<p>I have a 3.4/5 GPA after Fall grades but I showed an upward trend on my transcript (C grades from when I was a Bio major). I got straight A's in all 4 of my English major classes in Fall. I know Berkeley has the best English department but let's be realistic here, and I'm missing one prerequisite so that hurts my already slim chance. </p>
<p>I want to know what the different programs are like in each UC and any strengths, weaknesses, and the social life and campus environment at each school. I'm also looking for a career in nonfiction/journalism. Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks!</p>
<p>I hear UCI is pretty strong. I’m sure UCLA is just as great. I would say Cal is preferable to all, but I’m biased as I’m more oriented towards theory and Cal has an awesome rhetoric program.</p>
<p>@Freetofly112 I’ve heard that UCI has a strong creative writing program too, but I kind of regret not applying as a Rhetoric major instead of English since it’s more impacted</p>
<p>I am currently a Literature/Writing major at UCSD and I love it. UCSD may not be the “best” for literature as the majority of students are in majors that deal with mathematics/sciences. The classes are A LOT smaller than lectures that your friends/roommates will have (assuming they are in other majors), but I enjoy having smaller classes (similar to those in CC). There are classes that you will take that will be in large lecture halls, but for the most part your classes will be around 22-34 people. The classes that you have also depend on what focus you have as your major. So far, in my first year here, I have taken a Children’s Literature class, a class on J.R.R. Tolkien where we are currently reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and will be taking an adolescent literature class next quarter. Because the classes are a lot smaller you are able to get a closer connection with other Lit. students and teachers and it helps give you the feeling of a closer community. The only thing about a Literature major at UCSD is that they have a second language requirement for each different Lit. major that requires you to take one upper division course and two other higher courses in a different language in order to graduate. I personally don’t like that requirement because I would rather focus on literature and not on having to learn another language, but other people do see it as a benefit. Hope this helped!</p>
<p>@mistybeach thanks! I’m learning towards UCSD/SDSU but I needed more info about UCSD’s lit program. But that sounds like the type of environment I would prefer. The second language is what’s troubling me though, it seems difficult. </p>
<p>@Haizo13 I personally don’t enjoy the idea of being “forced” to learn a language, but I guess it makes sense in what they are trying to do. It is kind of interesting being able to understand pieces of literature written in Spanish, but it’s different for everyone. If you do decided on UCSD then make sure to choose a language that you think you’ll really enjoy because there is a chance (like in my case) where you’ll have to take those classes until you graduate.</p>