The Perennial Question - Berkeley vs. Wellesley

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
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<p>Hi folks – </p>

<p>I realize this is probably a perennial question, but all the posts I’ve seen so far that pertain to my dilemma don’t really apply that much to my situation, so I guess I’ll explain here >_></p>

<p>I’m currently an OOS student considering both Berkeley and Wellesley for Asian American studies. I’m looking to double major in Asian American studies and psych, and to get involved with the AA/PI community on the social, political, et al. levels. CLEARLY the choice should be Berkeley. However, I’m visiting Berkeley now and I’m currently not feeling it so much—that is, I don’t really see myself here, etc. That’s my one and only main concern with Berkeley.</p>

<p>I’ve visited both campuses, and perhaps the huge (and probably the most decisive) difference is that at Wellesley I was at an overnight program (shoutouts if there’s anybody here whom I met) and at Berkeley I’m just walking around with my mom. At Wellesley I felt really comfortable, despite the fact that I almost definitely knew I was going to Berkeley (guess that changed, heh..)</p>

<p>I attend a really small public high school in NYC, so Berkeley’s size is sort of a concern, but not a pressing one. Since I’m OOS, Wellesley and Berkeley will cost about the same for me. </p>

<p>One last concern is that Berkeley wants a 3.0 GPA minimum by the end of the year to not get rescinded—that might not happen, due to extenuating circumstances. But I’m sure that’s a silly reason to turn down Berkeley. </p>

<p>Any input would be greatly, GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance; I’ll be posting this on the Wellesley forum as well. </p>

<p>(oh, if anyone’s out there finding this whom I know, hi. You found my CC post. Congrats.)</p>

<p>--</p>

<p>EDIT: one last thing: I should probably mention that I'm a spring admit for Berkeley. That might cause some problems because I'm not in FPF, so...yeah. If I go to Wellesley I'd start in the fall.</p>

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<p>For your major interests, obviously Berkeley would be a perfect place. For all other considerations, it sounds like Wellesley would be better for you. If I were you, I would go to Wellesley. If you were paying in-state tuition, I might say something different, however.</p>

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<p>Four years ago, my sister was in the same dilemma you're facing now. Wellesley or Berkeley? </p>

<p>After careful consideration my sister decided on Wellesley (even though it costs more) and never regretted it. If you're paying the same amount for both schools, choose Wellesley. Private schools can offer so many more resources per student than public schools. </p>

<p>If I were you, I would attend Wellesley. It costs the same as Cal, but it can offer so much more.</p>

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<p>:D thanks for your</p>

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<p>:D thanks for the quick replies guyssssssss</p>

<p>One follow up question, though: are there any specific benefits for going to Wellesley? Like I said with UCB, there's the Asian-Am program and the student body. With Wellesley, I understand there are a lot more 'resources,' but I'm hesitant to start loving it while not knowing what they are and why they're superior to Berkeley's (or maybe I'm looking at this completely wrong).</p>

<p>Man, I don't know why I'm just not comfortable at Berkeley...any suggestions for that? T^T</p>

<p>Thanks again :]</p>

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<p>For your major, I'd choose Berkeley...and it's a step outside your comfort zone, which it sounds like you might need (no offense :)). Few schools, if any, offer "more" than Berkeley, public or private; the only difference is that it's simply a different atmosphere.</p>

<p>I really doubt Wellesley has "more" resources than Cal; after all, Berkeley is the #1 ranked public-U in the world for something!</p>

<p>As for why you aren't as comfortable: far from home, completely different people, location, etc. Is that a bad thing? Not unless you make it one.</p>

<p>That being said, you'll get a great education at both schools. I think the recruitment is stronger at UCB, but that shouldn't shortchange Wellesley, an academic powerhouse in its own right.</p>

<p>I guess my point is to not worry about fitting in at Cal. I've seen some of the least social, most intraverted people come out with a wonderful experience, probably because they decided to meet the challenge.</p>

<p>Good luck with your decision, you'll be happy either way!</p>

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<p>"I really doubt Wellesley has "more" resources than Cal; after all, Berkeley is the #1 ranked public-U in the world for something!"</p>

<p>I'm happy to know that I'm going to the #1 Public, but resources at Berkeley are divided up among over 20,000 students; Wellesley only has 2300 students. There's a lot less bureaucracy at Wellesley compared to Berkeley. Class sizes are much smaller at Wellesley; at Cal, ~1500 people took Chem 1A in the fall, that's over half the Wellesley undergrad population.</p>

<p>Wait-lists are also not very common at Wellesley but commonplace for major classes at Berkeley. For my sister she was never wait-listed in her 4 years at Wellesley. For my first year at Berkeley, I've been waitlisted twice so far (three, counting a time when I couldn't even get on the waitlist because it's maxed out).</p>

<p>We definitely have a lot of resources at Cal, but there's just 20,000 students vying for them. There are just some things that Berkeley can't compare to with private school and their endowment funds. The 50K tuition goes towards a quality education for privates. For me personally, I wouldn't pay 50K to attend Berkeley. If it's a 20K price tag for Berkeley then the story would be way different.</p>

<p>I still think life at Berkeley is great. Wellesley never would have been an option for me (just because I'm a guy) =)</p>

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<p>also wellesley has no icky guys ew</p>

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<p>
[Quote]
I'm happy to know that I'm going to the #1 Public, but resources at Berkeley are divided up among over 20,000 students; Wellesley only has 2300 students.

[/Quote]
</p>

<p>True, but look at the amount of federal money going into both schools....Cal most definitely has the edge in those resources.</p>

<p>Wellesley could never match up in research funds; yes, they have nicer dorms, food, trees (no tents :/), etc., which is why it costs 50k per year (way overpriced for ANY school, IMO), but I don't see the same academic production coming out of Wellesley.</p>

<p>That being said, I still think the OP should go for the best FIT!</p>

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<p>Remember, not all 20k students are vying for the same resources. Within a certain major, the competition is a lot less. I think for most students, if you want a research position, you'll find it at Berkeley. If you're the type who take the initiative to do something, you'll find that Berkeley has a lot more to offer than Wellesley.</p>

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<p>For your major: Berkeley
For your comfort: Wellesley</p>

<p>It's basically up to you how you want to live the next 4 years (or 3.5 for Berkeley xD).</p>

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<p>Right right. Thanks everybody for the replies again :D </p>

<p>Meh -.- I think the reason why NOW I'm not comfortable at Berkeley is because since I'm with my mom, it's more like an awkward family vacation than a college visit. I have one last day to tour the campus, though, so I'll try to make the most of it as I can :] And I don't know what's more important to me, comfort or major. I feel like it should be major--then again, there's always the possibility that I'll change majors T__T However, even if I were to play it safe and go with Wellesley, its Asian Am program falls shorter than a pygmy (please correct me if I'm wrong).</p>

<p>Also, to those of you debating about resources and such XD - does anybody know specifically if Asian Am is one of those majors where you have to engage in death matches to get classes? <_< Someone I talked to the other day (Asian Am major) said he always got the classes he wanted while at Berkeley (he graduated like 2 years ago or something). </p>

<p>Thanks again for being so friendly and helpful :D Hope this post is guiding others with the same dilemma (some of whom I met at Wellesley Open House, heh).</p>

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<p>Berkeley has a very strong Asian Am program, but it's not one of the hugely popular majors, like polisci, English, engineering, biology, etc., so you should be fine as far as classes are concerned. Even people in the popular majors usually end up getting the classes they want (you can always take a GE course or two at a local comm college over the summer, if needed). Just talk to your advisors and you really shouldn't have a problem.</p>

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<p>Oh darn, this is your last day and you probably won't read it until after the day is gone, but I would have suggested you nicely suggest to your mom that you need to get the feel on your own, so could you part ways for about 6 hours. THEN, walk around yourself, but more importantly, go to a few of the big lectures where you can walk in and not be noticed, and just sit and listen. I don't know if you met with any of the admins in the dept. you want to major in, but that would be a good idea -- meet a few people in your area of interest and see what kind of a feel you get from them. Then just sit by the fountain at Sproul and watch the mid-day parade go by.</p>

<p>I went to a tiny tiny high school where everyone knew everyone's business. Cal has been a huge change for me, but a big relief. I've found my niche, my group, and am growing independent and self-confident. But, I had a completely different feeling when I first visited Cal, even with my parents, than you are. So you'll have to trust your instinct.</p>