<p>Ok, decision time is near, and i still need help. I visited both the campuses, loved both, and can see myself easily enjoying either one for the next 4 years.</p>
<p>The most important advice ive been getting is to choose a college that feels right for you. Well, cal and ucla are similiar and many ways, an i feel i can "fit" into either one.</p>
<p>So, im asking students that went to either school, chose one over the other, or just made their choice what the pros and cons are for each school and why you chose that school.</p>
<p>(dont worry, i posted the same thread in both cal and ucla discussions)</p>
<p>I think most people who ask this question really want to go to UCLA but are afraid that they are making a mistake because Berkeley is more prestigious.</p>
<p>If this is the case, go to UCLA. </p>
<p>People who want to go to Berkeley get into Berkeley and don't even consider anything else. They get into UCLA, say to themselves "I hope I get into Berkeley!", get in, and never look back.</p>
<p>^^That's why I usually advise people, who come on this board, NOT to go to Berkeley. If they really wanted to go to Berkeley, they'd be asking about which ATMs are closest to campus and where to get the best pizza.</p>
<p>There are four kinds of Berkeley students. </p>
<p>Type 1: Berkeley is their dream school, they get in, and that's the dream realized. I bet that is way over half the students.</p>
<p>Type 2: They got into some fancy private school they'd prefer attending, but Berkeley is so much cheaper, they go to Berkeley. That is a smaller group.</p>
<p>Type 3: They really wanted to go to Harvard but got rejected so they have to setle for Berkeley. Probably the same as Type 2. </p>
<p>Type 4: They got into Berkeley but really want to go to UCLA or UCSD or whatever. I think that type is rare. People end up going where they really want to be, usually, they just agonize a bit first.</p>
<p>I think you’re close. Very very close. I think it’s more a case of people who are in the middle generally. I was the opposite, and wanted UCLA and nothing else. I didn’t even consider that Cal envelope I got (even if it was nice.) I know many who were like me.</p>
<p>I tend to think that this site attracts a very specific group, nearly all of which are academically or prestige-minded. Too few people on this site see school as just “another stage of life.”</p>
<p>anon5524485,</p>
<p>That’s sound advice for someone who wants to be an academic. Otherwise, who cares? LACs have very few great departments by your standard, yet produce outstanding researchers, doctors, lawyers…</p>
<p>"People who want to go to Berkeley get into Berkeley and don't even consider anything else. They get into UCLA, say to themselves "I hope I get into Berkeley!", get in, and never look back."</p>
<p>haha, kenf1234 has a very good insight on this. for the last few years, my heart was set on UCLA.. and i never even imagined getting an acceptance letter from Cal. (i didn't want to set myself up for heartbreak to be honest haha.) and then... i got into Cal! and of course, now i actually had to make a choice. i made pro/con lists for both schools.. and thought about it long and hard. wellll i chose berkeley. and i sent in my SIR a few days ago. i'm really confident in this decision. i don't know, i guess for me... it was about the need for a new challenge, new environment, new people... (i'm from SoCal) plus, it's Cal. come on. good luck though!</p>
<p>As a UCLA undergrad and grad....Go to Cal. My choice was based on the fact that UCLA was better in my specific major and focus, but Cal is better overall. I love UCLA but all things being equal I would have chosen Cal if my major field wasn't stronger at UCLA.</p>