<p>Though San Diego is a great area, UCSD and La Jolla don't offer very good public transportation to the entertainment, shopping and other venues that students, especially freshmen and sophomores, may want to go.</p>
<p>At UCSD, students really need access to a car.</p>
<p>At Berkeley, students can rely on BART and AC Transit, as well as access to plenty of shops, restaurants, theaters, big college sporting events, etc. within walking distance of campus.</p>
<p>Berkeley and UCLA have a definite advantage over other UC campuses when it comes to access.</p>
<p>I always say that students go to UCSD to study, and to UCLA or Berkeley for a COMPLETE college exerience!</p>
<p>As a transfer, he'd presumably have more independence. </p>
<p>I really think it comes down to this: do you want to live in SoCal or Norcal? If you're from Orange County, Berkeley or Davis are going to be really new and really different, which may be good or bad depending on how you feel about Orange County. San Diego (I think Irvine has been ruled out?) is still different but much less so than the others. If you're active enough in meeting people and stuff, the social thing shouldn't be an issue at any of the schools. </p>
<p>It's totally a personal decision based on where you think you'd be happiest.</p>
<p>yeah i do live in OC and even tho i like it here, i'm looking for a good "college experience" which i feel like i missed out on by being a transfer in the first place. OC can be a bit mainstream and boring so thats why berkeley seem interesting. san diego has its own appeal because lets face it, my friends and family are only 1.5 hours away and i can pretty much see them every weekend if i wanted to. thats my big dilema, close familiarity and fun with old friends, or new experiences and friends in a different place. also, i heard berkeley is VERY competitive so i'm afraid i might not even have time to have fun there.</p>
<p>uci = closest to newport and newport owns!
ucsd is in la jolla which isnt in San Diego but near. Very good Campus but everyone there is depressed and sad
ucb= no life just study
ucla= ownage academics and its in L.A just take your girlfriend to beverly hills and she'll freak
ucd= best social life</p>