The Perennial Question - Wellesley vs. Berkeley

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wellesley College
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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. One of my best friends is a first year at Wellesley right now, and nobody from my school who got into Berkeley has attended since 2004 (says Naviance >_>) Again, since I’m OOS, Wellesley and Berkeley will cost about the same.</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One last concern is that Berkeley wants a 3.0 GPA minimum by the end of the year to not get rescinded—that might not happen, due to extenuating circumstances.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’ve posted this on the Berkeley forum as well. </p>

<p>(oh, if anyone’s out there finding this whom I know, hi. You found my second 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>I would go to Wellesley:
1. You liked it better
2. The conditional admission sounds kind of sketch.</p>

<p>Wellesley does have Asian American studies programs, and while I know nothing about them, I feel like Berkley would probably have better ones. But as far as east coast schools go, Wellesley probably has one of the strongest Asian communities.<br>
Psychology is also extremely popular at Wellesley. So I can't really comment about the differences between your possible experience at either school, but Wellesley wouldn't be so bad.</p>

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<p>I just read the Berkeley thread and I will say this:
Last year (or maybe the year before) someone double posted for Wellesley and Dartmouth. The people on the Dartmouth forum were like "we're ivy league, Wellesley has no boys let's just bash Wellesley", but the Berkeley people are giving you real advice. So ++ bonus points for Berkeley (I just made it harder).</p>

<p>Oh, and I hope you have a chance to break away from your mom a bit.</p>