Hey y’all! I’m a senior and I’m currently in the process of choosing a college. I’m a chemE major and I am currently choosing between UC Berkeley, UCI, and U Minnesota Twin Cities. Does have any tips for me on how to choose or suggestions on what they think I should do?!
Some other things to know about my choices:
UCB: #2
UMTC: #4
UCI: unknown
UMTC is well known for chemical engineering. From what I’ve read, the major was practically born at UMTC. But more importantly, I’m getting A LOT of scholarship- the cost comes down to only $13k per year. In cost terms, UMTC is the optimal choice. Also, because of their history, there are multiple Fortune 500 Companies in the vicinity, offering a good opportunity when it comes to internships and co-opting.
UCI has given me honors admission- I’m now a part of the CHP (honors program). I did some research into the program and other than priority enrollment and a few exclusive classes, there doesn’t seem to be many other additional benefits. So I’m not sure how valuable the option is. However, it is located near LA… Is there any way to find out opportunities for internships for chemical engineers in LA?
UC Berkeley is really well ranked, has good job opportunities and more. No doubt, it is my best option, and I can afford it as well. The biggest thing that concerns me however is that I am not sure how competitive I am compared to other Berkeley students. Personally, I’d rather be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. Should I be concerned about being one in the crowd, or would it not matter post college?
Thank you so much in advance for all your advice!
Hello! I’m sure I won’t be much help, but maybe I can give you a little insight on the level of competitiveness at UC Berekly. My brother is a philosophy major and neuroscience minor at Cal, and he absolutely loves it and hates it at the same time. He loves the level of academic prestige and world renowned professors he has the oppurtunity to learn from, as well as the motivation the school’s general competitiveness gives him. However, due to the high level of competition, students are very cold and distant (especially in their third and fourth year due to pressures as the near graduation), and are incredibly reluctant to even help a fellow student with understanding a certain course material. Unless you have a strong group of friends that trusts each other, you won’t be able to tap on a random student’s shoulder in class to get help.
If you look at the academic profile of admitted students to the College of Science and Engineering at UMTC, you will see that they are top students. You will have competition there also.
https://admissions.tc.umn.edu/academics/profile.html
Is Berkeley really easily affordable for you and your parents? Or are there strong incentives to take the scholarship money at UMTC? What are the GPA requirements for keeping the scholarships? Is there a chance you might change majors, making the prestige of the ChemE there a non-issue compared with Berkeley’s superior all-around reputation and ranking?
My daughter attends the University of Minnesota on scholarships (in a different college and major), and it is a great university. She has been conducting research in two science labs since freshman year. There are tons of opportunities for research and internships on campus and off. A light rail train stops right on campus, and can be used to get to downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. However, if my daughter had applied to and been admitted to Berkeley and could afford it, she probably would have gone there instead – just because it’s Berkeley. 
I am a big believer in experiencing a different part of the country if the finances work out. I am assuming you are currently in California.
As you mentioned, chem e at Minnesota attracts a lot of employers and there are many local companies to intern with.
Both Cal and TC have roughly the same number of undergrads, give or take a couple of thousand. Neither is a small pond.
At TC many non freshmen move into apartment buildings in the area. On their cost of attendance page they estimate $9,000 for the dorm or apartment. How does that compare with Berkeley? Does it make a difference to your budget?
@perrypark Yes that is one of my concerns. I’ve heard rumors of Berkeley’s cutthroat competitive nature, and I’m checking with some Berkeley students I know to confirm if that’s true. Thank you for your advice!
@mommyrocks I agree that Minnesota has competition. I was just trying to communicate fears of being at the bottom of the class if I chose to go to Berkeley. I know that the top students often receive the most opportunity in research, and so I’m basing some of my decision on that. UCB is not as easily affordable as is UMTC but my parents are willing to help me out there especially because it is Berkeley. I was just curious: Did your daughter end up having any regrets regarding UMTC?
@SnowballCity You are correct. I am a CA resident.
Berkeley’s Room and Board come to $15000. Im not sure about rooming alone however…
Ty all!
My daughter has zero regrets for attending UMTC. She’s very happy being there and has never looked back. Her other options (disregarding finances, which were a main consideration) included Cornell, Georgia Tech, McGill, Boston U, Fordham, Michigan State and a few others.
When my niece moved off campus, she shared an apartment with 5 other people but each person had a single bedroom. There are a lot of this type of rental in the area.
It is common for upper level students at UCB to live off-campus. Note that the financial aid assumes a lower budget for off-campus living. Actual costs can vary greatly, from very inexpensive (BSC co-ops) to very expensive.
UMTC apparently only admits to the division (College of Science and Engineering). Students must earn a 3.2 college GPA to assure admission to their majors (this may create a competitive environment for frosh students). For lower GPAs, admission is competitive, if there are any spaces available. It looks like the actual needed GPA in the last few years for chemical engineering tended to be in the 2.8-3.2 range.
https://www.advising.cse.umn.edu/
https://www.advising.cse.umn.edu/cgi-bin/courses/noauth/apply-major-statistics
Also pay attention to any GPA needed to renew the scholarships.
Great point ucbalumnus - which programs are direct admit? Though at UMTC (my son also attends) - they will also look at recommendations aside from gpa and do admit gpas below that threshold - perhaps not so often for a competitive program like Chem E. Doesn’t hurt to get to know your professors during their office hours. UMTC is definitely a friendly and collaborative school.
UCB College of Chemistry does direct admission to majors (including chemical engineering), according to http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/ugrad/prospective-students/admission .
Not sure about UCI; if not, chemical engineering there requires a 3.0 prerequisite and 2.7 overall GPA to change into, according to http://www.changeofmajor.uci.edu/CoM_Engr.html .
Minneapolis is a fun city for college students. It is easy to get to the downtown area for internships, music venues, professional sports easily gotten to by transit, and a strange mascot. What’s not to love?