Last week I committed to Temple after weighing my choices for schools, but as of yesterday I just got off of the waitlist for Berkeley, which in of itself is amazing. But I was offered a place there beginning for the Spring 2018 semester instead of the Fall 2017 semester.
I guess I’d like to weight the pros and cons of my choices and am unsure what to do.
So, for Temple:
I am slated to go in as a neuroscience major in CST. I got into their Honors Program (which gives me guaranteed housing in 1300, and a $5000 scholarship). The Honors Program seems like it’s very solid, and gives students a definite place on a large campus, and the opportunity to thrive. And I like the fact that it is in a major city, Philadelphia.
And for Berkeley:
It was my third choice initially when applying to schools. But the conditions of my being admitted were that I would be able to start in January 2018, and the fall 2017 semester I would not allowed to attend any 4 year institutions. Instead, I should either take courses at a community college, take a semester off, take a job, travel, etc. But I don’t really want to take a semester off at this point. In addition, according to their FAQs, housing is not 100% guaranteed either.
Also keep in mind that I’d like to go to medical school, and taking loans as an undergrad is something that I am trying to avoid. I just honestly don’t know which option is better, any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!