<p>You’re not being serious, are you fullload? Even though I attend UCLA now, I was one of the people that actually didn’t want to attend it. </p>
<p>Everyone knows UCLA > all other schools. It’s an objective truth, much like E = mc², or that 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water.</p>
<p>In all seriousness though, it seems like UC Irvine is the best school for you given what it has to offer and what you want. Still, consider all your options if and when you’re admitted to those schools. Also, consult with representatives from those schools to learn more about their programs; they regularly visit community colleges all over California. Good luck with your academic endeavors.</p>
<p>@fullload First of all, I am a young woman. Second of all, if bias and conceited jerks like yourself are attending UCLA then that makes me more likely not want to go. Besides, there is WAY more to go a school then the goddamn name. Learn some humility. </p>
<p>@k4201505 </p>
<p>What was your #1 choice?</p>
<p>Easy, he is definitely joking. </p>
<p>Ultimately you will choose what school is best for you. I suggest visiting both once you are accepted. Before you have an acceptance, any arguments are moot. </p>
<p>Well I have guaranteed admission to UCI and UCB because of the really helpful and awesome programs my community college offers and because of my GPA, which is kind of why I am wondering between the two at the moment. </p>
<p>Congratulations on your early acceptance. I guess I’m just overly cautious, since I would not consider myself accepted until I could see the SIR page.</p>
<p>Still, June 1 is many moons away. Now would be a good time to do more research about the different programs, maybe talk to some current students or faculty that can answer your specific questions better than we can, see what the median graduating debt is, check housing, clubs, etc.</p>
<p>Yikes, I was most definitly not being serious. Lighten up.</p>
<p>“Fit” in undergrad is ridiculously important. Most humanities/social science majors end up doing some sort of graduate school and you’re just not going to get into a good program if you don’t succeed in undergrad. It’s hard to succeed somewhere that you don’t like and undergraduate reputation is negligible once you get into grad school.</p>
<p>That being said, I’ve done time as an english major Irvine and I almost went to Cal for undergrad so I may have a little bit of advice. The Honors program at UCI (CHP) is probably the most underrated program in the UC. You get to take classes with a relatively close cohort of students, they constantly work to get help you network with professors for research opportunities, and early enrollment was an amazing blessing that I am sorely missing right now. Being a CHP student at Irvine gives you great latitude in the way you structure your education and it feels like you’re in a liberal arts college. In terms of the English program, the professors were great (which is a constant at any UC you go to) and you have the option to specialize later on in your program. Being an english major in the CHP program, you’ll find a lot of peers who are doing the same thing as you and it creates a great environment for you to steer your program in whatever direction you see want.</p>
<p>As for Cal, it’s reputation is indisputable. Professors at the UC are generally all top caliber but at Cal, you’ll have access to some of the most well known literary minds in academia and the literary profession in general. However, it’s also a much bigger program than lrvine’s so while you’ll have latitude in choosing your electives, you may find that the size of the program will make it harder to navigate, especially in a 2 year time frame. Of course, you do have the option of doing a thesis which would help you make the program more personal. Keep in mind that at Cal, enrollment goes by like a storm, without priority enrollment you may also face a little difficulty in getting the classes you want but thats not much of a problem as a senior. </p>
<p>Thx for the great info on UCI’s Honors Program @calbruin. One thing I will echo is the great advantage of smaller class size and close connection to peers. </p>
<p>My iPhone auto-corrected to “close connection to Peets”. That, too. :)) </p>
<p>@Cayton, probably UCI, considering I TAG’d there and all. Only applied to UCLA because of encouragement from friends and family, though I had no intentions of going there even if I got in, at least that’s what I felt when I submitted my application.</p>
<p>Guess things change. I don’t regret coming here at all and have grown to appreciate the school. Funny how things turn out. </p>
<p>I just transferred to Berkeley for English and I am really enjoying it. Many of the creative writing classes do require you to submit a sample of your writing, but if you’re confident in your writing this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. You may not get admitted into every class, but I’m sure you will get into some. I have not signed up for any of these classes though. </p>
<p>If you’re worried about the school size, I don’t think this will get in your way. The upper division English classes are actually really small (especially the seminars, which have as little as six people in them). Within the English department, you kind of forget how big the school is. There will be many of the same people in several of your classes, so there is a sense of community. The professors are also really approachable and have office hours or appointments available. </p>
<p>I’m not sure what kind of opportunities you’re looking for, but if you’re dedicated you will find them. I have not looked for any yet myself as I have been focusing on adjusting to the coursework, but this is the impression I get. Over winter break I’m going to be researching what opportunities are available so I can update you on that if you like.</p>
<p>As far as the coursework goes, there is nothing to be intimidated by as long as you can write a decent essay. There is a lot of reading though, but as long as you like reading it won’t be too difficult.</p>
<p>If you have any specific questions let me know.</p>
<p>Glad you’re liking UCB @music1990. I felt similarly in Wheeler. The seminars are always small (and easier grading, I felt). Back when I was there the English lounge was open to all students, so there was a good sense of camaraderie. I think now it’s just graduate students, though. :(</p>
<p>Choose Berkeley and never look back. Ok…I’m just being bias because I currently go to Berkeley. </p>
<p>In all seriousness though, I’m going to disagree with the assumptions you’re making about Cal. </p>
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<p>This is false. Berkeley has SO MANY opportunities and you have to remember that students are not going to pursue the same ones that you will. Research opportunities are available everywhere. I did one this past semester but realized it was not for me. </p>
<p>It is not INSANELY huge…well, compared to UCLA’s student population. You’re not going to feel like a number here. </p>