<p>Ok so…I live in southern california. For the past three years, I was set on going to an east coast liberal arts college. Yesterday I was accepted to Berkeley with pretty much a full ride. I got my bates acceptance letter today (wooo!!!) and I have got almost full financial aid. I have nooo idea what to dooo =(. i’m so confused because i was so set on the east coast but since I was accepted to berkeleys #1 chemistry program in the country…it changes everything. any suggestions? what would you guys do?</p>
<p>If I were you I'd book a trip to Lewiston and sit in on the chemistry classes (short term will be starting soon which is a really fun atmosphere), meet the professors and get a sense of the atmosphere at Bates. You really can do research at Bates-but it will be way different from Berkely, that's for sure.</p>
<p>i know it's so different. that's why i'm so confuseddd =( i don't want to make any wrong decisions...</p>
<p>Berkley. Lewiston is the armpit of Maine. Don't get me wrong, Bates is lovely, but the town is horrible.</p>
<p>you will have much closer interaction with professors - which is helpful for any subject. with that, you may even find more opportunities for undergraduate research that would not be available at a larger school ... you can start doing research as a freshman at small liberal arts schools!</p>
<p>But I've never visited Berkley, so I don't really know ...</p>