<p>^Actually, I can see people rejecting Ivies other than Cornell if one is interested in Engineering. People seem to put a lot of stock in the rankings.</p>
<p>^ Are you talking about engineering rankings? If so, I do admit I did consider them while making decisions, however only to a certain extent. Also, both of you are correct, there are quite a few engineering students at Cal have turned down offers from universities part of the ivy league.</p>
<p>In any case, I think that when we’re talking about undergraduate education at universities in the same league, in retrospect, it boils down to the environment and surroundings one is exposed to since the education would be, for the most part, the same. Also, undergrad is just the start in a long line of other things to be considered later on in life.</p>
<p>Yes, engineering rankings. Berkeley is pretty much higher ranked in most engineering areas than all Ivy schools which seems to make a difference to Indians.</p>
<p>So I went to the US consulate today and all they asked me for was my passport, I20 and DS160 confirmation page. No interview. That was easy :)</p>
<p>As a professional structural engineer, I would recommend attending Berkeley over the Ivies without a second thought. I would definitely prefer to hire an engineer from Berkeley over an Ivy!</p>
<p>Easy visa, Tizil. I wonder if getting into a top college makes the visa approval process easier…</p>
<p>Still have to get mine done…</p>
<p>And gratz on the Columbia admit :-)</p>
<p>@Maine: Hehe, that’s what most other people tell me :)</p>
<p>@Pratyush: Actually, most people are very dispassionate about what college you’ll be actually going to. It wouldn’t make a difference if your I20 says Syracuse or Harvard.</p>
<p>Also, thanks and good luck! :D</p>
<p>Tizil - did you attend the interview in belgium? I think it is much more laidback in Europe.</p>
<p>psst … too many people are finding out who I am. I’ll PM you texas :)</p>
<p>Berkeley is a great school for Enginnering and Sciences, no doubt. But why do most people choose an Ivy over Berkeley for a UG degree atleast… Why is the acceptance/selectivity rate/SAT scores’ requirements so much more competitive for an Ivy as compared to Berkeley? </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2006/09/17/weekinreview/20060917_LEONHARDT_CHART.html[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2006/09/17/weekinreview/20060917_LEONHARDT_CHART.html</a></p>
<p>Another point of view that I keep hearing is, Berkeley is great for Graduate/Phd but for UG, an Ivy education might be more sought after during the formative years (UG)</p>
<p>The acceptance rates for an Ivy an an average is close to 8% or so whereas UCB is close to 22%. (domestic). And the difference is likely the same for internationals… (extremely competitive vs approx 12% this year for Internationals).</p>
<p>Just trying to understand and have a better picture of this…</p>
<p>query, as far as I know, most Berkeley-Ivy cross admits that choose one of those other ivy league colleges are not california students or admitted to L&S.</p>
<p>Also, I was trying to find my other post regarding that image in the Columbia wait list thread … and I realized you are the same person I was talking to about this there. Anyway, I reiterate:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/14421867-post132.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/14421867-post132.html</a></p>
<p>Also, COE’s admit rate this year was 13.2% (source: email to all admits) more than the international admit rate of 12.4% (<a href=“http://www.ucop.edu/news/factsheets/2012/fall_2012_admissions_table2.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ucop.edu/news/factsheets/2012/fall_2012_admissions_table2.pdf</a>)</p>
<p>sorry Tizil… Didn’t realize I am mentioning something not in public domain.</p>
<p>UCB, UTA, UCIC - all of these schools are charging a lot more money for OOS and Internationals and don’t provide financial aid. So it is somewhat easier to get in as long as you are willing to pay as OOS.</p>
<p>Tizil - you are absolutely correct - That was my point as well. So, why do non California students or an international choose an Ivy over UCB when the costs are pretty much the same for them? So, does it imply they prefer an Ivy to UCB? for CA students the costs is the major plus in UCB but for internationals/OOS it is not so.</p>
<p>Is L and S easier to get into? Pardon my ignorance - but an insight on this would be helpful!</p>
<p>COE admit rate as per your post is 13.2 percent - is it the “total” admit rate or “international” admit rate. In order to compare apples to apples, I guess we should compare the international rates of both.</p>
<p>Oh well I was talking about most engineering students who aren’t californians or internationals. Also, here’s the source for the 13.2% claim (read the deferment paragraph): [Screen</a> Shot 2012-06-01 at 7.41.13 PM.png](<a href=“http://cl.ly/251n3N062R2I1F2F3E1K]Screen”>http://cl.ly/251n3N062R2I1F2F3E1K)</p>
<p>Anyway, I think it’s because Cal is more well known in that department throughout. I’m not saying that the others are bad, I’m just saying, as MaineLonghorn said, that Cal’s better in specific departments.</p>
<p>From personal experience, a professor of Chemical Engineering at Brown, whom I skyped with for a considerable amount of time, finally suggested that since I have the option, I should choose Berkeley. His general conclusion was that engineering was much better there and had a much more competitive and rigorous environment.</p>
<p>Also, yeah, L&S is easier to get into :p</p>
<p>It’s the total admit rate, according to that email. I don’t know how I could know the international admission rate for the college of engineering, but I could send an email to cal’s admissions department.</p>
<p>Ok…putting my 2 cents in 
First of all, once an applicant has made a decision according to their best fit, I strongly believe in supporting the applicant and not trying to second guess them. And yes, personally, I feel Columbia has the ‘ivy name’ but only MIT or Stanford or Cal Tech can rival Berkeley Engineering. Having said that, of course, it will be upto the individual to take advantage of all that a college has to offer. And knowing the caliber of students who are going to Berkeley Engineering, anyone who goes there will be among the best and brightest. Opportunities/Internships in CA for Engineers are still very strong.</p>
<p>So yes, welcome to the Golden State Also there is something about Berkeley that most alumni that I have met, absolutely are crazy about and the energy there is second to none. Heck, my own D took summer classes there and will not think of any other college ;)</p>
<p>
I think all of us can agree on that :)</p>
<p>
I know right! My econ teacher is absolutely crazy. And I say that in the best way possible. She is just so amazing and has this infinite store of energy which she imbibes in everything she does. If I meet only 5 other people like her at Cal, it will be amazing :D</p>
<p>[UC</a> proposing to raise tuition again - 6% in fall](<a href=“http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/08/MN421OF6QV.DTL]UC”>http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/08/MN421OF6QV.DTL)</p>
<p>Does this fee rise impact the already enrolled students also? That is, would it be much more in the sophomore year than in the freshman year?</p>
<p>Not to bring up an old thread, but I graduated from high school today :)</p>
<p>Congrats Tizil 
It must feel surreal. My graduation is on Monday. I can’t wait.</p>
<p>Thanks Intellgience(r)! It does feel surreal! I’m meeting most of my friends for the last time tomorrow. Don’t let that thought sully your feelings, after all, I’m sure you guys will be in the same city for 2 months, eh?</p>
<p>Though it’s cliched, I’d say it was bittersweet. The immediacy of the situation renders it more bitter than sweet, but in time the roles will reverse :p</p>
<p>Enjoy till then, intelligence :)</p>
<p>And as always, keep us (or is it just me now?) updated :D</p>