<p>So this week, everyone talking about acceptances, whenever I tell people that I think UCLA will be my choice, they tell me I'm nuts for passing UC Berkeley up. EVERY SINGLE TIME. According to friends and classmates alike, a degree from Berkeley is leagues above UCLA. T.T</p>
<p>I have indeed done my research. My major is linguistics, and both UCLA's and Berkeley's program are great, though UCLA's ranks highest among public universities. I also think I'd simply be happier at UCLA, being from LA myself. But, agh, social pressure is a mo'fo'. xD People are seriously making me second-guess my choice. </p>
<p>My plan is to continue on to graduate school, and I like UCLA's Departmental Scholar Program, which allows students to start their Master's while they finish their Bachelor's (I plan to apply for the program as I approach senior standing). </p>
<p>I haven't submitted my SIR anywhere yet.</p>
<p>Anyone else going, or went, through the same thing? How do you, or did you, rationalize the whole thing? Just a "F-U, it's my life" kind of thing?</p>
<p>Once you get into the top UCs the difference of attending one over the other isn’t really going to have a huge impact on your future. Both of them are really good schools, now it just comes down to which environment fits you better. Lets say you get into Harvard and Stanford, two closely ranked schools, can you really go wrong with either school? Is it really going to make a differnence? Probably not.</p>
<p>Hi, my dream school is and was always Berkeley. I am sure someone will respond who is in a similar position as you, but I wanted to give my two cents:</p>
<p>You have to choose the school that works best for you. It sounds to me, for your major, and future plans, that UCLA is the best fit for you. UCLA is an amazing school, no one person, or employer is going to frown upon that. Their going to see UCLA on your resume, or license plate holder, or whatever, and think, “Holy %$^& this person is gifted!”</p>
<p>It’s easy to get caught up in the social status associated with the schools, but you have to remember that the education you attain will be a part of you forever, and you have to choose what YOU think is best! So yeah, I agree F-em it’s your life!</p>
<p>You should visit both campuses and the departments of what you will be studying. Go with what you feel comfortable with and not by what other people are telling you to do. In the end it’s all personal preference and what works best for you is the best choice you can make.</p>
<p>As a junior transfer with a definite major and plans, what matters is the suitability of the major at each campus for your plans, not the overall prestige of the campus.</p>
<p>I’m in the same boat. I got accepted into both but i’m leaning toward UCLA. Everyone is telling me that i’m crazy to turn down the #1 public school in the world. I think college is what you make of it, so if you are happier at LA than you will be more likely to obtain internships/jobs/work harder. I want to SIR so badly but the thought of turning down UCB…</p>
<p>go where YOU want to go, don’t let another people make you feel like you are making a bad choice. Last fall my co-worker was in the same predicament as you, she was a freshman however. Anyways, a bunch of people were telling her that she would be crazy to turn down UCB, but I knew from our talks that she really wanted to go to UCLA. So i told her, that she had to listen to her gut and where she thought she would be most happiest…after attending Bruin Day she knew she was going to attend UCLA, and she seems to be loving it!
I would visit both schools and see where you feel most at “home” at.</p>
<p>I’m also a linguistics major, and I also got into Cal and UCLA. And I’ve also gotten some similar reactions!! I decided on UCLA (already submitted my SIR). They really do have the best linguistics program, and an amazing graduate program! Also, I’m not sure if you’re more interested in theoretical or applied linguistics, but that’s also something to consider. Berkeley is very heavy on theoretical, while UCLA focuses a little more on applied (and actually has a better balance of the two, in my opinion). You seem like you’re leaning more towards UCLA, and if that’s the case you shouldn’t let anyone else sway your decision based solely on their understanding of Cal being more (but only slightly, really…) prestigious! Good luck in your decision (maybe I’ll see you at LA )</p>
<p>Last year I was in your shoes. I got into UCLA, Cal, USC, Columbia GS, and a few east coast liberal arts colleges. UCLA was not necessarily the best ranked, but it just felt right for me. I grew up in Berkeley and did not have any interest in going back after living in LA for a few years and doing CC here, and UCLA offered me the best scholarship deal anyhow. It drove me crazy how people would look at me like I was dumb for passing up Berkeley. They’re both very well-respected schools. Most importantly, if you go to a school where you’re happy and confident you’re going to do better. </p>
<p>I could not be happier with my choice. UCLA is the school I want to be at, and I’m flourishing there. I currently have a 4.0 in the honors program. I have loved my classes, my teachers, the weather… really everything has surpassed my expectations.</p>
<p>By the way, I found that in my group of fellow transfers at orientation last summer, all but one of the people I talked to had gotten into both Cal and UCLA and chosen UCLA instead. According to anecdotal evidence anyhow, a lot of people would rather go to UCLA for whatever reason.</p>
<p>Take away the prestige and Berkeley is actually pretty damn awful. Homeless people, crime, crappy weather, crappy dorms, crappy food and the girls are about as attractive as the hobos. </p>
<p>There’s a reason why UCLA gets the most applications of any university. Beautiful weather, women, city, dorms, food etc. UCLA has it all. UCLA actually has something that represents a football team unlike Berkeley. The difference in academics is incredibly tiny.</p>
<p>I am a linguistics (Linguistics and French actually) transfer too, and I am choosing UCLA because, like you, I plan to get a graduate degree, and I feel like its the program more than the overall school ranking that counts. In reality, especially with recent changes in rankings, UCLA is getting closer and closer overall to Berkeley in the rankings overall.</p>
<p>Finally, think about it: you’re going to spend some of the most important and memorable moments of your life where you decide to transfer. Your success depends on how happy you are, and with you going on to get your graduate degree anyway, you really should go where you want to go. Remember YOU have to live with your decision, not everyone else giving you advice, so if you really want UCLA, do it! Honestly, I haven’t heard anyone saying “Oh God my life was ruined because I went to UCLA instead of Berkeley.”</p>
<p>I still go through moments where I question my choice. For example, asking myself if I’m truly passing up the opportunity of a lifetime by not attending Berkeley. UCLA was indeed my dream school, but next to UC Berkeley, now I see the choice is tough.</p>
<p>Usually, the conversation exchange goes like this:</p>
<p>-Oh, you got into UCLA. That’s great. Congrats.</p>
<p>Vs.</p>
<p>-WOW. HOLY SHAYT. You got into Berkeley?! O_o</p>
<p>It’s probably just people’s perception of Berkeley, as a school much harder to get accepted to.</p>
<p>But, yeah, the truth is that UCLA is a phenomenal school too. </p>
<p>OH GAWD. Help me, guys. I’m thinking about going to UC Berkeley now. ;<em>; You think a psychologist will want to see me for acute post-transferitis syndrome? I can’t decide. T</em>T</p>
<p>Damn, you, UC Berkeley for accepting me and making this the hardest choice in my life. xD (Kidding, I <3 you, Berkeley <333333333)</p>
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