Help with decision btwn UC Berkeley or UMich?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

Hi everyone! I was recently accepted to UC Berkeley and UMich and I can’t decide where to go!
I’m looking for a great school academically with flexible majors and minors (I intend to study business/communications) and both schools have great programs for business!
I want a school with strong spirit, sports, and a sense of community.
I am also looking for a present social scene (not a party school but I definitely want it to be there).
I am also looking for an interesting, entertaining, and safe surrounding area to campus.
I work hard in school but I do want a full college experience and not be constantly studying!

I am from San Francisco originally and I live in Connecticut now. I’ve heard that Berk has a more high-pressure, super stressed out student culture because everything is SO difficult which UMich does not have.

***Some things I’m worried about Berkeley that I was hoping people could confirm or deny?

  • the fact that the social scene is dead
  • the fact that the city of Berkeley is very dangerous (homelessness, crime, etc.)
  • the fact that there is a huge housing problem off-campus
  • impersonal, “red tape” bureaucracy of the actual school
  • grade deflation and extremely difficult classes/academics which means ppl study all day long just to pass their classes

Are there “normal” kids at Berkeley?

2

That may be specific to certain subgroups of students. Unfortunately, that includes most of those intending to major in business, since most frosh intending to major in business enter as L&S undeclared. They need to compete for admission into the business major during their second year: https://haas.berkeley.edu/undergrad/admissions/application-process/ . The GMP and MET programs are exceptions where students are directly admitted as frosh, but they make up only a small number of frosh.

Regarding Michigan, do you have direct admission to the business major there or not?

Not sure what you mean by “normal”, but there are plenty of students of many kinds, probably at least some of whom you may consider “normal”.

3

Both are awesome and will fit your requirements. But if you have direct admission to Ross, I’d go there. (Plus its closer to CT.) If not, is either significantly cheaper for you?

4

go to umich

5

I do not have direct admission to Ross. I didn’t apply for it.

6

Given that you need to compete for admission to the business major at both, both will have the stressful competitive atmosphere for you.

Consider what alternative majors you are interested in if you do not get into the business major (at either school).

7

There’s grade deflation at UMich too. And there are stressed out students at UMich. My D studies all the time to achieve good grades. Grading and stress will be similar. However, I don’t believe there’s the same level of competitiveness. IMO, there’s a lot of collaboration at UMich.

Also, Ross does offer a minor to non-Ross students, if an inter-school transfer is denied.

8

Pretty much describes UMich to a “T.”

9

Both great schools. If you get admitted to either business schools, both schools are very highly regarded by employers/recruiters. They both are on a semester system and participate in prestigious sports conferences. Maybe the final decision would be based the weather and the area surrounding the campuses.

10

Berkeley 100% has a great social scene if that’s what you’re looking for. There’s a whole Greek row with 13 sororities and like 25-30 frats. More than the other UC’s. Also great school spirit. Academics are incredible, but if social life is a concern for you as well, you can still get it from Cal.