<p>By some strange miracle I got into both these crazy amazing schools. I am currently aiming to major in Communications, but there's a good chance I'll change it (Ideally something in the same sort of field, though). Here's the situation with both:
UCLA: I am undeclared for the L&S college since freshman can't declare comm major, which is kind of attractive to me to be able to try lots of stuff but also scary since it's hard to get into their comm program. I live about an hour away, and UCLA has been my secret dream school for a while now mostly because its name, and I've grown to love the atmosphere and campus. I toured over summer, and I did enjoy it but I don't think it quite lived up to my expectations. I like the area of LA and like being close to home, but it's not as good academically as Berkeley and I'd kinda feel foolish turning down Berkeley. which brings me to...
Berkeley: It was so weird getting into Cal because it was never something I considered as an actual possibility. I mean, it's obviously a great school, but I had never pictured myself there. I'm in the media studies major there. I visited for open house, but it was so crowded and I wasn't impressed and felt out of place in the surrounding area. Also, Cal is 7 hours from home, which I don't know how to feel about. I do love the bay area, but the area immediately around Berkeley kinda turned me off. Also, I feel like I might be out of my league academically (I mean, I honestly don't know how I got in).
So, should I trust my gut or not let my predisposed feelings sway me? Thanks for any and all help!</p>
<p>bumping… also, money wise both schools are the same fore me (in state)</p>
<p>Familiarity breeds contempt … there are a lot of oos and Int’l students who would love to be in your position and pay instate rates and wouldn’t take either for granted. Both are hypercompetitive, which may not be for you. Did you gain acceptance to UCSB or any other UC? SB might be a great fit for you. </p>
<p>I think the last poster is out of line as this student didn’t demonstrate any such attitude. Ignore that lostinmymind. </p>
<p>You have two great choices, the best. I think it wouldn’t hurt to get out of your comfort zone for Berkeley and get to know another area. More chance for personal growth. You are already in the major which is a plus. I would go for it. Many UCLA students are also qualified for Berkeley, it shouldn’t be any surprise. It is quite easy to get from OAK or SFO to LAX or ONT or wherever is close for you. Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>@drax12 Well yes I got Regents at UCSB, but I can definitely handle both schools (4.6 GPA, 2190 SAT) but I just feel under qualified compared to other Cal students if that makes any sense.</p>
<p>UCLA is ranked as highly as UC Berkeley. Consider the intangibles – vibe, location, greater community, etc. – and decide accordingly.</p>
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<p>Sorry, lost, if my post seemed a bit harsh; it wasn’t meant to be, and I believe brownparent similarly misread my intent. All I meant was that UCLA might be a bit too close for you, and you might have visited it too much over time. Your being familiar to the campus, means that you weren’t be blown away by it anymore, and things, sights on campus have become rather mundane. This will happen anyway if you were to attend UCLA, and passing by Royce will be just a common occurrence, and you won’t look up in marvel at its towers anymore. Such is college life.</p>
<p>But then again, you didn’t seem to be wowed by Cal either and felt out of place in its classrooms. Perhaps you should visit SB if you haven’t already done so, and possibly throw its name into your hat, if you like the vibe. </p>
<p>Just some thoughts…</p>
<p>@drax12 very true, I’ve been to SB and love the campus but I’m mostly offput by the party scene. I’ve only been to UCLA once, and while it maybe didn’t live up to my great expectations, it is an awesome campus. I’m going for Bruin Day in a couple days so I’ll see how I feel about it then I think.</p>
<p>^ Added too, you got Regents at SB, though it doesn’t sound like you need the price break.</p>
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<p>Sorry, your post took a minute before mine, and I didn’t initially see it.</p>
<p>SB is a party scene within a self-contained definite Gaucho crowd weekly, but some of the revelers that do show up come down from CPSLO and some are SBCC students, besides a few who come from farther away, but for the publicized events as Deltopia and July 4th, the outsider crowd is predominant and there’s even some serious riff raff.</p>
<p>But as others would say, if there’s some serious partying going on within the SB crowd, that means more grade points for you, lol. </p>
<p>And don’t feel compelled to appease my UCLA biases if you knew about them; go wherever you feel you fit in the best. Best of luck…</p>
<p>I wouldn’t take UCSB for UCLA, even with Regents. UCLA has a lot more to offer – great name, excellent academics, Los Angeles, better alumni networking, school spirit, etc… A lot of students would be much willing to pay full price for those reasons alone.</p>
<p>OP, I’d encourage you to visit Berkeley one more time and try to mingle yourself with the students, and if possible, try to talk to some faculty of the department that absorbed you. I think Berkeley has much more to offer than having a superior academic prestige. </p>