<p>I live in CA, cost does matter but isn't the only thing I'm considering (haven't gotten FA packets yet), been to Cornell summer college, probably majoring in biology(which one has better academics?), thinking about veterinary school after. I like the idea of being more in the city, but Cornell campus is REALLY pretty...also don't like Berkeley's lack of diversity. Oh, and class size isn't that important to me. Berkeley is close to home, which is kind of a bad thing, but would be a lot cheaper to travel back during breaks and things like that...Any opinions on where I should go would be really helpful!
* Already posted this on Cornell forum too</p>
<p>I'm also interested in hearing this. I'm in the same exact boat, except I want to major in business.</p>
<p>Wow..I'm also in a VERY similar situation (minus the whole want to go to veterninary school; thinking about med school though). I guess Berkeley and Cornell and a lot of cross-admits.</p>
<p>Last year I had to make the same decision and I chose Berkeley, but it was for Engineering, in which case there is no doubt which school is better.</p>
<p>What do you mean by Berkeley's lack of diversity?
I don't know if there is such thing at all.</p>
<p>Berkeley may have 49% asians, but it's otherwise very diverse. Also, Ithaca NY may be pretty, but you must realise- it's boring as hell.</p>
<p>I heard that half the people there are asian, plus almost everyone there is from CA (I expect that from a state school though)....I would prefer having people from all over the world like a private school would</p>
<p>California IS a very diverse state. Plus, you're right next to the bay area, probably the most diverse place west of the Mississippi.</p>
<p>somewhere between 90~95% instate, 46% asian.
according to statistics released by each school, med school acceptance rate (this means ANY med school) for berkeley is about 60~65% for the past 5 years, and about 70~75% for cornell.
even considering a lot more people from berkeley apply to med schools and that berkeley's average gpa is lower than cornell's, i think private schools would have better student management because of its size and therefore more attention and resource to students who are seeking post-undergraduate education.</p>
<p>wow, that is a tough decision....</p>
<p>what do you like the most? are you a city kid? can you see yourself in a relatively rural area? do you need boba on the weekends? (lol, i love boba!) um.. is the weather a problem? large or relatively small class sizes? these are some of the things u should consider.</p>
<p>yep I've thought abt all those things...the problem is that in the end it all equals out so I'm pretty much where I started....anyone here really glad they went to berkeley (or already decided to go)?</p>
<p>i dont know, you sound like you really want to go to cornell, but the thing is that the way you mention certain things, like "wanting to come home" sounds like a big advantage to have. Plus, even though u live close to berk, u could always live on campus....Also, berk is gorgeous in my opinion, and cornell is too. Looks shouldnt be a concern when both campuses are good looking.</p>
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Berkeley may have 49% asians, but it's otherwise very diverse. Also, Ithaca NY may be pretty, but you must realise- it's boring as hell.
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somewhere between 90~95% instate, 46% asian.
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<p>Berkeley has 41% Asians, and 90% in-state, 7% out-of-state, 3% international. I think Cornell has about 15% Asians; it's predominately white.</p>
<p>Both universities are pretty similar so there are always a lot of Berkeley vs. Cornell threads. The bio program at both are pretty strong and pretty competitive. Academically I might give Cornell a slight edge. Also if you have an interest in engineering take note that it's much harder to transfer into engineering at Berkeley than at Cornell.</p>
<p>The city of Ithaca is pretty boring though. I think Cornell is more into frats/parties and drinking. Berkeley is probably more inviting if you're a Asian simply because you feel more at home with so many Asians around, while if you are an African-American then Cornell might be more accomodating.</p>
<p>I personally would choose Berkeley. It depends on whether you want to leave CA.</p>
<p>what about research opportunities?
I want to do premed (bio major) and I am also choosing between berkeley and cornell..
I haven't received my financial aid packet from cornell though : ( but got a full ride @ berkeley.</p>
<p>Both have a lot of research opportunities, but you may have to work a little harder at Berkeley to get one.</p>
<p>How did you get a full ride to Berkeley?</p>
<p>if his EFC is 0 and he is a regent's scholar, then i guess that counts as a full ride.</p>
<p>yeah..that's how i got it</p>
<p>anyone has something more to say about cal vs. cornell?</p>
<p>Go to Berkeley. Nuff said.</p>
<p>I chose Berkeley over Cornell (and over Amherst and Dartmouth). I think amherst and dartmouth were very tough decisions (based on finaid mostly), but for me Berkeley over Cornell was easy bc, as I mentioned in a previous post, Ithaca is boooring. There also seemed to be a reputation for Cornell being the "bottom of the ivies," while Berkeley was seen as having an incredible worldwide reputation (albeit mostly for grad programs, admittedly, but still..). In terms of diversity, the school may be lacking a bit, but the city of Berkeley and nearby SF more than compensate. If you haven't already, visit both schools during regular academic sessions to get a feel for the place. Whatever you decide though, both great schools.</p>