<p>Hey Everyone, Ive narrowed it down to 2 and I am looking for some opinions/ideas. Im going to major in EECS/ CompE and see if I like it.</p>
<p>Cornell
Pro: East Coast, Colder weather, Ivy league, private, Few people are attending so I can reinvent myself. :) More resources to use to determine my future. (I need someone to help me plan). It's incredibly beautiful. Appears to be more of a traditional college experience. Great on campus food!
Cons: Middle of nowhere, Lack of good asian food. It's really far away so transportation home to CA will cost a lot per year. I heard a lot of the extra expenses at Cornell cost a lot. Heard its really cutthroat. Is it as preppy/elitist as some of the other ivies?</p>
<p>Berkeley
Pro: Lots of good asian food, I can explore San Francisco. I got the Regent's Scholarship so it's cheaper by 3000 a year compared to Cornell. Really strong EECS Program (even though I want to go to med school later) Close to home. I heard I could graduate in 3 years if I get a 30+ point full IB diploma. Slightly easier school?
Cons: A lot of people from my school are planning to go there. Huge class. CA BUDGET CUTS? Afraid I might end up feeling like a number.</p>
<p>I know both schools will provide me with an excellent education, but from what Ive heard Cornell's reputation will have more longevity as compared to Berkeley's.</p>
<p>Right now Im leaning slightly to Cornell only because its smaller and that it is so far away, but Im still open...</p>
<p>Both great choices. I would opt for Cornell for the attention you get faculty wise. But you can’t go wrong - forget all the pros and cons - go with your heart.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t count on Berkeley being easier if you’re doing EECS as its arguable one of the most difficult on the campus.</p>
<p>I definitely agree with you on points about cold weather and the east coast, but if you’re doing EECS, then academically speaking Berkeley is better.</p>
<p>I’m personally going to Berkeley because of how strong the department is, how much access I have to research opportunities (they’re not given to you, but they’re there), internships, etc…</p>
<p>If you got the regents scholarship then you will have access to additional advisors and meet up with other scholars and you will feel less like a number than the rest of us.</p>
<p>It really seems like you get what you put in. If you want great advice, research, and internships, you need to be proactive. I’ve talked to dozens of people in the past month and have accumulated a great deal of information that helped me made my decision. They were all easily accessible and extremely helpful.</p>
<p>It really depends on how you weigh the college experience vs. academics. To me the college experience is a part of the academics. I wouldn’t want one without the other, but I definitely think that following my passion is more important than partying (Definitely not saying they’re mutually exclusive, though).</p>
<p>I really wish that Berkeley was on the east coast with cold weather, but that is pretty much my only gripe about it.</p>
<p>Also if you’re doing premed, then you’re going to want to watch your GPA, and more likely than not you’ll be able to hold a better GPA at Cornell than at Berkeley EECS.</p>
<p>@ramblinman
Yea, I know Berkeley has great resources but I heard they are hard to find and access if you arent a grad student. There seems to be more of a focus on undergrad from what I’ve heard.</p>
<p>@vociferous
That is one of the main reasons why Im leaning to Cornell. I dont need someone to hold my hand, but someone at least giving me a map would be nice. :)</p>
<p>Eurasianboy, the biggest question you need to ask yourself is – will I like living “in the middle of nowhere”. Because this choice really comes down to lifestyle. Cornell is an Ivy with all that it connotates, especially on the east coast. Berkeley has a bigger international reputation, so reputation-wise I think it’s kind of a wash. I am a Cal grad and a Cal supporter, but I would probably encourage you to consider Cornell. For one, it sounds like you’re on the west coast, and I think it’s very broadening to go to school in a different part of the country. Two, I do think you might (with emphasis on might) have a bit more opportunities at Cornell in terms of research, grants, internships: it is, after all, a private school where ‘customer service’ counts.
Good luck – and congratulations: two very nice options.</p>
<p>@Katliamom
Thanks for you response. The question of how will I like living in the middle of nowhere is a hard one for me to answer considering I havent been able to visit any of the schools and Ive lived in an LA suburb my whole life. But I think Ill be able get along well. THanks!</p>
<p>If you go to each school’s sub-forum and search on the other school’s name, you will find that there are six zillion prior threads dealing with this same choice. To confuse you further.</p>
<p>lol I just want to say this, that my cousin went to Cornell. There is a chef there (the food there is REALLY good, since it’s kind of middle of no where) who is asian and made noodle soups and other stuff for my cousin, once she requested it. So you can get your asian fix :P</p>
<p>Is there such a large gap for costs between Berkeley and Cornell? Also, have you visited it?</p>
<p>@Ray192
Good point, but still… @moneydad
Yea, I know. ive been reading them and its causing me to continue oscillating between the two schools. It’s not getting easier, unfortunately. @stirfried
Hm, I didnt know that. That’s pretty cool to having somewhat of a private chef that will cook what you want. @Schmaltz
Lol. outside of this forum I have a lot of Berkeley alums telling me to go to Berkeley so Im getting bombarded about this choice not only on CC. @RML
Im only half asian. However, on the outside, I appear completely like a white red neck. You should see the shock on people’s faces when I tell them Im half chinese.</p>
<p>From US News, Berkeley and Cornell are nearly ranked the same for ECE.</p>
<p>Best Colleges Specialty Rankings: Undergraduate Engineering Specialties: Electrical / Electronic / Communications
Ranked in 2009
1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA
2 Stanford University Stanford, CA
University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
4 University of California–Berkeley Berkeley, CA
5 Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA
6 University of Michigan–Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI
7 California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA
8 Cornell University Ithaca, NY</p>
<p>Lol, thanks collegehelp, but Im not majoring in ECE, but rather EECS (electrical engineering and computer science) This is more comparable to computer engineering, in which the US News rankings place Berkeley at #2 and Cornell at #10. Furthermore, in overall undergraduate engineering, Berkeley is again at #2 and Cornell is at #9. But who’s counting right?
Idk, personally, Im torn between a superior engineering program at Berkeley or a better administration/fit/life at Cornell.</p>
Uh huh and in terms of National Academy of Engineering membership, Berkeley is miles ahead of Cornell.</p>
<p>Berkeley: 77
Cornell: 25</p>
<p>If you’re interested in EECS, Berkeley’s program is one of the best in the country and its proximity to Silicon Valley cannot be overlooked for high tech employment compared to rural, up-state New York.</p>
