<p>people always act like its so easy to "just drive up" to some city an hour or more away. When you are in college, you are not going to be commuting to that big "urbane"(as jps36 puts is) city an hour away much. So much for your cultural experience.</p>
<p>and uh... you must kidding me if you think virginia is as diverse or as culturally dynamic as norcal or socal. you guys must have some good ass crack on the east coast.</p>
<p>hahah...i found this post funny. i actually lol'd, lyke totally.</p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>This is getting ridiculous.</p>
<p>All three schools are academically superior. They are some of the best public schools in the U.S. - in fact, the two flagship schools from each state (UCB/UCLA and UVA/William & Mary) are all in the top 6 as ranked by U.S. News. So your education will be fine no matter where you go.</p>
<p>Now, I live in Virginia and attend UVA, and I've never been to California, just like most of these UC backers have never been to Virginia. So just go with wherever appeals to you the most. Berkeley in SF, UCLA in LA, or UVA in Charlottesville. Everyone who goes to any particular school is going to tell you to go to that one because we're all apparently quite spirited. Check out the websites, look at pictures, contact professors and decide for yourself.</p>
<p>Aussie,</p>
<p>You need to tell us more about yourself actually. What is it that you want to experience? What do you prefer? You mentioned about shopping. But seriously, I'd imagine you can do that in Sydney. </p>
<p>Actually depending on where you come from, you may not like LA. I live in LA now but I grew up in Hong Kong, a very urban and efficient city with probably the best public transit in the world. Because of that, I found LA extremely inefficient and too spread out for my taste. You need a car to drive pretty much everywhere and there's often bad traffic. The public transit is pretty terrible. Westwood, where UCLA is located, has shops and restaurants (frankly, I haven't found any fabulous one there but then I am pretty picky and nicknamed "food expert" in my office) but it gets old pretty fast. The best part of LA is the beach. Other than that, LA is kinda ugly with random architecture and hideous strip malls everywhere. You probably heard about LA people being superficial. Well, to large extent, it's kinda true (though fortunately, I've made quite a few friends who aren't but it took me a while to do that). Many people are very into image. People live on credit and well beyond their means just to "look" rich. You see more Benz here than probably Berlin. After all, Hollywood is a lot about perception rather than reality. I even heard of people whose jobs are to "fix" dates for celebrities (e.g. some star is gay but to keep people guessing, they fix him a date with some beautiful girl; then the media propagates the "relationship"). However, if you live on campus and interact only with other students, you probably won't see these sorts of things as much.</p>
<p>Since you are gonna be here for only 6 months, I'd actually recommend SF over LA. To me, SF is a lot prettier than LA. It also fits what I feel a city should look--compact, urban, and with good mass trasnit. Ultimately, I found SF rather small but you are probably not gonna feel that in just 6 months. It has a more educated population (my friend that went to Harvard said he's been getting dumber since living in LA ;)).</p>
<p>I don't know anything about UVA. An hour drive to DC isn't really that bad. DC is a pretty cool city. Also, you can get to NYC and Boston rather easily (just my guess). Both are great cities. Boston has Harvard and MIT, arguably the two best American institutions. There's also Philadelphia but I've never been there. There's a decent (it's no bullet train like in Japan/France however) train system that connects these 4 cities. The west coast has nice weather and good for outdoorsy activities. But if I am not mistaken, Australia is great for both too. Too me, there seems to be more interesting things to see in the east coast.</p>
<p>Well all this college pride has made me absolutely certain that I'll have an awesome time regardless of which university I end up deciding on!! </p>
<p>To answer Sam's request for more personal info for you guys to base your recommendation on here goes.... </p>
<p>I'm from a smallish (60 000 ppl) town that is based around agriculture (although I swear I'm not a farm girl). I go to uni in my State's capital city (3rd largest city in Australia), however it is nowhere near on par with New York or LA ... it's more like a big country town. The urban feel of LA and SF interest me for this reason - but if UVA is really good I'm happy to wait until post-grad study or work to experience this. I've been to the U.S. once, but only to Florida, so all my misinformed imaginings of America stem from "The OC", "Sex and the City" and the guilty pleasure of bad American teen movies.</p>
<p>I'm a closet nerd who is into the academic side of things but am really outgoing and place an equal amount of importance upon having a good time! It's legal in Aus. to drink from 18 so I'm pretty peeved that I'm going to go back to being an underager in America!! I'm really into theatre and dance and, like a million other tragic 18 year olds, have embarrassing daydreams of fame, glamour and fortune after being "discovered" (I'm almost vomiting writing this as I'm sure you are reading it!) on the streets of LA or New York. I think this could be cause for choosing UCLA so reality can knock this crap out of me!! I'm more a sporting spectator than participant although I have passable levels of softball, swimming, tennis and cross country. </p>
<p>The campus atmosphere of UVA really appeals to me, but I'm worried that if I can't break into the scene I won't have a good time. Berkeley really interests me but I'm concerned that the whole homeless/hippy thing will be a bit too full on, day in and day out, for a fairly sheltered Aussie. The perceived impersonality and huge beach scene of UCLA worries me a bit, but what I like about it is that if I am unable to find my niche the amount of things to do and see will make it not matter so much. I'm a bit worried about the worst case scenario of being stranded in UVA feeling like a fish out of water. The main thing I want to avoid is being stuck in a dorm with all international students (I hope that doesn't sound bad!!). </p>
<p>Ick. Well that's enough about me to last you a lifetime... I'm so sorry for my boring ramblings. I'm looking forward to my semester abroad so much and although I know whatever uni I choose will end up being the "right" choice, I really value all your input into making this difficult decision so that I can make an educated guess about what place would be right for me and stop all those annoying "what if" thoughts cropping up in my head! You are all really opening my eyes to a lot of invaluable impressions and ideas that I would never have had access to otherwise so thank-you soooooooooooo much!!</p>
<p>I'm (obviously) a Berkeley student, but I grew up near UCLA, yet I am not familiar with UVA. I must admit that UVA looks like a very pretty campus from the photos I was able to obtain from their website. I'm sure it's a lovely college town. UCLA is also a very radiant, beautiful campus, and I think you would be able to get your daily dose of the entertainment biz when you're in such a popular area for those kinds of things. </p>
<p>I will basically be talking about Berkeley, because I'm sure UVA and UCLA students can speak for their own school. </p>
<p>Please don't let the homeless/hippie culture sway you from coming to Berkeley. They are neither dangerous nor bothersome, and can actually be quite the spectacle. I have also been pretty sheltered my entire life in terms of the quaintness of the towns I have lived in. I am originally from Los Angeles, and as a kid, I was always terrified when we would drive through areas where homeless people would come into the streets when you were stopped at a stop light, and just start washing your windows with newspaper and windex...and then expect a handsome reward. The 'bums' in Berkeley are among the most intelligent you will ever meet, which is quite hilarious; there is even one roaming around town that claims he has sat in on hundreds of lectures at UC Berkeley and promises he could take any final exam for a student and ace it. Many of the homeless folk are talented street performers and actually add to the crazy, quirky, yet ever progressive city that Berkeley is. </p>
<p>You mentioned that you are interested in theatre and dance - no better place for this than the Berkeley/SF area (with the exception of NYC, heh) We have so many wonderful concerts, plays, and ballets that occur all year round, and students get generous discounts on many respected performances. Students at Cal are very academic minded; it takes a lot to get into this school, but the social life is also great. With over 20,000 undergraduates, there is so much going on here that you will never grow bored. The free bus ride to SF is popular and easy to catch. You will never feel like you're stuck in the middle of nowhere. </p>
<p>If you like to watch sports, we have a top ranked football team, and Golden Bear pride. There are many intermural sports you can take part in, which can be fun if you want to be casual about a sport, but still want to be active and a part of a team while you're on campus. Also, Berkeley is known as a culinary gem - we have great food and excellent prices. You can get amazing meals for super cheap. We also have food from just about every culture in the universe.</p>
<p>Okay, I think I'm done. I'll let UVA and UCLA have the spotlight now, but please go to the school that is right for you!</p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>you are very convincing izzie bear!!! i thought i'd eliminated berkeley but it's back in the race now!! argh.. you are making it very difficult :P haha. thanks so much for all ur replies in this forum ... they have been very helpful indeed!</p>
<p>Honestly and obviously, I'm going to be partial, but Berkeley is such a wonderful, globally respected school. I have the upmost respect and admiration for both UCLA and UVA. They are both such fabulous universities and I would love to include both of these colleges on my list for possible grad school options. </p>
<p>But, if I may be so frank, Berkeley just seems to have the edge overall, when it comes to academics and culture. I had several fabulous schools to choose from when I first applied, but I just felt like Berkeley would carry me the farthest and challange me the most, both academically and emotionally. I felt like my personality would swell and expand here, and would break a lot of my preconceived stereotypes and conquer many of my sheltered-kid fears. There really isn't any other place like Berkeley. It's a once in a lifetime experience and I think that if you have the chance, you should run with it. </p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>about the "beach scene"...the stereotype is at many times apparent, but i'm from LA, love UCLA, and am the last person you'd find at the beach. </p>
<p>the way i see it, UVA would have the most "traditional academia/americana feel", but Berkeley and UCLA are just as good academically, if not slightly better, (not to mention have beautiful campuses) and would open up the vast/vibrant cities of LA or San Francisco - which are full of diverse people, culture, great food, and entertainment. and don't forget california weather is the best.</p>
<p>don't worry, im sure you'll find your niche whereever you go. and if you decide on UVA and feel like you need a big city...well, you can take a road trip to NYC. </p>
<p>good luck with whatever you choose. :-)</p>
<p>"the bums are some of the most intelligent you will meet"</p>
<p>haha, that is true. it's great listening to bums talk about their hippy/activists days of the 60's, seeing awesome bands, and taking too much acid...and subsequently burning out and becoming a bum because that's the true hippy way. :-P</p>
<p>Aussie isn't even responding people...she got bored already, she's going to Stanford.</p>
<p>rofl</p>
<p>aussie's going to go to canada</p>
<p>Hey Everybody...in case you haven't noticed, this thread has taken on a major life of its own....ol' Aussie's checked out, probably gone to sleep or had the audacity to start another thread about where she should spend the spring semester - U of Chicago, U. of Pitt., or Texas A&M and where should she go...</p>
<p>Whoever said UVA is a one-hour drive from DC is wrong. It's more like two. It's a nice drive, but still.</p>
<p>Aussie: I know that the stereotype of UVA is that it's a huge frat/sorority school, and while the greek scene is a big part of the social life it is far from all there is to do and the majority of kids there aren't part of any such organization. Going along with that I can tell you that while the stereotype of a UVA student is a collar popping abercrombie wearing jerk, this is also simply a stereotype. The school is big enough that I doubt you will have trouble finding your niche.</p>
<p>gimme a break wmrocks, confidential and crash!!! i have NOT "checked out" and am paying very close attention to all the replies!!!! i can't believe so many of you have stepped forward and offered such amazing advice and perspectives!! thanks again :D</p>
<p>K I found out the best way to choose. Which website do you like best?
UVA: <a href="http://virginia.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://virginia.edu/</a>
Berk:<a href="http://www.berkeley.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.berkeley.edu/</a>
LA:<a href="http://www.ucla.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.ucla.edu/</a></p>
<p>In my opinion, best to worst: UVA, LA, Berk(Fruity looking)</p>
<p>my opinion:</p>
<p>uva website = not all images are working.</p>
<p>and..fruity? kay...</p>
<p>it's so funny to see the jealousy!</p>
<p>Fruity looking?</p>
<p>Yeah, gay slander is how to show the superior nature of your school...</p>
<p>and website beauty really says a thing or two about a univerasity....not</p>
<p>jealous of ucberkeley? definately not. im going to major in cs and will take cmu over ucberkeley anyday.. </p>
<p>berk is a great school no doubt.. but in my opinion its a better grad experience than undergrad experience(its reputation originates from its grad programs).</p>