<p>I'm trying to decide between Cal, UCLA, Duke, and Tufts.</p>
<p>I'm interested in biology. I want a school where drinking isn't the only way to have fun. I don't want classes to be extremely cutthroat (although I know at least a little bit is inevitable). I've heard Cal is notorious for "not taking care of your GPA." I would like to eventually go to grad school, so it worries me that C's are far more common than A's there. Is this true for the other schools as well?</p>
<p>I have a few friends at UCLA who absolutely ADORE it. I can tell you about their experiences....</p>
<p>-Social life is well balanced. There are plenty of people with all sorts of interests, so it's not just partying. Plus, the LA metro has lots to do. </p>
<p>-The classes are challenging, but as long as you put in the effort, you can get good grades. The teachers aren't out to fail you. </p>
<p>-There's lots of school spirit and almost everyone who goes there genuinely enjoys it. :)</p>
<p>Drinking is surely not the only way to have fun at Duke, but apparently it's the primary way that a lot of Dookies know (or so said their former Dean of the Chapel in some scathing articles and books about campus culture).</p>