<p>As of this year (fall 2012), the university guaranteed housing for all FPF and fall admit students for the entire year - so that’s not a setback anymore. All classes you take in FPF can cover breadth requirements (which you’ll need to complete eventually) and unit requirements for graduation. Additionally, the social aspect of FPF was something I actually really enjoyed - the classes are smaller, no larger than 100 students for the largest lectures, so you get closer contact with both the people in your classes and your professors. You also can participate in any campus activities (Greek life, clubs, IM sports, etc.) while an FPF student that semester. Living in the dorms is a HUGE aspect of social life at Cal, and I would definitely have felt “set back” in terms of forming friendships and relationships if I had come to Berkeley spring semester. No one really knows how or why people are admitted to be fall vs. spring admits - I’ve heard it’s simply based upon a lottery.</p>
<p>As an intended math or physics major, it might be a BIT of a setback for him to not start immediately on major prerequisites first semester, because (as ucbalumnus said) they only offer math 1A and 1B and no hard science courses. However I don’t think this would be a huge problem in the long run. </p>
<p>Between UCLA and Cal, it all comes down to how much he likes the school and which place he would rather spend his next four years. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I fell in love with Berkeley the moment I stepped on campus, and wouldn’t go back on my choice in any way. They’re both excellent schools, so it all depends on where he feels the better fit is. Don’t let having to do FPF be a point against Berkeley - I, and everyone else I know who did it, actually really enjoyed it.</p>