<p>maybe you should make your decision based on what “feels right” and where you’ll “fit in” because if you end up going to Berkeley, even if they have the better program are you really going to thrive in an environment where you’re not completely comfortable in? </p>
<p>what is your major btw?</p>
<p>Well, I didn’t hate Berkeley. I just “felt more right” at UCLA. But that might just be because Berkeley is so far away and I was out of my element. I could probably get used to it?</p>
<p>Computer science, so Berkeley wins big time there.</p>
<p>yeah, you could get used to it, doesn’t mean you’ll like it though. idk, when i visited ucla for the AAP event, i swear i didn’t even feel like i was at a new school…it just felt like home. (i know that sounds super cheesy, but it’s true).</p>
<p>however, at the end of the day we’re going to our respective universities to study, so the programs they offer should also be a deciding factor. i’m so glad i got rejected from Berkeley lol.</p>
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<p>I think you should absolutely go where you’ll be happy. You can’t go wrong with either school as far as prestige is concerned, so go where you’ll be the happiest and enjoy living for the next 2-3 years.</p>
<p>I never said I’d be unhappy at Berkeley though, nor do I believe I would. It’s just a different environment that I haven’t really had enough time to get a feel for. I’m really not sure how I’d like it there.</p>
<p>UCLA though was obvious to me that I’d like it there. They just don’t have the program I really want for my major, which might make me unhappy, haha.</p>
<p>Arcadefire,</p>
<p>If you visit Berkeley try doing this: don’t go to Telegraph.</p>
<p>When you realize only a couple blocks of South Berkeley is “like that”, it will completely change the aftertaste of your visit. ahaha</p>
<p>haha, I did visit. I’ll admit, when I was on campus I liked it a lot. When I got lost coming home trying to get to the BART and wound up in Oakland, that left a pretty sour after taste.</p>
<p>haha yeah… I know how that leaves a bad feeling… Try visiting again man. The second time I visited I loved it. I had a completely different feel of Berkeley that wasn’t at all grungy.</p>
<p>^Lol. Yeah, Oakland is an interesting place. Keep in mind I am from conservative San Diego, so I was pretty unimpressed by the area surrounding Berkeley, especially when my Dad missed the turnoff leading us instead down East Oakland side-streets.</p>
<p>Edit: On my second visit, everything was that much better. I think the initial culture-shock went away.</p>
<p>@Arcade, sorry, that comment I said wasn’t meant to be anti-Berkeley, it was pro-UCLA!</p>
<p>mikei: Wish I could, but there’s really not enough time for a second visit.</p>
<p>Arcade: what about UCLA’s B.S. in Mathematics of Computing? I mean it’s not a computer science degree but I’m sure you could land a software job with it no problem. It’s also not in the college of engineering so you would have more free classes to pursue your other interests. The pre-reqs are a definite match for what you would of had to take to get admitted to CS in an engineering program so I’m sure switching would be no problem. It may not be ideal but just an option I’d think about if you hadn’t already.</p>
<p>Hey UCeric, I actually had thought about it. I decided against it because I have a pretty serious interest in computer science, while the “Mathematics of Computation” major doesn’t allow me to enroll in real computer science classes as far as I know. All they get are the PIC classes.</p>
<p>ah that sucks, how different is a BA from a BS in computer science? </p>
<p>As for math of computation heres the curriculum.</p>
<p>[UCLA</a> Department of Mathematics](<a href=“Undergraduate Program | UCLA Department of Mathematics”>Undergraduate Program | UCLA Department of Mathematics)</p>
<p>it says 3 “Computer Science” courses are required.</p>
<p>Hmm, well so be it. I’d still prefer to just stay in computer science though!</p>
<p>I really wish UCLA wasn’t being so vague about the GPA I’d need to maintain to not get rescinded. If they gave me a clear cut off, like 3.0, I’d be MUUUUUUUCH more likely to go there than I am right now. This is the largest factor against UCLA right now. Also the fact that I’d have to take this really difficult summer class.</p>
<p>go to UCLA</p>
<p>Well heres my last .02 . To me this seems like an issue of deciding whats more important to you, where you are vs. what you want to study. If I’m right about that then I vote UC Berkeley. I think you’re more likely to grow to love CAL then you are to love all the engineering courses non relevant to your interests. Also you don’t have to deal with UCLA’s vague admission policies 
.</p>
<p>So yeah my .02 for you is… go Bears.</p>
<p>anonymoususername: I’ve seen a few posts of yours…you seem to dislike Berkeley more than the average Bear, haha.</p>
<p>I did some more researching into UCLA’s program and found that I wouldn’t have to take all the engineering classes I was assuming I would. In fact, the program’s really not too far off from Berkeley’s. I’d say the factor in Berkeley’s camp now is moreso the higher ranking (top 3) than anything else.</p>
<p>lol yeah…unless you know that you’ll be happy here…seriously consider ucla.</p>