<p>These threads never cease to amuse me. </p>
<p>I have to disagree with smartyskirt01. As you know Emil, I’m currently in Berkeley, but I’ve also lived in Southern California many many years of my life. My oldest brother works/lives in Los Angeles so I go there constantly…meaning, I really can’t be biased. </p>
<p>Look. There’s good people and bad people everywhere. I’m sick (really sick and tired) of people constantly putting down LA, because SF/Berkeley aren’t that great of places either. I’ve had my share of truly bad experiences here in the SF area, so many that I wouldn’t be able to type them out probably…but I won’t, because it’s not worth it. Everywhere you go, you could go to the smallest of places in the US and there could still be some potential danger there. I’ve also had my share of bad experiences in LA too, I won’t deny it. But saying that one is particularly “bad” over the other is complete BS. You decide whether you want to go out at night, who you associate with, etc. Vice versa, there’s plenty of nice people around both areas but of course they won’t always show up when you’re in trouble. That shouldn’t be used as an argumentive point, in my opinion.</p>
<p>The whole “LA has hot girls” debate is truly getting old. From all of our PMs Emil, I doubt that the first thing you’re interested in are the girls or the social scene. If anything, that shouldn’t have even been brought up, again, in my opinion. LA has pretty “hot” girls that may or may not be stuck up, complete b^&*(#@ but it’s the same here in SF/Berkeley, especially those girls thinking they’re big $%^& for having an LV purse, really? Get over yourself. I had to add this paragraph because I know people will continue bringing this point over again, so I had to put in my opinion. [:</p>
<p>I will tell you the same thing I told Yunie two weeks ago. Choose where you want to go. Forget about everyone else but yourself, it’s okay to be selfish this time, because in two years time, you might regret your decision. I realize that both you and she have Graduate School or some sort of Professional School career ahead of you, but that’s a whole different story than Undergraduate. </p>
<p>You asked me in one of our PMs why did I choose Cal, I’ll tell you now. I chose Cal because I didn’t bother applying to UCLA. I seriously thought that they would never admit me, ironic much? My parents begged me to stay in San Diego because it would be easier for them to adjust. All my family/friends live in Southern California, and despite all that I came up here. Why? Because I wanted independence, I wanted to assure myself that I could take care of myself without my mom and my dad, friends, relatives. In my career path, I’ve learned that you can never meet too many people. Once in a conference that I attended in Southern California last December, I met a Professor from Princeton and we chatted about my upcoming research opportunity here at Berkeley. Needless to say, from that twenty five minute conversation, I now have the opportunity of going to Princeton for Graduate School because of him. The same point can be argued for Cal, you will meet a bunch of people here that are very significant, if you get what I mean…</p>
<p>Both Northern and Southern California are great places and I’m glad that later on in life I’ll be able to say, I’ve experienced and lived in both parts. Don’t close your doors. Be open to the unknown. One day, you might not believe it now, but one day you might be in LA looking for a job and who will you know? Be happy that you have friends and family supporting your decision, be thankful that you CAN make that decision. I know students who wanted to go to UCLA but had to stay here in NorCal for a variety of reasons and vice-versa. </p>
<p>Academic wise, like you have said, both schools are very well-known for their Psychology program. Unlike Cal, at UCLA you could never get away with switching into Psychology, they’re that strict. 
You should consider it in honor getting in there, it’s tough! Just keep in mind that from what I have heard from my UCLA Psychology pals is that their Psychology classes focus on the “science” behind it all, while here at Cal we take more of a “social science” approach to it. I personally prefer the social science approach, but that’s just me. I also have heard stories about their Psychology 100A/B classes, haha! </p>
<p>Either way, you can’t lose. Besides, there’s graduate school. You only got two years of undergraduate before what–four, five of graduate? Who knows where that will be! </p>
<p>Can’t wait to see your decision, good luck!</p>
<p>Re-reading my post I can’t help but think people will think I’m being incredibly biased towards UCLA, haha. Just note, I was from Southern California and decided to come up to Cal, but Emil knows how much I love Berkeley! Despite hating the whole “hella/hecka” thing. Maybe it would be different if I was in your shoes Emil, but regardless again…go where you want to go. From all your posts up to this point, you really seem set on Cal, but being a spring admit is truly a bummer. One of my friends from high school who I also went to CCC with, got in as a Spring Admit and she probably won’t be able to graduate with the rest of the class despite taking summer courses, sigh. </p>
<p>Everything happens for a reason! Don’t forget that, seriously! Who knows! Keep us posted! Hope I helped a bit.</p>
<p>We should really exchange phone numbers sometime…I keep forgetting to check CC for weeks at a time.</p>
<p>PS (Edit)-To others still debating as well, please don’t pick a school because of its name. It’s undergraduate. The Princeton professor could have cared less if I went to UC Merced. What counts is what you do at that school. Both UCLA and Cal are outstanding with giving students the oportunity to perform lab work/research if they really are driven to do so. Simply because you’re going to Cal does not in any way shape or form give you the “upper hand” in getting research done or having some sort of priority against other undergraduates who got their degrees at other UCs. Save that particular argument for Graduate School. Oh, and might I add, as much as I am involved here in the Psychology department, I’ve been told (informally, of course) by Graduate Admissions that as much as they would <em>love</em> to have me back again to get my Ph.D/Phy.D here it is truly unlikely that I would get accepted. Nevertheless, good luck to all with the same decision!</p>