UPenn or Berkeley?

Question

Hi all -
I just recently got accepted to both UPenn and Berkeley, under economics major. However, my economics major at UPenn isn't under Wharton school - it's College of Arts and Sciences. Thus, If I go to UPenn, I might have to transfer into Wharton. If I go to Berkeley, I will definitely have to re-apply junior year into Haas (they don't offer freshman admissions into Haas).

I live in California, about an hour drive from Berkeley. Berkeley is also about $15k cheaper than Penn. But, Penn does have that Ivy-League reputation, which might be helpful later on...

Where should I go? Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Jimmy

Answer 1

Kid, your one VERY, VERY lucky SOB....... Few can say they the option of Penn or Berkley. Congrats!!!
As a Philly person who took Nrotc at U of P some 12 years ago, I'd vote Ivy all the way. A resume that has Wharton School grad on it will have plenty of weight in four years. The rep is deserved..... Price????? Both cost more than they should. I'm still paying on my loans to Temple Univ. However being close to home has perks as well.

Answer 2

Upenn Econ Major

Answer 3

Congratulations, Jimmy. Those are two very impressive schools to be admitted to, and you really can't go wrong, whichever one you choose. I'm assuming from your comments that your interest is in business. If I were in your situation, given the likelihood that you will go on for an advanced degree eventually, I would probably go for UPenn and get the degree in Economics. You can always get an MBA later, and you really are better off if your undergraduate degree is in something other than business if you do that. Also, from everything I've heard, UPenn does a better job with undergraduate education than does Berkeley. Haas is excellent at the MBA level, but the school tends to put its resources more into graduate education rather than focusing on the undergraduates.

Answer 4

Econ Major Upenn

Answer 5

I'd decide based upon the atmosphere and location of the schools. In either school you will get a grade-A education and a stellar reputation taboot.

Remember, most of these programs do not guarantee (in any sense of the word) that they'll take their undergrads into their MBA programs --- and since a place like Wharton is number one in the world, you'll be competing against the best of the best everywhere...

so my advice is NOT to choose based on reputation or the expectation that you'll be in Wharton - but instead decide based on financial realism of each choice and (this is probably a huge deal) the atmosphere of the universities -- where they're located, if you want to live there -- and other "regular" undergrad concerns like what the dorms are like, will you have to sleep in a shoebox, what the food is like, what the students are like, etc
.
and pick the one where you'd feel most comfortable! you can't exactly make a bad move here. Be grateful this is your problem, lol.

Answer 6

I know at my college, business majors were not automatically accepted into the business school upon acceptance to the university - they had to maintain a certain GPA through sophomore year and then were accepted de facto into the business school. There was no formal acceptance or transition - pretty much if you didn't have the GPA or requirements you would have to redeclare a major.
Don't know if that's how it works at UPENN Wharton, try talking to an undergrad student that is in the business program.

Answer 7

I don't know much about UPenn but I do know Berkley. I would really enjoy the trip to Pennsylvania if it was me...

Answer 8

berkeley nice weather better name better college experience