Sorry if this doesn’t really belong in this thread, but I’m new to this site and just really need help making a decision. I just got into Berkeley from the waitlist, but now I can’t decide whether I should go to UCSD or Berkeley. The financial aid is about the same, and my major for UCSD is computer engineering while my major at Berkeley would be for applied math. I’m not really sure what I want to major in but I know I want to major in some kind of science at this point, but I’m worried that at Berkeley it would be really hard to change my major around, especially if I wanted to do engineering. I’m also worried about the environment in Berkeley; I’ve heard that it’s really competitive and isn’t as friendly as UCSD. Berkeley is also farther away from home (about 8 hours away) whereas UCSD is half an hour away. But nontheless I’m really excited that I got in, but I just can’t seem decide between the two. Any input anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Our son is facing the same dilemma that you are. He SIRed to UC San Diego almost a month ago, after a great three days visiting the campus, sitting in on a variety of classes, etc. He has been visualizing his future at UCSD and feeling really enthusiastic. Now all of a sudden he’s been admitted to UC Berkeley. That is also an amazing opportunity and he’s having a difficult time trying to decide which college he should choose.
I’m sure that if our son asked the other kids at his school, many of them would quickly reply that he should of course choose Berkeley. Having seen how highly Berkeley ranks in so many published comparisons of universities, it’s prestige, the oohs of approval that other people would give in hearing that UC Berkeley is the college you’ll be attending – these things are very appealing. But I’m pleased that my son, like you, is considering a lot of different factors about the two universities. For example, he wants to make one more trip to visit UC Berkeley this next week and one thing he said he wants to observe is whether the students seem as friendly as they did at UC San Diego (as that is something that stood out as a real positive for him during the three days that he spent visiting UC San Diego).
So…I don’t really have any specific advice about what would be best in your situation. But I wanted to share that you are not alone in feeling torn about choosing between these two great UC colleges.
It could be helpful to make a list of your questions and ask them individually, either on College Confidential or other forums. For example, you might get more replies if you post a forum topic with a title like – “UC Berkeley students – too competitive? Or friendly?”
You could also try to think of who you know that attends UC Berkeley that you could get in touch with to ask them some questions. Do you know any friends, older siblings of friends or family friends who currently attend or recently graduated from UC Berkeley?
Other questions could be appropriate to ask the administrators at UC Berkeley, such as your questions about how feasible it would be to change majors at UC Berkeley (apparently it is very difficult to switch into the Engineering department, according to the information posted here: http://engineering.berkeley.edu/academics/undergraduate-guide/admissions ).
Could your high school counselor offer you any help considering the pros and cons of attending the two universities, taking into account your personality, your goals, and the specific majors that you’ve been admitted to or might want to switch to at each of the universities? Those counselors have helped many hundreds of students try to decide what colleges might be good matches for them…so they may have useful information and advice.
There are so many factors to consider when choosing between colleges. Try to pay attention also to your feelings about where you want to be – which college feels like a comfortable fit for you, where you want to spend four years of your life, where you can see yourself being both intellectually engaged and happy.
Best wishes to you as you make this decision!
Tough choices but congrats on your acceptance to Cal and good luck making decision.
Your major shouldn’t be binded to applied math yet since that is under letters and science and all letters and science-admit students come in as undeclared and you can choose your major you want, including applied math or CS.
It is worth skipping a day or two of school to come to Berkeley and feel the atmosphere yourself in order to make the most informed decision. Living far away from home is a valid concern, so weigh in all the factors and just make a decision that you won’t look back.