<p>Yep, so I'm having to make that famous decision between the two famous UCs...</p>
<h2>I visited Cal on a regular tour and I just got back from UCLA Welcome Day; I won't be able to visit Cal Day because I have somewhere else to go on that Saturday.</h2>
<p>UCLA: 3 years guaranteed housing, nicer city, better environment, "all u can eat" meal plans, "free" gym, much closer to home (approx. 1.5 hours)... but #4 public university</p>
<h2>UCB: 1 year guaranteed housing, worse city, "chaotic" environment, meal points, "fee-ed" gym, much farther from home (4 times the driving time= 6 hrs)... but #1 public university</h2>
<p>anybody else have anything else to add?</p>
<p>I just found out today that UCLA housing assignments are not first-come-first-served and instead its randomly done, so I basically have until the last few seconds before May 1st to decide. I don't know about Cal though.</p>
<p>Cal's freshmen housing is assigned by lottery. One key fact: after you've listed your 5 choices, be sure to indicate "will consider other options" or something to that effect - otherwise, if they can't accommodate one of your 5 choices, you will not get any housing. I think that Cal now guarantees housing for 2 years to freshmen, and since sophomores get to choose first, many of whom choose suites, most of your choices should NOT be a suite.</p>
<p>yeah, I agree with the fact that it seems you would like UCLA more, so go there. I see your dilemma, thought. I'd be the person saying "i don't know, it's only #4, maybe i should let US New and World Report control my life and go with #1, despite the fact that i'd be miserable."</p>
<p>man wazzzup7up you are just dumb i mean CMON you are obviously leaning for LA i mean are you dumb LA is obviously more appealing you pile of sh- SHUT YO' MOUTH</p>
<p>UCLAri, I'm admitted as a Biology major.. but i'm also considering a double major with Ecology..</p>
<p>I checked the stats, and Berkeley does have higher deparmental rankings in both majors.. but like i was just taught, rankings may not have as much of a bearing as i thought they did.. </p>
<p>I cant believe i'm getting criticized by a person who likes the Dodgers... because it's not really always about "having fun," winning actually does matter in professional sports like that. good luck in college Dawger!</p>
<p>I don't know that just because dawdger's name resembles the greatest baseball team's name that it's a sure match.</p>
<p>Anyway, departmental rankings shouldn't be everything for the reason that you may change your major down the line. However, if you are 100% positively sure that you want to major in bio, then the stronger dept. should be considered. It will increase your opportunities for research and name recognition.</p>
<p>BTW, while the Dodgers are going through a bit of a bad spell, keep in mind that they were doing fairly well just two years ago.</p>
<p>I still say that the Dodgers are turning a corner. We're not going for a pennant or trophy this year, but we're definitely going to be over .500...</p>
<p>You think LA is nicer than San Francisco? Not many people outside of SoCal would agree with that. The two schools are excellent, I would decide based on where you think you would be happier. Seems to me that you love LA and that you want to live in dorms for your entire 4 years of college. Go for UCLA.</p>
<p>LA, as a city, is by no means nicer than SF... but it has its perks, man. The weather's just a tad better, and housing in most parts is cheaper. </p>
<p>I'm not sure why you would consider Cal in a "worse city." Berkeley really isn't that bad, although there are less than desirable parts of the city. And plus, like Alexandre pointed out, SF is a much more pleasant and interesting city than LA. UCLA just so happens to be in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in LA--if you were to venture a little southeast, the environment would be a little different.</p>
<p>I guess I can't really say which city is better, since I've had superficial views of San Francisco, but I guess it's more of a culture-shock thing than anything else..</p>
<p>my parents personally hate San Francisco-- weather, "style" of road designs.. </p>
<p>I still remember one piece of advice from before though.. and that's that "both are top publics, so you cant go wrong with either."</p>