<p>I've visited both campuses. I walked around Berkeley once for about 30 minutes and absolutely lived it. I visited UCLA several times after that... and loved it for different reasons. Yesterday I got a tour of Berkeley, and now I am even more confused. </p>
<p>I live in SoCal and I'm not familiar with the Bay Area. Also, I really love being in LA and all the excitement that comes with it (it's in the center of everything). At the same time, I like the sort of chill intellectual atmosphere at Berkeley. I realize academics are better at Cal, even though UCLA is very close behind. I'm thinking of doing Biochem, English, Poli Sci, or all of those combined somehow. </p>
<p>I really like the UCLA campus because it's clean and fun - the atmosphere is just lively and the students seem enthusiastic. Cal was much more low key and intellectual (the students were studying while they were eating at the cafe!!) and school spirit seemed a little lacking.</p>
<p>This might sound bad, but the party scene is really important for me. LA is incredibly exciting; there are clubs, movie premieres, etc, etc. and I think it'd be easier/better to network in the LA area. A part of me wants to be involved in entertainment somehow (writing for a tv show? i don't know). At the same time, LA can be very superficial while the Berkeley area is more gritty and real. </p>
<p>For Cal students, what has been the most fun/exciting/interesting thing for you there? Aside from museums and art festivals, because I already know Berkeley has got LA beat in that area.</p>
<p>I like your interests in possibly studying physical and life sciences to social sciences and humanities, which could put you into a wide array of career choices.</p>
<p>But neither school is one or the other: Cal, intellectualism; UCLA and LA, night life.</p>
<p>You could cross the Bay Bridge from the East Bay into SF. </p>
<p>And even though UCLA is heavily jock oriented doesn’t mean the school is anti-intellectual. Six former UCLA undergrads (wanted to distinguish between a school which has won numerous Nobels because of, say, a top-notch grad econ dept), including a former basketball player who won the Nobel Peace Prize.</p>
<p>And you can do undergrad at one, and maybe grad at the other.</p>
<p>And we all tend to underestimate our adaptability. You’ll be fine…</p>
<p>Well if you want to have a shot at something in the entertainment industry, UCLA is a clear choice. It’s in freaking West LA, and UCLA has a great reputation for that kind of stuff.</p>
<p>It sounds like you really like both options, and I don’t think you can go wrong with either. So sleep easy knowing that both choices are fantastic!</p>
<p>If you’re thinking UCLA is some anti-intellectual jock fest… haha. There are certainly a lot of athletes, but they don’t determine some sort of overall culture. It is certainly not rare to see someone studying in a cafe or anywhere around these parts. </p>
<p>Just plain and simple: where did you like better?</p>
<p>When I say jock-oriented, I don’t mean the numerous DI athletes at the 20+ sports. I think the students at UCLA tend to like athletic gear, tend to like to work out, etc.</p>
<p>^ and if i were a girl, I would find them a great source of inspiration. Just like I love to have hot and gorgeous girls as classmates. They make you attend classes every single day.</p>
<p>I used the term ‘jock’ loosely to include coeds also. Also, I should have used the term ‘athletic apparel’ instead of ‘athletic gear,’ to prevent someone envisioning a person walking to class in football gear, etc. ‘Working out’ includes not only lifting weights, but also aerobics, etc.</p>
<p>oh no, I don’t think UCLA is anti-intellectual by any means. I’m a very outgoing person, but I’m also very… well, I’d fit in at Berkeley too. I love the fun student body at UCLA (and the athletics - it would inspire me to exercise more) and the fact that it’s close to the entertainment world is a huge plus. But I guess I could also move back after I finish school. Someone said I could go to undergrad for one and grad for the other… I’d definitely do UCLA for undergrad and Cal for grad (Cal’s graduate programs are a lot better. plus i’ll get the whole partying thing out of my system so I can really buckle down). </p>
<p>Anyway, I think I might end up going to Cal. Someone just convince me that the social scene around SF is good!! :)</p>
<p>… won’t take that much time at all from Berkeley because of the Bay Bridge. (Pretty cool bridge btw, because it’s one way from SF to EB and vice-versa, and one travels above the other.)</p>
<p>The bridge system is great in general, with the San Mateo bringing you further down south on the peninsula, with San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties being some of the most beautiful sylvan country and wealthy neighborhoods, once you get past the artificial islandy construct of Foster City, which is actually considered a nice community.</p>
<p>I don’t think taking BART would be conducive to night life in SF, so you’ll probably want to find friends who have rides or bring one yourself.</p>
<p>sandcastledreams: You should check out the Berkeley co-ops. Based on what you’ve said I think you’ll love it. You’ll want to apply ASAP if it’s your thing. Priority is largely based on application number. I’m still waiting on acceptance to Cal, (though I’m pretty darn sure I’m going to UCLA as I just got accepted to their highly competitive Design Media program) and I applied last fall. It’s a great way to have a very active social life, as well as make lifelong friends. Good luck! [Berkeley</a> Student Cooperative](<a href=“http://berkeleystudentcooperative.org/]Berkeley”>http://berkeleystudentcooperative.org/)</p>