<p>pros:
In state
More prestigious (slightly)
Parents want me to go there
Nearly half the price
great weather, places to go other than college</p>
<p>cons:
ugly girls!!!
Not as good of a party scene as Umich
Extremeley competitive. While I am certain I could do well at Berkeley, I know that it is a much harder school to get into than umich( almost all of my friends who are ranked in the top 10 percent of a competitive public high got into mich out of state and didnt get into berkeley in state) and thus it would be much harder to pull a good gpa and thus hurting my chances at a top grad school..
Only 10 percent out of state</p>
<p>Mich</p>
<p>Pros</p>
<p>Great programs comparable to Berkeley
Girls
party scene
It would be much easier to graduate with honors/ top end of my class
40 percent? out of state, much more diverse</p>
<p>Cons </p>
<p>Price
weather
Less to do outside the school
mental factor of "choosing the easier way out" ( which I know shouldnt be a reason.</p>
<p>I know what you are all going to say, just visit the campus's and see which one you fit in better. I am definately going to do this. However, at this point im m 85 percent ( in state tuition fees) going to Berkeley, and was wondering if any of you guys could change my mind. </p>
<p>I know i may sound shallow, but i feel like my mind belongs at Berkeley but my dick belongs at Mich. I value both the same.</p>
<p>First off, I think you may need to edit your last sentence. ;)</p>
<p>I went to Berkeley and my daughter goes to Michigan. I think you are underestimating how difficult it will be to do well at Michigan. </p>
<p>If you think you can do well at Berkeley, I would go to Berkeley. The cost savings are just too great. Join clubs or a frat and you will be fine. There are things I like about Michigan more than Berkeley, but Berkeley has SF close by, Tahoe is not too far, and the weather is sooooo much better at Berkeley.</p>
<p>Let me make it easier for you. Forget your mind and any other body part you may think with and focus on your parents' pockets. $80,000 vs $160,000. Cal wins hands down.</p>
<p>And by the way, although Cal is harder to get into than Michigan, the calibre of student at both universities is virtually identical. I would agree it is slightly (and I emphasize the word) easier to maintain a 3.8+ GPA at Michigan, but maintaining a 3.3-3.7 GPA at either school requires a serious effort.</p>
<p>I agree with a lot of what dstark and Alexandre said, particularly in terms of the "parents' pockets." I was in the same position recently with UMich v. NYU Stern, and chose UMich because of the substantial price differential (160k).</p>
<p>While my parents could have afforded it, it would have nonetheless forced a bit of a financial strain on them.</p>
<p>If you're middle class, then a huge difference like UMich v. Berkeley is just too huge for your parents to take on. UMich may be your dream school, but you'll grow to love Berkeley as well.</p>
<p>Furthermore, don't worry so much about the "party scene." You'll be able to find good friends at Berkeley and have a few parties. And even if Berkeley is a little tamer than UMich is terms of a "party scene," maybe that's a good thing.</p>
<p>I disagree that Cal is hands down better. Hang out on the Berkeley campus for a day or two. What is the vibe you get when you are on their campus? </p>
<p>If they were the same cost, I would take Michigan. You'll get a new experience by leaving the Bay Area. However, paying the twice the money doesnt equate in my mind.</p>
<p>Go to Berkeley. In fact, most people say that the girls here are only average, so I don't know where you get that impression from. But of course you'll have good ones everywhere. For the weather, price, and comparable academics, you should go to Berkeley. The competition level will be the same. It's hard to get that GPA at Michigan as well.</p>
<p>Given your priorities you should probably go to San Diego State. With the money you save and the lack of rigor you could afford to have an active social life.
Also, I wonder what the girls at Cal and Michigan think of the guys who attend? Perhaps their views would be interesting.</p>
<p>All I can say is you better be a super genius with an excellent academic background if you think you can do well at either school if partying is a priority over academics. Students with lesser stats will eat your lunch. Save your partying for the weekends and forget about it at least a couple of weeks before finals. You will be using your aforementioned body part to urinate away your future.</p>
<p>Both are prestigious schools in great college towns. Note, much of this prestige is built off of the reputation of their graduate research. This is true of most of the 'top ranked' schools. The rankings don't equate to quality of undergraduate education.</p>
<p>The two biggest issues are price and fit. To succeed, you'll need to feel comfortable with the place. I suggest a visit. You can't base your whole life on rankings. The weather at Michigan isn't terrible, it's four seasons. Fall, summer, and spring are gorgeous. Winter is long and cold but cozy. Some people like winter. Michigan takes care of its undergraduate students better. Ann Arbor is less expensive and less crowded than Berkeley. San Francisco of course beats Detroit. The acceptance rate is deceptive because many East Coast people use Mich as a safety school for the Ivy's. so Mich accepts more people but the incoming group of students is about the same as Berkeley. Mich has a much larger campus and the school is constantly improving it. Both have pretty campuses. Berkeley's campus has more natural beauty. Michigan has more architectural beauty. Both are more than you can ask for in that way. Michigan students are very talented so don't think you'll waltz through there. Main thing is to like where you are and work hard. The rest will work itself out. And price is huge too. Right now you don't think about money. As you get older, particularly when you need to pay for grad. school you will. Mich out of state is about 30K. Cal in state is about 9K. That probably decides it right there.</p>