<p>I am going to major in Biology/Biochemistry and it has come down to these two schools for me...
I live in NJ (a couple minutes from the city) right now and lived in Cali in the past, so I know what to expect of the environment for both schools. I really want to attend UC Berkeley b/c of the rank and my parents' wishes (I will visit soon to see it myself), but because I'm out of state, the price is ridiculous. Plus, my parents want to move back to Cali if I do decide to go to Berkeley so that by next year and the years to come, I will be considered an in state student and receive more financial aid... that means saying goodbye to all our money needed to move and needed for tuition... It is very stressing. </p>
<p>Also, my brother is a freshman in high school and I care a lot about his education... and he is a very promising student. This question is off-topic, but if anyone could answer, that would be awesome: if my brother starts as a sophomore at a new school, will his chances of becoming valedictorian or salutatorian be lost completely? He will obviously adjust well to Cali since many of his friends are there. But are there any academic disadvantages for a high school student who transfers between grades? </p>
<p>Now back on topic, if I choose NYU, I won't have to worry about moving and the tuition (though still very expensive) is less than that of UC Berkeley's. I can also commute after my freshman year and I really do love the city as much as I love sunny California. However, the rank still gets me... UC Berkeley is 20th or 21st and NYU is around the 30th. I also heard that school spirit is lacking since there isn't much of a campus. </p>
<h2>I'm already pretty bummed from getting rejected by like 90% of the schools I applied to and with AP tests approaching, this dilemma about which college I should attend, and most importantly the $$$$, I'm just seriously losing my mind. I would be thrilled to hear from someone... anyone. Please help me. I am about to cry. </h2>
<p>If anyone FROM New Jersey (or even those who are not) is reading this, I am also considering Rutgers Pharmacy (NJ state college). I am attracted to the 6-year program and the fact that Rutgers is much cheaper than my other choices. However, almost 70% of my high school classmates are going to attend (I don't want college to be a repeat of high school) and it's not really a prestigious school compared to UC Berkeley and NYU. What should I do?</p>