<p>This is actually super late considering I already sir'ed, but I had to choose between Berkeley Materials science and engineering and Hopkins BME. I really want to go into the BME field, but I also really really wanted to go to cal, so i didn't wanna risk my chances by applying to BioE. Plus there is a bioe/mse joint program ( i do actually wanna work with biomaterials) that I can apply for later on as well. Hopkins was a TOTAL reach for me, idk how i got in but trully grateful...... so was giving up Hopkins's ranking/prestige worth it, considering i'm still attending my dream school? (definitely expecting some bias, but at least I'll be reassured :) )</p>
<p>I have a friend who gave up Hopkins BME to go to UVA (which isn’t even as good as Cal for engineering related majors) but it was the right choice because he fits in better there. So going to Cal over JHU is certainly not a big tradeoff if you really like the former.</p>