UC Berkeley vs Columbia GS vs USC Marshall

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

Hey guys,

I’m an international applicant who has been admitted to the following schools:-

  1. UC Berkeley (Pre-Haas)
  2. Columbia GS (School of General Studies)
  3. USC Marshall School of Business

In the UK

  1. Cambridge
  2. LSE - London School of Economics
  3. UCL - University College London

I have also been waitlisted by

  1. Harvard
  2. Wharton
  3. Cornell Dyson
  4. U-Michigan
  5. UCLA

and rejected by several schools (Stanford, MIT, and a few others)

As an aspiring entrepreneur, I’m interested in tech startups and would love to know which schools would foster a strong startup culture and provide access to like-minded peers and VC funding. While I’m still hoping for the waitlists to come through (especially Harvard & Wharton), I realise that the odds are low. So my question is mainly regarding Columbia GS - is it the same as Columbia CC? I served compulsory national service for 2 years after finishing my IB Diploma, so I’m a 20-year-old male and so am still looking for a fun, traditional college experience. Also regarding USC Marshall, is it a good option for tech entrepreneurship? I’m mainly leaning towards the US since that’s where the VC money is and so trying to figure out the best school between the 3 acceptances I received :slight_smile:

Thanks a lot in advance for the help guys!

2

Columbia GS is NOT Columbia College, although both take the same classes. I’d recommend Haas over Marshall. (Dunno enuf about the UK schools to opine.)

3

However, UCB business is competitive entry after two years: https://haas.berkeley.edu/undergrad/admissions/ . Be sure to consider alternate majors in case you are not admitted to the business major, if you attend UCB.

Columbia University’s School of General Studies is a division that is similar academically (same courses and majors) to the Columbia College division, but is intended for non-traditional students.

“The Core [in General Studies] is largely aligned with the Core Curriculum of Columbia College, with the Core offering additional flexibility.”
http://bulletin.columbia.edu/general-studies/undergraduates/degree-fulfillment/core/core/
https://www.college.columbia.edu/core/classes

4

I’d pick Cambridge over any of the US schools and then do a masters in the US. Yes the startup culture isn’t as strong in the UK (although Cambridge is better than anywhere else in the UK), but the college experience is amazing, and a good degree from there carries a lot of credibility. Moreover it’s way cheaper than Berkeley.