<p>I applied for Cal Poly Environmental Engineering and UC Berkeley Environmental Science and got into both, and now it is decision time. I am truly torn between both. I really want to work with water: bringing it to people who don't have access to clean water in third world countries and using it more effectively where it is easily accessed. I want to be in a program that will give me the best outlet to contribute to that field. Which field would be best to do so: Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering? And which school has strong student organizations that I could be part of to get involved in programs where I could begin contributing while still in college? Also, what school would offer me the best chance at finding a job? </p>
<p>My hesitation with going to Berkeley is the rigor. Does any one have any insight on the rigor of the Environmental Science department in the College of Natural Resources? </p>
<p>Cal Poly doesn't offer any financial aid so Berkeley ends up being less expensive, which is pulling me towards Berkeley. Additionally, Berkeley has always been my dream school (and it has a prestigious name), but is it more worth it to choose a school where I have a chance of standing out? </p>
<p>Berkeley. Cheaper and better. Environmental science is not cut-throat competition. </p>
<p>The bay will offer more experience in terms of internships with environmental firms than Cal Poly will. A major with ES also allows more chances to study abroad than an engineering major might. While study abroad will be possible with an EE major, units will be difficult to work with while studying abroad, as the curriculum will be very intense. Neither choice is wrong, but where will YOU be happier?</p>
<p>UCBChemEGrad, what makes it better specifically? </p>
<p>I’m biased, I’ll admit; however, Berkeley offers more for an undergrad than Cal Poly SLO. On-campus recruiting is stronger with more diversified employers. You mention wanting to help with water. Berkeley students seem more interested in the greater good… For example, Berkeley sends the most students into the Peace Corp on a regular basis. Berkeley is also more of a complete university, so if your academic interests change, all of Berkeley’s academic majors are strong and will get you where you want to go.<br>
Berkeley and the Bay Area are a larger, more dynamic campus environment with more opportunities to embrace.</p>
<p>You also said Berkeley has been your dream school. You got in. It’s cheaper. So what’s holding you back? </p>
<p>UCBChemEGrad, I suppose the thing that is holding me back is the fact that I won’t be able to do engineering at Berkeley because it is impacted and so competitive, and on the website it says if you want to do engineering that you should go to the school that accepts you into the engineering department. I applied to Berkeley as environmental science major because I knew I couldn’t get into their engineering department. Which is why now I question if Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering is more suited for what I want to do. What do you know about the Environmental Science program at UC Berkeley? and as I mentioned before, the rigor and competition of Berkeley are a little intimidating because everyone who will be attending there will be at my level or above and I am afraid I may slip below in comparison. </p>
<p>I don’t know much about the Environmental Science program. I was a chemical engineering major. </p>
<p>I will say that others questioned me for wanting to attend Berkeley and not choosing a Cal State so I could perform better with less competition and stand out more. I’m sure glad I didn’t. The friends, challenges and experiences at Berkeley were some of the best memories of my life. I’m a proud graduate and I wouldn’t have changed it. </p>
<p>Did you visit Berkeley? </p>
<p>UCBChemEGrad,
Do you think calling the heads of both departments may provide me with answers as to which major I should pursue? </p>
<p>That’s what my friend who is attending Berkeley as freshman now said as well. She turned down a full ride to Fresno State as doesn’t regret it. But her GPA is lower now that it would have been at the CSU because Berkeley is obviously harder with a higher curve in the grades. </p>
<p>I have. I love the weather, culture, and location. It’s amazing. I am also attending Cal Day coming up. </p>
<p>How is the job employment out of Berkeley’s undergrad?</p>
<p>Sure, my GPA probably wasn’t as strong. But it hasn’t hindered me. </p>
<p>Check out Cal’s Career Center webpage. Career.berkeley.edu </p>
<p>You can pull up employment surveys by college major under the link “what can I do with a _______ major?”</p>
<p>It’s a good resource. </p>
<p>See if you can get your questions answered at Cal Day. Lots of people around to help. </p>
<p>Good luck! </p>
<p>UCBChemEGrad, thank you! You helped a lot. </p>