<p>In was accepted into the above two schools, but am really having trouble deciding which ton attend. Right now, I'm thinking of majoring in bio or neuroscience and maybe doubling in Econ. I know berkeley has an extremely strong bio program, but my concern is that people have told me that I may have to do extra work in the summer in order to graduate in four years because it is hard to get into classes.</p>
<p>Financial aid isn't a concern</p>
<p>Thanks guys!!!</p>
<p>An advisee was in the same situation and opted for Berkeley based on the semester system and the “Big U” atmosphere, but honestly you can’t make a wrong decision, although if you prefer a more intimate environment (and the quarter system) you might opt for Northwestern. Also, I know you said money is not a concern, but if you are a CA resident there is absolutely no reason to pay a dime more to go to NW (unless we’re talking Medill) given your majors I would probably opt for Cal.</p>
<p>If money’s not an issue I’d head to Northwestern. A few years ago, I’d call this a decision you should base on fit. But with the budget debacle hitting the Cal system now, Berkeley, already cutting corners, will be hit even harder. No way there aren’t going to be more class lock-outs, larger classes, fewer classes, less accessible professors, and, yeah, 5 year BS graduates. It ain’t gonna be pretty, especially in the sciences.</p>
<p>WBWA are you on Berkeley’s advisory board? Then don’t speak about things you know nothing about. UCLA and Berkeley are essentially private universities and have endowments in their own right. They are the LEAST affected by the CA budget situation than ANY CA school except for maybe STANFORD. UCLA has a 2 BILLION dollar annual operating budget of which only a TINY fraction comes from the state. So shh, because you don’t know.</p>