Berkeley vs chicago.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
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<p>I got into cal berkeley heaven knows how...rejected everywhere else at harvard,brown etc. people from my country have yet to receive any decision from uchicago. so still waiting. my major is econs.</p>

<p>i have to answer my scholarship body because they want to know my preference in a couple of hours. will have to type a letter. so, i'm wondering, if im lucky enough to get uchi and have to make a decision, what is better? i know uchi econs is topnotch. however, uchi seems freaky, scary, nerdy and full of stress. berkeley seems laidback, well at least a bit more, however, it's huge, housing seems to be a big problem.</p>

<p>how abt the towns..berkeley vs hydepark..which is pleasanter? cooler? cheaper? social life? academics? berkeley seems to have more diversity in academics which is a good thing, but uchi is NOTABLY better at econs.</p>

<p>help! granted this is only IF i get into uchicago which riight now is looking pretty slim..i'm just looking to cover all bases .. haha :P</p>

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<p>If your econ then definately Chicago, if you get in. Berkeley sucks. generally. because of all the hippies. And Chicago has an amazing econ. department also.</p>

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<p>what abt beyond the academics? would uchia nd berkeley be equal or would uchi lose out there? im genuinely asking..not mocking. the only way i know american unis is thru their websites. LOL. i'm int'l living abroad.</p>

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<p>UChicago isn't that much better than Berkeley in Econ...Berkeley is definitely in the top 5; they just haven't been around long enough. Also, they have a great undergrad B-School (Haas) if you'd rather do that.</p>

<p>Chicago is definitely the more intellectual atmosphere, but like you said, that sort of turns you off. However, it's a much smaller community than Berkeley, and you'll definitely get to know your fellow students and teachers.</p>

<p>As for the towns, I've never been to Berkeley, but it depends what you're looking for. I think Berkeley may be more of a "college" town, while Hyde Park is like a hip little area of a city. But UCB does have San Fran about an hour away (I believe), and Chicago has, well, Chicago only 15 minutes away. The latter is definitely more uptight and New Yorkish in look, while San Fran is anything goes. Both are beautiful cities--I've visited both and fell in love with both.</p>

<p>As for other aspects, if you're a sports fan and that might tip your decision, Berkeley is home to the Cal team, which is pretty good at football most years (again, not the most important factor, but a factor nonetheless). Chicago, on the other hand, has no D1 sports, but a large portion of the student body participates in either intramural or intermural (I forget which one exactly...now that I think about it, it's prolly intramural) sports.</p>

<p>Housing is definitely good at Chicago...dunno about Berkeley, but it may be easier to find a cheaper apartment there; I'm not sure.</p>

<p>Anyways, you really can't go wrong with either. Personally, I'd choose Berkeley, but it's up to you.</p>

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<p>Berkeley is more bureaucratic than Chicago. It is difficult to change majors. So, be prepared to know exactly what you want, meet deadlines, etc.--be prepared to not be able to get through in four years if you are in an impacted major (may not be able to get into all the courses you need in a timely fashion). Berkeley is not as "intense" as Chicago though I'm sure you'll be challenged academically. Berkeley has great weather. Easy access to San Francisco. Close to the ocean. Very diverse. Very friendly. Very tolerant place. Housing is a problem if you are looking for anything close to campus, but public transportation (BART) is good. Housing is VERY expensive in Bay Area, everywhere in the Bay Area. Where are you from?</p>

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<p>Hmm, guess I was wrong about cheap apartments...</p>

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<p>I'm malaysian. That's why i'm so terribly unfamilar with everything. Especially berkeley since malaysians don't seem to get in, or don't apply to berkeley. I do however know some malaysians in UChicago.</p>

<p>Thanks for the feed back thus far. I'll mull it over, while i write that letter. Thanks a lot! :)</p>

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<p>lefay8--are you from California? If so, then cost could help make the choice, as Berkeley is quite an excellent school, and if you're from CA then you save A LOT of money, which you could use at UChicago business school : )</p>