Berkeley vs. UCLA

<p>I saw a similar thread, but my question is a little broader, so I'll post it anyway...</p>

<p>I got into both Berkeley and UCLA and am trying to decide between the two. I know that both are great schools, so it is a difficult choice.</p>

<p>If you guys would like to share major upsides, downsides, or overall differences about the schools, I would really appreciate it! On a more personal level, I am admitted to Berkeley for spring 2009, so feel free to comment on that situation as well. </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>For what major? Take into account the strengths and differences of majors between Berkeley and UCLA. If you're enrolled into a major that is just about equal for both schools, check the atmosphere and see if you like it.</p>

<p>I'll give my very rough, coarse OPINION about both colleges:
Berkeley: Higher "prestige" than UCLA, "less-attractive" people, more lonelier than UCLA, higher crime rate (I think).
UCLA: Less "prestige" than Berkeley, "better-looking" people, more social, friendlier, warmer, more stuff to do.</p>

<p>Hope that helps. BTW: Golden Bear > Bruin. Just kidding.</p>

<p>Thanks. Off the top of my head, I'm in pre-business for UCLA and probably econ for Berkeley. Quite honestly, those could change very easily though.</p>

<p>Well, business for UCLA is awesomely good (or so I've heard). If those are indeed your majors, I would go with UCLA because of the strenghth and because you're spring admit for Berkberk.</p>

<p>^to be honest, haas is way better than ucla's bizecon. Cal (haas) gets a lot more recruiters on their campus than ucla.</p>

<p>to be even more honest, neither Cal nor UCLA students have much a chance in getting recruited right out of college because ivy-league schools get all the attention.</p>

<p>moral of the story, if you like UCLA, go to UCLA. If you like Cal, go to Cal. Don't base it off the other naive stuff that will try to make your decision, because in the end, it won't matter much. Where you end up for B-school (MBA) will be more dependent on your gpa, GMAT, and your internships.</p>

<p>I think your name "bruinboy" says it all</p>

<p>how bout medical?</p>

<p>baitmahn,
i was in the same situation as you (admitted to ucla for fall, admitted to berk for spring) and trust me going to berk is not worth losing half of your freshman year over. if you go to berkeley, you will miss out on the experience of going away to college like everyone else and meeting all the other first years. trust me, you WILL regret not going somewhere where you get an actual first year of college experience.</p>

<p>Go with the fall admission. You can be treated like a "regular" student and have a normal experience. You want to grow and experience things with your peers at the same time. Going in Spring puts you behind, you won't make friends in the same way etc etc</p>

<p>^No, spring admission is only small roadblock that is easily overcome. Most spring admits graduate at the same time as fall admits. Do Fall Extension (Fall Program for Freshman) at Cal. You be in Cal in Fall, the only actual difference is that your classes are in a building three blocks south of campus and there is a small chance you won't get a dorm.</p>

<p>People come up with ******** ideas that being in Fall Extension makes you any less a Cal student, it is not true. Pretty much the entire campus is open to you anyways.</p>

<p>It feels like being accepted for spring 2009 instead of fall 2008 at Berkeley is kind of like a slap in the face. Maybe I shouldn't, but I do feel like a second class student who is being relegated to the extension program.</p>

<p>As lefthominist said, I'd like to clear up the misconceptions about Cal spring-admits:</p>

<p>1) You ARE considered a "regular" student; you can live in the dorms or fraternities, go root in the student section at sporting events, eat under their meal-plan, etc.</p>

<p>2) No one will know, nor care, that you were a spring admit except you and your friends.</p>

<p>3) You will move in at the same time, start school at the same time, participate in inter-murals with everyone else, etc.</p>

<p>In otherwords, not going to Cal bc you are a spring admit is stupid. If you don't like the campus, atmosphere, etc., that's another story. Go with whichever one you feel most comfortable with, they're both awesome schools!</p>

<p>Even though you were admitted in spring, you can still take classes in the fall,get your housing. One of our friend's son,who is a senior at Cal, did that. He was offered spring admission like yourself, took classes in the extension program offerings in his freshman semester and didn't miss a hitch.</p>