I’ve gotten an offer in chemical engineering from both schools and I’m not sure where to go. I’m on a full ride scholarship so money is not a problem.
You’ll get a lot more flexibility to take classes in other stuff at Cal.
Also, not sure how much this matters to you, but Cal is seen as one of the top research universities while UCL is virtually unknown (outside of maybe academia) in the US.
Actually, not a lot more flexibility at UCB:
Y1 @ UCB
Term 1 Term 2
Math Calculus
Chemistry General/Quantitative Analysis
Chem Eng Intro to Chemical Engineering Design
Physics Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Reading and Composition Engineering
Intro to Computer Programming
Breadth Elective
Y1 @ UCL
Integrated Engineering
Design & Professional Skills I
Mathematical Modelling & Analysis I
Introduction to Chemical Engineering
Transport Phenomena
Thermodynamics
Physical Chemistry
Computational Modelling & Analysis
It’s really just the 1 breadth elective (3 over the 4 years).
UCB is ranked #2 in the world for Chemical Engineering on several ranking lists. UCL in the top-20.
Look at the other variables for what is more important to you: where you want to live for the next 4 years- LA or London? what drew you to each place when you were applying?
I think collegemom3717 means “where you want to live for the next 4 years- Berkeley or London?” – Obviously Cal is in the SF Bay Area.
Or, in other words, do you want Bay Area fog or London fog, lol?
@collegemom3717, uh, Cal is in the Bay Area.
In any case, true, engineering majors are more constrained. Still, 3 breadth electives and 4 engineering/science electives.
Also a few required communications/writing classes.
The big thing is that if you decide that ChemE is not for you, there’s a possibility of switching to another major without starting over (granted, at a big state school like Cal, the most popular majors may be difficult to get in to, but most majors would be easy to switch in to).
I wouldn’t say UCL is ‘virtually unknown’ in the U.S. outside of academia. It’s one of the top universities in the UK, and the people who matter (i.e. who hire, particularly internationally) know what it is.
That said, the tertiary education system in the UK is quite different from the U.S.
oh crums…that is what happens when I post after my bedtime! Brain said Berkeley, fingers typed LA. sorry 'bout that…
Lol, I’m Malaysian and I’ve never been to America before, what’s the Bay Area like? For me, personally I’m a little worried about the course load in Berkeley. I’ve been told that the environment is quiet cut- throat, is it true?
It is but I’ve heard the same about UCL haha. Just research both schools more. Watch videos on them. Decide where you see yourself