<p>that's the dilemma i have! i'm tired of searching through sooo many links on google (until i came across this). so...better psychology study: UCLA OR BERKELEY? (which one to attend? both doors are open to me! yesss!)</p>
<p>i can't really comment on Cal's psych program, because although i got in to both schools as well, i was looking at architecture for Cal since at the time, UCLA didn't have architecture.
however, i am now a psych major here at LA. and i LOOOOVE the department! true, i haven't actually taken a psych class yet (i'm still in the pre-major required classes), but those classes give you a solid background in many, MANY areas. it's almost a mini liberal arts education unto itself: physics, life science, philosophy, anthropology, chemistry, statistics (or other math), and of course, intro psych. all for the pre-major, and all are classes worth taking if only for your own well-rounded education.
there are three majors to choose from: psychology, psychobiology, and cognitive science. there are also many minors to choose, such as applied developmental psychology, and many programs including psychology research opportunity programs (props), developmental disabilities immersion program and concentration, a computing specialization for any major, and departmental honors.
our psychology program is highly ranked nationally. but rankings aside (because what matters ultimately will be what YOU want to get out of the department), we have a very popular, very strong, and very diversified program. there are also related majors not in the department, such as "linguistics and psychology" which offer other perspectives on psych.
go here <a href="http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/catalog/catalog05-07-6-129.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/catalog/catalog05-07-6-129.htm</a> and look at "undergraduate study" for a list of majors, minors, programs, and requirements. also, check out the course listings to get an idea of what direction you'd like to take, and what courses interest you.
do the same for berkeley, and see which is a better fit overall.
they're both top schools for psychology, so it's just a question of, which is right for you?
good luck! :)</p>
<p>One thing to bear in mind is tha UCLA has a medical center on campus, Cal does not. That could affect the available faculty and resources. That said, they are both excellent universities.</p>
<p>I don't know much about UCB's Psych program, but as a psychobiology major, I can say that UCLA is the only UC that has such a major. Psychobiology is overwhelmingly taken by those on a medical school track, as it combines psychology with the core biology classes that med schools require. Some say it's the easy pre-med major to take, in terms of the number of classes you take to fulfill the major (Many other life science majors take 4 years to complete due to having nearly double the required upper-division classes; psychobiology, on the other hand, can be completed in 3 years).</p>
<p>As for which is the better psychology program? IMO, most school's rankings are determined by the quality of their graduate programs. The quality of undergraduate education you'll receive in psychology will pretty much be the same at all UCs. The UCs will still have huge 150+ lecture classes for lower-divs. The difference between these programs comes into play when you compare specialties at each UC; are there certain specialized psych majors that interest you? Classes matter too; I know at UCLA, you can take multidiscipline classes that deal with neuroscience and psychology, and how they relate to love. </p>
<p>What about support for your major? Tutoring services, student groups, and seminars also matter. I took a small seminar (Fiat Lux) about stress with Professor Grijalva, and it was an very informative class, even though it didn't fulfill any requirements.</p>
<p>I'm taking an upper divisioin psych course (abnormal psych), but I'm not a psych major. From what I heard in the first lecture, students in honor section have to visit patients with mental illness regularly and write papers which diagnose what kind of disorders these people might have. It sounds fun for psych major. I've done another upper division psych course, and I remember people in honor section had class in Public Health Building and the lecturers are reseachers from UCLA medical center. I can't remember clearly. </p>
<p>I think you have to be in honor sections in order to enjoy the advantages of having a medical center nearby. Otherwise, all you have are just plain classes...</p>
<p>Psych courses are generally very easy. You don't need tutor at all. Well, I didn't spend much effort on papers but I did quite well surprisingly...Exams are multiple choices...Most people get homes with A's :cry:</p>
<p>Alright, so just like many other UC admits, I'm planning on going pre-med. </p>
<p>I'm thinking of doing psychobiology as it seems to be the "easiest" pre-med requirement class. Which school is better for this major - UCLA or Berkeley?</p>
<p>There is no psychobiology major at Berkeley.</p>
<p>k then should I just go to UCLA if I wanna take an easy pre-med route? and boost my GPA?</p>
<p>etti- I hope you're chosing a major you LIKE at a school you LIKE, not just looking for the easiest route to med school. Four years is a long time to do something you don't like...</p>
<p>you mean 4+ years right?...i'm well aware of how much work it takes to be a pre-med major...if i was going for prestige i would attend uc berkeley like all the other students...but im choosing ucla because i love the environment (especially westwood) and feel that i would be happier there, as i hear from alumni at berkeley that many students from my school became suicidal at berkeley...they even have free icecream on wednesday to promote anti-suicide, what does that tell you about the pressure at that undergrad?</p>
<p>Pick your school based on environment and quality of life outside of classes .....and not based on perceived academics. You'll get a great education at any UC school. Thus you may even want to consider the other UCs too. </p>
<p>Personally, I had a blast at Berkeley.</p>
<p>So, you're saying that UCLA is less prestigious than Berkeley? How dare you. </p>
<p>jkjk. Well, you're on the right track by thinking about which UC environment would make you the happiest, but I really don't think Berkeley is THAT suicidal. UCLA is also stressful at times, and it all depends on what classes you're taking at the time. </p>
<p>Do not just pick psychobiology just because it's a GPA booster. I picked it because I was genuinely interested in psychology, and the biology component seemed to be a great add-on too for my hoped for pre-med track. If you just pick a major just because it seems like it would be easy, you're not getting the point of declaring a major. Pick a major that you're really interested in; otherwise, no matter how easy the major seems to be, you will never have the motivation to do well in your classes.</p>
<p>there is not such thing as an easy premed route. the lower div courses everywhere are tough, and ALL premeds have to take those. its during the first two years that most people drop out. so don't think that your major courses will be the gpa buster, cause lower division courses are usually the killers.</p>
<p>Don't worry, I am genuinely interested in psychobiology and may even consider taking sociology as well because I love learning about how the human mind, and body works...even anatomy. I chose the biology component because it was my favorite science in highschool.</p>
<p>I understand that the pre-med route is not easy at all, that's why I plan to study well for the MCAT, and have genuine EC, including internships, during my undergrad years. I just don't want to physically and mentally torment myself with too many classes as I want to enjoy the social life at UCLA as well.</p>
<p>etti,</p>
<p>I suggest that you actually talk to real life pre-meds before drawing any conclusions about majors. I know a lot of people who majored in psychobio and burned out as well. Don't chose a major just yet. Let your interests lead you wherever they want.</p>
<p>openmindedtree,</p>
<p>Both schools have top 10 departments, excellent resources, and plenty of opportunities for study. Go where you will be happy. Don't worry about a department you may leave a few quarters into your education. </p>
<p>Guys, the majority of you will change majors. Trust me. Don't worry about careers, majors, and other things that are years off. Just enjoy the ride.</p>