I need help choosing a college from 3 amazing choices!!

College Search & Selection
1

Hi, so I’ve been lucky enough to have been accepted in UCLA, UC Berkeley, and the University of Virginia in the Echols Honors Program and I have no idea which to choose for undergraduate.

A quick disclaimer, price is not a factor for me because I have full tuition covered by the GI bill and distance from home isn’t a factor either because my family lives outside of the states.

A few things about me that I think are important in choosing between the schools. I am interested in a degree in something to do with Economics, Poli Sci, International Relations and maybe study music as well. Not completely sure yet, but my intended major is something definitely humanities-based. Additionally, I am currently planning on attending law school so a school that would best help me achieve that goal would be preferred.

Overall, what I want from my undergraduate experience is a good education and opportunities that would help me get into law school and succeed in a career. Also, I plan on living on the East coast, I’m not sure if that’s a significant factor but nevertheless.

Here are some thoughts that I have about each school… they might not be completely true but it’s what I’ve been considering so far.

UCLA:
-pros: great location, like the vibe of the school when I visited, great programs, wonderful music school, could likely get internships and good volunteer opportunities to build my resume during the academic year because of proximity to a large city, good campus food lol
-cons: doesn’t seem as well known for the fields I’m interested in like my other two options? not sure if the quarter system would suit me the best…?

UC Berkeley:
-pros: highly respected and prestigious academic reputation-widely regarded as the best public school, top programs in what I’m interested in studying, could likely get internships and good volunteer opportunities to build my resume during the academic year because of proximity to a large city
-cons: never visited but have heard a lot of negative things about the area- safety & housing, very scared of getting a significantly worse GPA than I could at other choices (especially since law school admissions places heavy emphasis on a high GPA!!- how true is the grade deflation rumor?), too much cutthroat competition?

UVA:
-pros: also has good programs in what I want to study, could potentially get a masters in public policy while also being an undergrad

  • honors program: no gen-ed requirements, preferential treatment in getting the best classes and professors, opportunities to take some classes at the law school apparently(?)
    -cons: not a big fan of the area and feel like there would be more opportunity for internships, work, volunteering, etc in the bigger cities that UCLA and UCB are located in; not the best deciding factor but it just isn’t as high ranked/known as the other two…

One of my main questions is how important and significant getting into the UVA honors program is and how bad really is the competitive atmosphere- struggle for a good GPA and opportunities- at Berkeley?

Thanks for any tips and advice that’s given… I’m really just very torn!

(also, I’ve posted this before but didn’t get any responses… hoping this one gains more traction haha)

2

I wouldn’t choose a school based on the honors program. in the end it’s still just UVA with a slight twist (which is great, but so are UCLA and UCB).

I can’t believe any of these schools would hold you back from law school and an east coast job.

3

@diannee123 Cal over UCLA since it is the flagship unless you want to wear shorts all year;-). Attended ROHP.berkeley.edu last month and the students appeared to be at a higher caliber than the Bruins. It will likely be more challenging but to each his own.

4

If you want to live on the east coast, then UVA is your best bet, the other two will have more grads in CA and the western part of the US. good luck!

5

@joecollege44
Yeah, I completely get that point- I think it’s just the benefits associated with being a part of an honors program that is really appealing to me! And I really think there isn’t a bad choice here either… I’m just so torn on which would be best for me. Thanks for your response!

6

@theloniusmonk

That’s something I’ve also heard as well… do you know if that’s something very significant in terms of getting gainful employment on either coast. If holding a UVA degree would be more favorably viewed than one from UCLA or Berkeley in the East Coast (specifically in government work in D.C.)? Thanks for your advice!!

7

These are all good schools. I’d go with UVA personally but that’s just me. Go with the one you like. (I’d caution against thinking UCB is “widely regarded as the best public school”. That was true 40 years ago but I don’t think anyone thinks that about the fields you’re interested in; it certainly isn’t viewed as better than UVA).

8

I’m a big believer in research driving education. I think a good research university translates into good undergraduate education, if only sometimes by osmosis. While there are flaws in this theory, it’s especially true for driven students. Anyway, you’ve picked only research universities, no LACs, so you at least partly agree.

Berkeley is the best research institution on your list. It’s one of the best in the country. Ergo, the best education.

UVA might have a stronger alumni network in DC, but are you even sure you want to work in DC? Would that be before or after law school? That’s an important question, because you could always go to law school at Georgetown or something if you really want to get plugged into the DC scene.

9

I think UVA is a better bet for the east coast esp DC where their grads will have a bigger presence than west coast schools, UVA is the choice.Good luck

10

“If holding a UVA degree would be more favorably viewed than one from UCLA or Berkeley in the East Coast (specifically in government work in D.C.)?”

For government work in DC, I think UVA would be held the most favorably. It’s not like the other two would be regarded badly but typically the graduates of a college tend to stay local.

11

I would double check your GI bill benefits. None of the schools you mentioned have a yellow ribbon program which means Veterans Affairs may only pay tuition up to the in state amount. You may be responsible for paying the difference between in state and out of state tuition, which is a very significant amount for all three schools.

12

Yeah thanks for that reminder! But because of the choice act, I would qualify for in-state at all three and the ensuing costs would all be covered by the GI bill!

13

@theloniusmonk

Alright, thank you!!

14

@NJdad07090

Thank you!