<p>Yes, this is assuming R&B. These figures are taken from the universities' own websites. Harvard's COA includes $2k for personal expenses.</p>
<p>I don't know what the comparative advantages of campus vs. off-campus housing at Berkeley. I doubt that in Cambridge, students would find it financially advantageous to live off-campus, as rents are so high.</p>
<p>Edit: Berkeley's website lists the COA for a student living off campus at ãpp. $21K; it includes provisions for personal expenses and transportation.</p>
<p>At the UCs most students spend between 1 and 3 years in on-campus housing (depending on which UC) and then usually must move off-campus. UCLA is working toward 4 years of on-campus housing by 2010. The off-campus housing/meals is almost always less expensive than on-campus. There are also many commuters who live at home. This is the least expensive way to attend (assuming no cost at home). This can make attending a UC very inexpensive IMO.</p>
<p>I would pick the top 3 UC 's for a bio major. Particularly UCSD, UCB and UCLA in that order. Please keep in mind that many of these students are asians where a strong familial pressure to be a doctor, pharmacist or dentist make the schools extremely competitive. Many will not party on Fridays and the only non school related activities involve volunteering or research in order to prepare them for one of the aforementioned health careers. </p>
<p>Collaborative learner is NON EXISTENT at the UC schools for students in these majors. It is individualistic and cut throat. However, if research is her aspiration she will have plenty of opportunities to do research with some of the worlds leading scientist. At UCSD there is also the Salk, Scripps Research Institute, Burnham, La Jolla Immune and Allergy, UCSD Moores Cancer center and various other small research institutes.</p>
<p>I'll add to that the UCSB College of Creative Studies, which does include a Biology and Biochem specialty. CCS is less cutthroat, more collaborative, and apparently offers research opportunities equivalent to "regular" bio students. D dismissed the UCs in favor of a small LAC, but of course that's a personal choice. She's thriving so far.</p>
<p>Scifimom, I second the option of Lewis and Clark College in Oregon.</p>
<p>On the west coast consider also...
George Fox University
Oregon State University
Occidential College
Scripps College (Women)
Washington State University (Honors College)
Colorado State University</p>
<p>Elsewhere nationally...
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA)
Hood College (MD)
Michigan State University (Lyman Briggs School of Life Sciences)
U of Alabama-Birmingham
Ohio University
Ohio Wesleyan University
Connecticut College</p>
<p>Many thanks to all of you for the continued input. Friends tell us the total cost of a year at UC is about $20-25K when you include tuition, books, R&B and some personal $. So that's what I'm referring to when I'm looking for enough merit aid to make the cost of a private comparable. Since total cost at most privates is about $45K... </p>
<p>My daughter is "collaborative", and has ruled out UCLA because of the cut throated attitude of the kids who feel they MUST be doctors, or the world will end.</p>