UC Berkeley (with Regents) vs WashU vs Tufts

@NoCalMom49, I’m pretty sure I saw elsewhere that proudworriedmom’s D went with UCB.

D1 had an incredible experience at Tufts, but if your D wants Cal and if money is an issue, I say go with Cal. My only concern would be if you feel that your D truly would get lost in the shuffle. I’ve known students at both Cal and Tufts who’ve had to take time off; it definitely seems like a smoother/more supportive process at Tufts (no surprise), but keep in mind that most students won’t need that kind of support, thank heavens.

@NoCalMom49 I apologize for not coming here earlier. My daughter decided to go to UCB. After our extensive trip visiting UCLA, Tufts, and WashU, after sitting in classes in all of them, tasting the food and visiting the dorms, we came back to CA to revisit Cal. She had been there in February to interview for the Regent’s scholarship but didn’t sit in classes nor ate at the any of the school cafeterias. I told her to pick the biggest class she could find and see how she’d feel about it. It was Intro to Biology, a class for 700 students (there were about 200 present). The professor was wonderful (I sat in it too), engaging and thorough. From there she sat in a Calc II class. She loved the classes she sat in. Every student on campus she asked directions to asked her if she was visiting and every single time she told them she was admitted but deciding, they all reacted ecstatic and told her that she HAS to come here! Feel free to ask me any questions you might have and I’m sorry for the delay! Best of luck to all!

@momworried When we were visiting WashU someone mentioned “traditional” dorms, which had not been mentioned on the tour. My D and I went back the next day by ourselves to revisit the school on our own, sit in some classes and find out about the traditional dorms. She did not apply for the scholarship because by the time that came in, she was exhausted, she had already received the Regent’s and she thought she would get into an Ivy school. The kids who get the scholarship get wonderful dorms. If we had to pay, she would end up in the traditional dorms which are cheaper, and believe me they were awful! Small and dark. Another thing about WashU food, it’s very good but not buffet style like most colleges. Basically at WashU you pay for what you eat, like in the food court of a mall. There are no wrong choices among these schools. At the end it’s what will suit your kid and your family better. Visiting is of the utmost importance. But I do recommend spending time, separate from the regular tours, sitting in classes, talking to students and feeling if your child will be happy to live there for the next four years of his/her live.

One more thought for today, in my assessment, WashU was the school where I felt the kids hands are held the most. They practically carry you on their laps, they are so nice! So if your child needs that kind of attention (one of mine does but didn’t get in) that would be my choice. Although I think that if a kid needs that kind of attention, being away from home is going to take a toll as well. At Cal I found that all the staff we talked to, including teachers, were more than willing to help. They want your kid to succeed there. The difference is that teachers won’t come to them and ask them what kind of help they need today. The kids have to seek for the help themselves. But if they do, help is available. At WashU if you ask for directions they won’t just give you the directions, they’ll actually walk with you all the way to where you want to go. Literally!