<p>I just recently got into UC Berkeley undeclared/Pre-business/College of Letters & Sciences (though I'm planning on changing to Computer Science), but I'm really nervous about the rigor of the course load, as well as the transition to life in a large city.
I currently live in Riverside County, Ca (about 10 hours away from Cal), and was also accepted to UCI, UCSB, and UCSD. I was leaning towards UCSD for a while, but I was surprised by my acceptance to Berkeley on the 29th. After visiting, I fell in love with the area and the campus, and I even started making plans with my friend to room together.</p>
<p>Recently, I learned that my friend will most likely be attending UCLA (as he received a sizable grant), which sparked doubts regarding my success in college, if I go all the way up to UCB by myself, away from my family in so-cal. I'm starting to reconsider going to UCSD, but I REALLY don't want to miss out on the opportunity to go to Berkeley.</p>
<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.</p>
<p>Have you visited UCSD’s campus? That would be a good thing to do before deciding which school you want to attend. From my personal experience, I had really wanted to go to UC Davis because several of my friends had submitted their SIR to the school. When I found out I was accepted to Cal, I still leaned towards UCD since it was closer to home. However, after thinking through it carefully, I decided to go to UC Berkeley. I am so happy that I chose to study here and have not regretted it. </p>
<p>You should not let your friend’s decision to attend UCLA doubt your ability to do well at Cal. Is there some reason for this? There are plenty of people here that are from Southern California and fly home by plane during holiday weekends. Call your family a few times a week if you want to talk to them. </p>
<p>Wherever you decide to go, make sure you will be happy there for the next 4 years.</p>
<p>It’s only 8hr away from Riverside; not that far. You’ll make new friends anyways.</p>
<p>Just be sure to visit all campuses before making a decision!</p>
<p>I’ve visited all of the campuses. UCSD was really nice, and fairly large, but I was accepted into Marshall, which I found to be rather unappealing based on its general ed requirements and moral codes. Plus, I HATED the eucalyptus trees everywhere LOL.
I REALLY loved Cal. The area was fantastic, and I’m really into the Liberal history of the campus.
I guess I’m just nervous about leaving home and going to a city 8 hours away, and the thing with the friend is that he JUST started considering UCLA, which kind of jumbled up my perception on what life would be like at UCB, coming to the reality that I’d be dropped into an environment where I know NO ONE, where as I know a lot of people going to UCSD. But that’s just the reality of going to ANY college.</p>
<p>After all said and done, I’m pretty sure I’ll end up at Berkeley where I belong. Thanks a lot for the advice!</p>
<p>College is a time to grow up and develop yourself. You want to be in an environmental where you are challenged since these are the times that are most beneficial to your development. For me, Berkeley was very helpful in pushing me to work harder and really learn to take the initiative in reaching my goals. Don’t worry if you’re far from home. You will make new friends. Berkeley is a fantastic school.</p>
<p>Lawler, yes, change is unsettling. However, you visited and “REALLY loved” Berkeley…that is important. Everything will work out and you’ll make plenty of new friends. Go for the challenge and awesome college experience.</p>
<p>P.S. I was able to bum rides home from kids with cars quite frequently.</p>