Berkeley vs Rice vs Emory(w/oxford) vs UVA(w/ echols)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
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I’m currently conflicted between these four colleges. Financially, Rice and Emory offered me the most (three times as much money as Berkeley) and UVA is in the middle. My family is middle-class so the financial factor is pretty important to me; however, it would be possible for us to afford Berkeley if I decided it was the one. I’m planning on majoring in Anthropology, though I also like English–honestly, I’m not completely sure on what I want to major in, but it’s definitely going to be in the humanities/social sciences. There’s a high chance I’ll be shooting for law school after undergrad so I’d also like opinions for which school would be best for that. I’m also very big on art so I’d like a good art scene at the school.

Rice-- I’m currently leaning towards Rice because I love their residential college system and student life in general, but I think their humanities program may the worst of the four :/? Also not a very good art program… Not sure if the school favors STEM majors over humanities people
Berkeley-- Great programs in my areas of interest, but the most expensive option. It’s also a bit big in my opinion. How hard is it to develop close relationships with professors?
Emory-- I have the option to start at their Oxford campus so that might be cool, and also I think it’s pretty solid in the anthro and English departments. Not sure about much else though.
UVA-- I know they’ve got good programs in my prospective majors, but it’s also got the size issue. I was put in the Echols Scholars program, so that is a perk. Unfortunately I don’t know much else about it.

I only have the time and money to visit one of these schools, so I’m hoping people on here can give some advice!!

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Personally, I think the huge expenses you’d have as an OOS student at Berkeley could be better utilized for law school. I’m not trying to knock your major(s), but I can really understand people wanting to shell out the money for Berkeley when they’re getting into an incredibly desirable and well-known major/program (like EECS or CS) where recruiters and employers kind of go crazy for these students and there’s a huge ROI. As I say that, I know it’s not all about ROI and there is a lot to be said about a truly exceptional educational experience, but at what cost? If money really isn’t an issue then I’d be saying “why not?,” but I think most middle class families would have difficult paying $60k per year for undergrad and, again, money like that can go a long way when law school comes around … and those loans (or, at the very least, expenses paid by someone) add up quick after 4 years of undergrad and 3 years of law school.

I don’t know much about any of the schools you’ve listed or their programs, or really what law schools look for aside from great grades and LSAT scores, but I can’t really see Berkeley having that big of an impact over the other schools to justify the cost.

Given that, and since you only have the money to visit one, I’d either knock UCB off the list, or at least visit one of the other three you feel most strongly about.

Regardless, please take my comments with a grain of salt :slight_smile: