So I was extremely fortunate to get into both Northwestern and UC Berkeley and I just can’t decide between them. I got into NU’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and Berkeley’s College of Letters and Science with both having me as a computer science intended major. However, I do plan to double major in political science so I want to go to a school which is strong for that. Also, I’m not super sure if I will continue to be a computer science major (depends on if I’ll like the first few classes) and so if I don’t then I would major in another STEM major like applied math or something else. Overall, I just need to go to a school that allows me that flexibility to change and for double majoring. I know that almost everyone can double major at NU but I go to a dual enrollment high school that lets me take college credits so I will be coming into both schools with over 60 college credits. So at Berkeley I would be starting off as a pretty far ahead sophomore. I’m also worried if NU will take my college credits
I’m also worried about money down the line. Because NUs generous financial aid, both NU and Berkeley are the same upfront costs for me. However what if I get scholarships down the line? I’m worried about NU not accepting the money in scholarships that I earn that will help make me pay less. But my sister may be going to school next semester so I think NU will slash my costs in half down the road and I don’t think Berkeley will do that. (Correct me if I’m wrong please)
I’m also super liberal and I live in the Bay Area so I know how uber-liberal Berkeley is (I’ve been to their protests) but how is Northwestern in retrospect? Can I expect a lot of student protests and that protest atmosphere?
Another thing I have to ask is about the undergraduate experience. Berkeley is twice as large as Northwestern so does this mean that I won’t have much contact with my professors? Are office hours jam packed at Berkeley? And how do these office hours compare to Northwestern? Also the classroom experience because I like to ask a lot of questions in class so how would that work in both schools.
Also I am a Black woman so how does the school treat their very small Black populations? Berkeleys Black population is only 3% (which scares the heck outta me) yet they have a very strong voice in their school and their Black Student Associations are visible even outside of Berkeley’s school. They also have things like their new Fannie Lou Hamer building and an Afro dorm floor to help with providing safe spaces.
Northwestern’s Black student population is around 6% which is a lot more than Berkeleys huge student body (but still a very small number) however I don’t see much about their safe spaces for Black Students when I research. Does NU have prominent Black Student Associations? And do they have things like a Black Housing floor etc., In general, what do you know about safe spaces for black students regarding both schools (especially NU).
I’m sorry I wrote this super long essay but I’m just so curious, excited and scared about each school that I just want to get as much information about them as possible to help me make an informed decision. Because they are both so amazing. Any information or resources really helps!!
Also, sorry if I sound biased towards Berkeley in any way it’s just I’ve been there a million times since I live biking distance from the campus so I know more about it than NU (I’ve only been there once). But I love both schools equally.
Net price at each?
Be aware that UCB L&S CS requires a 3.3 GPA in prerequisites to declare the major.
Yes I know about the 3.3 GPA prereq. Also, I’d pay 30k at both. Berkeley is w/o FA and Northwestern is with FA.
Note that it’s easy to get any major you want at NU (other than Theatre and a few others).
Getting a 3.3 at Cal in CS is nothing like getting a 3.3 at CC or HS.
Also, the undergrad population of Cal is more like 3 times bigger than NU’s. And NU has the resources of a rich private. I thought Cal faced budgetary constraints.
Yea, this Cal grad thinks Northwestern may be the way to go. More resources for undergrad, more support, huge reputation, no problems getting classes (or good housing) – and at the same price as Cal. Really, the only thing worse about NU is the weather.
Your post breaks down into several significant issues – cost, size, double majoring, political climate on campus, and experiences for black students. So let me start from the last one. Chicago has a large black population, but NU is in Evanston, an expensive suburb that does not feel like other parts of the city. At this point you have a good sense of what it feels like for you to walk around Berkeley. So you would be giving up that experience to be at what I think is still a predominantly or at least majority white university at NU. How does that strike you? Some ethnic minorities thrive in predominantly white universities.
In terms of campus politics, I don’t usually think of NU as super liberal. Not sure about protests, but if that is a big concern, I would not go looking for it in Evanston. Of course, you might stand out as a super liberal person there (do you want to join protests or possibly be the person who has to organize them?)
In terms of double majoring, this one is possible at most universities as long as you plan from the beginning. Tough to do if you start toward the end of junior year, but if you plan accordingly, it can be done. Berkeley poli sci is strong.
In terms of size, you will get more attention at NU. They will make resources available to you. I have heard Berkeley has become super competitive among students.
The money issues down the line are difficult to determine because they will be based on your family income, resources, and how the FA office reads a sibling attending college, etc. You should check with NU whether they would discount an outside scholarship from your FA.
After typing this, I think the real questions are whether you want to push yourself to be out of your comfort zone and be at a private university that will make resources available – but also possibly presents tough moments for black students. Only you can determine that.
@bookguy: Evanston is roughly half black and half white.
And because of the quarter system, it’s much easier to double major at NU than at most other colleges.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/1724582 says that Evanston is 61.2% white (NH) and 18.1% black.
For whatever it is worth, going to college in the midwest may give you an on-the-ground view of “conventional” race/ethnicity notions in the US, with a majority white population with the most significant minority being black, as opposed to the California version with large Latino/Hispanic and Asian populations thrown into the mix. But note also that the midwest tends to have some highly racially segregated cities, like Chicago (see https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-most-diverse-cities-are-often-the-most-segregated/ ).
@ucbalumnus: My badd. I was thinking of Evanston Township HS demographics.