<p>I got into both Tufts and UC Berkeley. I live in bay area but also love Boston. I plan to major in political science/intl relations/history. Both schools have great departments in these majors. I also would be on the Cal varsity men's crew team. Its Division 1. Tufts costs almost twice as much! (not sure if I am getting any fin. aid). I know it's not all about prestige, but is UC Berkeley really more prestigious than Tufts. I love both schools, but for very different reasons, as they are very different types of schools.
Comments? Help! Not sure what to do.</p>
<p>Apples and oranges! Of course, a lot of us like both.</p>
<p>The major–I’m not sure about your specific interest, but I do know that for a lot of majors, it can be hard to get the classes you need at Berkeley when you need them. You should check out the departments you are interested in as much detail as you can. In my experience, advising and general interation interaction with faculty members is much, much easier at Tufts. So, if you’re a person who might be at risk of falling through a crack, that’s something to think about.</p>
<p>Division 1 sports–you have to think about how important that is to you. And will it be equally important for four years. Only you can answer.</p>
<p>Cost. Argh. But do remember that Berkeley is in a bit of a financial panic. And there are a number of students who don’t manage to get the courses they need in 4 years. Could that be you? It’s something that wouldn’t happen at Tufts.</p>
<p>Prestige–it’s pretty hard to compete with a school that has an element named after it. There is no tuftonium! But, as you said, they are simply different types of schools. Again, only you can figure out what’s best for you.</p>
<p>The big differences–size, weather, a smaller school where you get to know the faculty vs. a big place where you succeed only if you understand that rules are meant to be broken (or at least stretched). What’s the same? Great intellectual curiosity. Wonderful student bodies. Wish we could help you more, but you’re really on your own.</p>
<p>Thank you! athletes do get priority registration, so I don’t think getting classes i want would be a problem</p>
<p>Hey, I’m from the Bay Area too and debating between UCLA and Tufts, as a prospective IR/poly sci major too. While UCLA doesn’t quite have the same name in poly sci as Cal does, the immediate name recognition of the top 2 UCs among Californians is hard to pass up, as is the much better price tag (I don’t qualify for fin aid at Tufts either). </p>
<p>I think the life of a D1 athlete at Cal would be pretty different than the life of a D3 athlete at Tufts, right? At Tufts, your academics would always come first, but at Cal I feel like your sport would take much more of a priority (not sure which situation you’d prefer). I think that overall, the vibes at Tufts are a bit more laidback, a little nerdier, and more international; Cal may epitomize a “typical college experience” more, with super-spirited sports, a more prominent Greek scene (I think), and more lecture classes. You’d have to take much more initiative to get to know your professors, and there would be less support with class/housing/parking registration, or anything you want to get done. However these are largely stereotypes and based on hearsay, so there’s a huge range of college experiences at both schools.</p>
<p>Can’t really take a vote or anything since I’m love both schools, but those are the things I’ve been mulling over the past few days. Good luck making your decision though!</p>
<p>I have the exact same dilemma as the original poster. I would be doing IR at Tufts and Poly Sci at Berkeley. If the OP and others would not mind me asking two more questions, I would love to have some more responses. Which school would provide better internship/work opportunities (say for governmental organizations)? And which school would be more attractive and more well suited for a student looking to go to a (prestigious if possible) graduate school (specifically in this case, Law School)? </p>
<p>I very much appreciate the time and effort anyone will take in responding to this thread!</p>
<p>northcali…my daughter is also from Northern California, Marin County to be more specific. She is a first year this year… I can share a few things with you…She loves Tufts, the people, the environment, the school location and its proximity to Boston…living back east is very interesting to her because it’s different and she already knows what it’s like to live on the west coast (do you value trying something new and different?)…the seasons are present but not as intensely cold as say Maine or Vermont, you would more than survive and in fact you would thrive! There are alot of smart interesting kids, who do cool interesting things and there is definitely a more global/international focus…if you already have those interests that’s a good fit. There are over 5,ooo students at Tufts vs. Berkeley’s over 2o,ooo students…It’s a different feeling. Tufts is big enough to allow some anonymity but with a more intimate sense of cohesion as a group…Access to Boston is easy…it has a culture all it’s own too…My daughter has visited friends in both Maine and NYC by train or by bus…no problem. The school grounds are beautiful, there is some frat/sorority life and yes, there are parties but so much more going on as well…Tufts has a prestige all it’s own just like Berkeley does…Tufts is a prestigious private university, Berkeley a prestigious public university…I do think that Tufts has a particularly excellent reputation for it’s International Relations program…Oh…btw, my family got to watch and cheer on the Tufts Crew team as they competed this past fall during the Head of the Charles…it was super fun, so very New England! Maybe Berkeley particpates too? Don’t know if this helped at all…but best of luck to you whatever you decide!!</p>
<p>I’m actually kind of in the same boat, too, but for me it’s UVA vs. Tufts. I’m from the Boston area and I also row. While I wasn’t recruited, I’d love to walk on and continue rowing in college. I’m worried that rowing at UVA would be a bit of a waste for someone who’s not a complete powerhouse, while rowing at Tufts wouldn’t be quite competitive enough. </p>
<p>From a rower’s perspective who’s watched Cal dominate at HOTC and NCAAs, I can tell you that rowing at Cal would be a whole lot different than rowing at Tufts. You need to think about the type of competition you want.</p>
<p>To everyone who responded:
Thanks for your insight and comments, I really appreciate it.
Still don’t know! Oh by the way I also got waitlisted at JHU…</p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>Thought I’d let you all know, after a real tough decision last April, I chose UC Berkeley.
Im a freshman now and love it! Guess I can go to Boston for grad school!</p>
<p>Thanks for letting us know! I’m so glad you’re happy. Go Bears!</p>