Berkeley vs. Michigan State Honors

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>With the decision deadline closing in, it seems like I keep getting further and further from a decision. I am torn between Berkeley and MSU. I know Berkeley has the rankings and the prestige and all that mumbo jumbo, but what I am really wondering is how much more impressive does a Berkeley degree look versus an MSU honors degree.</p>

<p>I am a California resident, but I have been lucky enough to receive some merit scholarships from MSU that make the costs about equal, even a little less for State. Distance is not an issue for me, as I have family in East Lansing and Grand Rapids. Bear in mind I do plan on attending some form of graduate school, likely law. Berkeley does appear to have all of the perks of a traditional college experience, but to me I can't help but feel that Michigan State is more of the real deal (social life, sports, etc.). And despite the resources of that the San Francisco area can offer, I am fairly certain that if MSU were as highly regarded as Berkeley, I would elect to become a Spartan.</p>

<p>But I do not want to sell Berkeley short: it is a great place and I have no doubt that I would be happy there too.</p>

<p>Does anyone know how much I should factor prestige into the equation? To me I just feel like an offer from an internationally recognized school like Berkeley might be too good to pass up...</p>

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<p>Personally, with the costs being about the same, I would not pass up the Berkeley offer…</p>

3

<p>I would certainly pick Berkeley, from what you describe, unless you have some strong reason for wanting to be in Michigan. An MSU “honors” degree just isn’t as impressive as a Berkeley degree, if that is your question. It’s not even close.</p>

4

<p>What I’m more curious about is what you define as a “traditional college experience” as opposed to a “real deal.” Is the traditional college experience somehow deficient in social life, sports, and what not?</p>

5

<p>Sorry, I guess that didn’t come out quite right. What I meant by that was that Michigan State, at least at first glance, seems to take the “traditional college experience” to a different degree. Berkeley has an active social life, but MSU has more of one. Berkeley has its sports (and I’m speaking more about IM sports and rec facilities than varsity level), but MSU seems to be better in that respect as well. For example, I know Michigan State has outdoor basketball courts just outside of most dorms, whereas at Berkeley I could only find one less-than-stellar half-court at Bowles.</p>

<p>Obviously Berkeley is better for academics, and that is very important to me. But I would really regret missing out on the other things that I feel college is supposed to be about as well.</p>

<p>But I mean I really don’t know. That is all just based on the brief time I have spent on each campus and what I have read on the internet. If anyone could offer some insight on their personal experiences regarding sports and/or social life at Berkeley, I would really appreciate it.</p>

6

<p>“Obviously Berkeley is better for academics, and that is very important to me. But I would really regret missing out on the other things that I feel college is supposed to be about as well.”</p>

<p>call me a nerd or whatever :p, IMO college is supposed to be about academics, everything else is secondary. but that’s just my opinion. So go to Berkeley! So what if the social aspects that you speak of is just slightly lacking? As long as they are mostly there, you will get your college experience. :)</p>

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<p>Sounds like you want the frat boy experience. Fortunately, there are plenty of frats and frat boys at Berkeley, and you can join in their fun!</p>

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<p>From what I’ve heard, Berkeley is what you make it to be ( although this is true for any institution). But basically, if you want that social life, you can make it happen and the city itself is just teeming with excitment, opportunities and excitement. A Berkeley degree is going to look FAR better than a degree from Michigan State ( even with honors) and do you play sports? As in, recruitment and playing sports for college? Because if you don’t, frankly I don’t see how it would make a difference because Cal games and the level of excitement, parties,etc. would be similar to a game at other colleges. Berkeley has the social life if you want it but I think if you go to Michigan state thinking you will have the perfect college life and graduate with a not nearly as impressive degree, you will regret it.</p>

9

<p>Everyone before me made good points, but here’s my experience.</p>

<p>“Berkeley has an active social life, but MSU has more of one. Berkeley has its sports (and I’m speaking more about IM sports and rec facilities than varsity level), but MSU seems to be better in that respect as well. For example, I know Michigan State has outdoor basketball courts just outside of most dorms, whereas at Berkeley I could only find one less-than-stellar half-court at Bowles.”</p>

<p>Well, let me just put it this way. People in California don’t party the same way people in Michigan do, mainly cause Californian’s aren’t stuck indoors all winter to drink and what not. Berkeley’s social life is pretty active, I can tell you, and it doesn’t just consist of staying indoors to drink and party. If you know people, you can probably party everyday of the week you wanted, and there is always plenty of other social activities going on. I sometimes regret not having enough time to do everything I can and want to do. As for sports facilities, you only mentioned a half court at Bowles, which I’ve never seen before. The sports facilities I’m most familiar with are the RSF, Hearst Gym, Underhill, and areas on Clark Kerr. In general, the RSF is the main sports facility; it’s really amazing. There are many nice indoor basketball courts, racquet ball courts, pool, workout areas, and so on and so forth. Hearst Gym, I’m not familiar with, but there is a least a swimming pool, dance rooms, and a field in front for ultimate, soccer, rugby, etc. Underhill is a huge astroturf field in front of my dorm. And there is a outdoor basketball court in People’s Park that I see Cal students play in up until midnight. Then there’s more sports facilities at the Clark Kerr dorms and outdoor basketball courts, a field, a pool, and some other stuff at Strawberry Creek Recreational Center on the hill. There might even be more facilities, but I’m really not a sports person so I wouldn’t know.</p>

<p>Also, Berkeley weather means you can actually use all those wonderful outdoor facilities whereas Michigan weather essentially render all their outdoor facilities show pieces for a good half of the year. </p>

<p>“Obviously Berkeley is better for academics, and that is very important to me. But I would really regret missing out on the other things that I feel college is supposed to be about as well.”</p>

<p>There’s no rule that says you can’t have both, especially at Berkeley. It’s all about achieving some type of balance. I enjoy college life and academics at the same time myself. I typically go to frat parties, do college things, and study all in one weekend. In fact, it weirds me out sometimes because I currently hang out with a group of extremely academic friends and a group of less academic friends to balance my academics with my college experience. Berkeley is such a big school you can have it all, but you really need to find that balance.</p>

10

<p>There are honors programs at Cal as well (you have to apply for them), and at graduation if you have at least a certain GPA you can graduate with some level of honors. </p>

<p>I don’t think it matters except for grad school apps though. If you’re just chatting with someone about your alma mater, you’re probably not going to say that you graduated from “school X with honors.”</p>