<p>I still can't decide between the two, and I'm looking for some help!! I've read a lot of other CC forums but hopefully there is something new people can contribute. </p>
<p>I love Wustl a lot (instinctually, really), but there are some things holding me back, like the high cost, prestige, and location. My main concern is that no one really knows about it, especially internationally. However I do think the school has potential to rise--but by how much?? And when will that happen??) Why is Wustl ranked so high on US News, but fairly low on other college rankings? And how would being in St. Louis compare to being in Berkeley/SF? The fact that it's on the Midwest makes me feel like I'd be missing out on opportunities. Berkeley would probably be better for all of those, especially since I plan to go into business (though I would have to apply again in two years and I am actually not entirely sure if I even want to go into business). </p>
<p>Does anyone have any convincing facts to make me lean to one school over the other? Thanks!</p>
<p>You’re not choosing an MBA program. Many of the things you mentioned pertain nearly exclusively to an MBA education. </p>
<p>You’re going for an undergrad, “college” experience where business will be ONE of the things you study. The only thing I know about Berkeley’s undergrad b-school, and this is just from a quick google search, is that it is a 2 year program only for Jr/Sr year. At Wash U you’re going to be in a 4-year business program (meaning you don’t need to transfer in later or anything, and you can do things in the b-school before junior year), and you end up taking about 50% of your classes in Art Sci here. </p>
<p>All the b-school students I know here have internships lined up, many in pretty elite i-banks or consulting or accounting firms for the summer. Wash U’s business school is ranked #1 for mba-feeder school by business week. You’ll get pretty much the same selection of companies recruiting at each school in the undergrad program.
You were commenting about rankings and why Wash U is ranked higher in some publications than others. first of all, that’s true of any school - and exhibited by berkeley itself… berkeley and Wash U are like tied in business week at #13/14, where as berkeley is much higher on us news (I believe Wash U has a consistent spot in us news, but I can’t remember or see the full version online). Each ranking guide has different criteria. Don’t put too much weight into them. </p>
<p>The real distinguishing factors will be whether you want the consolidated 2-year program and the inherent un-flexibilty it entails, and a smaller private school vs a large california state school (and the benefits/cons that come with each’s size).</p>
<p>Thank you for your positive thinking but it is irrelevant when you put Washu and Berkeley in a same sentence. They don’t hire you just because you attended #X school instead of X+3, X+5… school, just saying. If you concern about a random person who doesn’t know Washu, who cares if that person is not a dean at an MBA school, or head recruiter at a fortune 100 company. Having said that, I am not advocating any school for you. Just a point or two to make your life even tougher than it already is ;-)</p>