Distance traveled: 1850 +/- 10 miles.
Net displacement: 0 miles.

Not a physics enthusiast? Although you should be, the above is physics jargon for a round trip. Over five days this past week, my dad and I decided to unleash the power of our Subaru Legacy, and drive into California to visit Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley. Five long driving days (35 hour drive total) later, I have returned, and will share my experiences at the two campuses for others interested in the schools.

The first thing anyone should know about these two schools is that if you are going to make a trip down to them, I strongly recommend flying. While the drive was simply exhausting and time-devouring, a flight into San Francisco or the surrounding area would likely take less than three hours. Add in time for security and driving to and from airports, and you’re looking at possibly eight hours of travel for the entire trip. Not a math enthusiast? We’ve got you covered: 35 »»»»» 8. If you do choose to drive, be warned that it will be a long trip. Most of the driving is pleasant, but once you pass Portland, cities become few and far between, and become spread further apart the further south you travel on I-5. In southern Oregon and northern California, you will also encounter a stretch of mountainous terrain that can be quite unnerving due to a 4,000 foot climb amongst trucks struggling uphill, and SUV’s tailgating and eventually passing you at least 15 over the limit. Now that the travel is out of the way, I present to you my impressions of the schools:

Stanford University

Hoover Tower at Stanford University.

The famous Stanford University, often considered the best university in the West, is recognized as one of the top schools in the nation. Most, if not all of the university’s departments rank amongst the nation’s best. Stanford also boasts a nine percent acceptance rate. That is not a typo. Of all of the outstanding students who apply to Stanford, less than one out of every ten of them will be accepted.

Located in Palo Alto, about 30 miles north of San Francisco, the campus is a community in and of itself. Although Palo Alto itself is not known as a college town, Stanford is big enough to have the feel of a college town. With one of the largest campuses of any university, Stanford has its own zip code; it would be entirely feasible for a student to remain at Stanford without ever leaving the campus for the duration of their stay there.

Why would one want to leave anyhow? Housing is guaranteed for four years, with 99 percent of students electing to live on campus, and the campus itself is astonishingly beautiful. Designed by the visionary behind Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted, all of the grounds are incredibly well kept, and all of the landscaping is incredible. Much of the campus’s architecture has visible Hispanic influences, with landmarks including the Hoover (Memorial) Tower, Stanford Memorial Church, and the Rodin sculpture garden.

Overall, the university was just about everything I expected it to be when anticipating it on the trip down: absolutely top caliber academically, an aesthetically stunning environment, a mild, yet warm climate (think similar seasons to Seattle, except approximately ten degrees warmer year round), and a place where one can definitely live safely and comfortably.

University of California—Berkeley

A shot of Sather Gate with Sather Tower in the background at UC Berkeley.

Although not quite the same level as Stanford, UC Berkeley is nonetheless an incredible school in its own right. The flagship campus of the successful University of California system, Berkeley is frequently ranked as the second best institution on the west coast, behind Stanford of course. While both Stanford and UC Berkeley are phenomenal all-round schools, Berkeley is more well known for its mathematics and science programs, including the top chemistry department in the United States. Although your chances of getting accepted to Berkeley are far better than Stanford, the acceptance rate is still a meager 24 percent, compared to 65 percent at the University of Washington, a solid school in its own right. However, when applying, one must consider that Berkeley is a public school, and since it is part of the University of California system, between two comparable students, one out of state, and another a California resident, the student from California will likely get in over the out of state applicant since the school has certain in-state quotas to meet, regardless of merits. This should not lower an out of state applicant’s chance to get in significantly, but possibly by as much as five to ten percent.

UC Berkeley is of course found in Berkeley, CA, just across the bay from San Francisco, and offers a completely different environment from Stanford. Berkeley is an urban environment, as the university’s campus is nestled within a city moving at its own pace, and teeming with college students, business travelers, and families alike. Although the campus is very impressive, there is no housing on campus. Do not despair though, for there are several residence halls, as well as student-oriented apartments just off of the “official” campus. Housing is guaranteed for two years at Berkeley, and of course, everyone technically lives off campus.

Although not as aesthetically oriented as Stanford, Cal still has a wonderful campus. Many of the buildings at Berkeley also have Hispanic influences, but not to the same extent as those on Stanford. The climate at Berkeley is very similar to that of Stanford, as the two are separated by less than an hour’s drive, and both are in close proximity to the water. Landmarks on the Berkeley campus include Sather Tower, Sather Gate, and South Hall, one of the two buildings of the original 1873 campus.

Altogether, Berkeley exceeded the expectations I had before seeing the campus for myself. Berkeley offers a top notch education, a mild, Stanford-like climate, urban surroundings, and a slightly more social and raucous student body than Stanford.

The Bottom Line

Between the two schools, Stanford is often recognized as the more prestigious of the two, but that is not to take anything away from the level of education that one can accomplish while at Berkeley. Stanford is a private institution, while Berkeley is public, but both are quite expensive, and a prospective student is almost guaranteed of needing some form of financial aid at either establishment. One’s chances are better at getting into Berkeley than into Stanford, yet at the same time, it is not unheard of for a student to find themselves accepted to Stanford, yet declined by Berkeley. Stanford is essentially its own community, while Berkeley is more similar to the University of Washington in its city-dwelling nature.

The bottom line is that both Stanford and Berkeley are first rate universities in every way, and there are very few students scattered across the country who would not be thrilled to attend either school. Personally, I will be applying to both, and would be ecstatic to be accepted to either school. If you were considering applying to either of these schools, I would definitely recommend it. If you do decide to apply, best of luck with your application, and your other applications as well for that matter.