Which college is better?

I have gotten into UC Berkely, Hamilton and UNC Chapel Hill. I got a full ride at UNC, almost full scholarship at Hamilton (still have to pay 10K per annum) and no aid at Berkeley. What would my best choice be in terms of both academic and prestige of the university? Which uni has best grad school opportunities later?

Forget Berkeley.

I would personally choose the smaller more personal attention you would get at Hamilton and it’s not a ton of extra dough, but UNC is a fine choice if you prefer a bigger school and D1 sports to watch. Or warmer weather.

Weren’t decisions all due on May 1st?

In terms of opportunities for graduate school, I do not think that there will be much difference. These are all very good schools. What you do as an undergraduate student will be much more important than which of these three schools you attend.

Given how strong UNC is, I would not pay full OOS price at Berkeley unless your parents are very wealthy.

I do not know Hamilton College at all. The tiny bit that I just found on-line looks very good, but I do not know anything about their specific programs. I do have a daughter at a different small school who is getting a very strong education, knows her professors well, and is getting great research opportunities. This has made me a big fan of small schools.

However, between UNC and Hamilton my best guess is that you should attend whichever school you would feel the most comfortable attending.

They’ve extended enrollment deadlines to May 31st because of the virus situation.

The SIR date for UC Berkeley was May 1 for Freshman. Are you a transfer?

Chapel Hill for free is a no-brainer.

Based on the information shared in this thread, UNC & Hamilton College are your only realistic options.

Simple matter of small LAC versus elite public National University.

I agree with the first response, “forget Berkley.”

Then I guess I’d break it down to school size and weather. Both great options. Good luck!

UNC and Hamilton are both great schools, but very different. Have you visited both? I would choose UNC based on larger size, weather and more majors and programs.

Many would kill for UNC for free. Great school. Why pay money when you don’t have to. Save the money in the bank that you were going to spend and come out with positive money in your bank account.

Hamilton for the cost of community college is a no brainer.

Consider Hamilton for its undergraduate focus and, in your case especially, its value: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nataliesportelli/2017/04/26/10-expensive-colleges-worth-every-penny-2017/. Since you mentioned prestige, note that Hamilton appears to be the nominally most selective school from your group: https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/40090323.

OP posted a response in another thread seeking advice on how to transfer out of UNC-Chapel Hill to UPenn.

Note that the OP described his status as “rising freshman” (and, therefore, not yet enrolled) at UNC, so his core question on this thread appears legitimate. Nevertheless, @biblyboo13, if Penn represents your “dream school,” as stated, then Hamilton would make a poor choice for you. Of even more relevance, in my opinion, there’s the question as to how you could possibly afford UCB if you have been awarded substantial need-based elsewhere.

Re #14, “need-based elsewhere” → “need-based aid elsewhere.”

I agree with forget Berkeley, and I’m from California.

Just decide if you want big school vs small school. $10K/year isn’t bad. But UNC is an excellent school. Myself, I would pick UNC, but maybe you want more attention found in a smaller school. If you are going to grad school, then save the cash for that.

You got a full ride at UNC. That’s $40,000 less than Hamilton. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but there are many many things you could do with $40,000 invested over 4 years. Also, as someone else pointed out, you want to transfer to Penn because it’s your dream school? Once again, you have a full ride to UNC. Penn may or may not give you any money. Just go to UNC, and save your dream school ambitions for grad school. I can’t emphasize enough how much a full ride will save you and your parents down the road. It’s not like we’re comparing no-name colleges. UNC will give you equal opportunities as Hamilton and Penn – even if you have to try a little harder to differentiate yourself due to the larger student body.

It’s a matter of large vs. small schools.
Both are great. You can’t go wrong. However, Hamilton (IMHO) is a special and amazing place.

Like…Forget UCB…Pick UNC/Hamilton unless you are super rich