<p>Intended Major/field: International Relations/Latin American Studies </p>
<p>I am a California native who would really love to stay in Cali. Therefore Berkeley is looking like my top choice. Socially and academically, I think I’d fit in more at Berkeley. However, BU offered me something close to a full scholarship, while Berkeley offered me no financial aid at all. </p>
<p>Can I find academic opportunities at BU that are as rigorous and intensive as those of Berkeley? </p>
<p>Would the benefits of coming to a private school (where I wouldn’t have to worry about things like enrollment or budget cuts) outweigh the costs of deciding to pass Berkeley by? </p>
<p>Help!</p>
<p>Depending on the difference in money, I would go where you get the most financial aid. If they’re close go where you like better. Shouldn’t it be cheap for you since you live in CA?</p>
<p>If the thought of 100K in debt after you graduate is a scary thought, go with BU. BU is a great school. There are really great opportunities there and they are very well respected.</p>
<p>That said, if money isn’t really in issue, I would absolutely go with Berkeley. The weather alone is reason enough!</p>
<p>Berkeley has the prestige and the location you want to be in. I, personally, would choose Berkeley. But if money is an issue, go with BU!</p>
<p>I always tell people to go with the money because any prestige difference is not worth the debt - whether for or against going to BU. I have no idea what Berkeley costs in state. BU is a good place for your interests. IR may be the largest major, which means it gets a lot of attention and resources.</p>
<p>i am in the EXACT same dilemma right now. Received $38,000 in grants/loans from BU and $4000 from UC Berkeley. Socially, I think i would fit in better at Berkeley and it is by far a better school. But I don’t know if i can afford to miss the chance that Boston University is giving me. Not to mention that I am from New York, so out of state tuition at Berkeley is over $52,000. Message me and let me know what decision you end up making, it would be nice to have a fresh California (almost Berkeley bound) personality at BU if we both end up going!!!</p>
<p>^ I’m a Berkeley alum, and I think you should choose Boston. It will give you an amazingly different cultural experience than California, in one of the greatest college towns in the world.
True, Berkelely is more highly ranked, but let’s be honest. That ranking has much to do with Berkeley’s grad programs, and far less to do with the quality of its undergraduate experience.
Explore another part of the country. Go East!</p>
<p>I agree you should go east. We live in northern California and S didn’t even consider college in our state. He wanted a totally different experience. He loved his four years there. Can Berkeley guarantee you’ll be able to get all the classes you need and graduate in four years? I know that’s an issue with some state colleges. You won’t be alone, as BU has plenty of Californians. Regarding academic rigor, S graduated near the top of his class in a demanding private high school and his classes were no piece of cake.</p>
<p>One of my kids turned down a much more highly ranked school in part because BU gave her money and the other didn’t. (The other reason was social.) There isn’t much research on the subject, but studies say that if you got into a higher “prestige” school you’ll do as well as those who went to that school, meaning it’s the person not the degree.</p>