<p>I have yet to make a choice
I visited both UCLA and Cal, UCLA feels more welcoming and the campus is nicer. However, Cal is a great school, but it feels that that a major reason to choose cal is its reputation. Is anyone making the same desicion or has made it already? I would appreciate any input. Thanks</p>
<p>if your a liberal go to cal otherwise UCLA is a great choose</p>
<p>honestly for your major it won't make a difference.</p>
<p>I am in the same boat exact boat as you. I'm a poli sci major choosing between UCLA and Cal as well, and I'm torn. I was leaning more toward Berkeley but attended the transfer orientation at UCLA yesterday and I'm 50/50 now.</p>
<p>I'm a poly sci. major got into Cal & UCLA I will be going to UCLA. Tell me where you decide to go. Good luck making your decision :).</p>
<p>-Celeste</p>
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I visited both UCLA and Cal, UCLA feels more welcoming and the campus is nicer. However, Cal is a great school, but it feels that that a major reason to choose cal is its reputation.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Rule of Thumb: If it's not a professional major (Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Cinema, etc.), then the prestige of the school matters very little. Poli. Sci. is NOT a professional major.</p>
<p>I hope this helps you somewhat.</p>
<p>My political science professor showed us some rankings today about which school had the best Political Science programs in the country. HYPS etc filled out the first few spots, but Berkeley was ranked 8th under the best undergraduate political science programs. I'm not sure where these rankings came from, but he himself went to Stanford and was the College President. Perhaps he has access to a source that we don't?</p>
<p>I'm Poli Sci as well, and after being torn between the two schools, I chose Berkeley after visiting the campus. I've also talked with a lot of alumni who recommend Berkeley. I don't know how important grad school is to you, but a lot of people from the east coast see UCLA as more of a party school, so that's something you should keep in mind, should you want to go to grad school or get a job in the east. I'd also ask where you plan on working... because if you plan on being in the LA area after you graduate, you most definitely should choose UCLA. You don't want to lose out on networking opportunities if you can plan to stay in a certain area. So, if you want to work in the Bay Area or Northern California in general, I'd say stick to Berkeley. But if you know you want to be in LA, go to UCLA. </p>
<p>I know it is difficult because they do have a similar reputation in general. I personally chose Berkeley because I live in the Bay Area and I want to keep in the network. And also, the Bay Area and Berkeley in particular is a hotbed for political activism. For me, I could think of no better place to be a poli sci major among all of these social movements in the area. But if that isn't important to you, I'd suggest UCLA. </p>
<p>And I'm not sure how much finances are a part of your decision, but it's really really expensive to find housing at Berkeley. I'm lucky in that my parents are willing to pay, but I just found a two bedroom apartment that I'm sharing with another girl for $2,150 per month, which is pretty ridiculous. From what I've heard, the housing situation at UCLA is not nearly as bad, so that may be something for you to think about. </p>
<p>Goodluck!</p>
<p>"I don't know how important grad school is to you, but a lot of people from the east coast see UCLA as more of a party school"</p>
<p>I was following your post but you lost all credibility with that sentence.</p>
<p>no that quote is 100% true. I am from the east coast and got into Cal and UCLA. When I told people I was debating between the two schools everyone thought I was crazy becuase they saw UCLA as a party school with good sports. I know this is not how people in CA see it but this is how people in other parts of the nation view UCLA. Most people don't know that Cal and UCLA have the same acceptance standards.</p>
<p>then move your eyes right along, Colin.</p>
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When I told people I was debating between the two schools everyone thought I was crazy becuase they saw UCLA as a party school with good sports.
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<p>Perhaps you should hang around with the crowd who actually knows that UCLA and USC are two different schools.</p>
<p>Diamondprynzez,
were you not able to get housing from the university?</p>
<p>Thanks
for all the help guys</p>
<p>I was looking at the rates, and I wanted a single room, which amounted to $14,000 a year anyway. So I figured I'd rather have a single room all to myself in a nice place rather than a dorm for the same price.</p>