<p>So here's my situation:</p>
<p>I'm a senior in high school, and I want to be a nuclear engineer, preferably doing something involving research. I plan on going to grad school right after undergrad. I got into the University of Florida, which is giving me $20,000 per year over 4 years, and UC Berkeley, which is giving me $700 per year (and no, that's not a typo. It's actually $700). </p>
<p>UC Berkeley is obviously a better school in terms of academics and research opportunities, but it's significantly more expensive. Over four years, I'd be paying about $216,000 to go to UC Berkeley, compared to $92,000 at UF. That doesn't even take into account grad school. Right after undergrad, I would like to go to a reputable grad school (such as MIT or UC Berkeley), but I can't decide if its worth it to go to UC Berkeley over UF for undergrad. I was thinking that if I do well at UF (even if it doesn't have as many research opportunities), then I'd have a pretty good shot at attending UC Berkeley for grad school, with much less debt. Am I right in thinking this? </p>
<p>I'm also assuming that if I go to UC Berkeley for undergrad then I'll almost certainly get accepted into their grad program for nuclear. Am I right in assuming this, too?</p>
<p>Also, I haven't visited either yet, but I'm planning on visiting both of them later this month. Everyone tells me I'll love UF, but if I don't like it then I don't know if it'd be worth over $100,000 to attend UC Berkeley (assuming I like it more than UF). </p>
<p>Ultimately, I just can't decide whether it's worth it to go to UC Berkeley over UF for undergrad (I hear UF is a pretty decent school academically, is that true?) if I plan on going to grad school anyway. What do you think?</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>ThatJerseyKid</p>
<p>If you do well in your undergraduate program, it is relatively easy to get into graduate programs of top schools. This is so because only a fraction of the college graduates apply for grad school and nuclear engineering at most schools have limited enrollments. MIT, Michigan, and NCSU have good nuclear engineering programs, imo.</p>
<p>PS: You may have to think about getting jobs after graduation as it may be harder as the cold war ended and nuclear power is not a growth industry.</p>
<p>Jersey, did you look at any in-state schools? Is your family prepared to pay for UCB without a blink? Most people really have to save their funds for grad school.</p>
<p>Grad school as in PhD or MS? PhD programs at most schools are free; in fact you get paid a stipend to attend!</p>
<p>That said, engineering is pretty much learning the same material no matter where you go. They don’t have any magic dust at Cal to make it easier, or profs that teach better. Save the money and go to U of F.</p>
<p>@Erin’s Dad – I don’t know of any reputable Jersey schools that have nuclear, so I didn’t. But my parents are really pushing me to go to UF because of money. They don’t want me to be stuck in loads of student loan debt after I graduate. </p>
<p>@mikemac – That’s what a lot of people have been telling me, but are they really the same? Doesn’t Cal have more opportunities than UF?</p>
<p>As far as your undergrad, the only advantage going to a better school will do you is that it will help your chances at getting into a better grad school down the road. However, if you aren’t worried about opening more opportunities in regards to which grad school you go to, it won’t make a huge difference.</p>
<p>One word of warning though, engineering is extremely competitive at this point. I’m not sure about that particular sub-field, but I personally know of two people with their masters in engineering who can’t get a job in their field at this time. One of them has been trying for almost 2 years now with no success, and they are willing to take just about anything in the US that comes their way. I would suggest doing some research in the field, and seeing how competitive your particular field is. Also, see what other types of work you might want to minor in as a backup.</p>
<p>Okay thanks Ascendant78, that’s definitely something I’ll look into.</p>
<p>MODERATOR NOTE: Please post threads concerning where to attend college on the College Search & Selection forum.</p>