Berkeley vs. UChicago

CalX · April 11, 2006, 7:07am

The "cutthroat" mentality doesn't apply as much to pure science depts at Cal, like physics, where a more collegial and academic culture prevails.

I can't imagine a better undergraduate experience than the one I've had at cal, but I do realize that it's a function of taking advantage of the opportunities within and around campus, which not all students do.

Qster00 · April 12, 2006, 11:13pm

I have limited my colleges down to these two as well, though I am still considering UCLA. I, however, am expecting to be an engineering major. I would though like to have a balance of English/writing and film study. As of now, I have a slight lean to Berkeley, just because of its engineering reputation. What do you guys think? Thanks.
-Q

DRab · April 13, 2006, 2:54am

The English is better at Berkeley, but it's very good at UCLA. Film classes are very accessible at Berkeley, but I am not sure about UCLA. The film major is supposed to be better at UCLA, and it focuses more on production than Berkeley's, but only 30 students get in each year, and you have to apply after your second year. As far as creative writing goes, I think both schools have similar set-ups (you apply to the classes in the English department), and I don't know how the quality is supposed to differ there. Keep in mind campus atmosphere, environment, ect., although academics is an important consideration, too.

CalX · April 13, 2006, 3:47am

QsterOO, it sounds like a great combo. do you know what kind of engineering you want to major in? I did Industrial and Operations Research at Cal, and a minor in Econ. EE is pretty cutthroat at Cal, it seems hard to combine with English and Film. Otherwise, it's a great choice. What sets Berkeley apart from nearly every other top school (except maybe Columbia and the Boston schools) is the culturally stimulating nature of its environment. You bathe in it. Great film scene, starting with the Pacific Film Archive and all the rep theaters in Berkeley and SF. Great scene, without the fakeness or celeb focus of LA. You'll get half of your film perspective from there.

DRab · April 13, 2006, 4:15am

Certainly, CalX, majoring in engineering and even minoring in a second thing would probably be tough in four years. Coure availability for non-majors is the issue I was trying to focus on (and supposed quality).

CalX · April 13, 2006, 4:45am

Drab, are an undergrad at Cal now? What major?

DRab · April 13, 2006, 4:47am

Yes, philosophy and rhetoric.

CalX · April 13, 2006, 5:45am

cool.

IEOR and MBA, 1990s.

I've been checking this site out for my nephew who's going to apply next year.

DRab · April 13, 2006, 5:58am

Oh, that's good of you. Are you in the private sector now?

CalX · April 13, 2006, 6:20am

Ex-dotcommer. I have my own real estate business now. I'll probably retire before 50.

DRab · April 14, 2006, 12:36am

Sweet. Did you know a Daniel Coffeen (consultant)? Former professor of mine.

ridethecliche · April 14, 2006, 1:21am

I got waitlisted at UChicago, and i'm not sure if I want to pursue it anymore (I also got deferred EA). I'm pretty set on going to Grad school and I'm not sure how well I'd do at Chicago(as far as GPA goes) even though I'd probably enjoy myself there from an academic and intellectual standpoint. I've heard of a lot of people who LOVE going to chicago but then have to spend a year or two in a state school after graduating so they can boost their GPA, and I don't think that's an option for me.

DRab · April 14, 2006, 1:46am

I don't know how many people go to another school after chicago to boost their gpa. Wouldn't they have to be in some program? Schools don't just allow students to enroll in them no questions asked, besides community colleges.

bayarea88 · April 14, 2006, 2:09am

strictly on surrounding, I like berkeley a lot more. I was in chicago in november and the neighborhood wasn't alltogether nice, actually it's much more on the dangerous/ugly side. and it get SOOO cold there, not kidding. berkeley is jsut a cool college town, something chicago isn't. the weather is pretty consistent in berkeley, usually around the upper 60s to mid 70s (though lately it has been raining all over the bay area) berkeley has a lot of greenery and you can probably find any food you can think of (and cheap! which is great for college students), again something that is lacking in chicago. I think that college is what you make of it. I know people at berkeley who probably feel like a number and then i have a few very close friends who are sophomores at Cal and who are assertive and aren't intimidated by their professors and actually see them during their office hours, and they tell me how satisfied they are (about MOST classes/professors/TAs) As for UChicago, it's definitely not nearly as social, very very academic, whereas at Cal, you can have both. hmm.. i hope that helped

IsleBoy · April 14, 2006, 2:15am

UChicago because it is smaller and a bit more personal.

ihateCA · April 14, 2006, 3:27am

UChicago, in a second, no comparison. Why would you want to be at Berkeley? Asians outnumber caucasians (really competitive), the campus isn't exactly pretty, and there's major grade deflation (via curve). UChicago's grade deflation's because it's hard.

DRab · April 14, 2006, 3:30am

Ouch ouch ouch. Although many disagree with you in your various claims. Sure asians outnumber caucasians, but many caucasians are competitive, and some asians are slackers. Lets not stereotype too much. Many people find the campus beautiful, and much of the grade deflation exists because of difficult material. How can you really gauge the cause of grade deflation at each school? And it's not as if the schools average GPAs are far apart. They're both at about 3.25 nowadays.

<a href="http://gradeinflation.com/chicago.html%5B/url%5D">http://gradeinflation.com/chicago.html</a>
<a href="http://gradeinflation.com/berkeley.html%5B/url%5D">http://gradeinflation.com/berkeley.html</a>

Allorion · April 14, 2006, 3:46am

[quote]
...the campus isn't exactly pretty...

[/quote]

A slightly stereotypical comment about the racial composition (while the statistic is well founded, the reasoning does not constitute significant evidence), however, I expect someone else will address it, but as for this comment, I beg to differ.

I've spent plenty of time around college campuses and Berkeley's is one of the most beautiful, especially the bio buildings, and around the bio buildings. There's a forest and stream in the middle of the campus, which I find somewhat novel. The architecture is tasteful as well, which is far more than I can say for many of the other schools.

Obviously, you'll have your less impressive buildings, but most of these aren't too bad, and you have far fewer less impressive buildings, again, compared to most schools.

U Chicago's is among the better campuses I've seen (quite pretty), but I suppose it depends on taste in liking U Chicago or Berkeley's campus better, however Berkeley is by no means unattractive in campus look.

CalX · April 14, 2006, 5:41am

"the campus isn't exactly pretty"? You'd be hard-pressed to find prettier campuses...

Thread		Replies	Views
Berkeley vs. Chicago College Search & Selection	5	37	April 15, 2021
Berkeley v. UofC University of Chicago ✅	14	38	April 17, 2021
Berkeley V uChicago (among others) College Search & Selection	23	65	April 15, 2021
UChicago vs UC Berkeley Regents University of Chicago ✅	11	179	April 18, 2021
Undergraduate experience at UC Berkeley vs UChicago University of California - Berkeley	2	44	April 18, 2021

Berkeley vs. UChicago

POPULAR STATES

SEARCH SAT SCORES

SEARCH ACT SCORES

SEARCH GPA’S

Berkeley vs. UChicago

Related Topics

POPULAR STATES

SEARCH SAT SCORES

SEARCH ACT SCORES

SEARCH GPA’S

CONNECT WITH US