<p>I am met with a dilemma. I have three choices for a physics major right now: Berkeley, UVA, Penn State. I live in VA so UVa would be very cheap and affordable, but the physics dept is inferior to the other two. Penn State seems like a moderate choice plus I am given a fair amount of money. Berkeley is excellent but it is very expensive and I would have to pay 40k a year (not counting loans and work study). I plan to pursue a PhD. I really want to go to Berkeley but what do you think is the wisest choice for me? </p>
<p>If you want to do physics (or any physical science for that matter), Berkeley would definitely be the best choice in this situation from an education and connection standpoint. Financially maybe not.</p>
<p>It’s not worth paying top dollar to go out of state to Berkeley unless you plan on being a physics Phd. down the road. Even then…UVA is still a prestigious enough school to get you where you want to go coming out of undergrad.</p>
<p>Also, you might change your major once you get to college. Physics is pretty darn hard after all. Be a shame to pay for Berkeley physics only to later realize that’s not what you want to do. Berkeley still has superior programs to UVA on the whole…but is it worth the extra 20k-25k you’ll be paying each year? I think not.</p>
<p>Make the smart decision, save da money and go to UVA. </p>
<p>Agree 100 percent with 110percent 
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<p>If your goal is to go to graduate school (which is also very expensive), no one really cares where you went to undergrad as long as it’s a solid program and you perform well - and UVa is a solid program. Remember, you’ll be in school more than 4 years - so don’t start grad school already tens of thousands in debt if you can avoid it.</p>
<p>It’s funny how those of us whose kids are OOS fight to get into UVa because it is such a great school, and many in-state don’t realize just how wonderful and unique an opportunity it is. Best of luck wherever you choose to attend.</p>
<p>I don’t know why so many OOS kids fight tooth and nail over UVa, it makes no sense unless you want to major in a STEM field. In terms of a ratio of selectivity to school prestige, UVa doesn’t look too great OOS. Anyone who can get in to UVa OOS can probably get into U of Penn, Georgetown, or other really prestigious schools. Not knockingn UVa, it’s my goal as an instate kid. </p>
<p>Thank you very much guys. this had been very helpful. :)</p>
<p>Save your money and your debt capacity by attending UVa undergrad and go to Berkeley for grad school. In many situations, people want you to attend a different grad school than you attended undergrad. From everything I have heard, UVa provides a much better undergrad experience than Berkeley, while Berkeley on the whole has more prestigious grad science programs. </p>
<p>Also, keep in the mind the absurdly high air fare you may have to pay to come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, the Bay Area is one of the most expensive parts of the country.</p>
<p>Also, to make yourself more comfortable, contact UVa’s physics dept. and ask if you can meet with someone to gain a better understanding of their program, or make an appointment to talk to them over the phone…</p>
<p>In response to BassGuitar, UVa has many great programs other than STEM fields. Also, on the whole, it probably is still more difficult for an unhooked applicant to get into Penn or Georgetown than UVa OOS. </p>
<p>@BassGuitar, your post pretty much proves the point I was making. Sometimes it appears that UVA’s reputation is much better outside Virginia than within. My son got into other schools that were much harder to get into (and rejected from easier ones - such is the college admissions game), not that UVa is easy by any means for OOS, but there’s much more to a school, and it’s reputation, than just it’s name on paper. And yes, my son is in a STEM program as well. But I can also tell you that from several states west, when he was applying to schools and talking to local alumni and employers, it was UVa that stood out here - not Cornell, not Stanford, not Carnegie Mellon (certainly not Penn or Georgetown here). And from a non-major perspective, UVa offered much more flexibility and opportunity than did many of the others. So, actually, UVa can indeed look great to OOS kids who have really researched their options. </p>
<p>My son graduated last year with degrees in Physics and another major. Consider your options should you decide not to pursue Physics after all. He did very well in Physics, but eventually decided to focus on his other major for graduate studies and eventual career. There were some very talented Physics students who made it through and others who left the track.</p>
<p>For undergrad physics, Berkeley trumps them all. Additionally, since you’re from VA, it would be a great idea to experience living outside of your state, and the Bay Area is such a fantastic place and would be an amazing place for you to spend the next 4 years of your life. However, if it is too costly for you, then it might not be for you. </p>