<p>This is absolutely killing me. So I'm a Californian going for business, got into Cal and Wash U, no financial aid or scholarship $ at either. I'd like to do business, but I'm not sure if it's the right thing for me. I want to go to a school with some spirit (Cal) but I don't want to feel lost (Wash U.) I study hard and party harder. That's pretty much all you need to know. </p>
<p>Is Haas admission impossible?
Is Wash U's b-school not as respected?</p>
<p>I could easily research this, but I'm too busy freaking out.</p>
<p>Berkeley is a much better school. Many employers I have talked to have never heard of wash u, but everyone knows Berkeley. idk whats wrong with US NEWS rankings, theyre way wrong...</p>
<p>I'm in the same position as you (California resident, no financial aid at WashU, planning on being a business major). I haven't sent in my SIR yet, but I'll probably go to Berkeley. I visited both schools, and have a few points to make as to why I made this decision and why you should too. Feel free to pm me if you'd like to know more.</p>
<ol>
<li>It's not impossible to get into Haas. While there's around a 50% acceptance rate for Berkeley students, there are a number of students at Cal that came from less-qualified high schools (that would have not gotten into WashU) and were accepted as a result of the UC's mission statement to be accessible to individuals of all backgrounds. Additionally, Berkeley recruits athletes and these people are in the applicant pool as well. The point is, there is a group of students not as academically qualified as others, and these make up a good portion of those not accepted to Haas. I'm not saying that it's easy, but it definitely isn't impossible.</li>
<li>While Berkeley is a large school as a whole, Haas has a very small population and you will therefore receive the attention you desire once you are admitted. Before then, you will have a plethora of opportunity, but, yes, it may be daunting at times.</li>
<li>Socially, there are many more options at Berkeley (from what I saw). The larger and more diverse student body ensures that you'll be able to find a group of people you can relate to. WashU seemed confining to me in the sense that there weren't many options for things to do at night on/immediately off campus other than go to frat row, and this could certainly get old after a while.</li>
<li>Berkeley (universally) has a much better name than WashU. Those that have heard of WashU consider it to be a very good school, perhaps trumping Cal. But I have yet to meet a person that hasn't heard of Berkeley.</li>
<li>US News rankings for undergraduate business place Haas as #3 and Olin as #11</li>
<li>Business Week rankings for undergraduate business place Hass as #12 and Olin as #15</li>
<li>The median starting salary at Haas is $3,000+ higher than that at WashU</li>
<li>There are greater employment opportunities after Berkeley</li>
<li>I'll be at Berkeley</li>
<li>etc, etc.</li>
</ol>
<p>I like Berkeley, so don't get me wrong.
However, I disagree with this statement: "The median starting salary at Haas is $3,000+ higher than that at WashU."
You need to consider the cost of living in (mainly) CA and (mainly) the midwest. Thus, in terms of the cost of living, those WashU graduates are doing better.</p>
<p>i agree with cj5031 however you also need to consider the sorroundings.</p>
<p>for example berkeley is sorrounded by homeless people and its a public university. On the other hand you have WU which is a private and you know the phrase "you get what you pay for"</p>
<p>you need to consider the student life, what the dorms are like, the sorrounding town/city, weather , population, student body , clubs , frats etc. </p>
<p>sure people who go to berk will say berk is nice and come to berk and same goes for UW however it depends on you to make that decision. you can ask people about campus life and such and depending on that your decision can be much easier to make. </p>
<p>as for my opinion its a matter of private v public. which will offer you better oppurtunities in the long run.</p>
<p>In regards to the cost of living difference, only 45% of Olin undergrads stay in the midwest... the rest go to the northeast (NYC) or elsewhere. <a href="http://www.olin.wustl.edu/wcc/stats/bsbaFT.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://www.olin.wustl.edu/wcc/stats/bsbaFT.cfm</a> shows the average base salary for the west to be $47,500; Berkeley's median base salary (which would be comparable since 75% of their undergrads stay in CA) is $53,000. Therefore, I disagree with cj5031's claim.</p>
<p>In education, you don't NECESSARILY get what you pay for--there are a lot of schools that offer quality ed for a good price while others have inflated prices for education that may not be as high quality.</p>
<p>That said, if we were CA residents, my son would have applied to some UCs & more strongly considered them (we're out-of-state). Berkeley offers a quality ed for a good price, especially for CA residents. I'd strongly suggest you attend UCB & apply to the business school. If you can't get in after a year or so, you can always transfer to WashU & have saved some money getting some basics out of the way.</p>
<p>Don't really have familiarity with WashU, but have heard it's great for the right kids. It IS expensive & worth thinking about the cost, especially if you're considering grad/pro school later.</p>
<p>just wondering, which one has a better pre med program? and also does anyone know the percentage for medical school entrance in the class of the graduates?</p>
<p>i am actually in the same boat, but i'm out of state (former californian in texas). i decided on berkeley because it's been my lifelong dream. berkeley has an advantage in name and for you, a massive advantage in terms of cost. however, i feel that washu may actually offer the better undergrad experience, with smaller class sizes, individual attention, closer knit community, and less academic stress. it really boils down to two things: where you feel most comfortable and what you're willing to pay.</p>