Serious English Major

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>Hello fellow Bruins! I am new here, as much as I am new to the campus. I am transferring from SMC, and will start this Fall. </p>

<p>I feel the need to mention that I was also accepted by CAL, and that I chose UCLA for reasons other than school.</p>

<p>I am leaning towards creative writing - yes, I would like to pursue a career in writing - but, almost every person I've spoken to recommended CAL for this major. </p>

<p>I do not regret my decision. However, I would like to make sure I take full advantage of what's available to me. I am actually happy that their creative writing workshops are only open to fifteen students. That shows they are serious about this program.</p>

<p>For those in the know, please shed a light and feel free to share your pros and cons about this issue.</p>

<p>Ciao.</p>

2

<p>Im not sure why people have been reccomending cal over ucla for writing....unless those people happen to be denizens of CC, in which case their sole basis for advice is the US news and world report.</p>

<p>It's a well known fact that UCLA is better for social sciences and humanities, due to the world-class programs and very experienced faculty that make up 'north campus'
as for pros, the small class size is probably the most obvious one, although this applies to most discussion sections across all majors (usually in the range of 15-30) that's something you would not necessarily get at cal, btw.</p>

<p>as for cons....well...don't ask me, I'm biased. =P</p>

3

<p>Hahahahahaha.</p>

<p>If I could put an end to the US News and World Report thing, oh god, I would. So silly. </p>

<p>I can't really speak for the English major except to say that all of my friends who do it love it.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
Im not sure why people have been reccomending cal over ucla for writing....unless those people happen to be denizens of CC, in which case their sole basis for advice is the US news and world report.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, Berkeley English department (which includes creative writing) is considered one of the best in the world, yes, even for undergraduates, and it is considered by those that know about both to be better than UCLA's. This in no way means UCLA has a poor department, as it is also quite good, but really, people who know about the departments know Berkeley's is the stuff, an English powerhouse.</p>

<p>
[quote]
It's a well known fact that UCLA is better for social sciences and humanities, due to the world-class programs and very experienced faculty that make up 'north campus'

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Oh, please. For many art fields, sure, UCLA is better, such as music, painting, musical theater (if you get in), and some fields, such as film (if you get in). I could make a giant list showing different fields and how, on the whole, while both are very great schools, Berkeley's programs come out on top. Berkeley has more "world-class programs" and many more experienced and more recognized "experienced faculty." This in no way means UCLA is bad. Just be reasonable.</p>

<p>
[quote]
as for pros, the small class size is probably the most obvious one, although this applies to most discussion sections across all majors (usually in the range of 15-30) that's something you would not necessarily get at cal, btw.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>UCLA has more larger classes (over 50 people) than Berkeley AND fewer smaller ones (fewer than 20- does not include sections). Ask UCLAri for the data. And yes, Berkeley has the same discussion section system (UCLA had to get it from somewhere, and like their song, they got it from the same place- the original campus up north).</p>

5

<p>I'm always astonished by how many Berkeley people read (and subsequently post in) the UCLA forum.</p>

<p>Not that I'm disagreeing with you, Drab, or any of your points. I just would be bored to tears in the Berkeley forum. I don't get it.</p>

6

<p>*sigh....</p>

<p>another Cal person with a bruised ego...</p>

<p>this is getting old.</p>

7

<p>I just feel like this happens A LOT. </p>

<p>Like. ALL THE TIME.</p>

8

<p>
[quote]
I'm always astonished by how many Berkeley people read (and subsequently post in) the UCLA forum.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>it's actually quite similar to UCLA people in the Berkeley forum. People do it, and it makes sense, because mroe opinions can provide better discussions or interesting new ideas. <em>shrug</em></p>

<p>I have no bruised ego, I merely try to be accurate. I guess talking about how UCLA is better than Berkeley in certain ways indicates I do, or that the poster was way off does, does it not? I guess it isn't your concern, telling people the truth?</p>

9

<p>Get off your Cal high-horse! UCLA is set to supercede Cal, as Cal is hardly the school it once was.</p>

10

<p>Nah I wasn't aware that many UCLA people read the Berkeley boards. Like I said, it would just bore me. I don't really care enough about Berkeley to keep up over there. </p>

<p>But whatever. Like I said, I don't necessarily disagree with you. Just have been seeing a ton of Cal people posting here lately.</p>

11

<p>"Get off your Cal high-horse! UCLA is set to supercede Cal, as Cal is hardly the school it once was."</p>

<p>Ehhhh. I have a lot of pride in UCLA and I love the university, but Cal will always be the University of California.</p>

12

<p>locknload, keep up the intelligent discourse. You really represent UCLA well.</p>

<p><strong>allie</strong>, I think a lot of people have ties to both schools, or are at least interested in what their neighbors or friends or rivals or whatever are dealing with.</p>

13

<p>But Cal is so dirty...</p>

14

<p>gee, look what i started...haha.</p>

<p>locknload....although I'm no big booster of Cal, the fact that it's 'dirty' shouldn't be a means of discrediting it's academic merit.</p>

15

<p>What have I done? The ever lasting rift between CAL and UCLA is once again alive. Well, not that it ever simmered. </p>

<p>It was my professor, the one that I really admired, that made me question my decision. Not that I would rather go to CAL. </p>

<p>I need to really forget about CAL's English program, but rather get my self ready for this Fall. This is my free therapy. I posted this so I could get reassurance that I am not as naive as I thought. </p>

<p>I quite enjoy the school spirit my fellow Bruins display. I read that ultra long thread about Anderson vs the #3 business school in the country. </p>

<p>I actually think that I am at UCLA so I can prove to my self and to others that UCLA's English program is something to reckon with.</p>

16

<p>Thing is...I don't think anyone would think otherwise. Just because other programs may be marginally "better" or more highly ranked doesn't mean that UCLA's is bad. Everyone is so all or nothing (not you specifically, but generally when they compare programs, schools, etc). </p>

<p>And yeah. Cal's program means nothing now. No point in even thinking about it, really. Just do your own thing. I promise that after a quarter you really won't even think about other schools. It's just not necessary.</p>

17

<p>Well, I sent my SIR as fast as I could. Another testament that it's UCLA or USC, err, I meant to say bust.</p>

<p>You are right in that it's best that whatever program other schools have, it has nothing to do with what I need to do to succeed. Heck, even SMC's English dept. is impressive. I took two English classes this past semester and both of them have PhD's. Prior to that, the professor was lecturing about Chaucer, Donne, Beowulf, etc like we're supposed to know how to read Old English.</p>

<p>Case closed.</p>

18

<p>Yeah well I think CCs are hugely underestimated but that's another discussion for another day. Like one where I don't have a final in zomg 12 hours. But yeah. </p>

<p>You're here. It's done.</p>

19

<p>doesn't CA mandate that Cal stays above UCLA?</p>

20

<p>No, it doesn't.</p>