<p>I was accepted to NU's MMSS program and Berkeley and now have to decide between these two. One issue I'm facing is that I'm not entirely sure which direction I want to go in the future. I'm not sure whether I want to go into software engineering or finance/consulting. At both schools, I'd probably double major in CS/Econ, as I have a lot of AP credit. NU's MMSS is a definite plus for finance, while Berkeley is great for CS. Does anyone have an idea which school would be better for exploring both options? I'm planning on visiting both soon but the academic opportunities are definitely more important for me over the environment.</p>
<p>I would call the two schools and find out how they would value your AP credit if that is important to you. It is much more likely for Berkeley to let you use that than Northwestern. Both have great academic opportunities but it is hard to imagine that the environment is not a concern since aside from selectivity and prestige, these schools are very different.</p>
<p>I think NU would be a much more enjoyable college experience without the red tape and budget crisis you’ll find at Cal now.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Berkeley does not have a centralized AP subject credit web page beyond the general L&S (or Engineering, etc.) policies; policies other than generic credit units vary by major. Generic credit units do add to class standing which can help for registration priority purposes, and they can help you graduate early or avoid graduating late if desired.</p>
<p>For L&S CS and economics at Berkeley, the likely subject credit is:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>AP calculus: 3 or higher = 1 semester of freshman calculus; 5 on BC = 2 semesters of freshman calculus. But consult the math department web page for more recommendations.</p></li>
<li><p>AP English: 4 or higher = 1 semester of reading and composition; 5 on literature = 2 semesters of reading and composition.</p></li>
<li><p>AP economics: 4 or higher on both micro and macro = the one semester introductory economics course</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Scheduling a double major in L&S CS and economics is not that difficult if you plan carefully.</p>
<p>Is there a significant difference in net cost after non-loan financial aid and scholarships?</p>
<p>Nope, cost is pretty much equal. I also think double majoring would be doable at either school. I’m not really sure if this is a question any of you can answer, but how would I go about figuring out whether I’d prefer to go into software or finance? I like learning about both areas, but I’m not sure if I have a “passion” for either. I haven’t really found any single area that I’m truly passionate about, though I’m definitely interested in both fields.</p>
<p>Regardless of which school you go to, you can start by taking courses leading to the double major.</p>
<ul>
<li>If you like both, complete the double major.</li>
<li>If you like one, keep that major and drop the other.</li>
<li>If you like neither, try to figure out what you do like.</li>
</ul>
<p>Berkeley is ranked slightly (insignificantly) higher in economics, and higher by a larger amount in computer science in various rankings, if subject specific rankings matter to you. But you should be able to get a fine education in either or both subjects at either.</p>
<p>Berkeley is better recruited for software jobs (Silicon Valley), while Northwestern is probably better recruited for finance jobs. Of course, each tends to send a lot of graduates to employers in its local area, so what geographic area you would prefer to work in after graduation can influence your choice.</p>
<p>Career surveys:</p>
<p><a href=“https://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Major.stm[/url]”>https://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Major.stm</a>
[Survey</a> Data: University Career Services - Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.northwestern.edu/careers/about-us/survey-data.html]Survey”>http://www.northwestern.edu/careers/about-us/survey-data.html)</p>
<p>Have you visited both schools?
Where do you think you’d more enjoy spending 4 years?</p>
<p>For academics and career prospects alone, you don’t have a clear basis to choose.The compass needle points toward Northwestern for finance, more strongly toward Berkeley for CS. But it seems you have no good basis to decide whether you are more of a CS person or a finance person, or neither. Even if the compass is accurate, only you can decide which direction to head. I think it is reasonable to choose your path based on very personal “fit” factors. Once you make that choice, you still have many choices ahead of you, so you aren’t unalterably committing to a single, straight & narrow path.</p>
<p>^ I definitely feel what you’re saying is true. You summed up the dilemma that I’m having right now. I’m visiting both schools next week, so hopefully I will get a better idea after that about where I want to attend.</p>
<p>Northwestern is going to be more restrictive in counting your APs toward the distribution requirements. But on the other hand, NU runs a quarter system with 12 classes a year so you should still have plenty of room for double-majoring (actually in NU case, it’d be triple-major since MMSS is a major, albeit an adjunct one). The distro itself will be drawn from a huge menu of courses and I think part of the “academic opportunities” at the college of arts & sciences should be about getting a broad education. MMSS, based on what I read/heard from people that went to the program, is amazing and one of a kind.</p>
<p>NU is the easy choice for an “unsure” student at the same price. (If you were sure about high tech and in particular, Silicon Valley, then I’d recommend Cal; otherwise, not at OOS prices.)</p>
<p>Take a look at post #6 of this thread for one student’s view of finance recruiting of Berkeley students:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/1321246-economics-investment-banking.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/1321246-economics-investment-banking.html</a></p>
<p>
Opportunities will be the same at both schools. Visit and then decide. Environment is important. </p>
<p>For undergrad, if you have an inkling towards a technical degree (like CS) it’s always best to get that as an undergrad. You can later get an MBA if you want to take a finance route. It’s more difficult to get an advanced degree in STEM fields without a STEM undergrad degree.</p>