Berkeley vs. Georgetown?

College Search & Selection
1

I committed to Georgetown initially, and I planned to study either science, technology, and international affairs in the SFS or healthcare management. However, I was taken off the wait list at Berkeley and now I have to decide whether to accept. I’m only allowed to enroll in the spring, which is definitely a downside but doesn’t really matter in the long run.

Berkeley is slightly cheaper (only slightly as I am out of state) but with the hikes in tuition I feel like that difference probably will end up negligible. Does anyone at Berkeley or is going there/has gone there have any thoughts to offer? Are the budget cuts affecting you significantly or visibly?

I don’t know what I would plan to study at Berkeley, but I am currently enrolled in statistics. How easy is it to change majors/add on majors? Since I am undecided on what to do, my parents like Berkeley because they think it’ll have more options. As a matter of fact, they are very pro-Berkeley (but I think they have inherent bias because they are both in STEM and Berkeley’s STEM reputation is amazing).

Which one would be more competitive, Berkeley or Georgetown? Berkeley seems to have this reputation of being cutthroat especially since it is so huge, but this seems to contradict its “west coast vibe”. So what is it really like? Georgetown and its students are competitive as well, and a lot more preppy which is kind of a con for me. I think there is a lot to be said for the attention I’d get at a much smaller school with much smaller class sizes, but my parents seem to think that Berkeley’s academics and opportunities are worth that trade-off. In their opinion, majoring in a hard STEM field and going to grad school for intnl affairs/business if I want to go that route is a much better educational foundation. Can anyone give me their thoughts? Sorry for the rambling, and thanks!

2

Statistics at Berkeley v. SFS at Georgetown? Those are two very different options.
If the costs are similar, this choice comes down to personal fit. What do you like to do and who do you want to be? Have you visited both schools? Have you investigated recent post-graduate outcomes of students in your intended majors at both schools?

3

Keep in mind the possibility of changes at Berkeley due to funding cuts. It does sound like you have a lot of ideas (business, int’l affairs, hard STEM) and you might think about the combination you want to pursue and the place which would best allow you to do that. Best of luck and please come back to let us know your final decision.

4

They are pretty different places. As you consider cost, I would check out how difficult it is to get the classes you want at Berkeley. I’ve heard stories about kids who couldn’t graduate on time because the couldn’t enroll in classes they needed to fulfill requirements in their majors. As with all anecdotes, there could be back stories involved, but I point this out as something to consider when comparing the cost of both.

5

I think G’town SFS is by far the better choice for your situation and interests. Crazy to pay OOS rates for UCB when G’town is about the same price.

It’s a big downer to start in the spring. In the fall, schools typically have lots of welcoming activities, ice-breakers to make new friends, etc. Coming in the spring means you’d miss all that and you’d feel like you came to the party very late and missed all the fun.

6

I’d recommend Georgetown for sure. Much better school for undergrads.

7

SFS is a golden ticket. Minor in stat or double major. Everyone minors and many have double majors at Georgetown.