<p>Studying in Berkeley is like living in the USA whilst studying in a small LAC-like schools is like living in Singapore. Surely, Singaporeans receive better social services by their government and so on. But Singapore doesn’t have the resources that USA has.<br>
Berkeley’s resources are astounding. They are available to students if they seek them. Many of Berkeley’s labs, equipment, facilities can only be found there. If you want attention from your prof you will get that at Berkeley. If you want tutorials you will get that at Berkeley. Yes there are large classes at Berkeley, but that’s mostly at freshmen level. But then again, you’ll have large classes at almost all universities, even at CMU and Tufts. And, if you’ll study hard and do your homework, you will thrive wherever you are, large or small schools.
At the end of the day, you are an international student, and Berkeley is renowned world-wide. Your Berkeley degree will put you in good stead. It will wow people there. The other two are also very good schools. I just don’t think they’re as respected as Berkeley, however. </p>