<p>I dont qualify for finaid, and money isn't really an issue but I would want to spend it wisely. I also want to major in economics which is ranked really high in UCB, so im thinking that it might be worth it. (Also do you get residency if you go to UCB, like become a Cali resident when you attend college. Does tuition become that 25k instate people pay, I doubt it: just hopeful :D)</p>
<p>P.S Does UCB admit regionally? Will like 10 other people applying from my school affect my chances a whole ton? (class of 800; school of 3k)</p>
<p>Hmm, it really depends on what other university you get accepted into. If you can get a cheaper comparable uni, go for it. Otherwise, UCB is good as any :)</p>
<p>Our econ department has students going into Consulting, IBanking, Accounting, Finance, Acturial Science etc etc all over the US… great employment ops and some of the most brilliant profs (assuming you take the math route)</p>
<p>But of course, if the guy gets into Harvard, he should go to Harvard. But if his next best choice is something like Kentucky state, he should come to UCB…</p>
<p>I think out of the ten best economics programs in the country, UCB is around 5 or 6. Out of that list of 10, I will have to pay similar tuition. Like 8 of colleges on the list are practically impossible for me to get it (HYPSM etc…). I am just stuck because UCB is a public, although ranked like ~20 nationally…</p>
<p>Run the cost-benefit analysis: if FlyCat has the stats to get accepted into Cal, then s/he is a virual shoo-in at his/her state Uni, ALL of which are a LOT less expensive. Moreover, depending on the state, Fly could obtain a full ride at his/her state Uni. Now, run the numbers:</p>
<h1>50-ranked econ program for ~free, vs.</h1>
<h1>6 for $220k?</h1>
<p>And the ROI =?</p>
<p>At the home state Uni, Fly could be a “star” whereas at Cal, just another number paying full freight. (For the same money, I’d highly recommend a private college.)</p>
<p>^^excellent suggestion, particularly @ #3. I might add #12 NYU – a MUCH easier admit that Cal – or even BU #24 , where the OP would definitely receive merit money (assuming Cal-like stats).</p>
<p>but mm…well…huh…hmph. I’d say no, if you get into a top private school, whether it’s ivy, or northwestern or anything else with a good name. I believe that a good named college will help you in the end. UCB is definitely more competitive and harder to get good grades because there are so many people and not everyone can get A’s. But at a school like Northwestern, they’ll inflate your grades, so you are basically guaranteed A’s. I would’ve chosen Northwestern if I got in. They also have their own med school and everything and it is a respected school. But if you’re up for the challenge or if you don’t get into equivalents of UCB, then i’d choose UCB. like i wouldn’t go to whittier just because it’s private. the name isn’t as respected as ucb. </p>
<p>y’all can disagree, but i’d prefer if u don’t. write whatever you want and believe what you want but this is the way i think it works.</p>
<p>i’m paying the $50K and it appears that it will go up. my mom and i had a serious convo this morning about the possibility of me transferring out, back to my state U (UW) or U British Columbia both of which have good research programs in my field (environmental science). is it worth it? for now it’s a tossup. cal opens a ton of doors but berkeley as a city sucks. it’s nice from noon-3pm on a sunny day but otherwise it’s freaking dirty and dangerous. and there’s a lot of crime and anger all over the place (vandalism, cop cars, protests). not saying it’s good or bad but it’s all part of the berkeley bundle you’re spending the same amount as a quiet sheltered peaceful ivy (assuming no finaid) on. i like it here and the profs are amazing. but if tuition hikes again i’m out.</p>
<p>really? lol I don’t know. I don’t really think this is dangerous and I’m very cautious about where I go. There are places in San Francisco that are much worse than this and much more dangerous. I feel as safe here as I felt at home, where it WAS an isolated area. At night, I just take bearwalk or the shuttle or I go with friends. And i don’t see drug dealers selling things in front of me nor do i see them shoot each other. Occasionally they curse at each other in front of my face but that’s about it. lol and as far as dirty, mm…yeah i guess it is but it doesn’t really harm me in any way besides pollution and me breathing it. I’d just transfer because I like different things in private schools.</p>
<p>@bluebayou… True, he saves a ton of money, but in a state school there’s not as much returns. If you think about it like that, he’ll save even more money by not going to college. I really don’t see your argument… </p>
<p>Ibanks and consulting and most prestigious jobs only recruit out of certain schools. At Cal with an Econ major, you are guaranteed at least some interviews with top firms by doing just average. </p>
<p>A UCB degree is something that has value. It’s stupid to compare it to a state school based on cost alone. I’d choose to pay 50k at Cal than 0 at Alaska State(not sure if this even exists). There are simply greater returns in the long run compared to the cost now. </p>
<p>However, I did mention that if he gets into a <em>comparable</em> school, he probably should go there instead. However, most state schools are not comparable. Most likely, he’ll end up going private and paying $50k anyways. If it’s for a much weaker program, that’s just stupid. </p>
<p>UChicago is a great school, but that’s private… o___O [If you get in there, I agree, go there instead :P]</p>
<p>Exactly, and if Wall Street is the OP’s goal, NYU is the no-brainer for a similar price. It sends a LOT more kids to The Street than Cal, just bcos of location, location, location.</p>
<p>@bluebayou
… what makes you think that all Ibanks and consulting firms have to be on “Wall Street”… there are plenty of opportunities in San Fransisco and the Bay Area as well…</p>
<p>Source:
Um… as a Cal student who has gotten interviews? So that would be personal experience? Common knowledge? Me talking with peers?</p>