rxpilot

Hey all - this is my first time on College Confidential... I have a problem. I've just been wait-listed by Columbia, but accepted by UPenn and Berkeley. I can't decide between the two.

- Berkeley is an hour's drive away from home, UPenn is across the country... I'd rather stay closer to home for undergrad.
- UPenn is $25,000 more expensive than Berkeley, and they're not offering much in financial aid.
- UPenn is an Ivy League, while Berkeley can be considered the "public Ivy" Is there much of a difference in overall reputation and image?
- I've heard horror stories about the level of competition at Berkeley. I wonder if the same situation exists at UPenn?

I am really in a state of confusion right now - anyone, what would you do if you were in my situation? Any suggestions? I'm planning on visiting UPenn during Spring Break.

Thanks so much!
Jimmy

kabirbedi

hahah hey jimmy ive also got admitted into UPenn and am wait listed for U Chicago. I wasnt able to apply to Berkley as i missed the deadline but i know that it is an awesome school. Especially u being a california residant ur tuition be much lower. In terms of competition, i think they both would be on a equal level. both r excellent universities..!!.. im not really sure if berkeley is a city uni or secluded, but penn is in the heart of philly..! so now u decide wat suits ur prefs.. but they both r EXCELLENT.. hope u make the right choice for urself..!

DSharC

I am a first year student at Wharton. I think that you have two great options before you! Penn is competitive, more so in Wharton. Since, I am currently a student at Penn...I am hoping to "pull you into my corner" : ). Howeverm here is some impartial advice:

1. How much debt do you want to accumulate at the end of Undergrad?
2. Are you going to be happy living so close to home? or away from home?
3. After visiting both schools, do you think you fit in? Do you like the people? dorms?

Last year, I was in your situation and I was choosing between here and Duke. Like you, I had the option of two great schools. My advice is to really prioritize you wants/needs in a college. For instance, do you want small classes? a nice mix of cultures? to live in an urban area? After realizing what you want in a school, I'd say then try to make a decision. This is going to be tough, but I think that you have to "follow you gut."

JohnnyK

Penn is certainly more Columbia-esque than Berkeley

Ringmaster

I'm a California kid, too! But I was accepted early.

I think you should go to Penn. Cal and Penn both have awesome name recognition, but I think you'll find, later in life, that an Ivy League education sounds like it has a little more pizazz to it--especially when you're applying for a job. And Penn has some of the best professors in the country.

Personally, I don't like Berkeley all that much. I go there to take classes all the time, and I just don't like the feel of it with all the buildings clumped together. Haha, and it's too close to home for my taste--I live about an hour away, as well.

But, if money's a really big issue, then I don't know which one's better for you.

Hopefully that helped? Haha.

YankeeBoy115

Asking in the Penn forum, you should expect almost all answers of Penn.

So here it goes, I think you should choose Penn. Berkeley is too big for my taste. I almost applied there, until I realized it was 22,000+ students. I thought Penn was a bit too big as it was, but I liked the school too much not to apply.

I also think you should visit both schools and see which school has nicer people and other things like that. Those college books don't get everything, and by visiting, you might decide you don't like a school, or the people who go there. I liked Penn because when I visited, I met very nice people, and the school as a school was also very good. Remember, you will be spending four years with this decision, and you should be well informed before you just run off to a school.

But my bias is still telling me to say Penn.

But alas, if you decide to go to Berkeley, that's your decision and I hope you're happy with it.