Hi guys, I’m an international student and I’ve been quite confused between these 3 universities. I got into Berkeley’s College of Letters and Science, NYU Stern and Boston College’s College of Arts and Science. Which school do you think is best in terms of merit and happiness (subjective, I know)? I have been leaning towards Stern, as I have heard that Berkeley is very academically competitive, something that might not translate to happiness for me. However, I am a bit wary about NYU not having a proper campus. Please share your thoughts to this baffled unicorn!
P.s. In terms of tuition, all these schools will cost $60k because of my international status so… Cheaper tuition will not be a factor in my decision (Unfortunately)
They’re all excellent schools, so congratulations on your acceptances!
Berkeley is typically regarded as one of the top universities in the world, so you’ll most definitely receive a world class education there. NYU and BC both have strong reputations as well (though I believe NYU might be better regarded in terms of certain disciplines like the arts and finance) so you’d be getting an excellent education there, too. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them, but in terms of academic strength, I’d lean towards Cal.
Have you considered weather? Do you mind the cold? Do you prefer sunshine? SoCal is much warmer (and much sunnier) year round than Boston or NYC; if you don’t mind bitter northeast winters (and man, can they be brutal) then this isn’t a problem, but if you like… being warm, Berkeley’s probably best.
@preamble1776 Thank you very much! Yes, that’s primarily the reason why I am kind of reluctant to choose NYC. I just think it’s such a pity to give up Berkeley. However I also heard that they have been running into budgets problems which resulted in less classes? That’s a bit of deterrent especially considering that I have to pay around 60k. I have also heard that Berkeley itself is not a very nice area…
I would actually love to experience winter, but I feel I can adapt either way.
Berkeley is not located in Southern Cal and the weather is very different. It is much colder and not very sunny when it is compared to Southern California. There is no snow and it does not get anywhere near as cold as Boston or NYU. I would still select Cal over the other two.
Oh, whoops. @Yenmor - All I knew was that Cal is near San Francisco and I just group all the major metro California areas together (snobbish Northeast mentality?) Either way, Berkeley is still much sunnier and warmer than NYC and Boston.
I’m planning on attending Berkeley next year and I also heard it’s not in a great area, but I love the campus and think it’s gorgeous. The city of Berkeley does have some crime and bad neighborhoods from what I’ve heard, but I don’t think it’s bad enough that it will bother me. Everyone says the competitive atmosphere is what you make it, and many people arnt like that, so you just have to surround yourself with the right people and not let it affect you and it won’t be an issue. It also dpends on your major.
Yes, that’s primarily the reason why I am kind of reluctant to choose NYC. I just think it’s such a pity to give up Berkeley. However I also heard that they have been running into budgets problems which resulted in less classes? That’s a bit of deterrent especially considering that I have to pay around 60k. I have also heard that Berkeley itself is not a very nice area…