Cal v. UCLA: apples and oranges

<p>I meant the students are ugly, not the campus.</p>

<p>Know what is really funny? This person has been a Cal student for about 2 months. Yes, this person who has the balls to try to tell people what Cal is all about, is a spring admit, about half way through his FIRST semester here at Cal. If you feel that a freshman (a spring admit, so obviously really smart) is the best person to dole out advice on anything, then you're in bad shape.</p>

<p>G&S: Well, I agree with you partially, but that post regarding social lives is a bit harsh.</p>

<p>Personally, my social life was actually better in high school than it is now. I actually dated more in high school and had more and better friends. My friends and I had cars too so we'd actually go places and do random crap. So I wouldn't say the "extent of social life" is the same everywhere the OP goes.</p>

<p>genxyboi:
Cal WAS your number one choice? So your first semester made you change your mind?</p>

<p>"Personally, my social life was actually better in high school than it is now"</p>

<p>Of course it was! You've probably known the people you hung out with in highschool since you were 10 years old. But unless you and you're highschool friends plan on staying in your hometown for the rest of your life you'll have to venture out on your own, and you'll have to meet new people anywhere you go. Are people in LA nicer or easier to meet than people in the Bay Area? I doubt it. The point is that he's blaming general problems on Berkeley, when in fact the problem is with himself.</p>

<p>Actually, I've changed schools 8 times in my life, including university. I've moved around a lot due to a parent's job, divorce, etc., and the friends I knew in high school I made freshman year! </p>

<p>And hehe, most of my high school friends did stay in their hometown, attending the state university, and will probably live there forever. (It does sound like hell though.)</p>

<p>To be fair, the OP probably hasn't put in the effort to get out there and socialize, as there are many opportunities, however shallow the relationships may be.</p>

<p>I've said it before and I'm probably say it again, but there is nothing wrong with shallow relationships. You can't meet someone and all the sudden be best friends. It takes time. Maybe you develope one strong friendship for every 20 shallow friends, but if you stay home and cry about not having any friends you wont be in any better postion.</p>

<p>I suppose, unless they backstab you. (Let's not get into this.) "Shallow friends" tend to be more boring than real ones, because you don't "click" as well with them, or else they'd be better friends.</p>

<p>Anyway, I don't think the OP is wanting a "best friend" or anything of that sort, but he wants a better social atmosphere. Given the students at Berkeley were generally studious in high school and probably somewhat lacking in social talents so to speak , then it is feasible that he makes this complaint. However, I wouldn't say UCLA is the "social atmosphere" for him either then because the students are generally comparable to UCB's.</p>

<p>"I wouldn't say UCLA is the "social atmosphere" for him either then because the students are generally comparable to UCB's"</p>

<p>Exactly. I love how when people want to show that UCLA is better than Cal they'll say Berkeley is too academic and too full of "smart people," but in the next breath they'll say that UCLA students are actually smarter and have better stats. You can't have it both ways. Either UCLA has a bunch of hot students who are out partying every night or they have a bunch of smart bookworms, but from now on you can only use one or the other as amo against Cal.</p>

<p>I dunno, I think the OP is a bit misinformed with his/her claims about Cal...although I'm also a first year, I was here for Fall semester and have worked out all the first semester kinks. I really think that you need some time under your belt to make a fair assessment of what Berkeley is about. That being said, even though I can't pull rank on seniority, I CAN give my perspective about what Berkeley has to offer.</p>

<p>First off, I consider myself to be a very social person who likes going out as much as the next guy. So whenever I feel the need to party- I party. I admit that it wasn't as easy to find a party whenever you wanted one during Fall semester, but I know a lot more people now and can be assured of a good time if that's what I'm looking for.</p>

<p>Qualifying that statement, I have to say that Cal does seem more like the place for people who prefer a more intimate social atmosphere than the huge Greek dominated culture present at other universities. While I do attend the frat parties, I do so maybe once a week- if that. The other days of the weekend aren't spent engaging in every hedonism known to man. Your average Cal student is very creative with how he spends his time, which in my opinion is a very admirable quality. </p>

<p>As to the whole comment about attractiveness, unless the OP is an Abercrombie model I would suggest taking it easy with the whole stereotyping. There are plenty of hot guys/girls here, so just because you haven't had luck with one doesn't mean they don't exist. Maybe it's my need to always be "politically correct...because it's so important to me" but I pride myself on the overall intellectual and asthetic quality of our student body. The Cal student is unique, well read, and creative. You'll have to pardon us for our deficiencies in popped collars and exposed cleavages.</p>

<p>UCLA's a great school, hope you are able to transer.</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>The only people that say that there are no good looking women at Cal are the people that can't get a girl and need an excuse to explain why that is. Example: OP on the phone with parents back home.</p>

<p>Op's dad: So tiger, any luck with the ladies so far?</p>

<p>Op: Nah, they're all so ugly here that I'd prefer to stay home and play xbox</p>

<p>Op's dad: Really? Well what about your roomates, don't they have girlfriends?</p>

<p>OP:Yeah, but they don't have the high standards that I have</p>

<p>And it goes on from there, ending with the op crying himself to sleep.</p>

<p>Another important point i forgot to make, </p>

<p>If you're from LA: You'll most likely want to go to UCB
If you're from SF/Bay Area: Getting out of the area would be a nice thing</p>

<p>i think that has a lot to do with my "bitterness." i grew up 15 miles away from berkeley, and college hasnt given me the change that it gives most people</p>

<p>Gentleman, you don't really know me nor do you know my expirences (especially what i did with my fall semester) so who are you to say that I don't have friends. I'll admit that I've stayed in on a couple weekends, but by no means do I not have friends. In fact, i feel like I have quite a few. From my expirences I agree that Cal kids are indeed smarter and that it is a better school. And so LA might be a little more shallow, i guess im a more shallow person. And personally I don't see a problem in that. I personally don't understand why you feel the need to attack me for my personal opinions. I am by no means forcing anybody to attend UCLA over Cal, i am merely just sharing my experiences.</p>

<p>I've seen plenty of attractive people at Berkeley. What do you guys expect?</p>

<p>If you knew you wanted to get out of the bay area than why did you appeal your admission decision and take a spot from someone that really wants to be here?</p>

<p>GentlemanandScholar is such an ambassador for Cal! Gee, if I was at a school filled with people like him I'd want to xfer too!!</p>

<p>xfer? What, life so hectic you can't take the extra second to write the "trans?" Oh well, I'm going to eat some xfatty acids, and xlate some spanish poetry, then I'll listen to my xistor radio, maybe take a xatlantic train to xsylvania.</p>

<p>by being a huge tool you are only making youself and cal look bad, im personally done reading anything written by you.</p>

<p>genxyboi20: Were you accepted or rejected at UCLA last year?</p>

<p>I'm hurt genxyboi20. Really hurt. I thought we were making a real connection here.</p>

<p>I just wanted point out that Berkeley was voted "one of the ugliest student bodies" in the nation. Thus even if the OP isn't an AF model, it's somewhat of a justified critique. </p>

<p>Although, today I saw an extremely hot guy *drool...it's a shame I have no idea who he is, but I see him everywhere. He looks like a third or fourth year. I just pray I find out who he is.</p>