berkeley or stanford, or even USC? advice request

Edwards Finance > Mechanical Engineering

Q. I'm trying to decide between berkeley and stanford. and maybe USC, come to think of it. I don't know what I want to do in life but I'm sure computers will be an integral part. at berkeley, I've been accepted as a Chancellor's Scholar to Electrical Engineering/Computer Science. I've got a full scholarship to USC. And I've gotten accepted to Stanford, which shocks the heck out of me, period. I like northern california a lot but I wonder if USC's full tuition waiverr is worth staying in LA for. Stanford is a chunky $33,000 a year. But still, it's hard to get over Stanford's brand name sheen. Though Berkeley's population seems a little overwhelming, it is also an amazing school and I'm guaranteed an academic advisor as part of my scholarship. I'm confused, misguided, and just going nuts over this decision. Do you guys see any big misconceptions in my views? Any stanford students on this n/g? Berkeley, USC? Any opinions? I'm confused out of my mind about what to do.

A. You do have a hard decision. There is definitely not one clear choice here, but there are things I'd like you to consider. I went to Berkeley for my undergraduate degree, went to Stanford my Masters degree, and now pursuing my Ph.D. at Stanford. I don't know a whole lot about USC except that it's a private school with a much smaller name compared to the other two. If price wasn't a concern, I would say Stanford is the clear choice. They really take care of the undergrads here and create a great environment not only for learning but social interaction. The staff here is also much more helpful than at Berkeley. So if your parents are loaded and wouldn't mind paying for Stanford, I say go for it. I really wished I had gone to Stanford for my undergrad. It would have been a once in a life time experience. It's not quite the same being a graduate student here. Other points to consider: 1. Are you planning to go to graduate school? If you are, where you get your undergrad degree is not important. Even if you spend only nine months at a big name school for your Masters, that's what employers will take note of. 2. Where are you planning to work? UC Berkeley is highly respected in California, but it's name is not as big if you go to the east coast. Stanford is a big name every where. 3. Are you a California resident? If you are, I believe the tuition at Berkeley would be only about $4000. I think your scholarship might give you another $1000. So the price difference between going to USC and Berkeley may only be about $3000 a year. Going to Stanford, you'd pay an extra $20000+. So unless the full scholarship at USC includes room, board, and living expenses (most undergraduate scholarships do not), the price difference between USC and UC Berkeley is probably not extremely large. 4. Don't think of Berkeley's guaranteed academic advisor as a big plus. Most of the advisors there I worked with really sucked. Some of them really have no pride in the their jobs. Stanford's advisors take more pride in their jobs and will really help you. You do have a tough decision though. These are a very important four years of your life. Where you go will change you a lot as a person. It's worth putting some thought into it.

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