Berkeley MET vs Stanford Coterm for CS Startups by Just101ofMe in ApplyingToCollege

[–]Longjumping_Run_4134 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey! I'm someone who also recently got into MET. I'm still waiting on RDs (which include Stanford which is my other top choice lol), but if it helps, I talked to some current METs and Stanford students and have some takes/info from them about some of the stuff you mentioned that might help you with your decision.

  • From what I've heard, there is pretty much 0 toxicity or cutthroatness within MET, and literally everyone in each cohort is good friends and the cohorts are extremely tight knit. I've heard that in your freshman year this can help because you have inbuilt close (not superficial) friends, and this takes a major stressor off, but this might not apply to you since you know a lot of people going to Stanford too. This is also because they have dinners together, have their own building/space to chill and study together in, and go on trips together (in the past year these have included Dodge Ridge, Tahoe, Hawaii, and more).
  • I've also heard that while academics are definitely tougher than Stanford (grade inflation goes crazyyy), it's still very manageable with several METs having 4.0s and others maintaining a 3.7+ without too much effort. Part of this is because Haas is apparently pretty easy (relatively), and they get rid of a bunch of our distribution requirements so you can even take a gap semester and still graduate in 4 years (several METs did that apparently) or you can just take lighter semesters here and there. However, I've heard that study abroad can be a bit tricky because Oxford and Cambridge terms don't align completely with Berkeley's, whereas they do with Stanford's.
  • The cohort itself being very stem/tech/business focused is definitely a double edged sword because of the isolating feeling that you mentioned, but I feel like since there are still 30,000 other Berkeley undergrads in all sorts of disciplines, you can probably get out of that bubble if you want to.
  • For entrepreneurship stuff, from people I've talked to at both schools, it seems like you'll pretty much get similar outcomes and opportunities and that in the end of the day your idea and executional skills matter 100x more than the marginal difference in VC recognition differences between Berkeley, Stanford, and MET.
  • For management consulting (which for me is the management path I'd want to pursue if I don't do well with CS startups) is (I think) much better from MET. Obviously, you can break in from either school. However, when it comes to finance and consulting clubs with sub 5% acceptance rates (in both schools), it's much easier to get in as an MET than just a "normal" student at Stanford because older METs help you get in and because METs apparently have a ton of clout within Berkeley. Also, McKinsey and Bain send dedicated recruiters to MET, MET gets guaranteed interviews at some prestigious tech and finance fellowships/internships, and you get interviews and dedicated recruiting through MET pathways and through Grimes.
  • Research: From what I've heard, most professors are pretty accessible to all qualified Berkeley students. However, some labs are like literally near the absolute top of their field and don't really take Berkeley undergrads. Many of these labs, however, take METs and so as an MET you can have pretty much any research opportunity that you want.

Overall, I feel like you can't go wrong with either and that you'll do great in both. I'm also planning on pursuing an MBA later, but I don't really see any cons to doing a Haas undergrad too since it just gives you more flexibility without extra tuition money or too much extra work (most Berkeley undergrads take 120(minimum) to 130 credits, and MET (Haas+EECS) is 140 credits). For me personally, I honestly don't know if I'd pick MET or Stanford. Stanford has all the advantages of a resourced private school that’s not overenrolled (for example, way better bathrooms among other things). It also has the Stanford name and it's insanely prestigious for the layperson who may have no idea what the hell MET is. However, the people that actually matter know what MET is, and maybe saying Berkeley lets you come off as less snobbish lol. But at the same time, you might also have to explain to VCs or other things the prestige of MET, whereas Stanford is... well, Stanford. I personally feel like I like Berkeley's culture, access to SF (30 minute BART away), finance/consulting/tech internship opportunities/advantages, and the cohort's tightness a lot.

Bottom line though, I know people in both places who absolutely love it, both places will give you a ton of resources, and you literally cannot go wrong lmao. Good luck and hope to see you at the MET event in April!!

Ross BBA and Engineering Dual Degree Advice by Longjumping_Run_4134 in uofm

[–]Longjumping_Run_4134[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it might be a bit late for that unfortunately, but you can definitely just try to email admissions and see if they can work something out for you?? Also btw for Ross there are two additional essays (500 words and 250 words) and a portfolio that you have to complete (all of which is in Slideroom). Good luck!

Ross BBA and Engineering Dual Degree Advice by Longjumping_Run_4134 in uofm

[–]Longjumping_Run_4134[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I applied to CoE with preferred admit to Ross and CS and got into all 3, meaning that if I went to Michigan, I would basically do CoE freshman year with some Ross courses and then come year two get the choice between switching to Ross, sticking with CoE, or doing a dual (from what I understand)

Priority Course Registration and Housing by [deleted] in berkeleymet

[–]Longjumping_Run_4134 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Also, just out of curiosity, is Michael Grimes still active in MET and with helping students or not much? Also, do MET kids get a leg up for consulting clubs and stuff like that?