Would you go to Berkeley or Boston College?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>These are two schools that I think I can get into pretty easily. I know that Berkeley shouldn't be seen as a "safety" by any means, but I am a CA resident and the people from my school who have gotten in have way lower stats than me, so I'm pretty sure I can get in. Anyways, I also applied to Boston College, which I think I can get into as well. If you had to choose between the two, which one would you choose? </p>

<p>There are reasons for going to either for me. First off, I want to go away for college, but Berkeley is only 40 minutes away from where I live, so BC would win in that respect. Also, I want more personalized attention, which I think BC is better in as well (I would have applied to some LAC's, but too late :(). Another concern though is money. I am low-income so I will have to rely on financial aid to pay for college, and I'm not sure how great the fin-aid from BC is. </p>

<p>So if you were me, which one would you go to, Berkeley or BC?</p>

2

<p>I would say apply to both and see who admits you or gives better financial aid. If they offer same deal, then Berkeley since tuition would be low. If I were you, I would have applied to the UCLA since it admits California residents don't face challenges in getting into the UCLA</p>

3

<p>Boston College......</p>

4

<p>Spark15: I did apply to UCLA. Actually, I applied to 12 schools, but I think UCB and BC are the "realistic" choices for me now (along with the other UC's).</p>

<p>Chillin: why?</p>

5

<p>Cal just doesn't seem like a college to me...when I think about Berkeley, I think of a 4 year academic elimination tournament rather than an actual college. I'd choose Boston College, despite Cal's superior academics. I would also choose UCLA over UCB because 3 years of housing is better than 1 year of housing.</p>

6

<p>I've heard complaints about berkeley similar to Hzhulkhen's. Berkeley doesn't seem to give the college experience that I'm looking for. Its too competitive, very urban, cut-throat, etc. Plus, its too close to where I live too, and I'd rather go away and experience new things for college. </p>

<p>But I'd say Berkeley's academics are top notch, though I'm not sure about BC's. Plus, Berkeley is more well known than BC generally.</p>

7

<p>I would choose Berkeley.</p>

8

<p>Why flopsy?</p>

9

<p>Berkeley.</p>

<p>I could go on forever about why Cal is better, but I won't bore you. Do bear in mind:</p>

<p>The competitiveness? All right, you work your ass off to get into a top university, and you don't want to work hard anymore? w/eee. And it's not as competitive as many make it out to be; depends on where you go.</p>

<p>Urban? It's an urban setting, yes. Berkeley has 100,000 or so residents; that's considered a small city. Many agree: it has the vague semblance of a city, without the hustle and bustle.</p>

<p>As for housing: a good percentage of undergrads are given housing -- you just have to apply. Many don't because they have the opportunity to live off campus. I'd choose UCB over UCLA 'cause UCLA may, supposedly, guarantee 3 years of housing, but off-campus housing is outrageous, and you're most likely going to get on-campus housing in UCB, anyway. Also, UCLA is, well, in LA. 'Nuff said.</p>

<p>Cal is academically superior in many aspects, has distinguished alumni and faculty, has an intriguing history, and, above all, has myriad opportunities. Plus, it's the Bay area -- how can anyone ever get bored in an area like that? Berkeley alone is awesome, and if you really want a big city, Oakland's right next door and SF is just a "BART hop away."</p>

<p>Anyway, for your situation, I'd go with Cal. Only 40 minutes away? Ah, well, think about transportation to Boston College (by plane, then comes Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, spring break, etc. -- back and forth). Also, you'd probably be living in Berkeley, anyway -- 40 minutes is a bit of a laborious drive every day for college. And personalized attention? It's sort of annoying how people disseminate negative ideas about Berkeley in that respect. Yeah, some of your freshman classes are gonna be huge, but your classes can be really small, too. And you <em>can</em> get personalized attention -- you just have to pursue it. With 2,000 faculty, I'm sure anyone could. How else would Berkeley be one of the top universities academically? It sure as hell isn't just the faculty -- it's the students that bring the university to life (collaboration of the students and faculty for research and more).</p>

<p>Boston College is, for me, too far away (Cal is a 6 hour drive anyway), not the academic caliber I'm looking for, is out of state and thus is much more expensive, etc. </p>

<p>Why did you choose Boston College, anyway? There are other great public out-of-state universities, in that area, too.</p>

10

<p>
[quote]
If I were you, I would have applied to the UCLA since it admits California residents don't face challenges in getting into the UCLA

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Huh? Source? UCLA is no less competitive to get into than Cal or BC. This one seems to be pulled from the aether to me...</p>

<p>I would go with whatever "fits." I'm inclined to say Cal because of the superior reputation, but BC may offer you a new experience and a more intensive "college experience." Nonetheless, in the long run, Cal has a fairly clear lead in academic prestige, if that matters to you.</p>

<p>Consider cost. BC may offer you better aid than Cal. I wouldn't pay out of the nose for either one.</p>

11

<p>Personally, I'd choose Berkeley, but only because I'm an atheist and would feel uncomfortable (out of place) at a religiously affiliated college.</p>

12

<p>Is BC pushy with religious education, though? I'd go to Georgetown for many things in a heartbeat, despite its religious affiliation-- but that's also because I've heard they're incredibly pliant when it comes to their religious requirements.</p>

13

<p>I don't think BC really cares, or is pushy about religion at all, or so I've heard. I'm not Catholic, but still applied.</p>

<p>Basically, I'm in the same situation as virtuoso_735, and am leaning towards Cal because of its academic prestige and name, but BC seems like a good choice if I don't get into WUSTL or Duke, which are my reach schools.</p>

14

<p>I'm not sure, actually; I don't know much about it. Personally, I would not want to attend any school with an official religious affiliation, but I'm probably unusual (read: uncommonly stubborn) in that sense. YMMV.</p>

15

<p>Don't outright dismiss prestige. It's not a bad thing to have in the long-run. However, if you don't feel like you would succeed at Cal, then don't go just for the prestige. </p>

<p>I'd say that academically Cal has an advantage, but the city of Berkeley isn't for everyone, and the giant research university has its flaws.</p>

16

<p>"The competitiveness? All right, you work your ass off to get into a top university, and you don't want to work hard anymore? w/eee. And it's not as competitive as many make it out to be; depends on where you go."</p>

<p>Its not that I'm not up for the competition. I love the intellectual atmosphere. Its just that it seems like Berkeley students are all about academics and not fun, which is obviously not true. How about grade deflation? Maybe its a little early, but I want to go to a good grad school, and I heard grade deflation is pretty bad at UCB.</p>

<p>"Urban? It's an urban setting, yes. Berkeley has 100,000 or so residents; that's considered a small city. Many agree: it has the vague semblance of a city, without the hustle and bustle."</p>

<p>UC is right in the middle of down-town Berkeley. Berkeley just seems too big. Over 20,000 undergrads. Some people enjoy that though, but its a bit overwhelming.</p>

<p>"As for housing: a good percentage of undergrads are given housing -- you just have to apply. Many don't because they have the opportunity to live off campus. I'd choose UCB over UCLA 'cause UCLA may, supposedly, guarantee 3 years of housing, but off-campus housing is outrageous, and you're most likely going to get on-campus housing in UCB, anyway. Also, UCLA is, well, in LA. 'Nuff said."</p>

<p>Its true that Berkeley gives housing for three years. You only have to apply, but most people are too lazy to do it, and would rather live off campus anyways.</p>

<p>"Cal is academically superior in many aspects, has distinguished alumni and faculty, has an intriguing history, and, above all, has myriad opportunities. Plus, it's the Bay area -- how can anyone ever get bored in an area like that? Berkeley alone is awesome, and if you really want a big city, Oakland's right next door and SF is just a "BART hop away.""</p>

<p>Cal 15 Nobel prize winners, and along with other internationally recognized faculty. I don't question Cal's faculty for one second, but (maybe a misconception), they seem more interested in graduate students and research than undergraduate studies.</p>

17

<p>If you're a republican - Boston College
If you're a democrat - Berkeley</p>

<p>Personally, I prefer Berkeley</p>

18

<p>
[quote]
So if you were me, which one would you go to, Berkeley or BC?

[/quote]

I would definitely choose Boston College for me, but I would choose Berkeley if I were you. Berkeley is likely to be cheaper (although still quite expensive for a public school!) than Boston College, even with financial aid.</p>

<p>A nice thing about BC is that it has cross-registration with BU, Brandeis, and Tufts, not to mention a great campus and arguably the best college town.</p>

19

<p>I would chose Berkeley.</p>

20

<p>If you're a republican - Boston College
If you're a democrat - Berkeley</p>

<p>Personally, I prefer Berkeley</p>

<p>Umm, you do realize Massachussetts is probably one of the most liberal states in the country? BC is no bastion of conservatism. Also as for the religious aspect, i think although its there, its not nearly as played up as Notre Dame does.
Living 40 min away from Boston College, i can say that i would definatly recomend it. It located right outside of Boston in an upscale neighborhood, with a short train ride to the city and has a beautiful campus. Also it has a very good reputation in the Northeast, though i dont know how well that will help you in California. Cal is obviously a great school, and it has more diversity, so its a tough descision. I thinks it boils down to whether you want to trade some academic prestige in order to have more personal attention.</p>