<p>I got accepted to both Berkeley and UCLA as an English major this fall. I really didn't expect Berkeley to accept me so I was pretty set on UCLA but now I am so torn between the decision. Hopefully you guys will be able to help me out...</p>
<p>Is it true that if I go to Berkeley and get my degree in English, it will be more difficult to get accepted into the graduate program for English? If so, it would be most logical to go to UCLA and try Berkeley for grad school, right?</p>
<p>But then, how competitive is it to get into the English graduate program? More so than getting in for undergrad? </p>
<p>What about grades- Is it more difficult to earn better grades at UCB than UCLA? </p>
<p>The other minor things I'm concerned with are that I'm really terrified of moving so far & I worry that Cal's social scene may not be what I'm looking for. I'm a pretty social person & I was so looking forward to going to UCLA because I would be closer to all the clubs and all that than where I live now. But this really isn't much of a determining factor. In fact, it might be beneficial for me to be in a less social environment. </p>
<p>Oh and I'm also pretty conservative in terms of my political views... Someone told me there are always bums sleeping in the library at Cal and that kind of weirds me out. </p>
<p>Anyway, I'm mainly concerned about grad school. Would it be wise to go to UCLA in hopes of getting into Cal for grad school, or should I just go to Cal now and accept that I probably wouldn't get in there for grad school anyway (because they have the top English program, tied with Harvard and Yale so it's probably super competitive)... </p>
<p>I do appreciate everyone's help =]</p>
<p>also, I'm visiting the UCB campus next weekend so I'm sure that will help me decide. I'm just so worried about the grad school thing.</p>
<p>relax, you got into 2 excellent schools that many people would be very jealous of, yet you are creating anxiety for yourself. Personally, I don't think you should make this decision based on your desire to go to the #1 ranked graduate program a couple years in the future. </p>
<p>life isn't as static as alot of the people on this website seem to think it is, they talk about how they are studying blah so they can go to blah university for grad school later and then join the senate or cure cancer and live happily ever after the end.</p>
<p>do you know the grad school application process? i don't, but i can gurantee it involves weighing alot of different options, and one of them is that perhaps berkeley simply isn't the best grad school for you. prestige isn't everything, they might not be the best in whatever specialty you choose, you might have different aspirations years from now, some other schools might peak your interest and even offer you more money, and yes theres probably a high chance of not getting accepted considering how prestigious their grad program is.</p>
<p>make a decision your comfortable with and don't worry about the future as much.</p>
<p>My English teacher said that they are both great schools and equally good for English.</p>
<p>It'd be best if you weigh your decision for acceptance on more than one factor, but I would say CAL personally because UCLA rejected me! People often say do what your heart tells you, but I say let your common-sense dictate the flow of your action. Anyways, good luck with deciding! They're both great choices.</p>
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Would it be wise to go to UCLA in hopes of getting into Cal for grad school, or should I just go to Cal now and accept that I probably wouldn't get in there for grad school anyway
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<p>Yes, this is the correct analysis, the odds of your getting into to Cal for grad school, whether you go to UCLA or somewhere else, are low so that shouldn't be a factor. Anyway, I've known so many people to continue on at Cal for grad school, I think this idea is exaggerated anyway. </p>
<p>There are not bums sleeping in the University libraries in Berkeley. There are no bums in the University libraries. There probably are bums in the city library, but as a student you'd have no reason to go to the city library. Anyway Berkeley bums are harmless, you will get used to them quickly. ;-)</p>
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People often say do what your heart tells you, but I say let your common-sense dictate the flow of your action.
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<p>Common sense won't help in this decision, because they are both good choices. One choice is not better than another. You have to follow your heart on this one.</p>
<p>thank you so much everyone, you guys are amazing! </p>
<p>I'm sooooooo relieved to hear that there aren't bums in the library... =] I'm leaning towards Cal now but I won't make the decision until I visit.</p>
<p>as a fellow English major, and personally knowing someone who went to Berkeley as an English major (and by the way, she LOVED it and kept telling me to come to Berkeley because her professors were all products of Ivy League schools and very knowledgable), I would have to say CAL would be a better choice for an English major.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that Berkeley is the number 1 school in the country for their English program, ahead of even Harvard, Yale and Princeton.</p>
<p>I would also not worry about getting into grad school when going to either school. I have a professor who got her undergraduate degree @ Berkeley and went on to grad school @ UCLA. Your chances are pretty high at getting in wherever you want going to either school, I believe.</p>
<p>-Camille</p>