<p>I've been accepted to both berkeley and unc-chapel hill for physics
I know that Berkeley has a famous physics department, but I'm only getting $8k/$54k per year from cal, and the rest would have to be loans
UNC, on the other hand, is giving me a scholarship for over half of what my total costs would be, as well as giving me a $5000 summer research grant</p>
<p>So my question is:
Berkeley for ~$196k out of pocket, or UNC honors (with a guaranteed research grant) for about $72k?</p>
<p>btw, I want to go to CalTech for grad school if that factors in to this =P</p>
<p>go to UNC honors and save the money for grad school. Plus at UNC you have guaranteed research and honors, this seems like a pretty easy decision.</p>
<p>Go UNC, unless you are sure you will be on the very top of Berkeley student body, otherwise you may not even get research oppt as an undergraduate student.</p>
<p>I agree with what the others have written - UNC honors will be every bit as prestigious as UCB, given equivalent grades. Also, any research that you collaborate on will be extremely improtant, and not having to worry about huge loans may free you up for more summer internships. Both schools will work equally well at getting you in to grad school. You don’t want the equivalent of a home mortgage following you around for life for the marginal, as best, benefit of a UCB degree.</p>
<p>Also, there is a very good chance that the quality of instruction at the UC schools will be negatively impacted by the horrendous CA budget situation.</p>