I have absolutely no idea how to make this decision. I’m an out of state resident for Berkeley, so the cost of attending each is about the same as attending Princeton. If I go to Princeton, I will be getting $70k more in financial aid than I would at Berkeley. At Berkeley, it is possible to become a teaching assistant in computer science courses as an undergraduate student, which would pay $18k per year, assuming I work both semesters each year. However, this is a desirable position for many computer science students, so I’m not sure how easy it is to become one.
From what I understand, Berkeley has a slightly better computer science program and a better location for startups/jobs. However, there’s no guarantee I will be getting any money from Berkeley, while at Princeton, I’m essentially guaranteed this $70k. Princeton is a smaller school and places a greater focus on undergraduates. Both schools are great, and I think there are benefits of each. With that said, I still can’t decide between the two.
If costs are the same, I think you’ll get better value for your money as an undergrad at Princeton.
I’m not sure about how common and easy it is to become a teaching assistant as an undergraduate at Berkeley. But, obviously since you got in Princeton, you likely have the academic chops to do it.
If you like Berkeley’s larger environment and you are more of a self-starter, Berkeley’s resources in computer science may be your oyster.
Princeton. Smaller student body, lots of resources, future almuni connections, etc etc. Plus cheaper for you. I will go thru the computer and dope slap you in the head if you don’t go there. (Kidding, sort of)
18k per year for being a teaching assistant? I think you need to check your numbers. DS is an undergraduate TA in computer science at his school and earned slightly less than $1500 for the fall semester. I assume it will be approximately the same for the spring.
I would go with the better offer. You are completely underestimating the luxury at Princeton of the smaller classes and greater faculty interaction, and all the extras you get at a well endowed private, access to those resources and less competition for opportunities for travel and research. And perhaps you underestimate the Princeton name as well. You cannot count on a TA position. If your parents are not able to cover the cost without a problem you should not do it You are talking 70k over 4 years?
Undergraduate TAs are only used when there are not enough graduate students to fill the needed TA positions (granted, exploding enrollments in introductory CS courses may result in such a TA shortage). Presumably, they will be very selective, looking mainly at upper division students who did very well in the class they are being considered for TA jobs. So there is no guarantee that you will get an undergraduate TA job.
If Princeton is $70,000 cheaper from financial aid (implying that your parents may be wealthy but not to the point that the price of college is pocket change to them) over four years, then that difference probably overrides others. You may be more likely to get internships and jobs on Wall Street from Princeton and Silicon Valley from Berkeley, but you can take the $70,000 and relocate to Silicon Valley to look for a job after graduation from Princeton if you prefer Silicon Valley.
Princeton CS classes will usually be smaller than those at Berkeley, but they will not necessarily be that small. E.g. the introductory CS course for CS majors next fall has 230 students at Princeton, 804 (may be expanded to 1,000 or so) at Berkeley, based on the on-line schedules.
@JZMOM2
From what I’ve been told (I have talked to an undergraduate UCB student about this), being a TA for a full academic year pays the equivalent amount of a year of in state tuition. This is approximately $18k.
@BrownParent
Yes, I’m talking 70k over all 4 years (17.5k per year)
But you are not going to get an undergraduate TA job in your first year, and very unlikely in your second year. If they need undergraduate TAs, they will likely only take them from upper division students who got A or A+ grades in the course. So don’t assume that you will get such a job, even in your third or fourth year.