<p>I got admitted to both and I'm having a tough time choosing between the 2. I've always wanted to go to UCLA because Cal is the stereotype of the asian engineer nerd and I want to break away from that, and UCLA is the next best thing. However, the prestige of Cal is something I really don't want to give up, and my parents and relatives all want me to go. If I go to UCLA, will I actually be able to have a social life? I still want to be able to play guitar in my spare time, go out with friends, have friends, etc.</p>
<p>Anyone have any insight on the social life, prestige, difficulty, campus environment, or general happiness in both campuses, good and bad?</p>
<p>um why would u not have a social life at UCLA? u have more of a chance to not have a social life at Cal because of the fact u're going to have to work really hard to compete with everyone else for grades.</p>
<p>UCB's EECS is quite a lot of "all work, no play". UCLA I believe is more of a balance between social and acadmic life until late 2nd and 3rd year. (when it gets busy)</p>
<p>If general happiness was the concluding factor, you will have a happier life at UCLA.</p>
<p>But the counterpoint is the prestige. You can figure out the rest.</p>
<p>If you are considering academic reputation, Berkeley engineering obviously has the upper hand, especially for EECS. Keep in mind the classes are DO live up to its academic reputation.</p>
<p>Social life is what you make of it, no one can stop you from having one except yourself if you make the time to do what needs to be done in a timely fashion. I can't speak for UCLA since I don't attend there, but at Cal I've met many engineers who do not fall under your "asian nerd stereotype." yes, smart with lives outside of the classroom and a pinch of nerdiness when talking about electronic gadgets :)</p>
<p>Let's set things straight -- the nerdy Asian engineer stereotype is unavoidable at UCLA as well, and also at UCSD/UCI. You're going to have to dig low if you want to have lots of non-Asians in an engineering school. Anyhow, my freshman roommate was an Electrical Engineering major with a great GPA who played guitar in his spare time, so it could happen to you too. And social life is possible at Berkeley, believe it or not. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>flopsy, you got me wrong. I meant that I didn't want to look like the asian engineer stereotype OUTSIDE of college, such as right now or my future life, but that's my fault for being unclear. As for people who said that Cal is a deathwish, I know some people who go to Cal and are in EECS, and they claim that it's not too bad, and they really don't need to study like crazy. They aren't geniuses, so are they lying or what? Also, how much spare time would I actually have if I did EE at UCLA? If I'm going to have to study just as much in UCLA as Cal, I might as well go to Cal...</p>
<p>You have to accept the fact that no matter where you choose to go, expect yourself to work hard in college. Especially for EE, because this major is certainly no walk in the park.</p>
<p>Also, if you aren't nerdy now, chances are you won't become a nerd in college when you have more freedom.</p>
<p>I'm a first year EE at UCLA. The only hard classes first year (someone said this above) are cs31 and cs32, if you've never programmed before. I've had a lot of free time this year so far. </p>
<p>If youre concerned about coming off as nerdy, don't wear Transitions or ride a razor scooter.</p>