<p>I'm an international and I've been accepted to both UCLA and Berkeley. Because I have compulsory military duty, I will only begin my college education in 2009. </p>
<p>At this point, I wish to go to Berkeley. However, Berkeley cannot confirm at this point (after speaking to different people) that they can reserve a place for me till 2009. They have advised that I submit by Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and pay the deposit first and then submit a request to defer. Yet, there is still no guarantee such a request will be approved. </p>
<p>On the other hand, UCLA, according to its FAQ will allow deferment of studies due to military duties. </p>
<p>If I'm not wrong, you can only submit a SIR to one school. </p>
<p>If I submitted a SIR to UCLA, Berkeley would not consider my deferment request since they have repeatedly stressed that submitting the SIR and paying the deposit must be done before any request can be considered. </p>
<p>If I submitted a SIR to Berkeley and they decide not to defer me, I would effectively be without a college to study come 2009. </p>
<p>you could probably just send an SIR to both (if you happen to have the money laying around) because it's a special case. wait-listed students can withdraw their SIR, for example, so i'd think you can withdraw from LA if Cal lets you defer.</p>
<p>That's really tough. How much more do you like Berkeley than LA? If you really like Berkeley, I'd say it's better to TRY for the defer, and risk not getting it, than to just settle for what you know will work out and always wonder what would've happen had you risked it. Like, you don't wanna think "what it," in future years.
Then again, UCLA's a great school (my top choice), and you'd probably be really happy there. But that doesn't mean it's right for everyone either.
If you're allowed to submit a SIR to both, then it's worth losing the deposit at one (what is it, like, $100? Compared to what you pay for tuition, that's nothing.) But make sure first, because the UCs definitely talk to each other, and you don't want to get rejected at both or something.
Anyway, that's just my opinion. Ug. That's such a tough decision. I really hope it works out for you! : )</p>
<p>Ah, that's a sucky decision! Sorry you have to make that. :[</p>
<p>Yeah, you're not allowed to file two SIR's, or else risk getting rescinded from both.. I was wondering the same thing earlier, when I was making the same decision (minus the deferral complication), and when I finally did file the SIR to UCLA that's what the site said.</p>
<p>So don't do that.</p>
<p>But I would still try and get your admission deferred at Berkeley, rather than just go to UCLA, because 1) you'll go through UCLA thinking you'd be happier at Berkeley, and going in pessimistic is terrible and 2) if they don't let you do it, that'd just be wrong.</p>
<p>I'm sure it will go through. I'm not an admissions officer or anything, but I can't see them saying no.</p>
<p>Talk to Admissions from both schools about submitting SIRs to both schools and explain the situation. I know of somebody who submitted an SIR to both Cal and UCLA (but for more stupid reasons... his girlfriend was going to UCLA, so he wanted to humor her for a bit by letting her think he might end up at UCLA), and I think there was no problem.</p>
<p>BUT, you should definitely check for sure before you do anything. Stress that it is a unique situation (its not like you just can't decide for no reason), and I am sure that they will probably find a way to accommodate you. Other people are right- if you really want to go to Cal more, you should try your hardest to make it happen. Both schools are great, but you don't want deal with any "what ifs" later on!</p>