<p>I'm sorta in a dilemma here... Should I go to Cal or Cambridge(UK)? I've been admitted for Chemical Engineering at both schools. Tuition costs + living expenses makes no difference as I'm classified under OOS. Furthermore, I can't visit these schools because it's too expensive just to visit.</p>
<p>Pros & Cons I've gathered so far:
UC Berkeley:
-Not sure how Cal works, plus I don't know anyone doing ChemEng there.
-A relatively flexible course structure, hence I can take other subjects that may/may not pretain to my major.
-Ranked quite highly for thier ChemEng Dept, but not sure where Cam stands in that list
-Many opportunities to do research (which I'm passionate about)
-Huge undergrad population (College of Chemistry), large classes, possibly impersonal
-Hearsay: Housing is not good
-some policy of keeping BS students from reapplying for PhD at Berkeley ( I'ld like to keep my options open, but if its worth it, then I suppose its alright)
-Ranks #3 in Undergrad ChemEng if I'm not mistaken, but I've no idea where Cam fits into the list
Cambridge:
-rather rigid structure.
-Rare for undergrads to do research
-Small undergrad population, relatively smaller classes, much more personalized
-Relatively much better housing + scenery
-prestige factor (which seems to lean towards Cam) but wouldnt really play an important role in my decision</p>
<p>Do place your input. I really just wanna know people's opinions to aid me in my final decision.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I like Berkeley... Cambridge is just weird especially if you want to return to America to work.Berkeley is very respected in Engineering in America..one of the best..</p>
<p>Another vote for Cambridge. </p>
<p>Cambridge has the best ChemE program in the UK, for what it's worth.</p>
<p>I would go with Berkeley on this one. Berkeley's undergraduate and graduate engineering department is one of the worlds best. </p>
<p>Cambridge's undergrad population is about 16,500 (wikipedia.com); it's not that much smaller than Berkeley. Plus, who says housing sucks here, the rooms might be a little in the units, but there are many different options you can choose from (including mini-suites if you have the money). Check housing.berkeley.edu for housing options. Also, who told you that if you get a BS at Berkeley, you can't apply to Berkeley's graduate Chemical Engineering School. I find that very hard to believe.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Cambridge's undergrad population is about 16,500 (wikipedia.com); it's not that much smaller than Berkeley.
[/quote]
Are you familiar with the college system of Cambridge? In many ways it's more like a confederation of many separate colleges than a cohesive university. Each college has its own housing, dining hall, library, grounds, JCR, tutors, etc.</p>
<p>Just to let you know, the population of Berkeley's College of Chemistry is approximately 600 to 700; I don't know if that is big for you. However, you are required to take a couple of prereqs during your first years here at Berkeley and class size can be as big as 700. However, there are LABS!!! (more time are spent in these) to make these classes more personal. Let me stress that there are so many research opportunities here at Berkeley. I know of five people, including me, who are doing research now.</p>
<p>However, I do not doubt Cambridge also has one of the top programs in the world. The best bet would have to see were you fit in better, which requires a visit.</p>
<p>aszx5527: thanks for your input and insights on cal. I was told on the Cal board by merper68 that theres some restriction about BS graduates applying for PhD.</p>
<p>warblersrule86: Im not too sure about the best ChemE program though, Imperial seems to be equivalent or better. I got into both, but I like Cam better than Imperial.</p>
<p>inshallah, etti, cbf88,123orange: do eleborate more regarding your choices.</p>
<p>Many thanks for your opinions :)</p>
<p>Have u been to Cambridge? Go to the campus...you'll see. CAMBRIDGE. IT has an exchange program with M.I.T.</p>
<p>NVM which college did you apply for within the university or was urs an open application?</p>
<p>I`d have to go with Berkley on this one. Recently I was debating over imperial and uchicago (although not for engineering). After much debate, I chose Chicago- reason being that UK schools are too narrow focused/teaching is not as good.
I thought since I knew I wanted to do biochem, I`d rather go to imperial because after doing the IB, I didnt want a liberal arts education from the US. However, after much debate, I came to the conclusion that an undergrad education solely focused on biochem would be too narrow focused/not applicable when I graduate. </p>
<p>I have also heard from a good friend of mine who knew people who went to Cambridge but did not like it. Although the school has many well known professors, I heard they are not necessarily good at teaching. They cannot teach or think at the same level as say, a high school graduate. They do have small classes but there is not as much guidance.</p>
<p>Now, given that I dont study engineering and the size of Uchicago is different from Berkely, you<code>re situation is slightly different- just take my opinion as sometihng to think about I guess. If you absolutely know you</code>ll do engineering and think you can do alot of self studying, then perhaps Cambirdge maybe a better option. Also my advice is to not let prestige factor so much in your decision- at the end of the day, the kind of work your produce is what matters when applying for jobs/etc. Go to the school that will let you work at your highest potential.</p>
<p>also, I might add that the facilities for engineering at Cambridge are not that great- I heard they are quite old. I dont know how it is for Berkely though. If you<code>re going to study say, literature or histroy, then deft Cambridge. But for the sciences, I</code>m not too sure.</p>
<p>Coming from a UK student Cambridge. I know a lot of people in this forum say how they don't care much about prestige but let me tell you this. If you just put down you've been to Cambridge on your CV you get whatever job you applied to in less than 24Hrs and that's the truth + the Uni has a lot of connections. Employers don't care what you studied at Cam so long as you have been there and proven to have been a good student. They want the skills the Uni has provided you. My teacher has studied for her BA Music at Cam and then she easily managed to do a Law Conversion Course. You can't do or say the same about mant other Unis.</p>