PLEASE HELP!! Choosing between UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UVA??

[diannee123]

Hi, so I’ve been lucky enough to have been accepted in UCLA, UC Berkeley, and the University of Virginia in the Echols Honors Program and I have no idea which to choose for undergraduate.

A quick disclaimer, price is not a factor for me because I have full tuition covered by the GI bill and distance from home isn’t a factor either because my family lives outside of the states.

A few things about me that I think are important in choosing between the schools. I am interested in a degree in something to do with Economics, Poli Sci, International Relations and maybe study music as well. Not completely sure yet, but my intended major is something definitely humanities-based. Additionally, I am currently planning on attending law school so a school that would best help me achieve that goal would be preferred.

Overall, what I want from my undergraduate experience is a good education and opportunities that would help me get into law school and succeed in a career. Also, I plan on living on the East coast, I’m not sure if that’s a significant factor but nevertheless.

Here are some thoughts that I have about each school… they might not be completely true but it’s what I’ve been considering so far.

UCLA:
-pros: great location, like the vibe of the school when I visited, great programs, wonderful music school, could likely get internships and good volunteer opportunities to build my resume during the academic year because of proximity to a large city, good campus food lol
-cons: doesn’t seem as well known for the fields I’m interested in like my other two options? not sure if the quarter system would suit me the best…?

UC Berkeley:
-pros: highly respected and prestigious academic reputation-widely regarded as the best public school, top programs in what I’m interested in studying, could likely get internships and good volunteer opportunities to build my resume during the academic year because of proximity to a large city
-cons: never visited but have heard a lot of negative things about the area- safety & housing, very scared of getting a significantly worse GPA than I could at other choices (especially since law school admissions places heavy emphasis on a high GPA!!- how true is the grade deflation rumor?), too much cutthroat competition?

UVA:
-pros: also has good programs in what I want to study
- honors program: no gen-ed requirements, preferential treatment in getting the best classes and professors, opportunities to take some classes at the law school apparently(?)
-cons: not a big fan of the area and feel like there would be more opportunity for internships, work, volunteering, etc in the bigger cities that UCLA and UCB are located in; not the best deciding factor but it just isn’t as high ranked/known as the other two…

One of my main questions is how important and significant getting into the UVA honors program is and how bad really is the competitive atmosphere- struggle for a good GPA and opportunities at Berkeley?

Thanks for any tips and advice that’s given… I’m really just very torn!

[berk2022]

I am biased, but I go to Berkeley currently and I think it is actually the most perfect school that has ever been invented. I am a premed student, so I was scared about the “cutthroat” rumors that these majors get at Berkeley, and honestly, I’ve never been in a community so welcoming! All students help each other out, “grade deflation” isn’t really a thing, and if you put in a little effort, you could come out with a solid GPA. Even if you don’t, however, most schools know that Berkeley is considered to be more rigorous and I think it seems as though graduate schools are much more lenient with Berkeley GPAs than other colleges. I wanted to post something because I find it really sad that students will be interested in Berkeley and then think that they can’t handle it or it is too unsafe and be encouraged not to come. I come from a suburban bubble, and I have never felt unsafe in Berkeley. I encourage people not to walk by themselves, but I would encourage that anywhere. I have been given so many great volunteer and research opportunities, never met a mean person, had so many fun city trips, been to the beach more than I can count, and have been able to explore the wonderful city that Berkeley is. My belief is that if you are lucky enough to get in to Berkeley like I was, there is no reason not to come to this very social, very welcoming school. Also all of your potential majors are so dope at Berkeley, and I think you would actually enjoy learning from the top professors in those fields. Best of luck!