<p>Well I got into Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science and also UC Berkeley's College of Letter's and Sciences. The Problem is, I am sure that whatever I do, it would probably be something in science eventually, but I am not too sure about engineering. But Columbia's city ( NYC ) location is extremely enticing and due to a few health problems, the city access is so appealing.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Berkeley admitted me for its spring semester, and though parents are willing to tolerate me missing one semester, I am not too eager about it. I got into Berkeley's College of Letters and Sciences, which is also liberal-artsy. </p>
<p>I also got into Amherst which is a top liberal art college in USA, but the location kinda sucks lol.</p>
<p>Please somebody explain to me which should I choose? How are these three colleges reputations, and which is more reputed? Columbia being an ivy league, how does UC Berkeley stand up to that reputation? How does Berkeley's town atmosphere compare to that of Columbia? </p>
<p>I am really really confused and I know this is a berkeley forum, so I would appreciate some unbiased answers. Thanks</p>
<p>Columbia: while a very good school I think Berkeley's engineering is better. The students in engineering are top-notch. However, Columbia University itself may be able to offer more resources (24-hour library comes to mind). The city is great and attractive to most students. There's also that Ivy brand.</p>
<p>Berkeley: spring semester doesn't mean you have to miss a semester. You can enroll in FPF and take Berkeley classes at the extension building a few blocks from campus with other spring admits and earn Berkeley credit and GPA, as well as live in the dorms (not guaranteed though), join organizations on-campus, use the library, etc. Read my other thread for more info.
The area is very urban and is similar to NYC although it's not as big a city.</p>
<p>Amherst: different from the former two in that it's a small LAC. If you want a smaller environment with more attention Amherst is probably better than Columbia or Berkeley. Also probably offers better teaching. Then again some people like the large universities that offers hundreds of student groups, events, and large athletic programs. Also Amherst doesn't have any grad programs which you could see as good or bad. Location isn't as good, I agree.</p>
<p>The fact that you're a spring admit and you're in L&S (which might introduce an extra bit of hassle in changing), on top of the fact that you're not sure you even want engineering, combined with the NYC location probably gives Columbia the edge here.</p>
<p>Have you been to Amherst/Northampton? It's a small town, but there are great restaurants, beautiful area, liva jazz music, terrific independent theaters, great music venues, beautiful natural setting...It's no fantastic city like NYC, but it has a lot of charm, and you have your whole life to live in a city!</p>
<p>I go to Columbia SEAS. Do not go into this school unless you are absolutely sure you want engineering, because it's hard to transfer out to Columbia College, since you will be put in with the other transfers. Need at least a 3.5 or above to be considered for transfer. I don't suggest it. I changed my mind in the middle of soph. year and my GPA wasn't even high enough, unless you can transfer to those other colleges, with those kind of GPAS. And considering the classes you'd take: calculus, chemistry, physics, chem, physics lab. IDK, no changing your mind when you've slacked off. Hope I helped.</p>