I live in Southern California and got accepted into UC Berkeley and Amherst as my top two colleges. I am going into Physics and am having a hard time deciding between the two. They are basically exact opposites, and I would be happy at both, but I keep bouncing back and forth between the two and can’t seem to make a decision. Weather and school size isn’t a huge deal for me.
Both colleges cost almost exactly the same for me thanks to the GI bill so cost is not an issue.
Any thoughts on the matter would be much appreciated!
GI bill for GI or 18-year old dependent? I ask bcos Amherst is a LAC with no grad programs, so its average age is probably 19/20. If you are a 20-something, might be hard to find your peeps. Also, Amherst tends toward a strong left political climate, and not sure how well a Vet would fit in.
Sure, Cal also leans left, but there are a lot of apoliticals on campus and it’s so big, a Vet would just disappear in the crowd.
If an 18-year-old dependent, then both would be great. Of course a LAC gives you small classes, more individual attention, so if the political climate works for you, the education would be outstanding.
Those probably are two of the biggest differences. Each of them is a good representative of its type.
If you don’t care about those differences, the costs are the same, and you cannot think of any other differences that matter to you … well then, flip a coin. Or maybe observe the principle of least effort, and just stay in California.
Is the OP a parent or student?
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/21357213#Comment_21357213
Amherst physics courses seem to be rather limited:
https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/departments/physics/courses/1920F?display=curriculum
An Amherst physics major may have to use the cross registration with UMass to get courses like upper level courses like E&M 2, quantum mechanics 2, and other electives.
UCB physics has somewhat more upper level physics offerings:
http://guide.berkeley.edu/courses/physics/
@ucbalumnus Excellent point.
I made the same reference on another thread. It was important to note that Amherst and Massachusetts are only a mile and half apart. It’s a constant flow of pvta buses all day long. Five minute ride. Five minute bike. 15 minute jog. Half hour walk. Tops.
But if you are a physics prodigy or elite. Cal is your top option. Especially since you are location and fit agnostic. More of your math tribe too.
@bluebayou Sorry, should have clarified the military benefit is from my dad, who is a vet. I am a high school senior dependent so I think I would fit in fine.
@ucbalumnus I am a student posting on someone else’s account.
Thanks for answering
The forums do not allow sharing accounts, so you may want to make your own free account.