Great Asian restaurants around UCB!
Here’s my perception of the two schools, correct me if I’m wrong:
Berkeley has the superior Biology department, with Environmental sciences ranked 1st in US and gen bio 4th (I think it was US NEWS). However, Michigan isn’t far off, both are top notch but Berkeley is better.
Michigan seem to have a stronger school spirit? yes? no? I cannot confirm because I don’t know a lot about Berkeley yet.
Michigan is easier to pursue more academic subjects (In my case), since I got into the liberal arts LSA at Michigan, and Natural Resources at Berkeley, I don’t know how hard it is to take classes in other schools at Berkeley. Michigan will easily allow me to learn more art, which I consider as a serious hobby, and Japanese, where I think Michigan has a great program for it. Berkeley surely would offer those at the same quality, but I’m not sure about the academic load.
Some Berkeley student I came across jokingly said that you will lose hair in most majors, especially biology, to express their academic pressure. I know it’s a good thing in a way, but am still hesitant. My impression was that Michigan was not as hard, although still excellent, in academics, so I would have more time to pursue more of my interest rather than just biology.
Berkeley has a better global reputation, where it ranked 4th in US News global rankings, and a reputation for research. Michigan has a equal reputation for research, but in terms of school, it’s probably more well-respected in the mid-west, and not as famous in other areas of U.S.
I had the impression of Berkeley being closer to more internship opportunities in San Francisco, I have not known much for Detroit, but sounds like it’s more for physics/ engineering than Biology.
Michigan offers unlimited food for freshman, and free bus, I just want to put it there, it sounds like a nice thing.
Feel free to comment on any of those above points, correct me, or give advise. I will very much appreciate all of your experiences and inputs, thank you! I am still struggling to see a decision.
The University of Michigan is well respected throughout the US. In fact, Michigan may have a better reputation in the Northeast US than does Berkeley. Regardless, both universities are highly respected nationally and internationally.
Based on your posts, my first instinct was to recommend Michigan until you noted your prospective major at Berkeley.
I think that your visits to each school will be quite helpful.
P.S. FWIW: In some parts of the US, Berkeley is referred to as Bezerkly–which is in reference to Berkeley’s extreme liberal politics & obsession with political correctness.
I’m in much the same boat, except going for engineering instead of bio. I’m also a little put off by the Berkeley horror stories of studying full time to maintain good grades. Of course good grades won’t come easily for either, but I too want to have time to pursue my interests and extracurriculars.
As for OP, what you’ve said seems to agree with my research at least.
Berkeley has an unlimited food option too, you just have to pay extra for it lol. And free bus transportation throughout the whole East Bay area thru AC Transit. Detroit has almost nothing in terms of corporations, whereas you can name any tech and most biotech companies and they will have a footprint in the Bay Area.
Michigan definitely has better sports teams and school spirit, that’s not even close. Except for maybe some Olympic sports.
Everyone will know Berkeley throughout Asia and most likely globally.
For political orientations, as an international student, I don’t have much position. However, though not religious myself, I attended a Catholic Boarding school in the mid-west and shaped a slightly conservative view. I will be open for all opinions regarding all things but don’t hope to be discriminated just because of my position on certain stuff, I am open to be persuaded and open to discussions. I would assume both Michigan and Berkeley will present me with new ideas, whether liberal or not, just a matter of extent.
Berkley has the advantage of being near SF and Silicon Valley. Berkeley also has an advantage, when it comes to weather. I think both are competitive and academically similar across many disciplines, including arts.
Michigan offers the LSA Opportunity Hub for coaching and help with resumes and internships as well as other opportunities
:
https://lsa.umich.edu/opportunityhub
Michigan is integrated into a small-ish cute town. It’s clean, safe and housing is available for later years in academic career. The UMich hospital is first-rate and closeby to Central Campus. Health care is excellent.
My kid is STEM student at UMich. There are weeder courses in math, biology, chemistry, etc., just like Michigan. Grades and the amount of studying will be very similar to Cal.
Cal and Michigan are academic peers…Cal is slightly higher “ranked” but the difference is not enough to be dispositive. The schools are basically the same size. Both schools have high level varsity sports but the school spirit and enthusiasm for sports is definitely stronger at Michigan. About 1/2 of the students at Michigan are from Michigan. About 20 percent from the east coast, 5% from the west coast, 5% from Chicago area. 75% of Berkeley students are from California. 10% international. About 1/4 of Cal students are white, with about 1/2 Asian. At Michigan, 65% white, 20% Asian. Climate in Berkeley milder and drier. Ann Arbor is a great small city…a big asset to UM. Michigan grads gravitate to NY, Midwest (especially Chicago) and Bay Area. Both campuses are liberal, although Cal probably more so. You should visit both and decide which one is a better fit for you.
Michigan has a $1.43 billion annual research budget, second only to Johns Hopkins; Berkeley at $774M is ranked #24 (no medical school) and UCLA at $1.04B is ranked #11.
Check out Michigan’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, which allows you to do research as a first semester freshman.
Just so you know, you have to apply to live in the Residential College at Michigan.
^ Thank you for reminding, I have been in email contact with the RC enrollment manager Ms. Corey and she’s been real kind. I asked her to tell me when the spots are about to be filled so I can make my decision quickly enough to get into RC if I choose Michigan.