<p>So, I think I'm down to these three, and I would really love some opinions. I'm probably studying Economics (and maybe biology) and then going straight to law school. However, this is really just the plan at the moment, and I want to keep other options open. I'm from Silicon Valley. Cal will be the cheapest, but not by a very significant amount. I want to end up back in the Bay Area after college/grad school (I love it here). Honestly, I think I could deal with both a big or a small school. Please help!</p>
<p>Berkeley
Pros:
1. A decent distance from home.
2. Prestige for Econ and bio
3. Possibility of graduating in 3 years (if I choose to only to Econ) since I have 12 APs
4. Great job prospects in the Bay if I decide to not go to law school
5. Cheapest (this, however, is not a major consideration)
6. Can take graduate coursework, good weather, and lots of friends at Cal.
Cons:
1. Grad school placement way lower than Amherst and Pomona
2. HUGE classes--how do you even get a rec letter?
3. Possibility of graduating in 5 years because of the difficulty to get classes
4. Ugly dorms and safety issues. And crazy competitiveness.</p>
<p>Amherst
Pros:
1. Incredible grad school placement
2. Open curriculum! Opportunity to explore for two years before deciding a major, and its really easy to double or triple major
3. Small classes, safe, awesome dorms
4. Option of staying home all of January thru Interterm
5. Trying something new! I've never lived on the East Coast
Cons:
1. Little known on the West Coast, so it might be hard to get jobs over here from there.
2. Far from home! And weather sucks -_-
3. Food for vegetarians is apparently pretty lame.</p>
<p>Pomona:
Pros:
1. Great grad school placement
2. Just far enough from home
3. Small classes, safe, great dorms, awesome food, fabulous weather
4. 5C colleges and LA nearby
Cons:
1. No one's heard of Pomona! :( I know this shouldn't matter, but it does a little. Especially when people ask if its a state school
2. Alumni network extremely limited to California--particularly SoCal
3. Because of the above things, getting a job after graduation seems a bit risky. However, law school would def be okay.</p>
<p>Soo, I'm a bit stuck. I'll be posting this on all the threads, so feel free to be as biased as you wish! :)</p>