<p>I spose it depends upon definition of "better." Perhaps NROTC units? Best demonstrations in the '60s? Best hair? Best access to BART? Hey, Cal's got a great reputation, good and otherwise, but Stanford's Stanford. Apples and avocadoes. Given the choice generally as to where one would prefer to have their sheepskin, there's no choice, imo. Curious what you mean.</p>
<p>If I do get accepted to Navy, I will definitely go. Things are not looking too good for that, however, so I am considering alternate options. Although I recieved the NROTC Scholarship for the Berkeley Unit, I would not be going to college at Berkely because I did not apply there. I applied to Stanford, which is the crosstown affiliate of the Berkely Unit. For other reasons than those of Navy, I do not think I will be accepted to Stanford. Having said that, it is still my first choice for a civilian college. I will not contact Pensacola to change my unit assignment unless I hear back from Stanford saying I was declined. Sorry if what I said before was confusing - my mistake.</p>
<p>Whistle Pig: Of course you're 100% correct; better is highly dependent on what course of study one choses at either of these universities. The general perception (and we all know how frequently that's wrong) is that Stanford's student body is relatively homogeneous, obscenely wealthy, and isolated (this from a Stanford grad and colleague). Berkeley, from experience, is not those things.</p>
<p>But again it comes down to course of study. Cal's civil engineering department is probably better than Stanford's; Stanford's law department is probably better than Berkeley's. Comparisons a can be made between dozens of departments, some of which will be "better" at one school than the other.</p>
<p>As for fun, San Francisco is a short BART ride across the Bay and there are lots of micro-breweries in Berkeley, Oakland, and the surrounding cities. I don't know where Stanford students go for entertainment; presumably to a polo game or something.</p>
<p>
[quote]
As for fun, San Francisco is a short BART ride across the Bay...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Make sure you don't bend over if you drop something. :D</p>
<p>Yeah; good one!</p>
<p>All things considered, there remains no comparison unless you're talking tuition payments in which case Cal wins one. I'd take a degree in tiddly winks from Stanford over virtually any at Cal or virtually anywhere else. It's sorta like going to one an Academy. While the eng programs are ranked, the real issue is a USNA degree. It matters not what it's in. </p>
<p>Grad school's a different matter.</p>
<p>Stanford's Engineering and Computer Sci are top notch. They "claim" to have both Harvard & MIT as their top competitors. Oh well, I didn't apply to Stanford, so my only hope is to get a MIT acceptance to complete the picture. Cal, NYU, etc. have huge undergrad (not necessary an asset), but great graduate programs. In fact both Cal and Stanford graduate schools are awesome.</p>
<p>Great link. This fellow was a Stanford graduate and NROTC mid.
<a href="http://www.lukeswartz.com/nrotc.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.lukeswartz.com/nrotc.html</a></p>
<p>"I'd take a degree in tiddly winks from Stanford over virtually any at Cal or virtually anywhere else."</p>
<p>Come on Whistle Pig....are you saying this because you really think Stanford has superior accademic programs in all fields, or because of the perception that Berkeley is a "liberal" university?</p>
<p>I can attest to the fact that while on the campus at Berkeley things do get crazier exponentially as one gets further from the Civil Engineering college on the north end and closer to the entrance at Telegraph avenue on the south. and by crazier I don't mean a little stranger, or questionable, I mean crazier as in straight jackets and men in white suits.</p>
<p>LOL! :D</p>
<p>Good to see you back, Oh Great Teacher of Latin! I'd missed you! :)</p>
<p>Nah, nothing to do with Cal's liberal culture. It's simply reputation, perception, opportunities. No diff than describing Penn State and Penn. Both great institutions, no comparison in reputation. And beyond the left coast, few have a clue about Cal Berkeley undergrad programs. If you're looking for a Ph.D. in chemistry with an assistantship to pay your way, Cal's on the radar screen.</p>
<p>This one's a no brainer. And it has little or nothing to do with genuine quality of education which is virtually impossible to guage. Perception's reality and Stanford floats alot of boats. Cal is one more great public U to which Californians by law are eligible for admission. Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, PSU, UNC, UVA, and a whole bunch more would argue for premier status with Cal. Not with Stanford. No, I'm not even attempting to suggest this is a quantitative issue. It's qualitative. If you say Cal has a terrific civil eng program, I believe you. And I'll stick with my origninal generalization, all things considered, I'd take a degree in tiddly winks from Stanford over virtually any @ Cal or virtually anywhere else. No contest unless one's a civil engineer wannabe, maybe.</p>
<p>Didn't you folks see that rockorblowup said he DIDN'T APPLY to Berkeley?
These questionable Cal/Stanford generalizations rattle my perceptions of your expertise re: USNA. </p>
<p>As for bending over on BART... pretty childish, and I suspect you flatter yourselves.</p>
<p>"As for bending over on BART... pretty childish, and I suspect you flatter yourselves."</p>
<p>Boys, it looks like we're going to have to behave ourselves....</p>
<p>Whistle Pig; I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree concerning Cal vs Stanford. You're not from around these parts are you?</p>
<p>Zap; thanks. I've been stirring, I mean lurking, elsewhere these past few weeks. Had to make a run from there so here I am. Look forward to "conversing" with ya.</p>
<p>Anytime, my friend, even if you are a scurvy land-lubbing Woop. :D</p>