<p>I've always perused the college confidential threads, but had never before posted in the forums so forgive me if I am missing vital information below. </p>
<p>My main issue at hand is the choice of colleges: Duke or UC Berkeley. I'll list some of my stats as well as my financial and family information. I have debated with my parents about the matter but we simply could not come to a conclusion (My gut says Duke, my dad says Berkeley, my mom is apathetic, my brother is 7) So please help give me a fresh perspective on the issue :)</p>
<p>SAT Math: 780
SAT Reading: 710
SAT Writing: 800 (essay 12)
-Total 2290</p>
<p>GPA 3.6 unw
School demographics: White, middle/upperclass, suburban</p>
<p>Personal information
-Female
-Asian (Chinese)</p>
<p>Financial situation: About 150k for a family of 4
-Duke: Has not yet given me a financial package because I sent in my IDOC information a bit late. (Should I call the office or wait until they contact me?)
-Berkeley: Offered loans of 25k per year (which basically covers tuition) but again, is just a loan. No regents scholarship at Cal though</p>
<p>Majors: I applied to different majors for the colleges, I couldn't really decide
-Duke: Pratt school of engineering as civil engineer (Hoping to double major somehow)
-Berkeley: College of Letter&Sciences (I have no clue what major I applied for. I couldn't find which major I got in for; I just know I got into their liberal arts/humanities departments with biological and physical sciences)</p>
<p>I'll respond quickly to any comments (Instant email notification) I guess I still have time to do some more research, overnight programs, scholarship consideration, etc but I think it would be great to have some help from others with the matter. Thanks in advance! :P </p>
<p>(I think I'll also have the same thread in the Berkeley forums to get the other biased opinion) Hehe sorry for the spam</p>
<p>I have also gotten accepted to both schools, so I understand the dilemma. I've decided to go to Duke (if I don't get into Stanford). I'm Out of State by the way, (Arizona), and I didn't read if you were in or out of state but the price issue might affect your decision if you're in the California school system.</p>
<p>I think Duke is better because I believe that at Berkley there is purely a "nerdy" criteria to gain admission but at Duke there is more of this pervasive all-around "well-rounded" student body. Duke seems more to me like a school to develop the whole person, as opposed to strictly academics.</p>
<p>UC Berkley is also a lot larger than Duke, which means less-intimate professors and class size. I think that overall Duke is a better atmosphere, but of course, this is mainly personal opinion. You can find all sorts of opinions on the issue all over the web, (this website in particular), but when it comes down to it, the schools have extremely different atmospheres, but similar academic excellence. </p>
<p>You'd do great at both. ;)</p>
<p>If you're talking about what's good for you in the long term academically, I'd go with Duke. I was in the exact situation as you last year, tied between Berkely and Duke, with money being the sole problem. If you go to Berkeley, the curves are ridiculous, and everyone kills themselves (I have lots of friends who go there). At Duke, it's competitive but people have lives, so the atmosphere is much better. Plus, the curves here aren't as tough. I've heard Berkeley engineering curves are ridiculous: something like 10 percent get A's 25 get B's 50 percent get C's and everyone else D's and F's. At Duke the worst curves you will ever see are B- averages, plus civil engineering courses aren't as competitive, so it mnight be even more generous. With your financial situation, $150,000, I'd say go with Duke.</p>
<p>Wow. I am in the exact same situation. </p>
<p>I'm also thinking I will choose Duke over Berkeley. Not only because of the reputation that Duke has but also because it's a smaller population as Megan mentioned. I think you'd have a much more intimate relationship with not only the student body but also the faculty and the school itself.</p>
<p>I have grown up in the Bay Area my whole life and I am currently living in California, so I know a little bit about Berkeley. Let me tell you that it is an acquired taste. Berkeley is not your average town and it takes some getting used to. I personally love it, but I am choosing to go to Duke (or Penn, not sure yet) because I know that the competition at Berkeley is ridiculous. I want to pursue medicine and I know that Berkeley is not the right place for undergrads wanting to go to med school. Don't get me wrong I love the Bay Area and would never want to leave it, but I didn't get into Stanford, so...yeah. Anyways, both are great schools and I wish you the best.</p>