Is MIT worth it?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey guys, the commit deadline is coming and I've ultimately narrowed my choices down to two schools: MIT vs. Berkeley. To give some background, I'm planning on majoriing in Bioengineering or BIological Engineering, and both schools have great programs for this major. I've visited both schools and like them both, I really don't have a clear winner in which I like best. Berkeley will cost about 25k cheaper every year than MIT, but MIT is MIT. I've decided to make a pros and cons list, but i still need help to decide!</p>

<p>MIT:
Great school, people say its education is one of a kind
Great location in Cambridge and Boston
Excellent and easily accessible research opportunities
Way more expensive for my family
Very far away from home ( im from southern cali) and bad weather</p>

<p>Berkeley:
Good school, good bioengineering program, although class sizes will be much larger
Great location right by San Francisco
Great weather and closer to home
CHEAP
Has good research opportunities, but harder to get
People say Berkeley is more competitive and cutthroat </p>

<p>And both are notorious for grade deflation</p>

2

<p>In this case, I'd go for Berkeley.</p>

<p>"but MIT is MIT"</p>

<p>But Berkeley is Berkeley. =p</p>

3

<p>Berkeley in this case... save that 100k for graduate school at MIT</p>

4

<p>I'd go to MIT. If I were gointo to choose a UC for BME, it would be SD hands down. The relationships they have with San Diego biotech companies and the reseacrh funding for undergrads is awesome. Berkeley isn't a BME powerhouse.</p>

<p>MIT is MIT. I'm assuming your family can afford it if we're even discussing this. To me it would be worth the $100K and I feel like if I wanted a biotech career your career would benefit $$wise.</p>

5

<p>MIT is MIT
U got something that people would kill for <<<<<</p>

6

<p>if your parents can afford it, MIT.</p>

7

<p>That isn't to say that Berkeley's bioE program is weak in any way (comparable to UCSD's) and the opportunities at Berkeley are plentiful. For your financial situation, though, Berkeley seems the better choice; MIT in this case wouldn't be worth the debt.</p>

8

<p>this is a tough one, but as you said, MIT is MIT..so if you can afford it without taking out a ridiculous amount of loans, i would go there...if you are going to go into a lot of debt you should probably go to Berkeley though</p>

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<p>thanks guys for your advice, but it seems like half of you guys are sayin berk, and half are sayin MIT... thats what my brain is doing right now too ahh</p>

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<p>How much debt will MIT put you in? How much will Berkeley?</p>

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<p>Both are great schools located in fun college towns near amazing big cities (I live very close to Berkeley but went to MIT). If your parents will be paying, ask their opinion. If not, just go with your heart. 100K in loans won't be an insurmountable obstacle when you graduate (think about the cost of homes in California)</p>

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<p>^^ 100k in loans is tremendous, and (in my opinion) not worth it when you have Berkeley as a choice.</p>

<p>To the OP: you might go to MIT for grad school.</p>

13

<p>Only 2 people said Berkeley! And Kyle, Berkeley's BME does not compare to UCSd's. SD has the attention of the biotech industry. Lots of private funds going in. I't is the biotech capital and has amazing internships, brown bags with shakers and lots more. I hated SD but would have gone if I had decided on a BME program.</p>

<p>Where are you going Kyle?</p>

14

<p>How is UCSD's BME program superior to Berkeley's? Sure, it's UCSD's strong point, but Berkeley is hardly weak in it. I would think the gap between the two is negligible, unless you have some other evidence supporting otherwise.</p>