<p>Aussie Steve: Per live-'s comment that if you had only one semester to spend in the US, spend it in Berkeley, I'd like to add that Berkeley is more like Melbourne than either Philly or Ithaca, NY. If you're seeking an American Northeastern collegiate experience, and a very different experience than life in Oz, that would indicate chosing either of the eastern schools. San Francisco, located on the water as it is, looks and feels a bit like Sydney, only not as hot and foggier.</p>
<p>Most college kids take 4 classes (subjects?) per semester; 3 is usually not enough, 5 is ambitious and 6 is insane, if it's even possible. Four for study abroad would be perfect. You need to build in plenty of time to travel around and have fun. Remember, if you choose Berkeley, while a great city, you have much farther to go to see other interesting places (unless you count LA). From NY or PA you can check out Washington, Boston, New York City, Montreal, and Toronto.</p>
<p>As for cost of living, Cornell is way less than Berkeley or Philadelphia. No contest. I'd dispute that you can live (well) cheaply in either of the other two cities. Good luck.</p>
<p>aussie steve-- i live just outside of philadelphia and just thought i'd say it's a great city. it does get cold in the winter, but we actually have great variation in regard to the 4 seasons (summers get hot, but spring and fall beautiful). a lot of seniors from my school end up going to u penn and love it, even though it's so close to home for us---about 30 min. i'm also interested in science (probably engineering), and i'll look at berkeley and cornell (though it's way too cold for me). honestly i think you'll be happy at any of them. you may want to consider size: berkeley's about 23,000 undergrad, cornell's about 14,000, and penn's 9,000</p>
<p>Cornell, Penn and UC-Berkeley are three top 10 universities. You really cannot go wrong either way. I would hate to have to chose between those three schools. Cal's campus is fun and lively and right next to San Francisco, one of the nicest and most pleasant cities in the US. Cornell has awesome nature all around it, so if you are a nature lover, Cornell is as good as it gets. Cornell and Penn have more resources availlable to them, so their undergrads don't have to struggle as much, although don't be fooled into thinking that Cornell and Penn are undergrad-focused. Not by a long shot. Cornell and Penn are full-blown research giants and their faculties are hired and compensated primarily for their research output. </p>
<p>In short, what I am saying is that those schools are equally good academically and reputationally, so chose the one that fits you the best.</p>
<p>I am currently a bio major at Cornell and I really must say that I am very impressed with their program. While the intro courses are a bit of a bore (but arent they everywhere?), there is a plethora or advanced courses, ranging from eco/evo to neuro. There are tons of bio concentrations, not to mention the insane amount of research opportunities that are available to both undergrads and graduate students. Plus, since Cornell is has an interdisciplinary course of study and has seven schools, it won't be difficult to do some sort of political minor. I encourage you to look at the Undegraduate Bio site: <a href="http://www.bio.cornell.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.bio.cornell.edu/</a>. If you live in NY, it might benefit to go to the CALS school instead of Arts & Sciences, since CALS' tuition is half of A&S. As for the cold, yes, it does get cold, but I think that for all that Cornell has to offer, you can deal.</p>
<p>If you're visiting the US, Philadelphia is right in the middle of America's Northeast Corridor, which gives you easy access to American landmark cities of NYC, Boston, Washington DC. And of course there is Philly itself, which gets better every year and is the 'hot' city of the moment.</p>
<p>And I'd go with the Northeast over CA if you want a more different experience from Down Under.</p>
<p>Oh and the school ain't bad either. Good bio (fancy new bioengineering and life sciences buildings nearing completion as I type this). Penn also has the highest percentage of international students in the Ivy League, and they intergrate well (if they choose to). Last semester we had an Aussie who was only here for a semester but still joined the Penn Glee Club.</p>
<p>If you're going to be staying for a while, Philadelphia has incredible diversity in its seasons (for better or for worse!) Roasting summers and frigid winters.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone who posted your all been really helpful except for one guy, just to stress I am an abroad student so I am only there for one year my second year and no I don't really have to "get in". However I am still a little confused on courseload at Berkeley is the 14-17 units, 17 seperate chosen subjects? or are subjects worth a few points each (if so how many is average)? Whats facebook btw? And yeah I'll definately tell you which I decide on, its for 2007 btw (I am going to Kenya this year), tell me if your likely to be there? Sweet, thanks all.</p>
<p>What UCLAri is trying to say is that 14-17 units (also called credits at other schools) translates into 4 or 5 actual courses (or subjects, as you say), with a humanities course (philosophy, political science) usually worth 3 credits/units and science classes maybe 3 credits plus 1 for a lab = total of 4 credits for the subject (ie. microbio).</p>
<p>on average, each course at Berkeley is four units, but some three unit, some five unit, many two unit, and many one unit classes exist. Generally, the number of units sort of lines up with how much work you should put into the class, but sometimes you have to do more, and sometimes less. I'm taking 17 units this semester, four 4 unit classes and a one unit class. I'm not sure how a unit here compares to a unit at a school on a quarter system, which means the academic year is divided into four parts (whereas here it's divided into two large chunks and a summer).</p>
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What UCLAri is trying to say is that 14-17 units (also called credits at other schools) translates into 4 or 5 actual courses (or subjects, as you say), with a humanities course (philosophy, political science) usually worth 3 credits/units and science classes maybe 3 credits plus 1 for a lab = total of 4 credits for the subject (ie. microbio).
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<p>I was? Wow. :p Thanks for filling me in there. ;)</p>
<p>I really actually just meant to say what I said. As they say in Japanese, "sono mama" (as it is)</p>
<p>Alright I'll make a plug for Penn. The student body is diverse, from what I've noticed exchange students get acclimated well and live amongst Penn students (not separated in International House).</p>
<p>I'd say the biggest difference is Philly... extremely diverse city, close to NY and DC (and public transportation is CHEAP), great restaurants, Philly was voted as the next great American city by National Geographic and called the 6th borough of New York by the NYTimes, there is a ton of history and culture (if you're into art museums, theater, tons of bands coming through), 8 professional sports teams, and there are 300,000 college students and 80 colleges or universities in Philly so it's a great place for 20-somethings.</p>
<p>Lastly, it does not get nearly as cold in Philadelphia as it does in Ithaca, nor does it snow nearly as much. Philly weather is more like DC weather. Of course, Berkeley will be beautiful compared to both :)</p>
<p>"Lastly, it does not get nearly as cold in Philadelphia as it does in Ithaca, nor does it snow nearly as much"</p>
<p>on average, philly is 9 degrees warmer in the winter. You're gonna need the same winter jacket regardless. </p>
<p>The Northeast cold can be kind of a bummer ... but snow is not! Snow means skiing and snowboarding. If it's gonna get cold, let it snow. At least then we can have fun outside rather than just playing with frozen grass. </p>
<p>Regardless, Berkeley still wins in the weather department. AussieSteve, have you ever been in snow? (I have no idea what your weather is like down under). The cold is a pain, but snow = fun! (at least it equals fun for those who like to get up and actually do stuff ... dont be a bum!)</p>
<p>Maybe he wants some snow, a cold, somewhat harsh winter, four distinct seasons. Generally warmer and less rainy weather isn't for everyone. <em>shrug</em></p>
<p>Besides as a part of the Ag school stuff on campus, the only farm animals i've seen in ithaca havn't been in ithaca but rather two or three miles away in other small town that I've encountered on my biking trips. </p>
<p>the ag school (CALS) is great because we have Cornell dairy ... fantastic milk, apple cider and ice cream.</p>
<p>also, a quote stolen from a fellow CC'er, Norcalguy, on Cornell's location:</p>
<p>"Ithaca is located on Lake Cayuga in the beautiful Finger Lake Region...many people own vacation homes in this area...you're likely going to have to live in a big city to get a job once you get out of school...why not go to college in "vacation land" now instead of waiting till you're old and gray before you can afford a second home...just a thought..."</p>