Same here, except DD would have been happy at UMD if we said we couldn’t afford Michigan. Michigan is a great school, great reputation, great college town, enthusiastic alumni, and great school spirit because of the sports. It was exciting for her to make that choice to go there, in a way that UMD wasn’t, and, although we are 2 government workers, it wouldn’t alter our lifestyle to pay the differential for her to go there, so we’re happy to do it. |
| because we could afford it. and she wanted to live in a different part of the country, and what better time to try that than college? the end. |
Once again proving that some elite out of state publics are worth the extra cost to many people. |
| DS got into Berkeley. UVA doesn’t hold a candle to Berkeley so the choice, while more expensive, is obvious. |
There is no question that Berkeley is a step up from UVA. |
I am not a UVA booster, but it is not at all clear to me that Berkeley is a better choice at the undergraduate level. |
Yes, it really is. Berkeley is much more impressive than UVA and much higher ranked. |
+1 |
But is worth the extra money, even if you have it? I think no. |
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Demographics and Major also matter along with Stats.
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I am with OP for state flagship, especially for DS who ‘s undecided on major, all these reasons about specific programs and internship opportunities doesn’t even apply to him.
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Really? I think of Berkeley as being underfunded and crowded and hear stories about people having trouble getting into certain classes. |
NP here. I definitely think it’s worth paying for Berkeley over instate UVA. We would have happily but DC didn’t get into Berkeley or UCLA. He’s at UVA. |
Yeah, everyone parrots the same thing about Berkeley and it’s simply not true. Californian here and the only time I hear that line parroted is on this forum. DD is at Berkeley and loves it. |
| If they go to UMD they meet regional kids. If they go to Wisconsin or Michigan or Penn State, they meet kids from all over the country. There is a large DMV population at Wisconsin so your kid will find his tribe but they will meet a lot of others from every state. The cultural, political, and geographic differences are big. Madison is a state capital surrounded by 4 lakes and the hub for a major international research institution. Sports and activities are different. College Park is an urban campus. UMD is a great school but very different from other big public universities. |