<p>Hi guys!
Very recently, I ahve been accepted to Northwestern University (with scholarship) from its waiting list. However, I have already gotten in to UC Berkeley before. FYI, I plan to study Economics/business in university. Should I choose NU or Berkeley? And why?</p>
<p>FYI, Berkeley has a two-year undergrad business program (which I have to apply for in my second year). Meanwhile, Northwestern just has an Econ major.</p>
<p>..I need help!</p>
<p>Hm, what are you looking for in a school? Which do you like more? Any additional financial concerns? Based just on the information you've given, it seems that Berkeley would be better.</p>
<p>I think it would be classier to go for Northwestern.</p>
<p>"Meanwhile, Northwestern just has an Econ major." </p>
<p>Yes, but it is one hell of an Econ department. Then again, Cal has an awesome Econ department too. Those are two very different schools with very different atmospheres. In terms of academics and reputation, you cannot go wrong, so I suggest you go for fit.</p>
<p>This choice is definitely going to have to be your decision. Both are great schools for your intended area of interest so (assuming these are the two schools you are deciding between), do a little research into both schools. Both great but they do have different atmospheres, college towns, etc.</p>
<p>Northwestern has a certificate program through Kellogg now but you have to apply also and is probably harder to get in than Berkeley business.</p>
<p>Ask yourself "why did I apply to these schools in the first place?" Only after that might you find the best place for you.</p>
<p>Like Sam said, Kellogg is now offering two undergraduate business certificates, one in finance and one in marketing. You apply for them during your sophomore year and I believe they plan on accepting around 50 applicants total, so just numberwise I'm sure it's harder to get into than the business program at Cal.</p>
<p>NU also has a 'wonderful campus' and 'cool students', though I certainly won't try to argue that it has good weather. I think the bad weather is worth it, though. Especially since NU is giving you a grant!</p>
<p>Beyond the fact that NU "gave you a grant," what's the overall cost difference? For undergrad, Berkeley Haas is every bit as respectable as NU Econ and I wouldn't go ass-end up in debt for undergrad if you're planning on getting an MBA.</p>
<p>^^^ the kellogg certificate program is basically an honors program that accepts ~25 students from the econ department and ~25 students from IE.</p>
<p>considering the average ACT score for berkeley haas is 1355 and that is not even higher than northwestern's average OVERALL SAT score (including education, theatre, and music schools), it is completely certain that the top students in two high-demand (and absolute top) programs at northwestern - economics and industrial engineering - are much stronger than students in haas and the program is infinitely more selective.</p>
<p>but it's really not comparable, they are not the same program, the kellogg certificate is a program in which students take classes from northwestern's graduate business school; it is not an undergrad "business degree," it is a certificate in conjunction with their current degree.</p>
<p>secondly, all it takes is quick research to see that northwestern is recruited more heavily in areas like consulting than cal, and they are not necessarily equal in terms of career opportunities: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=235587&highlight=consulting+core%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=235587&highlight=consulting+core</a></p>
<p>haas statistics taken from: <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/07/undergrad/profiles/haas1.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/07/undergrad/profiles/haas1.htm</a></p>
<p>Since their econ departments are pretty much equal, I would definitely go with Northwestern. That's mostly because you get MUCH more personal attention at NU than Cal. I have heard horror stories of lecture halls overflowing with students at Cal. When I visited NU, it was nowhere NEAR that full. I also heard that you're "just a number" at Cal. Not sure whether it's completely true or not, but you get the idea. Also, there's more diversity at NU, if you care about that factor. </p>
<p>I'm ED-ing Northwestern this fall, so I'm biased, as you can see :)</p>
<p>i meant to say average SAT score, not ACT</p>
<p>The schools are roughly comparable in reputation for undergrads. Go where you want to go.</p>
<p>idunno
i think berkeley business is harder to get into. Actually im pretty sure it is.</p>
<p>But yeah choose either. If you are very self motivated, then Berkeley will probably give u the better education, but if you arent then NU will lead you better.</p>
<p>I think Berkeley will be more challenging...or at least i always here stuff about berkeley being way tough. I have met multiple people who went to berkeley and then transferred to Stanford, and they all said that berkeley was harder for them than stanford.</p>
<p>
[quote]
idunno
i think berkeley business is harder to get into. Actually im pretty sure it is.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>good thing your intuitions stand against factual evidence.</p>
<p>
[quote]
And, aside from the SATs, your first 2 years in college are taken into consideration, therefore, SAT is not a good basis for assessing the selectivity of Haas.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>the kellogg certificate program is the same way, only the students begin from a more competitive student pool to begin with, therefore the curves in the classes are steeper and getting good grades is even harder.</p>
<p>but once more, they are not the same type of program and there is no way you can possibly compare the two.</p>
<p>haas is not anywhere in the league of the kellogg certificate program, the kellogg certificate program "blows anything wharton has to offer out of the water" according to administration officials, you can not even compare wharton to the KCP, and i know you're not going to now tell me haas is better than wharton, too.</p>
<p>i'm not going to continue to argue with california supporters here because i've done that before on these boards and i'm aware they are simply not willing to accept that there are other schools that are in fact much better than berkeley, even in the face of indisputable, significant evidence.</p>
<p>you can continue to provide assertions and personal opinion, after everything i said was fortified by numbers and factual evidence, obviously continuing to argue with you will not go anywhere because all you have to do is say "those numbers aren't true" ok... well... i can't REPOST the numbers, so i'm just going to leave it at that.</p>
<p>i hope berkeley teaches better than to argue without textual support, god knows northwestern cracks down on that.</p>
<p>"only the students begin from a more competitive student pool to begin with, therefore the curves in the classes are steeper and getting good grades is even harder."</p>
<p>Wait, you're saying the NU will be more competitive than Berkeley? You're kidding, right?</p>
<p>"haas is not anywhere in the league of the kellogg certificate program"</p>
<p>You disdain those "california supporters," yet you persistently refuse to accept evidence contrary to your viewpoint (that Northwestern is superior)? Bit of hidden hypocrisy there, no?</p>
<p>"i'm aware they are simply not willing to accept that there are other schools that are in fact much better than berkeley, even in the face of indisputable, significant evidence."</p>
<p>You do know, right, that within the top schools, any difference in supposed "quality" (as dictated by the ever-reliable SAT scores) is negligible? And that it's quite laughable that you would find Berkeley's Haas program to be leagues behind NU's Kellogg certificate program?</p>
<p>"obviously continuing to argue with you will not go anywhere because all you have to do is say 'those numbers aren't true' ok"</p>
<p>It wasn't that the numbers aren't true; it's that you're misinterpreting them and applying them wrongly (placing that much emphasis on SAT scores? Come on).</p>
<p>"i can't REPOST the numbers"</p>
<p>But you can re-evaluate your view on the numbers using others' ideas as a springboard. Though you thus far have shown an aversion to that sort of thing, haven't you?</p>
<p>"i hope berkeley teaches better than to argue without textual support, god knows northwestern cracks down on that."</p>
<p>Can't forget to throw an insult, eh?</p>
<p>Perhaps one day you'll realize that there is no discernible difference between #5 (Kellogg, by USNEWS) and #8 (Haas).</p>
<p>To the OP: as others have said, these schools have very different environments, but will offer wonderful experiences and an excellent education. Regarding prestige, I would say -- from personal experience and general knowledge -- that within academic circles (including College Confidential), NU and Berkeley hold the same amount of prestige, though in the general population, Berkeley would probably be a bit more well known / prestigious (you can find the distinction between the two terms yourself).</p>
<p>The decision is really up to you on this one; pick the one whose environment--from student opinion to local restaurants--fits you best.</p>
<p>actually, in business week, which is much more respected for MBA rankings than USNEWS:</p>
<h2>1. Kellogg</h2>
<h2>-</h2>
<p>-
13. Haas</p>
<p>and what haas is ranked as an MBA program is beside the point, haas undergrad is not done through its MBA program, the kellogg certificate is.</p>
<p>once again i like the complete and total lack of evidence in your post
[quote]
yet you persistently refuse to accept evidence contrary to your viewpoint
[/quote]
</p>
<p>what evidence? is there a single link in anything you posted?</p>
<p>lol, peace</p>
<p>^^ evidence being a new way of interpreting data.</p>
<p>"actually, in business week, which is much more respected for MBA rankings than USNEWS:"</p>
<p>Ad populem argument much? I'd say the US News is as legitimate (gasp) as those.</p>
<p>"and what haas is ranked as an MBA program is beside the point, haas undergrad is not done through its MBA program, the kellogg certificate is."</p>
<p>I think you get into Haas your third year. And you really do think there will be a large gap in quality between grad and undergrad (faculty, course selection, opportunities, etc.)? Sure, overall undergrad is going to be visibly different from grad, but within specific programs, not so much.</p>
<p>"once again i like the complete and total lack of evidence in your post"</p>
<p>Again, you demonstrate an inability to consider others' ideas to be on level with yours. Frankly, such a practice during a debate, or discussion of any kind, is simply unacceptable. Try re-reading what I've asserted so far and understand that nitpicking the small differences in supposed quality is a futile endeavor indeed, almost to the point of being downright amateur.</p>