<p>Hey people, although Berkeley decision has not yet been released, I am trying to compare these two schools. I have never had a chance to visit their campus but from what ihave heard is that the surrounding area of Berkeley is bad. I would go to Berkeley for academic reputation , LA for real life. Can someone share their insights and experiences?
Which would u choose and why?</p>
<p>People that say that Berkeley is “bad” are usually people that have never been anywhere near Berkeley and are just talking ****. Berkeley is actually a very nice area and has a lot to offer. Are there hippies? Yes. Are there homeless people? Yes. Does everyone care about driving a Mercedes or BMW? Not really. </p>
<p>That said, it is very important to visit a campus before choosing it. I know people that love living in Berkeley and people that absolutely hate it, same with LA. You’ll never know until you get there and that isn’t something you want to find out <em>AFTER</em> you decide to make a 2-year or 4-year commitment.</p>
<p>I love Berkeley but yes, the neighborhoods are very large metropolitan downtown-esque. Lots of poverty, ugly buildings, strange people and crime but it really shapes Berkeley’s culture.</p>
<p>^^You’ll find all of those things in LA as well.</p>
<p>^yeah but not near UCLA, UCLA is in a very sheltered neighborhood in Westwood. UCLA is in the nice part of L.A. the only hobos you will see around UCLA are…well they are vets from the VA hospital but they aren’t hobos they are just down trodden vets.</p>
<p>Edit: k and the hobos near Santa Monica pier…sleeping beneath the pier and around the beach benches…but that’s not directly near the UCLA campus…</p>
<p>I was born and raised in LA. I lived there for 28 years. If someone goes to UCLA and never ventures out of Westwood, that would be pretty sad. You will encounter every single one of those things in Los Angeles.</p>
<p>there are kids who only stay on the west side of L.A.
you know those kids i am talking about you lived in L.A…the kids who don’t know Soto street from Brooklyn Ave.</p>
<p>if someone goes to UCLA it could be very possible that they only venture in the “nice area.” UCLA is a bubble area.</p>
<p>i know kids who lived in L.A. their whole lives and the farthest from their little bubble they have been… is south Robertson Blvd. by the 10. and to them…that is hood.</p>
<p>hahahahaha</p>
<p>I actually really like both campuses and the surrounding areas, but I chose UCLA because it’s more unlike where I live now, and I’m looking for a change. If you can, try to visit the campuses. It’s hard to tell you which one you’re going to like more based on MY experience, but I personally would have been happy with either one, although UCLA was my first choice and I got in, so I’ve already submitted my SIR.</p>
<p>i just spent time in berkeley today. and i totally agree with cupertinotransfr! berkeley will not be liked by everyone, but i sure liked it!!</p>