<p>"Socially it is exactly the same thing. People here are in general just as immature as they were in high school."</p>
<p>I would have to agree to that to some extent. A lot of people here are pretty cliquish, just like at my high school. However, because the campus is so big, finding your place is definitely more possible than in high school.</p>
<p>I'm not on 24/7. I'm on a bit while I do work. I am a graduating senior after all, nothing much left to do.</p>
<p>Hey, I'm having the EXACT situation as you, COrnell v Berkeley, except that I KNOW for SURE that CORNELL has the best program in the NATION for the major I'm going to which is architecture. But then, I'm also instate, so I'm leaning towards berkeley because of that. IT's sad how reality strikes you at such an early stage of our lives. </p>
<p>I've asked about Berkeley and Cornell from various people and here's an unbiased summary:</p>
<p>Cornell is great in that it is an Ivy LEague and that it is beautiful. It is not SMALL. Campus wise, it's huge. And I had hard time finding advicers too. The weather is unforgiving and everything is rather $$. BUt I loved it when I spent a summer there, the Architecture program is very different from any course you will take in high school or college, it's their THING. Again, since it is private, you will receive more attention and smaller group of community. Also, since it is in the middle of nowhere (trust me, I like city life, and it does get realllllly dull up there), you are more attracted to your near social life and focuses more on studies.
For both school, you'll receive the best education in the nation, the same top notch people and faculty. When it comes to attention and advices, both school will provide enough advices, the power lies in you. If you think that you have been admitted to the best schools in the country, you are not the greatest slacker and that you are someone who cares about grades and future, so you'll be fine in searching for the advices because you probably won't leave until you get them :P
But then, college is also about social life, life outside of schools. For the first time, you are going to be completely independent. I love city life and from what I understand, I think you like an active life outside dorms and classes as well. San FRancisco is a beautiful city and I absolutely love it. Ithaca is nice in that it's quiet and remote, peaceful and small. </p>
<p>Ofcourse, never make decision soley on location and weather, that's shortsighted, but just think and imagine where you will have fun and be happy. Berkeley is huge, but then there are sororities, clubs that people there who can't stand the crowd decided to do something about it. </p>
<p>If cost is not your main issue (lucky you!), then visit both places and imagine which place you would be more at home. Interact with people there. If you are liberal, carefree and believe that you will be able to survive among thousands of others, go to berkeley. But if you like a more peaceful environment,remote, private, mmore conservative (?) place, it's cornell. </p>
<p>Hope this helps/</p>
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Socially it is exactly the same thing. People here are in general just as immature as they were in high school.
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<p>I somewhat agree. But I don't think this is a Berkeley-specific issue. Quite the opposite in fact. You will encounter the same situation at all public colleges since they accept mostly instate students and few instate matriculants would be unhappy hanging out with their high schools friends in college. Since this is so, yes, I agree-social opportunities after you leave the dorms as an out of state student might not be very good. But the situation couldn't be any more different for most instate students who seem to almost universally join fraternities/get apartments/hang out with their high schools buddies. </p>
<p>In sum, if you have buddies who are already AT or soon coming to Berkeley, the experience is bound to be better. So, if this is you, turn in your SIR! :)</p>
<p>But, in college it's about meeting new people, and you will meet new people, so going to a college because your hs friends go there shouldn't be why you want to go there.</p>
<p>thanks for all the advice...since I'm from Indiana, none of of my friends would be going to Berkeley (I'm the only kid I even know who applied to a California school!)..so i definately would be meeting new people....i am just concerned about HOW big of a change it would be. How often do kids leave campus and explore the city? I've got family 30 mins away so i want to be able to see them. But Berkeley really intimidates me in terms of size and compettion....</p>
<p>Kids leave campus into the city of Berkeley all the time, if for no other reason than to eat at the amazing restaurants.</p>
<p>Going to San Francisco is not quite as much a daily thing, but many people go there when their classes lighten up.</p>
<p>Berkeley would be what you make of it. Personally, I think I would find it hard to feel the "size and competition" intimidation because Cal's campus seems too much like a park to be that stressed out. </p>
<p>As imagineer05 said, though, Cornell is very large as well. And it prides itself on being the "easiest Ivy to get in, hardest Ivy to get out."
I think it depends on you and which you like better, since I had the same dilemma on my hands but couldn't find enough difference in Cornell to justify OOS tuition. Since both are OOS for you (if you applied to one of Cornell's public colleges), it depends on which you like better.</p>
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Kids leave campus into the city of Berkeley all the time, if for no other reason than to eat at the amazing restaurants.
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<p>Berkeley also has amazing restaraunts.</p>
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I've asked about Berkeley and Cornell from various people and here's an unbiased summary.
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<p>No opinion is unbiased.</p>
<p>Where would you feel happier during your four or so years? The locations and atmospheres are different (so they say-never been to Cornell).</p>
<p>Some peopel go to SF multiple times in a week. it's more often a weekend thing, or the last day you have class of the week thing (usually Friday, but often Thursday).</p>