Should I go to UCSD on a full ride scholarship, receiving perks like priority class registration and the opportunity to research as a freshman or should I go to UC Berkeley, full price. I know that, overall, Berkeley has more prestige (especially in regards to its engineering program), but its engineering program is also more difficult, making it harder to maintain a high GPA in. They both have great undergraduate bioengineering programs and UCSD is even located in the hub of the biotech industry, but would it look better for future career prospects if they saw that I went to Berkeley or UCSD?
Take the money and run.
Even without the money, the extra perks of UCSD Jacobs makes it about equal with Cal.
Def ucsd. For all the reasons you mention. What an amazing package. good luck!