<p>two important factors are involved here: money and major. </p>
<p>if you’re from california, going to school in Michigan maybe fun. but that is, if you can afford it. </p>
<p>If you like engineering or computer science, stick with Cal.</p>
<p>i’m lloking at more arts and literature type stuff maybe rhetoric or film but i also might want to apply to haas if I go…for my interests I doubt michigan could be as fun as the berkeley area, plus if i was going to pay that much and be in the midwest i think id rather be near chitown at NU…Michigan’s a gret college town and all but something about it just doesnt seem right for me anymore</p>
<p>So what did you choose in the end?</p>
<p>I’m a Mich grad and was accepted to Berkeley twice. Some thoughts:
Michigan is larger by about 10,000 students and the campus is much larger.
Michigan has a medical school and a first rate medical campus and hospital system.
Berkeley has no medical school.
Mich is in much better financial shape, having effectively privatized last decade.
Ann Arbor is a quieter gentler town than Berkeley, which is run down in many areas. But Berkeley is an energetic and interesting town.
Berkeley has a gorgeous view of the bay and a park like campus on the edge of a mountain.
Ann Arbor is more of your old time traditional campus with many grand old buildings.
Berkeley has more of a Mediterranean architecture look. Both are lovely campuses.
Both are nationally renown, particularly as research institutions. Berkeley is better known around the world.
Berkeley has a slightly more elite reputation amongst academics. However, many regular folk associate it with 60s protests more than its academic reputation.
Sports, particularly football and hockey are a bigger deal at Mich. That can be good or bad depending on your tastes.
Mich probably does more for its undergraduates, more programs designed to make a big school small.
The region around Berkeley is very congested. Around Ann Arbor it’s fairly rural.
Berkeley is very close to San Francisco which is a 1st class city.
Ann Arbor is around 40 minutes from Detroit which is not a 1st class city.
Berkeley has wonderful weather. Not LA sunny, but year round pleasant.
Ann Arbor has lovely summers, autumns, and springs. Winter is long and cold. It’s not Alaska, but it’s a winter for sure. The town does look pretty in snow.
Michigan has an incredible arts scene. They put on more plays, musicals, concerts, etc than you will ever have time to attend.
Berkeley doesn’t have the Ann Arbor arts scene. San Francisco probably drains much of that away.
Berkeley is less expensive, particularly for in-state residents.
Berkeley is 90 percent or so Californians. Michigan has many more people from out of state and out of country.</p>
Thanks this is a great list