From Nick Zhao: Cal vs. Chicago, interesting points!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>I am vacinating between Cal and Chicago. So I did a research on which school is more prestige. However, after the research, I became more unsure of which is more prestige than others. Here is what I found:</p>

<p>UChicago: Most Noble prize winners in the United States.
Best Economics Programs for undergraduate.
Average SAT, GPA is higher than most Ivy Leagues
Small!
Largest Library Research System.
The Princeton Review in 2004 rated the university as having the "Best Overall Educational Experience" for undergraduates among all American universities and colleges.
Bad: Expensive, but must be a school for rich people</p>

<p>Cal: Third best undergraduate Business School, Second Best Undergraduate Engineering School (better than Cornell and Carnegie Mellon, and even Caltech).
Ranks first nationally in the number of graduate programs
Best Public University.
Lowest In state tuition (unfortunately I am out state from Gig Harbor, Washington)
Largest Asian Population.
Only Graduate school that has ALL PHD ranked within top five of the nation.
Best Chemistry and English Graduate programs.
Very big!
Next to San Fransico, the city for the gays and lesbians.</p>

<p>Bad: Too many people, chances to be singled out is low. Worst faculty resource in the top schools.</p>

<p>Please take a vote so to help me decide where to go. Appreciate it!</p>

2

<p>Well you already put down info that you care about, what you should also tell us is what you prefer.</p>

<p>Do you want a small or big college?
Do you want to be in sunny cali or cold and windy chitown?
Do you want to study economics or business?
Are you more interested in going to a school geared towards learning or pre-professionalism?
Would you want to be in a very diverse environment?
Would you rather go to a school that is supposedly around a dangerous area or one that is near a gay friendly city?
How much would you pay for each school?</p>

<p>There are a lot of things on your lists that I personally wouldn't consider such as:
Chicago-
Average SAT, GPA is higher than most Ivy Leagues
must be a school for rich people</p>

<p>Cal-
Best Public University.
Lowest In state tuition (unfortunately I am out state from Gig Harbor, Washington)
Only Graduate school that has ALL PHD ranked within top five of the nation.
Best Chemistry and English Graduate programs. ( Unless you are planning on majoring in either of these two)</p>

<p>Congrats on being accepted to both, but at this point, I don't think you should be trying to decide on which is more prestigious. I would say Chicago, but that is only because I no NOTHING about Cal besides its grad schools being so amazing.</p>

3

<p>U Chicago will provide you with a better undergraduate learning experience. I have heard that at Cal many classes are taught by TAs.</p>

4

<p>Dude, what is the question?! Of course the answer is Chicago! You must come. I look forward to meeting all of you guys in the fall.</p>

<p>Just kidding. Congrats on both of your acceptances. They are both excellent schools, of course, so it will be a tough decision.</p>

<p>What is your planned major (if you have one)? That might help you narrow things down a bit. Also, have you visited both schools?</p>

5

<p>Information from a current Cal student: </p>

<p>Lots of classes are huge and taught by TAs.
Not stereotypical socal weather; I think they're in the middle of a rainy season at the moment.</p>