<p>As the title suggests, my heart is split in half for Brown and Berkeley.
They are both good schools so I can't go wrong either way is what people tell me, but since May 1st is approaching fast, I need to make up my mind soon - real SOON.</p>
<p>Here's what I'm thinking about:
I definitely love Brown's curriculum and its lack of general ed, and it's nice how profs teach rather than GSIs, who often take place of profs in Berkeley.
BUT
i am from a rather warm country so i am really nervous about the real cold in RI.
Surviving four winters cast shadow over my college life....
Of course it's all nice and balmy in CA - so much easier to live.</p>
<p>I am an international student so I need to fly in from the Pacific,
naturally making the flights to Brown so much longer and more expensive. </p>
<p>I know a student who was faced with a similar dilemma last year (Brown and UCLA) who was coming from across the Pacific and she opted for UCLA, because of its reputation in Asia and because she wanted the “big University” experience. It was also a tad cheaper as well and she would not have to endure the long flight. </p>
<p>It REALLY depends on what you are looking for in terms of environment. These two schools are completely different as far as size and attention. You will have to be on top of everything at Cal, there is no hand holding, but it is also a very diverse and cool college town right next to one the U.S.'s greatest cities. That said, if you prefer a smaller city and more personal attention then Brown would be the choice. Either way you can’t go wrong!</p>
This is a misconception. All lectures are taught by professors. GSIs teach/lead the discussion and lab sections. This is how Brown uses GSIs as well.</p>
<p>^^ Ditto on what UCBChemEGrad said, I don’t understand quite where this misconception even stems from. </p>
<p>Further, you may find out that you prefer the discussion sections where GSIs are in charge anyway…remember that GSIs at Berkeley are often extremely qualified people coming from top notch schools, and represent the ability level of the absolute top undergrads at Berkeley. It all comes down to getting a good GSI or professor, and this is the same anywhere.</p>
<p>Certain things make the rounds on this message board, and they become “truth.” It’s amazing how many people regurg the same things over and over.</p>
<p>This is an easy one or me. The GE requirements at UCs are such a waste of time in my opinion. At Brown you can study what you want and will be with an overall smarter peer group. Berkeley is also not exactly balmy most of the time. Brown for a much more fun college experience too.</p>
<p>Per weather.com, the monthly mean temperatures in Berkeley, CA, and Providence, RI, are not very different.</p>
<p>Here is the </p>
<p>Month, Berkeley MEAN, Brown MEAN, Delta</p>
<p>Jan 50°F 29°F -21
Feb 53°F 31°F -22
Mar 54°F 39°F -15
Apr 56°F 49°F -7
May 59°F 59°F 0
Jun 62°F 68°F 6
Jul 63°F 73°F 10
Aug 63°F 72°F 9
Sep 64°F 64°F 0
Oct 62°F 53°F -9
Nov 55°F 44°F -11
Dec 50°F 34°F -16</p>
<p>Throughout the year, it is on average 6 degrees colder at Brown than Berkeley… not that great a difference, really, though removing June, July, would make the difference 9 degreees.</p>