I really need help deciding

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So I got accepted into the Ohio State University, Brown University, University of California Berkeley, and Texas A&M University. </p>

<p>I have narrowed it down to Berkeley and A&M for reasons including the program (Visualization at A&M/Computer Graphics in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Berkeley) I am interested in, AP credit transfers and the overall feel of the campuses. </p>

<p>Problem is, I have had a really hard time deciding between the two. I really really liked Berkeley this past weekend, but the costs are astronomically high for out of state. My parents income is not low enough for significant aid, but I have applied for roughly 30 plus scholarships. Unfortunately, I won't hear until May or June for all of them. </p>

<p>If it was purely based on campus/students, Berkeley would win. I also believe that there are a lot of fantastic opportunities at Berkeley. At the same time, I know that the Visualization program at A&M has phenomenal connections, as well. Most of A&M's Viz students go on to work at Pixar or Dreamworks. </p>

<p>I would love to have a career as a technical director in Computer animation, which is the primary reason I chose the schools I applied to. But I also understand that if I went to Berkeley, I would have a much broader base of computer science, rather than solely computer animation. </p>

<p>The cost difference is approximately $30,000. </p>

<p>I don't want someone else to make a decision for me, but I would like to hear other people's opinions and reasoning for their opinions. I would also be incredibly grateful if there are any students that can offer insight to those specific programs, if you're in them or know someone who is. </p>

<p>Thank you so much.</p>

2

<p>Any thoughts would be appreciated!</p>

3

<p>Unless your parents have the additional $30,000 for Berkeley for next year, and at least an additional $30,000 for each of the following years, you can’t afford Berkeley. There is no way that Berkeley is more than $120,000 “better” than A&M.</p>

4

<p>Oh, I’m so sorry (okay, I’m at UT grad.) It’s just wow, I can’t think of two universities that could more different culturally. But happymom is right. Given the cost difference and knowing the quality of the program, A&M is the obvious choice. Just think of it as someone paying you $120,000 to live in College Station for four years. I’m sure you’ll be so busy with your studies that you won’t even be able to take advantage of the social opportunities ;-)</p>

5

<p>Cal to Brown to OSU to TAMU?</p>

<p>You applied to the whole political spectrum? I suggest a careful evaluation of all four schools if your final choices are between Cal and TAMU.</p>

<p>What are the costs per year for four schools?</p>

6

<p>I received some scholarship money at the OSU, so the cost would equate to roughly $24,000 out of state. The program, however, didn’t seem like a good fit for me.</p>

<p>Cost at Brown is approximately $58,000.</p>

<p>TAMU w/ scholarship is about $18,000</p>

<p>UC Berkeley = $55,000.</p>

<p>At the moment, I am leaning more towards A&M, even though I like UC Berkeley more, due to the high expenses.</p>

7

<p>I forgot to add something important. </p>

<p>At A&M, I have enough credits to start as a sophomore. At Berkeley, I would start with 2/3 of my freshman year done. </p>

<p>That’s part of the reason why I am down to those two schools.</p>