<p>i'm thinking of either going to berkeley or UCLA next year (hopefully). I want to major in biology, but I'm not premed. Want I really want to become is a professor of evolutionary biology or maybe like paleobiology or something. </p>
<p>What I really want to know is to get into a good evolutionary biology grad school does it matter which one I go to for undergrad. Or can I just go to which one I like better/get into. </p>
<p>Thanks.
and i don't really want to go to UCSD because I live in San Diego.</p>
<p>Both UCB and UCLA offer pinnacle programs in the majors you're interested in (Integrative Biology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, respectively). Since you're willing to overlook UCSD based on enjoyment, I'm guessing that your choice between UCB and UCLA will also come down to enjoyment over academics. However, it's likely that you won't get into both UCB and UCLA, so I think your decision will already be pre-determined come next March. Don't sweat it. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Fit and culture. It's the Northern vs Southern California thing. Think lifestyle (hippie vs. starlet), think politics (obvious), think weather (nice vs. I-can't-believe-summer-is-so-crummy-here) and then choose what feels best. You can't go wrong either way.</p>
<p>Katliamom is right. For as many similarities as the 2 universities might have academically, they couldn't be more different in vibe and environment. Rent the movie "The Graduate"--it features the best and worst of both Southern and Northern California.</p>
<p>Coo coo ca-choo, Mrs. Robinson,
Jesus loves you more than you will know
Wo wo wo
God bless you, please, Mrs. Robinson,
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
Hey hey hey, hey hey hey</p>
<p>On a serious note: You cant go wrong with either. Both are very fine schools... for film major though, i'd recommend UCLA.......(Hollywood, La brea, Mann's theatre.... & Anna Nicole Smith.....) :rolleyes:</p>
Ever notice how the UCB/Stanford "rivalry" is hardly acknowledged by Stanford? That's because Stanford's rivals are Harvard, Yale and Princeton (hence the "HYPS" moniker), especially when it comes to undergraduate education. Take a look at UCD and its newly-proclaimed football rivalry with UCB, which UCB doesn't acknowledge... Sounds familiar? That's because it's the shrewd practice of self-aggrandizement by proxy -- in both cases. Meanwhile, the UCLA/USC cross-town rivalry is a nationally-recognized tradition that actually elicits equal participation from both schools. One might also consider the geographic proximity of UCLA and USC, compared to the proximity of UCB and Stanford. The levels of competition just aren't the same. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Berkeley seems ridiculously weak against Stanford.
Well I'm not saying Berkeley alumni will have any big prob in terms of getting job, but they will always remain the second choice after the Stanford alumni.</p>
<p>Now as for UCLA/USC, it's a much more matchable and even leveled competition. Both will be given equal opportunity and chance for job pool.</p>
<p>^^ yes, this is another example of the answers given in the other thread as to why there is so much animosity towards berkeley in these forums, it's from people saying stuff like that</p>
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Ever notice how the UCB/Stanford "rivalry" is hardly acknowledged by Stanford?
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<p>I don't think it's hardly acknowledged by Stanford at all. It's a big tradition that has deep roots in both schools. But people need to remember that it's mostly an athletic rivalry, and that two schools do not need to be equal in academics to have an athletic rivalry.</p>
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Take a look at UCD and its newly-proclaimed football rivalry with UCB, which UCB doesn't acknowledge... Sounds familiar?
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<p>I think what UCB doesn't acknowledge is UCD's football team. :p</p>
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Berkeley seems ridiculously weak against Stanford.
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<p>I wouldn't call it ridiculously weak. It's a little weaker overall. But come on, I think it's fair to call Stanford a top-5 undergraduate school and Berkeley a top-20 undergraduate school. In the large context of thousands of colleges across the nation, that is actually very close.</p>
<p>cal is a bit weak for ugrad. grad is a different story. While both stanford and cal are good, a top 5 shouldn't be compared with a top 21 like some cal kids do around here.</p>
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Berkeley seems ridiculously weak against Stanford.
Well I'm not saying Berkeley alumni will have any big prob in terms of getting job, but they will always remain the second choice after the Stanford alumni.
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<p>Always? But the same fatalist view could have been held (and seemingly correctly) by Berkeley students 50 years ago. Don't you kids know your history?</p>
<p>Flopsy, I'm really not sure where you get your info related to your post.</p>
<p>Actually, when faced with a Berkeley alumnus and a Stanford alumnus, employers will look at grades, internships, and <em>gasp</em> interview strength, NOT the name on the degree. </p>
<p>In fact, this probably hold true for Stanford vs. any state school.</p>