Rhetoric or Media Studies @ UC Berkeley?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hey there, I’m a transfer student who is applying this fall. I am currently debating between majoring in Media Studies or Rhetoric. I will be applying as an intended Rhetoric Major, as it will give me a higher chance of admission, but I’m wondering which major may be better for me. I plan on pursuing a career in PR and Marketing Communications, and originally planned on majoring in Media Studies. I’ve heard that the major is sort of a joke, but also capped and very competitive.

I really like how interdisciplinary it is, and I would be able to take classes necessary for the career I want to pursue. (For example, I’d take marketing and advertising classes at Haas.) But I also am in love with some of the courses in rhetoric, and know it’s much more intellectually challenging, something I find myself drawn to. I would specialize in Public Discourse if pursuing rhetoric, but I’m afraid the major might be too conceptual and not very clear cut. Also, how would it look to employers?

I’m stuck right now and would definitely appreciate some advice, as the application date is nearing.

2

@rgbjuan Either one is probably OK. Keep in mind the Interdisciplinary Studies major at Berkeley. It allows you to pick and choose from all the areas you like. You would just simply declare it after you get into L&S at Berkeley - you might have to take one class (unless you take it at the CCC). My daughter is starting Media Studies this fall and considered Int Studies for some time. She already had one requirement done (of two) and needed one other. She spoke with them after she was admitted. They were very enthusiastic and definitely it is quite doable. The profs and advisors seem cool too, as they all have that multi-discipline, let’s be flexible approach. In the end, she decided to stay with MS.