Berkeley/UCLA -- 41 Days and Counting

<p>As of 3/21/06</p>

<p>yep...getting very anxious!! Which one is your #1?</p>

<p>Berkeley!!</p>

<p>forty days and counting....</p>

<p>What is your major, CC2UC? Also, why Berkeley? I'm trying to decide between the two in case I get into both...My major is Communications and I know it would better for me to go UCLA because of the location, but Berkeley has the name.. </p>

<p>Just got acceptance letters from both UCSB and UCSD...just waiting on the ones that count.</p>

<p>Berkeley and UCLA both "have the name." Communications is a much more sought after major at UCLA, if that means anything. Berkeley doesn't have a program like UCLA does, just Mass Communications.</p>

<p>Yeah..I guess I didn't make myself clear..I know UCLA has "the name" but Berkeley does sound better..don't you think? The only reason I say this is because my Dad seems to think it's much better on an application, but UCLA has an excellent comm program and is more prestigous to the people who actually know.</p>

<p>Actually..I meant Berkeley looks better on a resume..not application..oops</p>

<p>You should look into more sources than your dad. Really, again, both schools have great reputations, and that factor shouldn't be the most important in making a decision.</p>

<p>lol..I don't look only to my dad for source information..of course, I do care what he thinks of where I go to school though. Regardless, from the moment I started CC, I was dead set on UCLA communications, but now, for some reason, I'm starting to second guess myself. I'm sure when it comes down to it, I will pick UCLA..just because I know I would be happier there.</p>

<p>Have you visited both campuses or done online tours?</p>

<p>I've been to UCLA and absolutely loved it..haven't been to Berkeley..just heard about the campus and seen pictures online. Is it worth going to see? If I get in, I feel like I should go and check it out just because it's Berkeley.</p>

<p>I haven't been there either :) I'm planning to visit as well.</p>

<p>So..you're waiting to hear from Cal as well? I figured so...this anticipation is killing me!! What is your major? Did you apply to UCLA too?</p>

<p>Well, I come from the bay area, and I'm currently going to school in LA, so I can comment about atmosphere, at least. Both are very pretty campuses - I was surprised when I first visited (I go to LMU but we go to parties etc at UCLA). Both have fun surrounding cities. The difference is really in the feel of each cammpus. UCLA is in Los Angeles; it has more of a southern california feel. People go surfing a lot, there's an emphasis on fashion - you meet a lot of people who have something to do with hollywood or film. As a northern california girl, the culture seems somewhat more shallow here.
Berkeley, on the other hand, definitely has an atmosphere of intense studiousness, coupled with aging hippy. You see a lot more smoke shops, vintage clothing stores, street vendors. Despite the academic intensity, people seem a little more layed back and more grungy. Berkeley takes all types.
I'm not sure this helps, but this is my general impression. As to which you should choose for communication...well, depends on what you want to do with communication as much as anything. If you're interested in anything to do with film or television, LA is the place to be. I believe Berkeley has a school of journalism whereas UCLA does not, if that's where your interests lie.</p>

<p>Not that I'm shallow or anything :), but UCLA does sound like the better fit for me. I have heard from many people Berkeley is very hippy and grungy..which is not me..it's just too bad it's the #1 public university in the US. I want to work in LA and be a publicist or possibly an agent..even though I know those jobs are extremely popular. I would think attending UCLA would give me great internship possibilities though..another plus for ucla</p>

<p>I envy the fact you go to UCLA parties..I really hope I get in. I talked to a UCLA rep at my school and he seems to think I have a great shot, but you never know. All I ever hear when I say UCLA communications is how hard it is to get in..which is probably the reason I want it so badly.</p>

<p>The best advice I can ever give to a prospective student: VISIT THE CAMPUS. Walk around and take a look at the students that attend. Do you enjoy the atmosphere, will you get along with the people who go there? I speak from experience when I say that I applied and attended a school I'd never been to, a semester later, I transferred out. Do yourself a service and visit Berkeley before you decide where to go.</p>

<p>I'm from Norcal so here's my description of Berkeley. The actual campus is very nice looking for the most part. Lots of trees and the architecture of the buildings is impressive. However, I think that the campus layout is pretty ugly. There's too many concrete hills going through the campus which in my opinion really take away from what the campus could be. The overall school atmosphere is busy, but people are relaxed... Meaning that people always have something to do, but they're not outwardly jumpy/stressed. There are lots of 'grungy/hippy' people and students, but it's not like they dominate the student body. Tons of normal people, but I'm sure that UCLA would have way more prepsters and fashion followers.</p>

<p>I think the big difference between Berkeley and UCLA is that Berkeley is right in midst of urban culture while UCLA is located in a rich, much "cleaner" area. It's sort of like San Francisco vs. Beverly Hills. S.F. has the bums & druggies, but an undoubtedly interesting culture. Beverly Hills you're gonna have beautiful people that -like to have fun-, but it's gonna feel more superficial. Both schools have lots of parties. I think Berkeley's probably have more craziness while UCLA's are more TV/sexual, if you know what I mean. Way more sunny and OC-like there. I know a super innocent girl that went to UCLA and basically became a huge slut :p</p>

<p>I applied to Berkeley and it's my first choice, but ironically the Berkeley atmosphere is the opposite of my ideal college atmosphere (Staying here for the girlfriend, we'll see if it was a good decision in 3 years ;P)(Another aside, without the gf I would've prefered to go to UCLA and get wild with all those SoCal girls ;P). I'd prefer the away from everything campus, i.e. Stanford/Davis. UCLA is more like that, but if you want to be in the city, Berkeley is the place to be.</p>

<p>"I know a super innocent girl that went to UCLA and basically became a huge slut "</p>

<p>yes! all UCLAs fault. damn universities :)</p>

<p>and TV/sex parties? hmmm sounds quite interesting... girls gone wild anyone?</p>

<p>i spent a couple nights at ucla for a transfer conference. so much fun! no TV/sex parties, though :(</p>

<p>hahaha, I bet some of you make women a consideration when it comes to applying to universities.</p>