<p>I am having loads of trouble deciding between these two schools. Can someone share their experiences in engineering programs at Berkeley in terms of getting good grades, teachers, resources, obtaining jobs, etc...Anything that comes to mind. Thanks.</p>
<p>Unless finances are an issue, Stanford all the way. Even though Berkeley's program is strong, you'll still be fighting to register for classes, fighting to get attention in your huge classes, fighting to get the few A's that each professor gives, etc.</p>
<p>If money's not an issue, I'm inclined to agree. im_blue is exaggerating, but still, why not get the white glove treatment if you can? There is a lot of cooperation and cross-pollination between Berkeley and Stanford, as well. A from one go to the other for grad school, etc.</p>
<p>My sister did civil engineering at Berkeley and got her masters for it at Stanford.</p>
<p>She said she was disappointed at Stanford because the education quality was the same as Berkeley's. She was expecting it to be "nicer" since it's private, but it really wasn't.</p>
<p>I'd choose Stanford anyway though because it's name is a lot bigger.</p>
<p>Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't pay $30K more for Stanford engineering, unless I came from an extremely wealthy family.</p>
<p>^^^ I am a low-income student, so they pay a lot for me.</p>
<p>I'd go to Stanford in that case. But realize, a lot of your classmates at Stanford are going to have a lot more money than you. That's probably less true now than it used to be, but it will still be a reality. If that will be uncomfortable, Berkeley might be a better fit.</p>
<p>Congrats on your acceptances!</p>
<p>You won't go wrong with either. I might be inclined to choose Stanford as well, since the free ride offer can't be beat. </p>
<p>Berkeley is rated No. 1 undergrad civil engineering department in the nation by USNWR...they are building a new engineering building and should be ready by 2009. </p>
<p>Berkeley has a more livelier campus/city environment IMO.</p>
<p>Visit both and decide.</p>
<p>i picked cal over stanford when i had that choice a few years ago. palo alto is boring, rich, and old and not really meant for students. Just for the old people living there. It will be easier though for sure, which is a pro considering they both have big names. Students tend to be less fun, but still accomplished a lot at stanford. Berkeley students are more fun, but have done less stuff in their lives. Berkeley as a town, the access to sf for clubs, and the parties are much better too. Its not UCSB or anything, but compared to stanford it is.</p>