<p>My son has some great college choices including UC Berkeley and Boston College on his short list. I'm leaning towards UC Berkeley (excellent reputation, great location, cheaper/less debt if he does to grad school and closer to home) and wife is leaning towards Boston College (very good reputation, smaller than Berkeley, great college town) with emphasis on BC being a unique experience for son who is from Southern California. My son is a strong student, very social, likes to get involved and went to a relatively small Catholic school. Currently, wants to do pre-med track. Any feedback that would assist in deciding between the two would be appreciated. </p>
<p>Net price?</p>
<p>Remember that pre-meds should consider saving money and minimizing debt in undergraduate school, since medical school is expensive.</p>
<p>UCB definitely the better price. </p>
<p>What are all the choices, with net cost of each (subtracting grants/scholarships)?</p>
<p>Berkeley was the perfect distance for me as someone from SoCal. Cheap flights on Southwest into Oakland or San Fran. Can get around via BART and he will not need a car. </p>
<p>Berkeley being cheaper is a great choice. Save money for med school. </p>
<p>Both excellent choices. I would have to agree with the concept of saving money especially if med school is a consideration. </p>
<p>Cal is in a different league than BC. Both will provide a fine education, but the fringe benefits of attending Cal fair outweigh anything BC has to offer. Reputation, MD program matriculation, alumni networking, value, etc.</p>
<p>This is one of those choices with two schools that are probably opposites in about every way you can imagine. 4 years at Cal are not like 4 years at BC. Location, where students are from, class size, advising system, sports, etc, etc. The most important thing, I’d say, is know oneself. A student is going to get all the opportunities they want at a large public like Cal, but that’s just what they are. Opportunities. A self-starter or goal-driven student is going to thrive, but someone who might benefit from a bit more direction could flounder. There was an article comparing Cal and that other school down the road that is worth reading thru – <a href=“UC Berkeley's lack of services leaves many undergrads to sink or swim / `Little fish in a big pond'”>http://www.sfgate.com/education/article/UC-Berkeley-s-lack-of-services-leaves-many-2923526.php</a> I’m not saying BC is the same as that school, but I think you’ll find a similar emphasis on guidance and more personal attention.</p>
<p>Finances should play a big part in your decision, but if either is possible financially then I’d say make a list and write down the attributes of each side-by-side. One should seem preferable to the other overall. </p>