Hey so I’ve been extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to even choose between these two AMAZING schools, but I am really torn between the 2.
I also have a place at UCLA but i reckong Berkeley almost definitely tops that. Anyways, if anyone has any advice, pros/ cons, or any experiences theyre willing to share I’m all ears.
Both schools are insane but on the one side, northwestern has an extremely intimate feel to it especially because the class is a LOT smaller than Berkeley. I applied to both schools for a sociology major but my intent is to double major (hopefully with computer science), which I heard was easier to do at northwestern. Also, my sociology major in northwestern is actuallly “Economic Sociology” which is more towards what I wanna do. Maybe Berkeley has a similar concentration but it didnt show up in the application process.
I don’t know much about the social life at any of the 2 schools all I know is that NU is heavy on greek life (which i’m fine with) and berkeley is a lot more liberal (which i’m also fine with).
I kind of do want to stay fit - I like going on runs (idk if that would be possible at NU because of he cOLD), which brings me onto the biggest downside of NU - THE COLD. I know that I shouldve thought about it before applying and all and its not the WORST thing but I do really really enjoy warmth.
Finally money is not really an issue in this case.
Well, I love Cal (go Bears) but in your case I think Northwestern may be a somewhat better fit. You’re right in that it will likely be easier to double major at Northwestern. Plus, it being smaller (and private) Northwestern will be more consumer-friendly. As for weather, t’s not like Berkeley is ever that warm, lol. Summers in Berkeley in particular are kind of meh, overcast until the early afternoon and rarely warmer than the mid-70s. The winters can be dreary and wet. Californians are generally a bit in denial that it ever gets cold in their state, and most of the housing lacks decent insulation, particularly poorly built cheap older homes in which most of the students live when they move off campus. I wore a lot of wool and Gortex in Berkeley.
The quarter system at Northwestern makes it very conducive to double and even triple majoring.
As far as running, the lakefront is an AMAZING place to run but if it gets too cold, NU just built an amazing rec center. https://nurecreation.com/facilities/
NU also has two beaches…students can rent kayaks, windsurfers, paddle boards, etc… there are paddle board yoga classes, etc… With the quarter system, you’d be here long enough to take advantage of those things
Other than our polar vortex week, when NU cancelled classes for two days because of the cold, last winter really wasn’t that terrible.
@momofsenior1 ok that doesnt sound too terrible my only issue is that i come from the UK so coldest I’ve experienced is apparently no match for chicago
Chicago winters are brutal. But if you’re doing computer science and possibly another major, you will be indoors most of the time, studying. And at Berkeley during the winter (assuming there isn’t a drought) it’s not like you’re going to be doing a lot of running in the rain either. Maybe decide by which campus has better gym/fitness facilities? I’m only partly joking…
To further confuse you, I’ll add that Cal has always had a mean bureaucracy. It can be tougher to get the classes you need especially in a competitive major like CS. Northwestern will likely be easier in terms of schedule flexibility.
For Berkeley L&S, it’s pretty easy to double major in. You’re coming in as undeclared so you’re not even committed to Sociology. You could simply take CS classes right away, for example. My kid is a CS/DS double major and could triple major in Cog Sci if he wanted to stay an extra year. A good number of the L&S CS majors will minor and or major in something else. Economics is a popular one to combine. Haven’t heard anyone combine Sociology with CS but I don’t see why not. It would be very difficult to double major in Sociology and something in Engineering though, they are in different schools.
It was -30 Celsius for a couple of days last month in the Chicago area. I’m originally from Chicago and though I do miss the city a lot, I don’t miss the cold days. Out here in the Berkeley area there’s a fairly narrow band between 8 to say 25 Celsius on 95% of the days.
Yes Berkeley does have a few classes that are over 1000 people in it and many between 500-1000. Those are lectures, and many of them are webcasted which means a lot of people don’t show up for the classes and watch from their dorm or wherever. Discussions sections are always reasonably sized, 25-50 people. Registration can be a problem with discussion sections but if youre flexible on times it usually works out.
Although Mark Twain shared that “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco” he obviously didn’t spend much time in Chicago or in Evanston on the shores of Lake Michigan during the winter months.
Tough to pass up Northwestern, but if cold weather is a significant barrier for you, then Berkeley & UCLA are better options.
If cost is equal or close to equal, then Northwestern is the better value due to small classes & ability to switch schools & ability to triple major.
Not insignificant difference in student body. Based on IPED data for 2017 & 2018 as shared today on another thread by @Greymeer titled “100 Most Selective Admissions Schools”, Northwestern University is the ninth (9th) hardest admit, while Berkeley is #45 and UCLA is #54.
P.S. Social life might be best at UCLA, although fine at Berkeley & Northwestern
People run in cold weather in Evanston, but for running either California school would be better during January & February.
@ProfessorPlum168 I think I should really take into consideration the type of lifestyle I’m looking for. I’m from the UK and originally from Italy. I’ve been going to international schools my whole life. I have heard mixed reviews about being international at NU, is that really an issue? I also know that Berkeley is FULL of internationals. I dont think this is a massive factor but I think I should think ab it.
@Publisher oh wow thank you for that. I am not 100% sure what my priorities are, although i think academics and academic fascilities is first. The reason I care about the weather is mostly for running purposes (and not needing to layer up every day). But if weather was my priority I’d be picking UCLA over the 2. Because I havent been to chicago (and I have to LA and SF) I really dont know how bad it gets there.
I’m quite familiar with all 3, & unless cold weather is NO problem, I’d pick UCLA. I don’t like Los Angeles, but UCLA is in one of the best areas. My kid, who grew up in the northern part of the US, graduated from Northwestern recently, & had a tough time with the weather. The campus is long and narrow, & students typically live off-campus for at least 2 of those years. That means you will do a lot of walking. And December through April can be a continual mixture of rain, snow, & wind. Other than the weather, Nortwestern is a wonderful place…lots of internationals, but I think the majority are from Asia.
I don’t know why you think UCLA isn’t in the same class academically as the other two.
I also would pick UCLA for social sciences academics, its the strongest int he U of California system. Look at political science, economics or any social science department at UCLA, all fantastic. UCLA is well ranked in computer science, top ten as well. . Its got a pretty campus in the very best part of Los Angeles with easy access up and down the coastline. , and less protests and homeless crime compared to Berkeley. . Berkeley now has a substantial homeless problem and gun crime is prevalent in south Berkeley.
Second, Northwestern, as I do love a cold day on Lake Michigan. Chicago is also a world class city for their symphony orchestra and art museums, but you will have to travel from Evanston to get to those great cultural options.
Los Angeles its all more accessible, from UCLA, great art, music, theater, bars, restaurants are all amazing. UCLA
itself is like a small city, with so much to do! Look at videos of UCLA to get an idea how nice it is.
San Francisco is a beautiful place too, but much smaller. Berkeley has great access to SF. via BART, a train system that crosses the Bay Bridge. San Jose is the big job city and immigrant city in northern CA, although San Francisco still has the nicest China Town in the USA. and some jobs and lots to see and do.
Food is FANTASTIC in California, if you are a foody , pick one of the California options, for the absolute best Korean, Japanese and Chinese food in North America.
@016839554 : It can be quite difficult to change majors at some UCs, or even to double major if your second major is an impacted major (which CS probably is).
Also, have you examined the offerings at Northwestern’s SESP (School of Education & Social Policy). Very highly regarded school. Lots of small classes.
I do believe that there is a significant difference in the quality of undergraduate education among these three outstanding schools. But it differs by major.
I live in the Bay Area and went to NU. I also took couple adult learning classes at UCLA before. Other than what have been discussed already, there are few more things you may want to consider:
How hard is it to get into “impacted major” at Berkeley and UCLA? I heard the term before. There’s no such thing at Northwestern.
Is housing guaranteed for four years at both UC campuses? If not, be prepared to spend more on housing especially in Berkeley. If it is, where are the dorms located? Some of them may not be within walking distance from where the classes. Forget about bikes in Berkeley, it will get stolen! Auto/bike theft is insane in the Bay Area. My car got broken into three times!
If cost of living is a factor, consider the fact that the cost of living in the Bay Area is very high. Gas, food, housing are all way more expensive than Chicago/Evanston. LA isn’t much lower either.
Westwood (where UCLA) is one of the few areas that have a neighborhood feel in Los Angeles. But the “downtown” is smaller than Evanston’s. While you can hop onto the subway to get to various places in Chicago rather easily from Evanston, it’s tough to get anywhere else without a car in LA. But owning a car with a parking space at UCLA could be another mildly inconvenient process even if you have the money.
