<p>Okay, so I don't really mind Berkeley. I mean the real problem I have with it is that it is really large, and impersonal. I also don't like that housing is only one year, or possibly two. Basically, I don't like the public school part of Berkeley. I hate the fact that there is not enough funding for many things. I am really really into research in biology, and I wish I could get paid. My gf at MIT gets paid, and this is really not a big deal, but its just one example of several things. I want a school that has a good UNDERGRADUATE experience, along with a very solid research background, especially in biology. That is the good thing about Berkeley is that they have such a good graduate program that I have really good professors along with good research at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. So I basically want both, good undergraduate experience and good academics and profs and research. Transferring to many of the top schools is incredibly tough, such as Stanford, Caltech, or MIT. But, I don't want to go to a school that is lower than Berkeley obviously. By lower I mean like Northwestern or CMU. These schools are good, but not the kind of research that I want. If I don't transfer its really not the end of the world, but I'd like to try.
Would University of Chicago be a good option? I don't think its incredibly hard to transfer there. Any other good options.</p>
<p>My stats: 2020 SAT, 3.87 gpa, research at Lawrence Berkeley, plus good recommendations. yep, thats the general stats...thanks for the advice guys</p>
<p>You do know that Berkeley offers two years guaranteed housing right now, right?</p>
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Transferring to many of the top schools is incredibly tough, such as Stanford, Caltech, or MIT. But, I don't want to go to a school that is lower than Berkeley obviously.
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<p>That severely limits your options. I might look into Cornell, U Penn, Chicago, Duke, and possibly Columbia. But it's not easy transferring into those colleges either, and most/all of them don't have as strong research as Berkeley. It's tough to find really good research and a really good undergrad experience. Anyway, consider those schools if you really want to transfer.</p>
<p>you definitely have a good shot at Chicago. Berkeley is an excellent school, so coming from there will obviously help you alot. Still, you'll need to make sure your reasons are good enough or they'll probably break you in the essay - since your already at a great school, the burden is on you to prove why that you really NEED to transfer. So far, it sounds like you're more uncertain than anything...it's worth a shot, but that may get you in the end.</p>
<p>You've heard about the Chicago core curriculum, I hope? It doesn't appeal to every biology researcher. It's particularly tough on transfers because you have fewer years to meet the requirements.
People on this board say mean things about WUSTL, but I'd say to check it out.</p>
<p>Yea there are definitely too many undergrads here. Yes, it's what you make of it and you have to chase after what you want, but afterawhile all that chasing really does take a toll on you mentally. Luckily I'm admitted into a small major (IEOR) so I'm somewhat shielded from large impersonal classes (somewhat).</p>
<p>I'm not so sure you have any valid reasons for transferring out. Many kids try to escape Berkeley because of its impersonal nature and many have probably applied to Chicago as transfers and failed. You need to think up some better reasons for wanting to transfer.</p>
<p>well, what other reasons would you give for transfer. the truth is that for the past several months i have been quite miserable at berkeley, primarily because of the intense amount of bureacracy, the impersonal feel, the enormous classes, and quite frankly, the lack of pampering. i mean i don't know if ill add this in the application, but like when i went to MIT, they got really nice housing, guarenteed for 4 years, not 2, there classrooms were state of the art, i mean they have like chalkboards that use remote controls to move, they have like video focusing on the students, they have lots of areas to study within the dorm itself. these are all benefits that come from smaller school and a much larger basis for funding. these things really affect what i consider the undergraduate experience. things like getting funding for research is a big plus too. </p>
<p>so, if these are small reasons, then i guess i dont have reasons to transfer. but aren't these the same reasons anyone transferring anyone would have. I mean the one thing that i cannot say i want to transfer because of is academics, the profs are really good here, and i like what im learning, so i know this is a big reason for transferring for many and not for me, but thats just the way it is. </p>
<p>so would chicago be good for these reasons? as i said, ideally, i would go to Stanford or MIT, but its just so friggin hard to get into these places...</p>
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so would chicago be good for these reasons?
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<p>I think so, definitely. Considering the size of the undergraduate class at Chicago, you are bound to get more of a personal feel. The university also provides residential housing for 4-years.</p>
<p>Personally, I think you have good enough reasons for wanting to transfer. Berkeley, as the top public in the nation, is a great platform to transfer from -in other words, you already have an upper hand since you are coming from such a prestigious school. </p>
<p>thanks brand, thats encouraging. so do you know if Chicago has good bio research, because that would be my primary research interest. I mean, like i've said before, that is the best thing about Berkeley is top notch faculty and research, would I get something similar at Chicago, or not so much?</p>
<p>I'm not so sure as I'm an Econ major (thus my love for Chicago) and don't know much about the sciences. Considering Berkeley's incredible graduate science programs, though, I'm guessing you're going to have better options at Berkeley than at Chicago, which is more noted for its social sciences. Still, I'm sure Chicago's programs are nothing to scoff at and think you'd be fine at either place.</p>
<p>If you plan on going to graduate school, I think it's usually best for you to do your undergrad somewhere different from your graduate, so attending Chicago for ugrad would fix that problem. </p>
<p>Regardless of which has the better undergrad program for bio (and I'm quite sure it's Berkeley), you should go where you'll be happy. Chicago has intense academics...not sure how they compare to Berkeley, as I'm sure UCB is difficult as well, but I hear Chicago is right up there as having the toughest academics. If there is a considerable difference from Berkeley, be sure that's something you'd want. I also agree with what someone else has said earlier: the core at Chicago may force you to be in school longer than you would at Berkeley. Be prepared for that - maybe look into Chicago to see what core classes you'd need to complete that you haven't yet. The residential housing experience is, in my opinion, something that every undergrad should have, and Chicago will be great for that.</p>
<p>Ultimately, do what makes you happy. A degree from Chicago is incredibly impressive and I highly doubt you'll be closing any doors by attending Chicago instead of Berkeley for undergrad. </p>
<p>If it were me, I would definitley go to Chicago if I thought it would make me happier, and then attend UCB for graduate school. Good luck with whatever decision you make.</p>
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well, what other reasons would you give for transfer. the truth is that for the past several months i have been quite miserable at berkeley, primarily because of the intense amount of bureacracy, the impersonal feel, the enormous classes, and quite frankly, the lack of pampering. i mean i don't know if ill add this in the application, but like when i went to MIT, they got really nice housing, guarenteed for 4 years, not 2, there classrooms were state of the art, i mean they have like chalkboards that use remote controls to move, they have like video focusing on the students, they have lots of areas to study within the dorm itself. these are all benefits that come from smaller school and a much larger basis for funding. these things really affect what i consider the undergraduate experience. things like getting funding for research is a big plus too.
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<p>Look, I'm no expert on transferring from relatively good four year universities to other relatively good four year universities. But if you look closely, I'm sure Chicago's transfer application will ask you to list the specific academic reason(s) why you want to get away from your current school.</p>
<p>To tell you the truth, not liking the school you're at is just not a very convincing reason for Chicago to admit you. It might work, but it's unlikely that it will in my opinion. To increase your chances you should identify and research a single program or professor at Chicago that/who is unavailable at Berkeley. That would probably constitute a "specific academic reason" for transering.</p>
<p>Why don't you ask some transfer students if the transfer applications ask about specific reasons you're leaving, or if the transfers felt that they were expected to address the issue?</p>
<p>The only specific questions that I am aware of are </p>
<p>1) What interested you in Chicago?
2) List some music, books, etc. that you're interested in
3) The random essay prompt.</p>
<p>Coming from a good 4-year school, you'd probably want to either incorporate your reasons for transfer into one of those questions or provide them in the supplemental section.</p>
<p>Pulkit - are you a freshman? if so, a lot of freshman think like you and snap out of it. part of the freshman experience is being disgruntled with the state of things for a while. remember that you're at a great school and transferring is a hassle in more ways than one - readjusting to new school which may not be to your liking, new atmosphere, fin aid for transfers sucks generally at the good schools, not to mention the ridiculously low transfer acceptance rate to the schools you mention. why endure the hellish admissions processes more than once? i understand where you are coming from because i wanted to transfer as well when i was a freshman, but as i got more involved academically and met new people, i found that it was really kind of wonderful, and this coming from a kid who came from texas, so imagine my initial shock at the difference. </p>
<p>berkeley is foremost a research institution and you will find very great opportunities for undergrad research if you just do a little simple searching. housing is guaranteed for 2 years, after which you can stay in university apartment house if that's more to your liking. if educational quality is your utmost concern, my advice is to stay. the personal, close-knit atmosphere is certainly something you can have in graduate school. but truth be told, you can create your own small niche of familiar people and activities here at berkeley, even though it is large. by the sheer number of flyers you get in sproul on a daily basis, you must know that the school is very inviting of its students to participate and be involved in all that the school has to offer. just reach out a little. think of berkeley as microcosm of the real world - there are vast amazing opportunities available, but you've got to rely on yourself a bit more as well, and you've got to go after what you want. when you're at this age, independence and self-reliance are important things to learn. you will appreciate it upon graduation when you will be in a sense a cut above the rest of other college grads from smaller schools in terms of emotional development and having a greater sense of self. the reasoning you provide for wanting to transfer is not quite compelling, which tells me that you don't loathe berkeley and you don't have a dire, horrible personal situation which would warrant transfer. so i hope you try to make the best of things, and only transfer if things don't start looking up, which i doubt would be the case if you make the effort. gluck and be happy :D p.s. uni of chicago is freaking cold the large part of the year, and that doesn't exactly do wonders for one's mood.</p>