UC Berkeley L&S Undeclared VS. UIUC Computer Science + Bioengineering

[slender spade]

Super grateful and fortunate to ask about this tough choice here. Appreciate all your suggestions and advice.

I might major in Applied Math at UC Berkeley since switching to CS/DS is incredibly difficult. Some say doubling DS is possible, but I am not sure. I would at least try to get a CS minor.

My family can afford both comfortably.

I want to work in tech, possibly biotech. I might see myself as a scientist at biotech companies, a Data Scientist, SWE, AI Engineer, etc. The AI+Biotech shows big potential in the future.
Berkeley is 40min from home, while UIUC is 6h from the airport in Chicago. Berkeley's proximity to the silicon valley might brings more opportunities, but I am not sure.
I grew up in the Bay Area and Southern China, so I am more used to the weather in Berkeley, UIUC is freezing for me.

I am not sure about doing graduate school.

[green snow]

Tuition cost?

[slender spade]

can afford both comfortably

[green snow]

Then uiuc without a doubt

Not only does uiuc offer u to learn what u want to learn and maximize ur chance of doing what u want to do

But also uiuc is very reputable for cs

I’d say uiuc

[slender spade]

Do you think location and school's name might play a big factor when it comes to getting a job in tech

[green snow]

Nowadays, I do feel like there might be especially for cs. I’m not too involved with cs as I’m ECE but with ai and what that Columbia guy did to cheat

Maybe

But uiuc and Berkeley both have the same school prestige or reputation so both are great option

I just feel like uiuc would be better because ur studying what u want

[slender spade]

appreciate that, I will be researching for more information

[keen condor]

Nah, you apply online anyway

I think ucb is a beautiful place. You could check it out sometime since it's only 40 minutes away from you. Applied math is not ece tho. ECE is not CS either.

[slender spade]

I checked out Berkeley multiple times already, I even did a two-month summer session there

[keen condor]

Oh okay. Have you looked at what the applied math major and the ECE major look like in terms of required courses and possible electives? Maybe one has more interest to you

I do think that an ECE degree will help you feel confident in your career marketability

Some people are afraid of learning circuits tho lol

[torpid hatch]

Both are excellent options. If I were you, I'd pick Berk solely because of proximity to home.

[queen birch]

I would choose UIUC if you want to do CS

After a new policy implemented in 2023, it is very unlikely that you will get into CS or EECS at Berkeley

I heard ppl say it’s basically another college app…

[crude forge]

Yeah do NOT come to Berkeley if you wanna be a swe or anything related lol

getting into the major is nigh impossible