<p>I gave up cal with a scholarship for ucla with loans because of the location SOCAL baby!</p>
<p>Me!</p>
<p>Like the other posts said, it's seriously not uncommon to turn down Berkeley for UCLA at all. A very good portion of my friends did.</p>
<p>Like so many people, it came down to Berkeley and UCLA, and Berkeley might have slightly more prestigious name, but UCLA has everything else: better location, better housing, better food, etc.</p>
<p>The dorms sure have better food at UCLA, but the food surrounding Berkeley is head over heels better than UCLA. And the mini-suites are better than the plazas. And the SF is easier to access from Berkeley than LA (even from within LA in Westwood) . . . </p>
<p>Does anyone have any actually cross-admit numbers? I'd be interested in seeing them.</p>
<p>definteley...go UCLA!</p>
<p>DRab,</p>
<p>Hey, give Westwood a break. It's steadily improving. </p>
<p>But you definitely are right about accessibility.</p>
<p>Some students complain about a lack of hookah bars here. I think Westwood kicks the but of Cal in availability of (SHADY) hookah bars.</p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>Hahah, hey c'mon now, Habibi's isn't all that shady. </p>
<p>Okay, maybe a bit.</p>
<p>But still, they have decent falafel.</p>
<p>Oh, I'll have to try it sometime. I didn't realize that they had food (I thought they merely supplied shadyness). Did I mention it's shady? ;)</p>
<p>Just 'cause you can't handle the hookah doesn't mean it's shady.</p>
<p>:p</p>
<p>But if you want really good Middle Eastern food, check out "Carnival" in the Valley. Woodman and Ventura. Best...food...EVARZ!!!</p>
<p>I love how DRab talks about how SF is more accessible...</p>
<p>Um so?</p>
<p>If you don't live in SF and just live in the Bay Area (and unless you work in SF) you only go there maybe a few times a year. I've lived in the Bay Area my whole life (like 20 mins away from SF) and we only go to SF if we want to see a show or something (and exactly how many college kids are going to see expensive musicals on Friday nights???)</p>
<p>I highly doubt Berkeley kids have much time to go hang out in the City. It's an amazing city, and I love it to death, but SF is a pain sometimes. It's busy and it's not exactly college kid on a limited budget friendly if you know what I mean.</p>
<p>Anyways my point is, accessibility to LA or SF shouldn't be a deciding factor in anyones decision. It's college. You don't need to spend every weekend looking for celebrities or riding the cable cars.</p>
<p>I'm glad you're aware of the traveling habits of all Berkeley students. I know people who go almost every weekend. I go at least a few times a month. But what do I about Berkeley students going to SF? Certainly some people go very little, but those who want to quite easily do. 6 bucks on the bart roundtrip, or a free bus there and back are popular ways. I should have clarified- while SF is more accessible, it's particularly so without a car. But sure, people shouldn't have city acessibility as a deciding factor in college decisions, unless it's very important to them.</p>
<p>I spent the day at UCLA yesterday and found the campus to be appealing. I went to Welcome Day to eliminate UCLA and left there not sure what to do. Since I have grown up in So Cal, I know that getting around without a car is a problem. I have never ridden a bus and one of the drawbacks about UCLA is probably not being able to have a car for 2 or 3 years. Westwood is nice but expensive too. I took my parents to a hooka bar there on Sunday night and was surprised at the number of USC vs UCLA students hanging around Westwood. Berkeley has so many more options as far as things to do when you want to leave campus. The BART system puts the whole bay area within reach and SF is not any more expensive than a night out in LA.<br>
So, I've been to UCLA and it seems like academically UCLA is much more friendly towards 1st year students, they want 1st year students to succeed. Berkeley doesn't offer a Welcome Day and I cannot go to Cal Day because of Prom. I am going to Berkeley for the overnight program on Sunday. It seems like I keep hearing a lot about 'weeder' classes and things like that. The UCLA board is much more upbeat vs the CAL board. I worked my butt of in high school to get into CAL, and now and very undecided. Any input from UCLA or CAL students that would help me make a decision?</p>
<p>What's the difference between Cal Day and a "Welcome Day?"</p>
<p>Intended major? "Biology or something Science"</p>
<p>You'll find plenty of weeders to match Berkeley's at UCLA, and most likely similar classes (pre-med bio, o-chem). Many will grade on the "curve." It's not going to be that different with regard to weeders and hard grading in certain classes.</p>
<p>but I think cal definitely has harsher weeder classes. :eek:</p>
<p>DRab: I don't know what Cal Day is like, but Welcome Day was a small group new freshman and their parents, maybe 400 total. UCLA and CLAS put on a very nice presentation; very impressive. Alot of undergrad research opportunities, having UCLA med center on Campus is a huge plus for opportunities down the road. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs talked about programs and how UCLA works to make students succeed. Very impresssive. There were smaller group tours of the campus and the dorms given by students. Both of the students that we had tours from chose UCLA over USC and CAL. One also was accepted to Stanford.
My parents are thinking about going up to Cal Day, but I don't get the impression it is the same type thing since it is a big open house to the public.
I am not that worried about "weeder" classes. I am though weighing the trimester vs the semester.
As far as majors, I am not sure where I am headed. I always thought the Sciences, until very recently. I am more looking into Cognetive Science and Rhetoric.</p>
<p>CA2006,</p>
<p>I had no car for my whole time at UCLA, and it was never once a huge problem. You just have to find friends or roomies with cars. ;)</p>
<p>UCLAri, It is harder to get around So Cal because of the transit system and everything being so spread out without a car. If I go to UCLA I will probably be carless for 4 years also. I will depend on friend for rides and everything you need is within walking distance to UCLA (Westwood.)</p>
<p>CA2006,</p>
<p>Yes, it's true that LA transit is a bit tougher. But y'know, I used to take the bus to a fair number of places, including Santa Monica, downtown, and even the Valley.</p>
<p>And you don't even have to deal with the 10 or 405 yourself..</p>
<p>That's true, but a bus to the Valley from Westwood? Ew.</p>
<p>
[quote]
DRab: I don't know what Cal Day is like, but Welcome Day was a small group new freshman and their parents, maybe 400 total. UCLA and CLAS put on a very nice presentation; very impressive. Alot of undergrad research opportunities, having UCLA med center on Campus is a huge plus for opportunities down the road. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs talked about programs and how UCLA works to make students succeed. Very impresssive. There were smaller group tours of the campus and the dorms given by students. Both of the students that we had tours from chose UCLA over USC and CAL. One also was accepted to Stanford.
My parents are thinking about going up to Cal Day, but I don't get the impression it is the same type thing since it is a big open house to the public.
I am not that worried about "weeder" classes. I am though weighing the trimester vs the semester.
As far as majors, I am not sure where I am headed. I always thought the Sciences, until very recently. I am more looking into Cognetive Science and Rhetoric.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Welcome day sounds sort of like CalSO, and to some extent like Cal Day, but you're right, Cal Day isn't small- it's huge! IYou will find similar (but far more) presentations and lectures and more during Cal Day. f you're interested in Rhetoric, that's something that UCLA can't quite offer in the same way Cal can. If you have questions about it, feel free to ask me, I plan on doubling in it (with philosophy).</p>
<p>yeah but the quality of applicants differ from quantity
ucla has more applications but ucb applicants might have been from a smarter more competitive pool (i'm just sayin.. no bashin)</p>