<p>I'm currently facing a dilemma. My top choice has always been Princeton because I was always more interested in a math concentration rather than a physics concentration and Princeton has amazing opportunities. However, Princeton costs $15,000 more (Berkeley is a full-ride along with some perks as a Regents scholar), and I can't double major.</p>
<p>However, in Berkeley, it's basically free, and I can choose to double major in Physics and Mathematics (I could even minor in Applied Math if I somehow got close to fitting the requirements near the end of my fourth year). It's also a pretty good school, but I like Princeton a little bit more in terms of learning experience, research, professors, etc. However, Berkeley provides me more freedom in choosing what I learn.</p>
<p>I'm not basing my decision on what a few people say, but I'd just like to hear your opinions on this. Oh, I also plan on going to graduate school to pursue either a Math or Physics PhD. That's why I think a double major would be best since I could qualify for both. I'm siding over to Berkeley currently because it's cheaper, offers me more freedom, and it's not that worse than Princeton in my eyes. My friends also seem to think that Berkeley's the better option. Berkeley's only less prestigious, but who cares about that (maybe interviews)? Yet again, going to a top school like Princeton is almost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.. It's really a shame since I'm not necessarily sure if I want to be in debt before graduate school while also draining money from my parents.</p>
<p>Depending on the courses that you take, you could go to physics or math grad school with either degree. You can also minor in applied math at princeton. In terms of money, if you get a phd, it will be paid for. You probably shouldn’t go into too much debt, as the stipend will be relatively small (currently ~20k), but you shouldn’t need to take on more debt for grad school, and your parents will not have to pay for it.</p>
<p>Go to Princeton. I’m an economics major with applied math minor here, and the classes are absolutely fantastic. Its faculty is the best you will ever encounter, you will learn from those in the top of the field, and do high quality research with amazing faculty (jr. independent work/senior thesis). For my junior independent work, I’m using a combination of mathematics and economics to perform high quality research in finance. Like you said, it’s a once in a life time opportunity, and ESPECIALLY if you’re a math aficionado, there’s no place like Princeton man.</p>
<p>The UCs are a mess and getting messier. If you want to wait in long lines and be treated like a number, go to Berkeley. As a regents scholar, you get some priority with classes, but still, it’s so big and impersonal. If you can afford it, go to Pton.</p>
<p>If you can afford it, Princeton seems like the better option. You can major in either mathematics or physics and, with proper supporting classes, be prepared for graduate study in either field. Although Berkeley’s departments in those fields are strong, Princeton would likely position you better.</p>
<p>I turned down the Regent’s scholarship for Princeton. </p>
<p>I have trouble understanding how Berkeley’s so much cheaper than Princeton. The Regent’s scholarship implies that you’ll be paying your FAFSA EFC. How can there be a $15k difference between your FAFSA EFC and Princeton’s estimate of how much your family can contribute?</p>
<p>i was just about to say exactly what randombetch said, but i also got regents at berkeley and admission to Princeton</p>
<p>My FAFSA EFC is 1600, princeton calculated it to be 1000</p>
<p>berkeley is costing me 3K towards COA; princeton is costing 7k (they expect campus job + outside scholarships as well), so i think they’re being fairly stingy this year</p>
<p>to answer the OP Question, choose princeton, a degree from there is worth well over 60K</p>