Hi all,
I know this is a highly improbable scenario, but given acceptance to both Stanford and Berkeley, which would you choose? Any information/arguments regarding Chemical engineering between the two schools would be highly appreciated!
Whichever one is more affordable
First see if you are accepted to either of them.
I would choose Stanford 10/10 times over Berkeley
Chem-E would be one of UCB’s exceptionally strong programs. Stanford would be more geographically diverse, particularly domestically.
If money is no object, Stanford. That means the very wealthy and those making under 70k a year (because Stanford will give a lot of financial aid to low income people). Also, if you are not a Californian, Stanford also is the clear choice, because out of state student at Berkeley basically pay private school tuition.
For middle class Californians, I would choose Berkeley. It is a world class university and the cost of attendance would be approximately 30K per year less than Stanford. That’s a huge difference.
Stanford for sure, assuming that the costs are equal or the difference is small.
My D had exact same choice last April, and went with Stanford( we are from California) .
I would absolutely choose Stanford. If this was for grad school the choice would be less clear ( still it would be Stanford imo though). But for undergrad there is no question about it in my mind, I would take Stanford over Berkeley any day. When it comes to undergrad quality and resources as well general perception Stanford is clearly way ahead.
@juillet Stanford for sure, assuming that the costs are equal or the difference is small.
Absolutely. But that’s an unlikely assumption to make. For most California applicants, the costs will not be equal - the full pay tuition difference is over $32,000 per year.
Put it this way - if someone is going to give me a car, I’d prefer the Lamborgini over the Toyota. But if I have to pay for the car, I’m probably going for the Toyota. And in Berkeley’s case, it’s really more like a BMW.
Most California applicants generally will pay less for Stanford than a UC, since the family income range to pay more for Stanford includes only the top few percent of families (see net price calculators). However, it is likely that most California applicants who are admitted to Stanford are those who will pay more for Stanford than a UC, since around half of Stanford students do not receive any financial aid at all (and some of those who do still have net prices higher than in-state UC).
Wow! Stanford is the clear cut winner apparently! However, my family’s income is ~120k, and as soon as I graduate college my brother is starting, so budget is a bit of an issue. How is financial aid at each for OOS?
Go to each school’s net price calculator and see what it looks like for your own family financial situation.
You are out of state? Then Stanford is the only choice. Berkeley saves its financial aid for California students.
The OP definitely should go to each school’s npc and compare costs based on his or her own family’s data. However, for an OOS applicant at that income level, I’d be very surprised if the net price isn’t much lower at Stanford (or at virtually any other selective, well-endowed private school).
According to my own estimates, for a family earning $120K with 2 kids, net costs could be about $19K for Stanford v. $26K for Berkeley. That’s after grant awards only, without considering loans or work study for either school. That’s also assuming the candidate is a California resident, which the OP apparently is not. For an OOS (non-CA) resident, Berkeley’s net price may exceed $62K. Stanford’s net price will be similar whether you’re a resident of CA or of any other US state (with a little more aid, probably, to cover OOS travel.)