<p>Which one, which one. I am so stuck, not too sound arrogant or anything but I have way too many acceptances to choose from, since I have more than that but those are the top on my personal list. I want to go into mechanical engineering or maybe even into computer science/engineering and the place has to have a half-way decent and probably great music program so which would you guys recommend?</p>
<p>Any of these would be excellent in terms of academic programs in both engineering and music. Choose on the basis of price, location, and fit. And don’t sweat it, because you really can’t go wrong.</p>
<p>bump.</p>
<p>I’d also like to say that I don’t really know the vibe at these schools, but I am one of those people who hates over competitiveness and people who take grades and work to the extreme, and am pretty laid back, so maybe that can make a decision for me? I’m not sure.</p>
<p>Hmmmm, your last post worries me a bit. If you’re studying engineering at any of those three schools, you’re going to be taking work to the extreme…</p>
<p>I do understand that MisterK. Maybe you didn’t understand my post. I meant that I hate being around the types of people who don’t really like to help others if they ask and just do work simply to beat the guy next to them. I guess a better term would be overly competitive people. I do want to pursue the challenging work but not at atmosphere where its about competing against other students for grades and stuff. I just want to do it to improve my knowledge and be able to use that in the future.</p>
<p>Congrats on having [at least] 3 wonderful choices. If you desire a gorgeous campus in a wonderful, laid-back college town, Cornell may be your best choice.</p>
<p>Thank you behappy7! The problem is that I’m from Nevada (lived in California almost my whole life thus far though) and I like being in decent sized cities and I kind of don’t like the cold lol. I figure those might be minor adjustments, but I dunno I kind of would still like to be in a city though. I’m visiting Cal and Cornell for sure so I guess I’ll see.</p>
<p>bump!!!</p>
<p>Though a great school in a beautiful location, Cornell is SUPER competitive, as I think the engineering school still grades based on a curve. Unfortunately, that promotes some cut-throat competition. I can’t speak for UCB or CM, but you might want to check into the competition at Cornell (ask about grading policies, etc.) My H is a Cornell engineering alum and “recruiting ambassador.”</p>
<p>Cal has plenty of gunners and competition as well. If you like Ithaca, Go Big Red! Otherwise, Go Bears!</p>
<p>bluebayou, I hope your sn refers to the wonderful restaurant next to them scallywag pirates of the Caribbean sea.</p>
<p>This is such a hard decision!</p>
<p>Oh, another thing I don’t believe I mentioned earlier, I plan to never drink or smoke and will probably not go to any sort of party that has any of that. I went and visited Cornell to see that this was prevalent, but was also told that there’s a prevalent non-party population. Which would you believe has more of an accepting atmosphere of people like me and more people like me in that way?</p>
<p>I think out of the three choices, UC Berkeley is the best choice. They are ranked #3 for their engineering school (with #1 being MIT and #2 Stanford). Plus, it’s a bonus that you already live in California, unless you want to go farther away. Berkeley is urban, which is something you want. But the weather is generally on the cold side. The academics are stellar though. Good luck!</p>
<p>
Then don’t plan to stay in Berkeley during the summer.</p>
<p>CM. It fits everything you want.</p>
<p>From what I hear, CMU has a hyper-competitive environment… however, if you decide to do computer science or engineering, they are the way to go. It can get super cold in pennsylvania and New York… I guess that if you’re undecided on major, Berkeley would be the best option.</p>
<p>I would go with CMU over Cornell most definitely, both in terms of academics, weather (snows much more in Ithaca than the Burgh), and your desire for a city environment. Cal-Berkeley vs. CMU - that’s a tough decision.</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, alot of kids with no social skills at all go to Carnegie Mellon, yet I feel like that is such a huge assumption so don’t think that’s what I believe, it’s just what I’ve heard. Isn’t Cornell better than CMU in engineering? Is Berkeley’s music programs anything good? Anywhere up to the level of Carnegie Mellon’s? I think the part that’s killing my likings of Carnegie Mellon right now is being waitlisted in SCS. I really was thinking about an engineering/computer science double major (if possible) or to just move entirely to their bachelors in computer science and the arts program since it would encourage me to continue playing Clarinet. I will be staying on their waitlist but from what I heard, it’s impossible to get off, especially if you’re not on the priority waitlist. If I go to the school and eventually don’t get off the waitlist, can I request to change into SCS and do the Computer Science/Music thing? Is it hard to change at CMU? Sorry alot of questions that I hope someone can answer before it’s too late.</p>
<p>I doubt if the kids at Cornell or Berkeley are much “cooler” than CMU kids. My son was in a fraternity there…a great social life can be had at CMU despite what I’ve read for years on CC. Pittsburgh gets good marks from students. UPitt is literally next door…that’s 20,000 more students in a lively part of the city called Oakland.</p>
<p>Anyway he picked up CS as a second major. It was no big deal…actually encouraged. You don’t have to be admitted directly into SCS to get a CS degree from the school. You have to work with your adviser early on to pick the correct prereqs that satisfy both degree paths. </p>
<p>The Clarinet->CMU’s College of Fine Arts (School of Music) is top notch. Son took piano performance as an undergrad. </p>
<p>Although you apply to a specific school, they encourage collaboration between the different colleges. Double majoring is common. Or, you might get off the SCS waitlist.</p>
<p>CMU seems to fit many of your criteria. Does get chilly though. You’re lucky to have such good schools to pick from. Good luck!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Berkeley has a fairly obvious fraternity and sorority scene, but only a minority of students are in them. One of the university residence halls is specifically a substance-free theme hall, and smoking is not allowed inside (see [here](<a href=“http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/unit1.html]here[/url]”>http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/unit1.html)</a>). Some of the other university residence halls closer to the math/physics/chemistry/engineering corner of campus are said to be quieter, as students in those majors are somewhat less party-prone.</p>
<p>A large percentage of students move to off-campus housing, which can be quiet or party-prone depending on you and your roommates. The inexpensive [BSC</a> co-ops](<a href=“http://berkeleystudentcooperative.org/]BSC”>http://berkeleystudentcooperative.org/) tend to be more party-prone in the larger houses which are the easiest ones to get into for new members.</p>