Cal vs UCLA

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
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<p>I'm sure that many of you have been both accepted by both Cal and UCLA and instead opted for Cal. Why?</p>

<p>I'm not sure which one to go to, but after visiting the schools, I kinda want to go to UCLA. Basically my preferences breaks down as follows. </p>

<p>Reasons to go to UCLA: easier,laid back, beautiful campus, quarter system,better weather?, and much more financial aid. </p>

<p>Reasons to go to Berkeley:stronger academics, my parents want me to go there, more prestige, the fact that its #1 in something(top public), some of my friends are already going there, and its closer to home. </p>

<p>Are these good reasons for considering colleges? Are there better ones I can consider?</p>

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<p>go to ucla, since u seem to like it there more, dont be miserable at college... i dont like the quarter system actually because its just more finals and mid terms</p>

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<p>How would ucla be better financial aid?</p>

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<p>

So basically, you're deciding whether to follow your dreams or your parent's. </p>

<p>It's at this point where you either decide to fly away from your nest and make your own decisions, or to stay and listen to your parents.</p>

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<p>But from my experience people get virtually the same financial aid package from all the UC's unless there is some kind of merit scholarship involved. I got in to UCLA and Berkeley and got an almost identical financial aid offer from both. And I take it student14x hasn't applied to college yet so how would you know what kind of package you would get?</p>

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<p>hes a transfer</p>

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<p>Oh! All my confusion is gone now hahah.</p>

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<p>I was also offered more financial aid money for UCLA than Cal.</p>

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<p>I chose Cal over UCLA. I really hate LA though...so that played a huge role in my decision.</p>

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<p>Whats wrong with LA?</p>

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<p>It's one of the worst cities I have ever been to...and I've been all over the US (lived in various states) and traveled abroad in Europe and Asia. It's dirty, depressing, polluted, and ugly. But that's just my personal opinion.</p>

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<p>...and Berkeley is full of beautiful hobos and 'hoodrats</p>

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<p>^^^lol. not really. just an outsider's view of it.</p>

<p>just so you know, the quarter system isn't a plus for a lot of UCLA students; "bad" classes are over quicker, but it's so darn FAST!</p>

<p>I chose UCLA because they offered me a lot of benefits. But Cal is a very unique experience, so if you like the atmosphere, I'm sure you'd enjoy it.</p>

<p>That said, we'd love to have you at UCLA :)</p>

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<p>Haha, BerkeleySenior, I guess that's all up to personal preference</p>

<p>I've moved around 19 times in my life (yes, different city every time) all over Asia and US, and LA is by far my favorite city in the US.</p>

<p>I'm a current Cal student and plan on moving back to LA following graduation.</p>

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<p>To the OP -- follow YOUR dreams.</p>

<p>Don't agree with the quarter system rationale, but I was an English major.</p>

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<p>Hmmm, I never said Berkeley the city was all that great either, but I like it better than LA.</p>

<p>My favorite city in America is San Francisco, closely followed by Seattle.</p>

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<p>Wow, this is my first post. Discovered this useful board tad late. Arghhhhh</p>

<p>Still, I'm a transfer student admitted to Berkeley in College of Natural Sciences for Molecular Toxicology major. I live in Bay Area although commute from Cal to home will be quite a pain. I won't survive that way.
So, right now, I'm basically struggling to make a decision between Cal and UCLA, and I have like a little more than a week to send my decision <em>Awhhhh...crashes on the floor</em>
Loved UCLA when I visited few days ago, but Cal's a great college as well with reputation par with Ivy leagues.
I will be at
Biological Sciences at UCLA and
Molecular Toxicology at CNR in Cal.</p>

<p>Any suggestions??</p>

<p>Oh my big problem with Cal is that students are not as friendly as in UCLA as I have noticed during my short visit to both campuses, and professors don't seem to care at allll, and many of the postings in different threads in this board agree with observation. </p>

<p>My expenses will be basically same for both the campuses. Berkeley will be a little more cause UCLA gave me Student Recognition Scholarship (not that much though). but I'm thinking about the transportation as well especially flight tickets to visit home. </p>

<p>So, advices guys?
I might go crazy.</p>

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<p>PaperCompany: In all honesty, Cal's reputation shouldn't be a big factor in your decision making. A lot of people make the mistake of coming here because of it's prestige.. If you loved UCLA I think you should go there.</p>

<p>For one, even though most of Cal's departments are very strong, it's mostly known for its graduate schools not for undergrad. You do have well-known professors but at the same time, you have to seek them out...and not all of them are good professors. Also, if you are thinking about studying in any science-related subject, watch out for the pre-meds. Even though you'll be taking mostly upper div classes, they make it harder for everyone.</p>

<p>A lot of being a student at Cal is doing things on your own. However, if you're an independent person... that's great! You really have to take the initiative if you want to do research, find an internship or be active in campus events. </p>

<p>If you have more direct questions... shoot me an email. I'm finishing up my 3rd year at Cal...Sociology and pre-med or grad school for public health.</p>

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<p>Oh great, thanks.</p>

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<p>I think the level of "professor compassion" is probably pretty equal at UCLA/UCB. That said, I agree with willie, in that go where you feel comfortable. You can always try something else for grad school if you so choose. Good luck!</p>