Cal vs Cooper Union (?!)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey guys, I need help deciding between Cal and Cooper Union! </p>

<p>Me: Some Asian guy from NJ looking to major in EE (EECS/ECE/Computer Engineering whatever)</p>

<p>A breakdown of what I think of the two schools so far:</p>

<hr>

<p>Academics:
Although Cal's EECS program ranks very highly, I'm sure Cooper's ECE program isn't far off. In fact, I'm worried about the cuts that Cal has to make due to California's financial crisis. Also, Cooper might be better just because it's a tiny school with a low student/faculty ratio compared to a large state school like Cal. And since Cal has so many students, I heard popular courses get filled very quickly...I doubt this would happen at Cooper.</p>

<p>Money:
Cal=53k (but my parents/I will probably be CA residents after this year=31k) [4 years = 146k]
Cooper=19k [4 years = 76k]</p>

<p>A $70k 4-year difference in cost is what makes Cooper really attractive. (That's like a whole year of salary right out of college)</p>

<p>Campus:
I havn't visited Cal yet (I will on the 17th), but it seems like the most amazing campus. Whereas Cooper Union doesn't really have a campus. I feel like a campus is necessary to have a 'real college experience'.</p>

<p>Although, Cooper just built a new glass building :D . And also Cooper is literally next to NYU (although they don't have a real campus either).</p>

<p>Location:
This is one aspect that bothers me - a lot.
I love California, and I dislike the city. Though, my perspective of both are probably a bit skewed. I only love CA becuase I've only been to SoCal - which I absolutely love, so hopefully Berkeley is somewhat similar in climate. New York City is supposedly fun and all, but I'm not a city-boy. It'll take me a while to get used to the city (especially without a campus). The city just makes me feel...awkward.</p>

<p>But Cooper is real close to home which makes traveling easy, whereas Cal is across the nation.</p>

<p>Students/ Student Life:
Cooper = ??? Cal=Fun?
Cooper = Nerds? Cal = Nerds + scattered fun/hot people?
Also Cal has a crapload of Asians, I can't tell if I like or dislike that. I guess it means I can fit in easily. </p>

<p>Lol. I don't really know much about this topic.</p>

<p>Post College Employment:
I'm sure every company has heard of Cal, whereas Cooper is probably mostly known to NY employers.</p>

<p>I'm not quite sure where I'd want to work in the future though (Cali?).</p>

<p>On a side note about post-college, I heard that after going through such a tough life at Cooper, everything after Cooper will seem easy.</p>

<hr>

<p>I'm visiting both schools a week after next (again) so maybe I'll have a better lean towards one side...but as of now, I think I'm losing my sanity trying to decide.</p>

<p>Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!!!! (Sorry for the long post lol)</p>

2

<p>get some rest, visit UC Berkeley…the answer will be there or not…</p>

3

<p>looking for more opinions (lol)</p>

4

<p>Every firm that hires engineers knows Cooper.</p>

<p>Double check the residency rules for California. Some states would consider you an OOS student for all four years because you were one the first year. And, are your parents absolutely, positively moving there? Would they move there even if you weren’t in school there?</p>

<p>Go visit both campuses. Sit in on a couple of classes. Chat up the students in the dining hall or campus cafe. You will know which “feels” better.</p>

<p>Then go home and crunch the numbers again.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

5

<p>Cooper Union! </p>

<p>I love Berkeley and the surrounding town, but I don’t really think it’s worth it for OOS students…</p>

6

<p>Hey stupoop when did u receive the letter frm Cooper??
I havnt got it yet .
Should I call them or wait?</p>

7

<p>Berkeley’s engineering trumps Cooper Union big time. If only you’re not considering in majoring in engineering, I would have recommended otherwise. But Berkeley for engineering, computer science, business and economics are worth the OOS rates.</p>

8

<p>I second HappyMomof1’s comment about in-state tuition at Cal. “Residency for the purposes of Tuition” is a tough standard to meet. Before you make a decision that could cost you not $76k more than Cooper, but $156k more than Cooper, you’d better be like a Philadelphia Lawyer on that issue.</p>

9

<p>so I visited both, and honestly, they’re just complete opposites. So it’s really hard to say which one I prefer.
And I/my parents confirmed with the finaid office that I will get instate tuition for 3 years.</p>

<p>Any more opinions before I just randomly flip a coin? Thanks</p>

10

<p>Isn’t Cooper Union for free? …
Im a NYC resident, and I think very highly of cooper union, and believe it is probably superior to Cal’s engineering program. however, there is also the belief that many people who could not get into MIT/ Cal Tech/ other top engineering programs end up at cooper union ( but hey…thats like most people anyway).</p>

11

<p>$70k is a lot of money and is definitely something to consider, especially when the differences in salary for graduates of the two schools probably aren’t all that different in engineering. It was a major consideration when I decided to attend Cooper, and I’m quite happy that decision now looking back at my experience.</p>

<p>With that being said, if you’re not a city kid, I’d advise against attending Cooper. You’ll be fully immersed in NYC, especially after freshman year when you’ll be living outside the dorms in your apartments (which you’ll be looking for on your own like an adult). You have to be pretty independent if you’re going to Cooper; you won’t have anyone coming into your room to clean up after you (I swear I read on here that they actually do that at one college!).</p>

<p>

He’s factoring in living costs.</p>