<p>Okay so I am deciding between UCLA and Cal, and I'm not sure what to do. I wanted to study Communications (so, mass comm at ucla and media studies at Berkeley), but I have a few concerns.</p>
<p>First of all, I feel like the comm program is way better at ucla, plus I'd have the opportunity to minor in film and also take some classes that involve application of media, not just entirely theoretical classes like at berkeley (apparently media studies at betkelely is ALL theory based). Also id have better access to internships during the year and connections available to people in the entertainment business, seeing as I'll be in LA.
However, I live like 10 minutes from ucla and I'm afraid of staying close for college, and not going somewhere different to get the whole "college experience", like further away at Berkeley.</p>
<p>The thing is, the comm major at ucla is apparently VERY difficult to get into, needing super close to a 4.0 to get accepted. At Berkeley I'd probably double major media studies and possibly business management (but the haas business school is also extremely hard to get into for that major).</p>
<p>Phew, thanks for reading all that if you did. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Sometimes the best school you can go to just happens to be down the street. Doesn’t mean you should dismiss it. Everything you said in the first two paragraphs says you are in love with UCLA, that it is a great fit, the major is more to your liking, and importantly, that you would start connections in the LA area, which apparently is where you see yourself after college? Many students go “away” cause they don’t want to be so close to home and once at their new college, they realize how great the school was in the hometown. Can you live on campus so you experience the college lifestyle? I assure you being in a dorm even a few miles away is still moving out of the house and feels like going away. Mentally, you could “take the money” you would spend on travel back and forth from Cal for four years at holidays etc., and apply it to living on campus at UCLA the first year. But Cal is totally different, have you been to see it? Both schools are hard to get into, don’t get sucked into the prestige thing - go where you will get the experiences academically and personally that you want. Good luck!</p>
<p>I have a lot of empathy for your situation right now. I am currently trying to decide between cal/ucla/ucsd for Comm and I find it very hard to do. </p>
<p>Cal has all the prestige in the world, but the Media Studies major just seems so “Meh.” I am also not a big fan of the surrounding area as I recently visited. </p>
<p>UCLA is 30 minuets from the house I grew up in. I am not super familiar with the campus, but everything I read about the program sounds so great. The internship opportunities could be vital. The competitive selectiveness of the major makes it feel like not a joke, like comm feels as other UCs. </p>
<p>UCSD seems like it has the best options as far as classes go (production opportunities). I love the surrounding area, but not so much the campus. </p>
<p>I feel like I am leaning towards being a Bruin, but have yet to commit. </p>
<p>I was in the exact same situation! I ended up choosing UCLA because I felt like it was the right fit for me, even though I also live pretty close to LA. The comm major at UCLA is fantastic, but it is also very difficult to get into, so you would need to think of a backup major. Doesn’t bother me too much, I’m looking forward to getting to try different things!</p>
<p>@collegecrazy321 what did you decide?</p>