Hi guys,
I was torn between UCLA and Cal for Statistics major. I always wanted to go to UCLA ever since high school, and I did not expect Cal to accept me at all.
After these two both prestigious colleges accepting me, I really have had a hard time to choose one. I thought everyday and also visited both campuses to imagine myself at these two schools. I also asked people who major in Statistics and did all research about my major.
I found that Cal is ranked higher. Cal is ranked at about the top 5 in most of the websites for my major. However, UCLA was ranked at about 20~30th ish. People around told me to go to UC Berkeley too due to its prestige. I stayed up all night and get seated in front of my laptop for 14 hours to make this big decision. I was even deciding 5 minutes before the SIR deadline.
I chose Cal because of what people said and that prestige. However, I do not really feel happy that I make it to Cal. I rather feel depressed and scared about the fact that I am going to a super competitive school and scary rumors about Cal out there. I know I am a coward, but I want to change it to UCLA now…
UCLA is somewhere familiar with me and the fact that my family is living nearby makes me more relieve. UCLA might be a place I can adjust more… Do I have any chance to get offered a late SIR from UCLA again…? if I contact them on Monday…?
No one but UCLA admissions can tell you if it is possible to change your SIR so call immediately on Monday. Best of luck.
Hey, I’m having the same dilemma right now. SIRed to Berkeley, but I’m really regretting my choice of not chosing UCLA. How did it go?
@lucky1177 YOOOOO!! ACTUALLY UCLA extends their SIR date until June 4th 11:59PM!!!
@hodol2006 Thanks for letting me know! What a relief yayy haha. I’m contacting UCLA tomorrow 
Thanks!
I ultimately stay with Cal… after the second deadline (June 4th) was passed, I still regretted. I stayed with Cal because my fingers did not let me SIR to UCLA. I know I am stupid. I regretted freaking a lot since UCLA has been my dream school. I basically chose Cal due to its major ranking and prestige. For future applicants, seriously listen to your gut and go to school you’ve wanted to go to. I eventually realized that all those rankings out there at USNEWS or something like that are super meaningless at the undergrad level. THOSE ARE ONLY APPLICABLE FOR GRAD SCHOOL. Really, I did not get it when people here say do not care about prestige too much, but seriously UC Berkeley and UCLA are about the same at the undergrad level. You should choose a school where you can adjust and be happy to be at… I am on vacation but already feel not so well due to the fact that I am not going to my dream school. I might like Cal later on, but really remember your happiness is the priority. And both will give you great internship/job opportunities… Well… at least I learned my life lesson. Hopefully, I can adjust well at UC Berkeley.
Oh and I think the second SIR deadline was given to me because I tried to SIR to UCLA, but ultimately gave up on June 1st.
Seems like you’re still regretting on your choice. If you know those rankings are meaningless between UCLA and CAL(and it is), then you should’ve chosen UCLA. I chose Cal because I live in the Bay area and also because of my major. But seriously for statistics, it doesn’t matter whether you go to Cal or UCLA. I highly doubt that going to Cal for prestige and a better major ranking would give you better job opportunities for your major. It all depends on yourself and most importantly, your grades. If I were you I would have chosen LA where I can be happier. It is also a bit easier to earn good grades there, which ultimately connects to your grad school opportunities. Most of my friends who majored in math/statistics had to go earn for their master’s degrees.
Like you’ve mentioned, prestige is the same at undergraduate levels. I’d suggest you call UCLA admissions if you are still not feeling well about your choice because I’ve seen “a lot” regret it after choosing Cal for prestige. But it’s ultimately your choice, so good luck wherever you end up!