<p>Okay so I have already been accepted into UMich and actually haven't been accepted to Berkeley yet but in the event I do I have a bit of a dilemma. I can't really decide. I am a Michigan resident so the price for Michigan is significantly less and all that jazz. I want to go into Chemical Engineering or maybe Microbiology depending on how I feel after freshman year but most likely chemical engineering. I am just looking for some opinions on which University you guys would choose given my situation. I know Berkeley has a higher ranked program but is it worth the money? Also I haven't visited Berkeley's campus but it looks beautiful and a part of me is a bit tired of Michigan weather. But I would also be very far away from everything I know here in Michigan. I just want some opinions is all, no school bashing please they are both impressive universities. Any feedback is appreciated.</p>
<p>For most Michigan residents in most financial situations, the price difference argues strongly for Michigan.</p>
<p>How rich is your family? If they make over $250K it might be fine to go to UCB if you want. But the qualitative program difference is small. Eng is not so prestige driven and both are top tier in Eng. </p>
<p>While UCB is a higher ranked school (#3 engineering, #2 chem engineering) UMich is a great school (#7 engineering #12 chem engineering), is closer to home, and much cheaper. UCB will cost you more than $50,000…which is an extremely steep price for a public school -especially when you don’t get the kind of financial aid you’d receive at a private school of the same price.
I’d go with UMich</p>
<p>nobrainer to stay instate for the price</p>
<p>did you apply for Eng at Cal? If not, the prospect of transferring in is very low.</p>
<p>Stay instate. Michigan is #2 public by most accounts (Peer Score).</p>
<p>not even a question unless your family cannot think of another thing to do with $200K.</p>
<p>Okay, I will be the dissenter. If you can swing it financially go to UCB. Better weather, different part of the country and different culture. Learning isn’t just in the classroom.</p>
<p>you’re right, Lizardly. Part of his learning can be figuring out how to come up with $50K each year to pay for Berkeley. Don’t be silly. He can live in California any time he wants after he gets a fine degree at UMich, instead of fleeing the state after four years because he’s upto his neck in debt. :)>- </p>
<p>You all make good points, it just isn’t worth the price gap. I appreciate the responses from all of you. Yes I applied to Engineering for both btw.</p>
<p>Go to Michigan. Be proud you were accepted. Get involved. Be happy!</p>
<p>Cal has a wonderful reputation, based mainly on the prowess of the faculty and its grad programs. There is nothing they do there as a large state U for undergrads that you can’t replicate for much less at Michigan. But as a CA taxpayer let me end with a plug for Cal; if your parents want to make a $100K donation to the UC system in OOS tuition then let me be the first to thank them for their generous gift. </p>
<p>lol mikemac. </p>
<p>I love Cal but, in this case, it makes no sense. I’d recommend Mich. </p>
<p>The obvious answer is undergrad Michigan followed by a masters at Cal. And you’ll probably still come out ahead financially.</p>
<p>Berkeley’s chemical engineering program is in the small, prestigious College of Chemistry. It is a fantastic program. If you can afford the OOS cost and want to spread your wings and experience another part of the country, I would highly recommend it. </p>
<p>However, if you have to take out huge student loans to make up the difference to attend Cal versus an in-state cost at Michigan, I would attend Michigan. </p>
<p>If you can afford Berkeley, it would be well worth it. That said, Michigan’s engineering is highly respected.</p>
<p>Unless it is easily affordable, it really isn’t worth paying over 100K more for a mostly comparable education at the undergraduate level RML. Take the money and save it for something else. </p>
<p>That is true, rjk, that Berkeley engineering isn’t worth 100k more than Michigan’s engineering. It isn’t even worth 50k more. I think Berkeley and Michigan are largely comparable universities and employers respect their graduates almost equally. But let me just say that a student shouldn’t just be looking at price difference in looking for a college to attend. If money isn’t a concern for you or your family, then I think it just sounds crazy to make it an issue. I think for the well-moneyed students, course syllabus, environment, fit and ambiance must come first over cost. Have a good day.</p>
<p>I am in almost the exact same situation: deciding between Berkeley and Michigan, going to major in Chemistry, in-state for Michigan, wondering about benefits of attending Berkeley to make up for the difference in cost between the two. So conflicted. :/</p>