<p>With all the issues I'm hearing about with the University of California system - being unable to graduate in 4 years, having a massive surge in class sizes, cuts in the budget, and a huge hike in tuition - is it even worth it to apply to any of the universities in this system - especially if one is out of state like me? I'm willing to take into consideration all factors - financially, academically, etc. </p>
<p>Feel free to offer any of your opinions. All viewpoints are welcome.</p>
<p>My honest opinion is no, it’s really not worth it. I will, of course, note that while I applied to 3 UCs as an in-state student (Berkeley, LA, Davis) and was accepted to two (Berkeley, Davis w/ Regents Scholarship), I do not attend a UC. I think that for the amount of tuition you’re paying out-of-state, it’s really not worth it. For example, getting into Berkeley OOS is pretty insane. If you can do that, I would think you could get into some better* (or at least comparable) private schools with good FA. I think Berkeley is a great school, but from what I’ve seen (at my school), really top students (like those who could get into Berkeley OOS), aren’t choosing a UC.
So, bottom line - given what it takes to get in and how much it costs, I just don’t think it’s worth it given all the cuts that are going on.</p>
<p>*better is a relative term, but I’m mostly thinking about things like smaller class sizes, more financially stable, etc.</p>
<p>Berkeley is no longer as hard to get into from OOS as they raise the OOS numbers. As long as you realize the issues and can afford 5 years, it’s worth it to apply. IMO, it will be the best schools many will get into as it does accept considerably lower stats than top private colleges.</p>
<p>Probably not - I’m an OOS student who was accepted to Berkeley, liked the campus after visiting summer after junior year, received a scholarship with 3 digits, compared to 3/4 COA at my state flagship. If you can afford going to the UC system, sure, it’s a great education, IF you can get into the classes and all that.</p>
<p>No, not worth it. It costs almost as much as the best private colleges in the country, with overcrowded classrooms and budget cuts.</p>
<p>Cal is definitely worth it, assuming the cost of attendance is roughly equal to that at other equally good options (any top 20 university really). </p>
<p>It also depends on major. For Engineering, Business and any Science, Cal ROCKS!</p>
<p>^^^ Agree with above. At least for engineering, it’s one of the best universities in the country and definitely worth it.</p>
<p>If you can get into Cal’s engineering or business school as an out of stater then you are also very likely to be able to get into Stanford and Caltech (for engineering) which are more worth the money.</p>
<p>How are Stanford and Caltech better than Cal for Engineering? Cal is tied with Stanford at #2 in Engineering. Caltech is #4.</p>
<p>^^ First of all…smaller size…more chance of graduating in 4 years with research experience. Second of all…you get the “wow” factor when you attend Stanford or Caltech.</p>
<p>BearCub, I have known literally dozens of Cal students. Engineers always graduate in 4-5 years, depending on the number of credits they came in with. The myth that public universities are overcrowded is blown way out of proportion. I never met a single person who needed more than 5 years to graduate from Cal. </p>
<p>As for the “wow factor”, I don’t know if any university other than MIT gets a louder “wow” than Cal when it comes to Engineering. In Engineering circles, Cal is regarded as one of the definite top 3 Engineering schools in the nation.</p>
<p>At any rate, there is a good chance the OP does not care about “wowing” people anyway. No educated person will “wow” a person based on the university they attended. Of course, if you intend on wowing 15-20 year old kids well into your thirties, Caltech and Stanford may be a better option than Cal, but even that isn’t garanteed.Then again, I hope that a 30 something’s aspirations are loftier than hanging out with teenagers in the hope of wowing them!</p>
<p>My son is headed to Cal in the fall for engineering. Those majoring in engineering are REQUIRED to graduate in four years. They get the classes they need. If they need more than four years, they have to get special approval from the Dean to extend their time on campus. Just an FYI…</p>
<p>If you’re an International student Berkeley (and to some extent, UCLA and UCSD) are definitely worth the sticker price. </p>
<p>Berkeley is prestigious worldwide and has very strong alumni in almost all countries in the world who occupy some very important post in large private and public organizations. A degree from Berkeley would put you in good stead. </p>
<p>UCLA and UCSD aren’t very far from Berkeley in terms of prestige. All 3 UC schools appeal to international students who’d like to attend American schools that truly represent the American culture and lifestyle. Berkeley, UCLA and UCSD are microcosms of America - students from all walks of life are represented. The only common denominator of these students is the very high High School achievement rank - mostly top 10 in their graduating class.</p>
<p>Cal’s needed stats for admission are significantly below Stanford’s and Caltech’s, it’s simply not true that it’s anywhere near as hard to get in from OOS today as it is to get into those 2 schools.</p>
<p>^^
</p>
<p>From the Cal CDS: B9. Of the initial 2003 cohort, how many completed the program in more than five years but in six years or less (after August 31, 2008 and by August 31, 2009): 99</p>
<p>That being said, the 90% graduation rate in six years for a public U is very good.</p>
<p>^ I agree. I think Caltech and Stanford are still harder to get into than Berkeley either for IS or OOS applicants.</p>
<p>Berkeley OOS is probably just as hard as getting into Duke or a lower Ivy like Cornell.</p>
<p>A friend’s son who is a rising Cal senior tells me that not only do most people finish within four years, but it’s not uncommon to finish in LESS. Rising COA is driving at least some Cal students to finish more quickly. I don’t know if students are using AP credits or heavy course loads or (community college) summer school. This particular student is double-majoring in a humanities field and music. The “done in less than four years” cohort might be concentrated in non-tech fields. </p>
<p>On the other hand, another student I know who is a rising Santa Cruz sophomore is taking summer school courses at a local Cal State because she was unable to get the coursework she needed during the year. </p>
<p>In short, the mindset that UC undergrad = 5 years should be taken with a grain of salt. I’ve been assuming on 5 years at a UC for budgeting purposes for (rising hs senior) D1. In part, this helps me rationalize the possibility of paying for a private. 
If an OOS student is attracted by a specific academic program at a UC (e.g. engineering at Cal) and isn’t worried about money or time to completion, UC is still worth consideration. For people who are concerned primarily with reputation, tread carefully.</p>
<p>I didn’t think we were talking about the difficulty of admissions. I thought he wanted to know if it was worth it to go to some of these institutions… I think it is for certain majors. Berkeley for engineering is an outstanding choice whether IS or OOS. Just my opinion of course.</p>
<p>No, it is NOT worth it. For the same money, you could attend a private college, or your instate public at less than half the price. Or, ED to Cornell.</p>
<p>And no, graduating in 4 years it not difficult (for the wealthy).</p>
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<p>Not even close. Cal is easier than Duke.</p>
<p>^^ Just your opinion, of course.</p>