I can't decide! UCSD v Berkeley

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Hello everyone. I live about one hour away from San Diego driving. I need help deciding which school to choose. This is extremely difficult! I was accepted to Thurgood Marshall at UCSD as a Political Science Major. I was also accepted to Berkeley, but undeclared (I have to take a course at Berkeley before I can declare my poli sci major. Are all you other poli sci majors in the same boat?). After visiting both campuses I have concluded that I really love both. San Diego has the beach, awesome housing, and one of the best Political Science programs. Berkeley has a great social life, jaw dropping campus, and a great political science programs as well. Anyway, I was accept as a Spring admit for Berkeley and I'm a Fall admit for UCSD. I kind of hate the fact that It might take me longer to graduate at Cal. Also, I have been on the semester system my whole life, so i would be use to Berkeley the most, but the prospect of finishing classes in ten weeks (quarter system) sounds great. </p>

<ol>
<li>Does the semester system prolong graduating compared to the quarter system? (Note: I have never been in the quarter system but it seems like it would help me graduate faster than the semester system.)</li>
<li>Which system do most students prefer? Quarter or Semester? </li>
</ol>

<p>I have not made a pros and cons list yet, so here is my rough analysis:</p>

<p>UC Berkeley
Pros
-Great Academic History
-San Diego might be classy but Berkeley is Prestigious!
-Great Poli Sci Program
-Minor in Media Studies
-Social life is great, which would be important since I would have to make new friends.
-On campus Housing units look nice
-Get to be a Bear for the rest of my life
-Independence from home
-Rich cultures
-College town = cheap affordable food
-Friendly people
-Condense campus (looks big but it's not that hard to get around, especially on bike).
-2 Years or less to graduate if I take summer courses.</p>

<p>Cons
-Move away from home and friends the life I have here already. :(
-Spring Admit! (Would I be forced to graduate later? I don't get how I would still graduate with the Fall students).
-Some areas are ugly and some people look really shady. Oakland + homeless people
-No beach :(</p>

<p>UC San Diego
Pros
-Great Political Science Program
-Minor in Public Service or Communications
-One of the best beach town in Cali
-Transfer Housing (The Village) is beautiful.
-The area around the school is generally safe and looks nicer than Oakland up north.
-2 years to graduate (might be faster if since it's the quarter system? + Summer Quarter)
-Good study abroad program (How good is Berkeley's?)
-I am familiar with the area
-Closer to home (Could be a Con. What do you think?)
-Marshall College!
-People are nice and laid back
-San Diego rocks</p>

<p>Cons
-Expensive housing
-I hear the social life is dead but I'm skeptical of this claim
-Fast Pace (but i think I might like that)</p>

<p>I'm not planning on it yet but I might want to go to law school. </p>

<p>Anyway, can anyone add to either of my pros or cons please. One more thing: I appreciate any help in answering my many questions. I know most of you understand how hard it is to pick a school, especially between two or more really amazing schools. Thank you</p>

<p>-Rahrah203</p>

2

<p>yeah…definitely go to UCSD</p>

<p>Cal Sux</p>

<p>(with a X)</p>

3

<p>rahrah203- I am also a Political Science major. I was accepted into UCSD & Cal too. I would definitely suggest going to Cal; specifically, you mentioned that you are afraid of losing the friends and life you now have at home (near San Diego) and I am a person that believes that is exactly the reason you go away to college. Granted, I do live in a small town AND I am only moving about an hour and a half away from home…but I would’ve gone to LA if say I had to chose between Davis (close to home) or UCLA (about 7 1/2 hours away from home).
Mark this off of your Cal ‘Con’ list. It isn’t a Con.</p>

4

<p>Well, it just depends.
Moving away from home is exhilarating-I’ve done it twice!! It’s hard at first, but once you get used to it you can’t imagine things being any different :)</p>

<p>It just depends where ur priorities are at-I’ve heard a lot of people that got in as a spring admit taking classes thru berkeley extension or something like that. Maybe if you’re thinking of going you could do that?</p>

<p>Good luck! I’m currently undecided too X_X</p>

5

<p>I thought there was a Fall Program for Freshman? I’m not sure, all I know is that my friends who got admitted to Spring for Cal are going to do the FPF.</p>

<p>But from your list, it really sounds like you personally would like SD better.</p>

6

<p>Research suggests that only the cool kids go to UCSD.*</p>

<p>*: Research paid for by University of California, San Diego.</p>

7

<p>Go to UCSD, RahRah! Btw I love saying your name aloud :slight_smile: It’s like the awe-inspiring shore waves of La Jolla. I’m still waiting on their response – UGH, lol.</p>

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<p>I’m in the exact same position as you. Poli sci major, 1 hr from ucsd, cal spring admit. I’m going to UCSD :)</p>

9

<p>I say UCSD. I wouldn’t say UCSD has expensive housing because Cal’s housing is much more expensive…unless you’re not living in dorms. but still! UCSD has a great poli sci program and it’s definitely fit for you!</p>

10

<p>op, I am in the same situation ucla vs ucsd. if you’re an hour away, I don’t think you’ll be in terrible danger of being at home too much. I think la jolla is a beautiful town that I could really picture myself in, and some of the living areas in the village are tops. it’s a top school academically, and I think they’re only growing in reputation. I’d miss the sports if I went, but I feel confident that I’d make tons of friends and really enjoy myself. ucla/cal have a better ‘reputation,’ but I’m looking for a more rounded exprience. plus, there just aren’t enough open bball courts @ ucla, housing sucks, and I can’t bring my car. if you love SD do it. just remember you can’t really go wrong either way.</p>

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<p>I would pick Cal and do the extension. It’s a really, really good school.</p>

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<p>UCSD really wasn’t that impressive of a campus (I took two sessions of summer school there). I would hate to go a school with no spirit and no sports (one of the reasons why I dislike Santa Cruz). I definitely liked the student union (it is way better than Berkeley’s) but I heard that Berkeley is totally revamping their student union starting this Fall. </p>

<p>Both programs are great, sure, but there is only one Berkeley :)</p>

13

<p>

</p>

<p>It’s not just research from UCSD, Cal Berkeley has been shown to suck in several studies. It’s poor quality living conditions, it’s lack of intelligent peers, the undeserved sense of superiority, the hobos, the dull campus life, the whole gringyness of the place (anonymousername et. al).</p>

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<p>umm hands down, no questions asked, BERKELEY FTW!</p>

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<p>Oh and being a spring admit you will still graduate with the rest of fall transfers. Most spring transfers do the berkeley extention program and basically do everything like a fall admit its just they are not technically admitted until spring.</p>

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<p>:/</p>

<p>i am such a flip flopper, damn this see-saw!!! idk i wish i could tell you to go to one school over the other but…i am totally hopeless… the pros and cons of each school doesn’t do me any good. </p>

<p>do you feel love for any campus? i was in love with both the campuses i am torn between…but honestly i love every university i have been too.</p>

<p>ooooo here is a good decision maker helper…
(although it hasn’t helped me…)</p>

<p>where do you think you will have your biggest adventure? answer that question and you will know a little bit more where you want to go.</p>

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<p>Just go to Cal you people :)</p>

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<p>jane,</p>

<p>what are you gonna do about your decision? double SIR? I’m considering it until I find out exact housing for each…</p>

19

<p>yeah double SIR my butt…i hear that’s risky! i am not risking another rescind from UCLA and i definitely don’t want to see a rescind from Berkeley…</p>

<p>plus i don’t think i can double SIR…i have a fee waiver…dunno if they track it differently than the other SIRs…i could pay out of my own pocket for one of the SIRs though…
idk…like i said risky business! </p>

<p>are you still torn between UCLA and UCSD?</p>

20

<p>oh, a waiver would make it tricky…yeah I’m still stuck. the news about not being able to get a parking permit really bummed me out…I’m like 55/45 in favor of UCLA…</p>