<p>Hey guys. I have a headache right now from trying to decide between Penn (SEAS), Columbia (SEAS), and Berkeley (L&S). Any information/advice is appreciated!</p>
<p>My major is comp sci at all three schools. I am not entirely sure of this major. The profession I’m interested in–if I do stick with CS–is game programming. Now, for comp sci and game programming, I think it is generally agreed that Berkeley would be the best option (#1 engineering/CS grad in the nation; next to the Silicon Valley). But I am almost crossing out Berkeley from my list because, among other reasons, 1) I visited; the neighborhood is boring, and the campus and neighborhood are a bit crappy, and 2) compared to the two Ivies, many mediocre people are admitted to Cal (especially from CA); makes me feel like a Berkeley degree is not as prestigious (though I am aware that Berkeley’s education is by no means second-rate). Note that I am not being arrogant; just speaking in general terms. Correct me if I’m wrong.</p>
<p>Since I am not sure whether I will stick with CS all the way, I am not ready to go to Berkeley just because it is good for engineering. I know for a fact that Columbia and Penn will be better undergrad experiences. Also, I am seriously considering business at the moment (for the much higher pay than engineering, and not because of genuine interest in business/finance). So Penn’s Wharton (if I dual degree) or Columbia’s NYC (internships, opportunities) would both be helpful. I love NYC but a deterrent to my attending Columbia is that I heard Columbia isn’t really flexible if I decide to do something else along with CS, or transfer out of CS altogether. Penn, on the other hand, I heard is extremely flexible (minor, dual degree, etc). I know that if I want business or business with technology, Penn with its Wharton is my best bet. But I am just not entirely sure of my interests yet.</p>
<p>From these considerations, Columbia and Penn are better than Berkeley. But it is still very possible that I may end up sticking with CS all the way, and coming out searching for game programming jobs or engineering jobs in general. I’m really worried that I will have screwed myself over for choosing Columbia and Penn over Berkeley if I am just doing engineering.</p>
<p>The above is my dilemma. Any information is helpful. Thanks in advance! :)</p>
<p>if u want to go for graduate school then UCB will give u A GOOD BASE. PENN CS MAJORS ALSO END UP WORKING FOR MICROSOFT AND GOOGLE. DUAL MAJORS EVEN BETTER TO CONSULTING, INV BKG ALONG WITH ENG JOBS. GO TO PENN, LIFE IS JUST LOT BETTER.</p>
<p>Berkeley. I don't want to hurt Penn SEAS feelings, but our engieneering dept. is not very well ranked, and frankly not that good. Berkeley is so much better in that respect.</p>
<p>It's not like Penn SEAS sucks, but it just isn't the best part of Penn. Plus, all your intro classes are terrible. They're huge, in the worst buildings on Penn's campus, and all my friends in engieneering hate them. I tend to feel that Penn SEAS is a waste of money. There are some schools that are known for their engieneering programs. Penn is not one of them except in a few precious fields.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. But that's not what I heard from the two Penn students I conversed with. One of them was an M&T, doing CS also, and he thinks pretty highly of the CS department. He turned down MIT for it incidentally.</p>
<p>Wharton is correct. I walked in one of the SEAS buildings last week and almost threw up. I couldn't beleive how old and dingy the buildings were. It's like being in a dungeon that smells. You feel like you have to take a shower once you leave the building.</p>
<p>I turned down MIT for M&T as well...brdc_2, they're actually building a whole new engineering building as well as a nanotechnology building thats supposed to open soon..Penn engineering is definitely moving up. </p>
<p>Not gonna lie, Wharton was a big factor in my decision. Even if you dont dual, though, you can very easily take classes and write "with extensive coursework in finance"...etc. and you can still take advantage of Wharton's resources. </p>
<p>If you said you were positive about CS I'd say Berkeley. For the flexibility alone, Penn might be a good choice.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, that's very informative. Could you tell me more about that? I don't know what specific questions to ask at the moment, I'll come back with some.</p>
<p>Even if I just want to do CS though, I visited Berkeley and I don't really like it there. I don't know. Even though it's good for my--intended--major, if I don't like it I shouldn't go right. I think Penn or Columbia will be better overall experiences.</p>
<p>I'm in the same position, except with CMU instead of Berkeley! The Ivy factor does come into play in my mind, and though I know CMU has better CS (the best, in fact), I find myself wanting to choose Penn.</p>