I’m a current high school senior trying to decide where to spend the next four years of my life (yikes). I’ve been admitted to both UNC Chapel Hill and Cal Berkeley and am having a tough time deciding between the two. I know they’re polar opposites, but that’s what’s making my decision so hard. Both are out of state, so tuition is similar. I know Berkeley is the better choice academics wise, but it’s the social aspect that’s worrying me. UNC, to me, seems like the quintessential college experience, which is what I want. From what I’ve seen and heard about Berkeley, it has a much different feel. My major question is, can someone who isn’t a political activist or hippie fit in and get the normal college experience at Berkeley? Other thoughts on both schools are also welcome! Anything to help me decide!
Yes, someone who isn’t an activist or hippie can fit in at Berkeley – it is very large, with a great variety of students and opportunities. At this time, there are probably many students at Berkeley who are very career-oriented.
UNC does offer a more traditionally collegial atmosphere. Your choice of major and goals may help sway the decision if costs aren’t a factor. Without much information, I’d lean towards Berkeley overall. They are two excellent acceptances, and you should obtain a great education at either. Congratulations-
lol yes
Hahaha not everyone who goes to Berkeley is a hippie or political activist. Others fit in just fine. I’d go with Berkeley out of the two.
Cal is still suffering from its '60s reputation. Everyone from outside the state thinks its a hippie school, but that era ended decades ago.
Cal isn’t that different from your typical Big 10 or SEC school, except the students may be a bit more academically serious, and it’s not a big party school. The thing about UC Berkeley is that it’s a place you tend to either love or hate. Some people visit and are immediately turned off.
The City of Berkeley, on the other hand, is full of hippies and political activists. Berkeley City Hall may be more leftist than the campus.
Simba’s Cal estimation rings true. I’d still pick it over UNC, but not by a landslide. If you plan to stay in the east after college, and choose one of the subject areas UNC excels in / consistenly lands strong placement, that could favor UNC. Otherwise, Berkeley.
UNC is an elite school. The delta between UCBerk and UNC-CH is not huge. To give you an idea I turned down Duke to go to UNC. There is only a handful of schools I would have turned down an offer at Duke for.
Cal is not that liberal a school, but if you already feel more comfortable with Chapel Hill I would go with it.
Berkely is out there big time left wing. Kids here think they are entitled to everything. I’d go UNC.