<p>May I ask why you turned down Stanford? Depending on where you want to work and what you want to do, a Stanford degree can literally opens doors for you…</p>
<p>Hey mikei,
Honestly, I turned them down because I just didn’t like the school. Firstly, the staff were some of the biggest jerks I’ve ever met. I won’t get too specific because I’d rather not start thinking about it again, but basically I had a few interactions where I almost knocked someone out.
That aside, it’s obscenely expensive. Also according to an advisor at Stanford Law, they are less likeley to take undergrads from Stanford in an effort to create a diverse student population. Boult Law doesn’t have that problem. My end goal is Harvard Law, but I don’t want to close any doors getting there just in case I change my mind, and Stanford is one of the best law schools in the country.</p>
<p>Oh man that doesn’t sound good. Are you planning on going into public or private law?</p>
<p>I’m thinking of doing a coin flip and going full force with whatever it lands on. Both schools have big pros and big cons. In my mind, they’re totally even. What’s wrong with a coin flip? I really might do it.</p>
<p>^I did it… it said UCLA… 3 times.</p>
<p>@mikei: I’m not really sure yet, I have to find out more about the political world first. My goal is to be a senator, so whatever gets me there is what I’ll do.
@arcadefire: You sound like me yesterday… haha. Just quit overanalyzing it. What’s your instinct say?</p>
<p>“Good luck making your choice buddy, it was the hardest decision I ever made. But the second I submitted that SIR to Cal and started getting the congrats from my friends and family I felt right. GO BEARS!” </p>
<p>I don’t think I could possibly relate more to this statement. You know it feels right when you get those responses from friends and family that have been pulling for you for so long. What a relief to have finally made our decision. Arcade, I know tomorrow, whatever you pick, is an awesome decision. You’ll thrive in either environment.</p>
<p>@ MikeRamsey: I’m also considering law school and am interested in doing what I can now to study for the LSAT and prepare (to the best of my ability) for the rigor of law school. Going to LS is a fairly new consideration of mine, and consequently I don’t know what the “best” resources are or what could most effectively and conscisely prepare me for what I’d be getting myself into. If you have any advice or knowledge in this area, it would be great to hear what you have to say. Thanks so much, man!</p>
<p>@emilsinclair: Hey Emil. I think we were talking a bit in another thread a few days ago. Your advice definitely helped a bit making my decision and I thank you for it! I’m starting the process of researching for the LSATs now, I’ve got the same mindset as you do about getting started on them early. As soon as I come up with anything I’ll PM it to you, if you don’t hear anything within the next few days my terrible memory got the better of me, just shoot me a message to remind me. LoL. And I guess I’ll be seeing you up at Cal in a few months!</p>
<p>mikeramsey: Well, as a place to live, I prefer UCLA. I like the environment etc. better. However, as a school, I prefer Berkeley. They’ve got the perfect program for me, and I’d have a great amount of freedom in my course selection. At UCLA, I’m very very restricted in my course selection, and I’m stuck taking a lot of classes I don’t want to take. UCLA feels right environmentally, though I honestly believe that’s just because it’s more convenient and closer. I’ve also visited the campus three times. I feel like it would be cool to move up to a new place (Berkeley), and expand my horizons a bit. My instinct isn’t being very clear. If UCLA had the same program that Berkeley had, I’d go there. But it doesn’t, so my choice isn’t all that clear.</p>
<p>Honestly, I feel that neither is a bad choice. If I can’t have fun or enjoy myself at Berkeley, I probably just can’t have fun period. Berkeley having the preferable program may be the tipping factor. Or my comfort at UCLA may be the tipping factor. Who knows?</p>
<p>@ MikeRamsey: Thank you so much! If you come across anything that seems pretty helpful or relevant, don’t hesitate to PM it! lol. I’ll do the same! I’m looking into some books that I could buy to prepare for the LSAT. I’ll let you know which ones I end up purchasing. Thank you again, and I’ll see ya in the spring - as we’re both spring admits!</p>
<p>@ arcade: I’m honestly not trying to be biased. The final determinant for me to make my decision came down to the two psych and phil programs at UCLA and UCB. I actually went and looked at every class offered, affiliated program/opportunity, and attempted to plan out what my schedule would (more or less) look like at each school.</p>
<p>Upon realizing that UCLA’s psych department was so science-based, I decided to go with the more social-based psych department at Cal. I want to do my best, and select the school that offers me the most in regard to what I’m planning to study and give me the best chance toward my future goals. A few days ago, I ended up choosing Cal. </p>
<p>It was incredibly close for me (as I know it is with you and jane), but in my case, the program for my major/s was more important than other priorities. I think you’ll just have to determine whether you would prefer going where you’re most comfortable or going where the best/most flexible program is. </p>
<p>You have one day, my friend. Do some serious digging and comb through the websites and all the information you can. In the end, you’ll be making the most informed decision.</p>
<p>@Emil: Much appreciated man. And I’ve actually decided to attend in the fall. I don’t see a reason to sit around doing nothing for a semester. Even though my major is borderline impacted the advisor told me I can still go up there and take two classes (8 units) which qualifies me as a bit above half-time as a student, which means I’m elligible for financial aid. Also, I think it’ll be helpful doing my first semester with such a light load to help ease into it. I would really recommend you look into it if it’s financially feasible for you to attend early. Besides… I’m too excited to wait 'til spring! I’m flying up in a couple of weeks to go apartment hunting.
@arcade: I totally get what you’re saying man. I love LA. But I figured out today that my hesitation really was just the prospect of the unfamiliar. Think long and hard, if it’s fear standing in your way push past it. If not, stay put. As you said, you can’t go wrong with either school. One of my clients said it best today while I was training her… she’s a student at UCLA so I figured she’d be biased, but the conversation pretty much went:
“You’re agonizing over UCLA vs. Berkeley?”
“Yes.”
“So you’re having trouble deciding between the two best public schools in the country?”
“Yep.”
“Well, considering they’re both better than any other school, shouldn’t you just be happy you got in at all and pick the one you like? Most of the transfer class of 2010 is probably off to Cal State LA!”
In other words, you can’t make a wrong choice here brotha. I will tell you this though, what closed me at the end was semesters being so much more to my liking than quarters, the poli sci classes being less technical, and the prospect of going somewhere else for a while. Think about this too… the majority of your time will be split between being in class and studying. So if you hate the classes… you’re not going to be all that happy regardless of where you live.
Just to clarify, I’m not hating on UCLA or trying to push you to Cal. Just from all you’ve said so far, it appears that Cal is the better fit. Remember, you’re making a decision about which SCHOOL you want to go to, so you kind of have to love the educational side of it or the whole exercise is pointless.</p>
<p>@ Mike: haha you’re just like me! Extremely eager about our future school I see! I’m taking a summer class from June to August, and will also be attending in the fall! I’m permitted a maximum of 12 units in the fall. I think you’re only allowed to hit 80 UC-tramsferrable ones in total. I have 62 done right now, and I’ll have 68 done after summer ends. </p>
<p>I’m planning on taking 2 philosophy courses at Cal in the fall. I was actually listening to lectures on Phil 25A at UCB today on iTunesU! haha I want to purchase the books and get ahead on some reading and hw for the class. What classes are you planning on taking in the fall?</p>
<p>Oh, and I completely agree about having a more smooth and relatively easy transition into the life and rigor at Cal through spring admission and taking a couple courses in the fall.</p>
<p>It’d be sick if I had spring admission to Berkeley though. I would love to take that break. You guys who have the fall off should count your blessings…it’s not a bad thing! Then again, I’m coming from another UC so I’ve been working pretty hard. Ya’ll from community college might just be bored, haha.</p>
<p>@Emil: Hah, I guess you’re a bit ahead of me on the research. I haven’t quite picked classes yet. I’m at the 70 unit transfer limit, so I can only get away with two classes. Or three if I take three unit classes. I’m going to look at the class lists tomorrow and get everything picked out, then talk to the profs when I go down there next month apartment hunting.</p>
<p>@arcade: LoL yeah dude… coming from a CC I’m pumped to finally get to work. Also I feel like I need the “practice semester” to get ready for big kid school. =P</p>
<p>@ emil Are you guys talking about the extension program? Or can spring admits take classes straight up like phil 25A in the fall?</p>
<p>lol at the term big boy school.</p>
<p>arcadfire- well you would kinda have a break if you choose Berkeley because youre coming from a quarter system…you would get a few more weeks to acclimate and stuff.</p>
<p>not sure what you mean…my summer will be cut a month short, haha.</p>
<p>yeah youre right…i didnt think it through…</p>
<p>@o0racle: I’m not sure if it’s the same as the extension program. Basically you can take classes as a visiting student from a CC. In fact they allow you to take those classes at the same per unit rate as your CC offers.</p>