<p>I posted this problem of mine in the Washington sub-forum, but I was hoping to get input from more people....:</p>
<p>I'm having a lot of trouble deciding between UW, Berkeley, and Caltech, mostly between the first two. I don't think I want to go to Caltech because I feel like it's going to be even more cutthroat than Berkeley, less socially oriented, and more restricted in fields/in general. I plan on doing pre-med stuff and later going to medical school.</p>
<p>UW has such a good medical school and (because I live in WA), it would be so convenient/low-cost for me to go to UW undergraduate and shoot for UW medical school. And, I know people often say try not to factor in your friends into choosing a college, but... there are people that I will miss greatly if I don't go to UW.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Berkeley is very prestigious (again with the prestige...), and so even if I somehow decide not to go to medical school (you never know), I will at least have the name of Berkeley behind me. Also, it's core sciences are really really good, and may provide me with a better chance of getting into great medical schools in general (though I'm not sure why I would need to go to a medical school other than UW). I'm also looking forward to a new experience, which may be refreshing, maybe not.</p>
<p>Sometimes I feel like I only want to go to Berkeley because I'm being vain about the name. At other times I feel like if I don't go to Berkeley, it'll be because I wasn't up to the challenge and not strong enough to make sacrifices.</p>
<p>Don't pick based on friends. You will still visit them on breaks; you may grow apart during college; there are plenty of new people to meet. Have a little bit of a change.</p>
<p>I would choose Berkeley if you're afraid of CalTech - which doesn't fit the med-school track anyway - but UW can't really compare. Even if you're set on grad school, higher-caliber institutions like Berkeley send more people to medical school anyway... and there will be more/better opportunities for research, etc.</p>
<p>If I were being vein about the name, I'd go to Caltech. Anyone who knows, knows that the average Berkeley admit isn't anywhere near the calibre of Other than for grad school, Cal isn't a big deal to anyone outside the W Coast.</p>
<p>Go to Washington. It's obviously where you want to be, probably the best fit socially, and the huge price difference between it and UCB is way too much to justify going to Berkeley.</p>
<p>"Even if you're set on grad school, higher-caliber institutions like Berkeley send more people to medical school anyway... and there will be more/better opportunities for research, etc."</p>
<p>You do realize how competitive premed is at a place like Berkeley? It's probably one of the hardest schools in the country. So he could actually be at a disadvantage going there and getting worse grades, and not to mention there are certainly plenty of research opps available at UW, which has one of the best med schools in the country.</p>
<p>everyone has really good points. problem is now i still don't know what to do argh. Thanks anyway guys!</p>
<p>But WTH... Berkeley Fall semester starts Frickin August 22. WTH.</p>
<p>I sorta want to go to Caltech because it is not dumb and starts september 25. I don't really mind getting out in june, i just don't want to start in like august, god.</p>
<p>Why would you go to CalTech? They require 5 terms of physics/chem and 1 term of bio or something like that. Conclusion: go anywhere but CalTech. :)</p>
<p>Just for the record, Caltech isn't cut-throat by any standard. If you tried your best on a problem set and don't know the answer, you can knock on the door of anyone who does know the answer and they'll patiently explain it to you, and help you with the next problem too.</p>
<p>Competing for grades is looked down upon here, and essentially nobody does it. It is a huge amount of hard science and math, and not ideal for premeds unless you're REALLY REALLY REALLY smart but, say what you will, it isn't cut-throat.</p>
<p>Cal is about $40K/year out of state. I've never understood why someone would want to pay that when for that kind of money they could go to a great private with small classes, an advisor, personal attention, etc. UC schools are a great deal for CA residents, not worth it for others IMHO.</p>
<p>OP, if Caltech isn't right for you, then go to UW</p>
<p>Dude seriously the college experience is about new friends and experiences. Friends are cool, but think about all the other freshmen just like you.</p>