<p>Hey guys I have about 3 days to decide what to do. I am a senior living in Minnesota. I was lucky enough to get into the university of california berkeley, case western and university of pittsburg. My hearts desire has always been to go to berkeley however if I go to berk they will force me to pay around 51,000 a year as an out of state resident. If I go to case western I will pay around 18,000 and at pitt I will pay around 20,000. I can't decide if I should still go to berkeley even though I will be paying almost double the cost I've tried to apply as in state but they are so strict on the rules in california it's almost impossible. I'm leaning towards pittsburg because I like the campus and the opportunities but if it wasn't about the price then I would go to berk in a second. What do you think I should do, pay the tuition or just stick with the other schools? Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>If your parents have a giant college fund for you, and are happy to make Berkeley possible, then it is OK to go there. If money is an issue at all, then it isn’t. Run the numbers here: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Award Letter Requirements - Finaid) Then sit down with your parents and talk with them about what those results mean.</p>
<p>If you were my kid, Berkeley would be off the list.</p>
<p>UCB is more worth it for grad school. My D got in there last year and they offered her enough aid to make it half price but that was still more than our excellent state flagship so it was off the list. </p>
<p>Especially with the budget cuts, I would not pay full OOS costs when you have other great options.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice I just really hope later on I don’t regret going to pittsburg or case when I got into berk that’s my only thing.</p>
<p>I agree with others. If your parents are rich and can afford $51k/year without them or you incurring debt, I say, sure, come to Berkeley. It is a great experience.</p>
<p>However, if your family cannot easily afford the cost and have to borrow, I wouldn’t come to Berkeley. </p>
<p>You won’t regret going to Pitt, especially if you graduate without a huge student loan burden.</p>
<p>Cal is very much overrated as an UG school. Other Californians agree with me. Check the overrated/underrated thread. Worthwhile as a graduate institution, however, and that is what it is set up to be.</p>
<p>Depends on your major. Cal’s College of Chemistry and Engineering probably are worth full freight, but I wouldn’t pay that kinda money for a liberal arts degree.</p>
<p>If I was major bio eng would it make sense to go because I know berk’s bio eng program is ranked.</p>
<p>^ ONLY if you and your parents can afford it without incurring much debt…</p>
<p>You’re from Minnesota…they have fantastic engineering programs. Did you apply to UMN-Twin Cities?</p>
<p>to answer the OP’s question: NO</p>