UVA vs Rice vs Emory vs Berkeley

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

I’m currently conflicted between these four colleges. Financially, Rice and Emory offered me the most (three times as much money as Berkeley) and UVA is in the middle. My family is middle-class so the financial factor is pretty important to me; however, it would be possible for us to afford Berkeley if I decided it was the one. I’m planning on majoring in Anthropology, though I also like English–honestly, I’m not completely sure on what I want to major in, but it’s definitely going to be in the humanities/social sciences. There’s a high chance I’ll be shooting for law school after undergrad so I’d also like opinions for which school would be best for that. I’m also very big on art so I’d like a good art scene at the school.

Rice-- I’m currently leaning towards Rice because I love their residential college system and student life in general, but I think their humanities program may the worst of the four :/? Also not a very good art program… Not sure if the school favors STEM majors over humanities people
Berkeley-- Great programs in my areas of interest, but the most expensive option. It’s also a bit big in my opinion. How hard is it to develop close relationships with professors?
Emory-- I have the option to start at their Oxford campus so that might be cool, and also I think it’s pretty solid in the anthro and English departments. Not sure about much else though.
UVA-- I know they’ve got good programs in my prospective majors, but it’s also got the size issue. I was put in the Echols Scholars program, so that is a perk. Unfortunately I don’t know much else about it.

I only have the time and money to visit one of these schools, so I’m hoping people on here can give some advice!!

2

Keep in mind that the cost of living and the cost of housing is very high in the Berkeley area. I saw a list recently that showed that Berkeley had the most expensive food and on-campus housing in the US. Off-campus housing is probably even worst. If you are studying a field without high starting salaries and want to attend grad school, I would definitely not pick the most expensive option.

I don’t where you live, but you could take Amtrak and visit Emory and UVa on the same trip, without too high of an expense.

3

My $0.02 is that you are way too focused on the shades of gray differences on the majors. Since the typical college student changes majors three times on average, that should be a relatively minor factor in your decision.

All schools have great reps. Any of those four schools (or frankly any college at all) is fine for law school. Get a 3.9 GPA and a high LSAT score and your done.

So you should focus on the obvious factors – size (huge difference between Rice and Berkeley), region, city/suburb/small town setting, weather. And most of all cost.

Unless you are dead set on attending a big state U type of school, paying less to attend a smaller private school would seem to be the way most people would go. I’m a UVA alum and love the school, but for my kid I’d have a hard time turning down Rice as the lowest cost option.