<p>Hi:)
I got into UCL for Electrical Engineering w/Nanotechnology and UC Berkeley for Physics. I liked Berkeley a lot but it wasn't love at first sight. I'm visiting UCL next weekend.</p>
<p>I really want to go to UCL because I'd like to do engineering as it's a bit more practical than physics. I really love physics though, and with the Nanotechnology part of my degree at UCL, I'll be taking Quantum Mechanics classes and stuff, which is what I really wanted to do in the first place.</p>
<p>In addition, I'm getting a MEng at UCL as compared to a BA at Berkeley. I'm also admitted for the spring semester as Berkeley, so I wouldn't be able to double major (or if I do it'll be tough). </p>
<p>Berkeley is a lot closer to my home though (only an hour by flight) but I do have a lot of family around England and Ireland. </p>
<p>Another big thing is that my parents are convinced that a degree at UCL isn't a real degree. Like they think that a Masters there won't equate to a Masters here. Getting my MEng in 4 years there saves us two year's worth of tuition at grad school. And after my undergrad, I'm planning on getting a higher degree (either at Oxbridge, or in the US if I can't get in) in Engineering or Patent Law.</p>
<p>My parents have also discussed this with some friends of theirs, and Berkeley is more recognized in the US, but then again undergrad doesn't matter as much as grad school.</p>
<p>Do you think I should go to UCL or Berkeley? And would going to UCL have any impact on me getting into a good grad school in the States or the UK?</p>
<p>A degree from University College London is indeed a real degree. I don’t know what your parents are thinking, maybe you can give us some more information.</p>
<p>UCL is one of the finest institutions in the world. It is really in the same class as an American Ivy League school.</p>
<p>Although your parents’ friends don’t seem to have heard of UCL, any of the “good” grad schools you are considering applying to certainly WILL have heard of UCL, and it will greatly help you with your admissions.</p>
<p>(You aren’t talking about some different UCL then University College London, are you? Like, say, University College Lahore (in Pakistan). If that’s the UCL we are talking about, then your parents are probably right)</p>
<p>I’m not sure how an undergraduate masters is viewed in the US.Completely the norm in the UK, but you might want to check with some US employers.</p>
<p>TheRealKEVP: I don’t know where that is coming from honestly. I’ve insisted that it is real but they keep saying “check and make sure” it doesn’t make a ton of sense… And yes I do mean University College London. </p>
<p>cupcake: I’m looking more to go on to a doctorate or something after my masters so I’m not sure if the employers would necessarily look at that? But I’m going to check with grad schools here and see what they recommend.</p>
<p>They are both really great schools. Although Berkeley is a very marketable degree and a world renowned university. They have almost all there department/majors in the top 10 worldwide. With a Berkeley degree people will know going to school there is no joke. Having the best teachers and staff in the world you might want to consider that. If you plan to attend then it’s a decision you won’t regret. I have heard people say that UCL or LSE college experience is not that great at all. Consider Berkeley, go on forums,websites and etc and see how reputable Berkeley is. You will have a lot of things to do at UCB, and consider its eclectic environment.
UCL is a good school, probably almost if not in the same leauge as the Ivys. For me the comparison of going to UCL and UCB would be like choosing a Georgetown over Stanford</p>
No other UK universities. You may withdraw from the UCAS process at any time to take up a place in another country or simply because you change your mind. No penalty. They could not and would not force you to attend anywhere in the UK.</p>
<p>She means that in the US once you accept a place at a university you’re pretty much bound to attend, if you change your mind and go somewhere else you risk being kicked out. That doesn’t happen in the UK, you’re free to accept an offer and withdraw it later - the unis wont care.</p>
<p>Unless I get into Columbia off the waiting list, I’d only go to Berkeley. I only committed there. But it’s either UCL or Edinburgh in the UK, but I haven’t really thought about Edinburgh as an option.</p>
<p>I didn’t get into an ivy, I got waitlisted. But my chances of getting in right now are slim to none so I’m considering UCL and Berkeley if I can’t get into Columbia.</p>
<p>That’s not true query123; it does not apply to international universities. There’s no way a US university will even know you’ve accepted an offer from an international university, unless you tell them. And even if they did know, they couldn’t do anything about it.</p>