't do drugs at all. </p>
<p>The students are of the same intelligence levels, but at Wesleyan you are free to learn for yourself, yes, more relaxed. At Berkeley the competition is too cutthroat and grade curvature is a serious problem. At Wes you're learning for the sake of learning. </p>
<p>Obviously a biased opinion here, but an opinion none the less, and hopefully relatively accurate.</p>
<p>Unfortunately (and fortunately as well), I am interested in composition, and Wesleyan offers four courses in tune with that course of study. As a result, Berkeley seems more like the place to be given its large course offerings. I'm afraid I will find few, if any composers at Wesleyan, which really sucks.</p>
<p>Well, I've never been to Berkeley, but I would think the near-San Fran location is better than Middletown, CT. I personally also did not like Wesleyan's campus (or pretty much anything else about it, for that matter, so I'm definitely biased). I think that if you are seriously interested in composition, Weselyan's lack of course offerings in that area are a serious matter to contend with. But will you feel lost in the larger Berkeley enviornment, or will you be okay with that and what I would think would be a more intense experience overall? Things to consider.</p>
<p>berkely - wesleyan is gay and hippie</p>
<p>footballyus - if Amherst didn't have gay people, I doubt they would even have a music dept.</p>
<p>To the OP - I wouldn't necessarily view the presence of only four courses in a particular sub-field as indicative of the possibilities at Wesleyan (or, any other LAC, for that matter.) I could be wrong, but by the time you finish fulfilling your distribution requirements, prereqs within the major, and complete all four courses in composition, you should be working on independent study projects which hopefully will entail composing your own original work, culminating with a senior project. A full-time faculty member would be available to work closely with you. I wouldn't let the course catalogue deter you from going to a small college, especially in a creative art field.</p>
<p>Also, I'd be concerned that with your strong interest in things outside the music field (law and medicine) that you wouldn't get the kind of cross-pollination at Berkeley that you would at Wesleyan. Combining different kinds of interests is a Wesleyan specialty.</p>
<p>I don't know anything about Berkeley, but my son has just decided to go to Wesleyan, where he might very well major in music (classical piano). This was not an easy decision, as the department is small and recognized much more for its ethnomusicology/world music than classical. However, after talking to a number of music faculty, we are confident that he will get a terrific education there and have many exciting opportunities in music. The faculty is first-rate and very caring. There is great sense of community and pride among music students and faculty. Read their concert calendar and you will get an idea of the variety of interesting things going on. Figure out who's teaching composition and give them a call. Let them tell you why they think you should come to Wesleyan. There's nothing quite like the attention you get from professors at a small school. </p>
<p>From your other posts, it seems as if you have lots of good options, all very different kinds of programs/locations/vibes. It is a tough decision! Good luck.</p>