<p>Hi! I am a California resident that is trying to make my college decision. I have been accepted to UCSB, Cal Poly SLO, UC Berkeley and the Barrett Honors College at ASU. I will be studying accounting at ASU and SLO and if I attend I will most likely double major. I am studying econ at the UC's. Obviously Berkeley would be the best choice in terms of prestige but I am worried about not obtaining good enough grades to possibly go to grad school or law school. I feel ASU would be easier and with the tools Barrett offers, I would be able to go to a well regarded grad school or law school. Also at ASU i could get my MAcc i one extra year. The Business school is supposedly in the top 25. I highly doubt i could get into the Berkeley Haas Business school. Any input?</p>
<p>Barret or not you still get the Arizona State diploma. Joking aside, I think you shouldn’t turn down UCB especially if you are a California resident. You could play safe and choose UCSB.</p>
<p>If you are serious about accounting, you should choose your program based on that. Find out how many grads pass the CPA exams on the first try. Also, what companies hire their grads.</p>
<p>Do take the time to run the numbers as well. The cost may eliminate one or more of these pretty quickly.</p>
<p>If you don’t particularly like UCB, don’t feel compelled to attend just because of reputation. If you are serious about law school, your GPA will be more important than the name on your diploma, and you will be shelling out a boatload of cash for that degree - so yes, you need to consider where you think you will be happiest and will get the best grades for the least amount of money.</p>
<p>Grad schools never check w U.S.News’ rankings when admitting students, and you’re going to get top notch education at any of those schools. But years from now you don’t want to be explaining to an employer in New Jersey where San Louis Obispo is, or that the A stands for Arizona. Of the schools you mention, only Berkeley’s name is known in every corner of the world. That said, I went to UCSB decades ago (from Idaho), and I still think of it as the best years of my life.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>This is what you need to keep in mind.</p>
<p>ASU would end up costing less than the UC’s with the scholarships they are giving me.</p>
<p>UC-Berkeley normal is equal to ASU honors. What is the price difference between ASU and UCB ? If the difference is less than 15k, then that’s reasonable for Berkeley education. If its more than that, you will have to think harder.</p>
<p>its only a couple thousand less to go to ASU.</p>
<p>Sounds like you’re most interested in accounting and it is likely a more marketable degree than Econ. would be. Take your best offer. Go to ASU honors, do well and get your Macc. in five years. Life happens and plans often change over the course of five years. You may change your mind about Law school and would still have your Macc. to start your life.</p>