<p>There are a lot of discussions at the UCLA forum comparing UCLA to Berkeley (mostly saying many rejected Berkeley, Berkeley is not that good, UCLA is better), whereas on the UCB forum there has been no threads devoted to the dicussion of UCB versus UCLA, but rather UCB versus the top private universities. Very interesting...</p>
<p>I must admit, ULCA does have a nicer area....</p>
<p>and by nicer I mean sheltered.</p>
<p>HAHAH, nice observation firax.</p>
<p>I have a feeling this thread will blossom into a twenty page argument. </p>
<p>In any case, GO BEARS :D</p>
<p>I heard a UCLA reference in a Law & Order episode once....</p>
<p>All I hear about Berkeley is string theory this, John Searle that....</p>
<p>The UCLA boards also lack many threads comparing themselves to USC (academically), their "rival". Interesting...</p>
<p>Studying at UCLA is seriously a health risk..it's like living in a cigarette carton, except it's more expensive.</p>
<p>It's such a subjective choice. I know people that are in love with UCLA, and I personally just don't like the environment. My sister went there and enjoyed it a lot and couldn't conceive of attending Berkeley. I'm the opposite way. Better, worse, it doesn't mean anything without the context of better for <something> or better at <something>.</something></something></p>
<p>My son spent several summers living on UCLA's campus and exploring Westwood. He did not apply to UCLA, however, partly because it's only 90 minutes from home and he wanted to go farther away, but also because he preferred Berkeley's "personality." There's a quirkiness and originality to the area that Westwood doesn't have. It's definitely more political, as a community, and closer to the state capital. He also loved the public transit system (BART), the colder weather, and the look of the campus. I think both schools offer incredible opportunities, on and off campus. Some of them are geographical. If you want anything to do with the entertainment industry, for example, go to UCLA. If you want to get into state politics, probably Cal is a better way to go. Just depends on what you want.</p>
<p>There's also a NorCal/SoCal factor involved; I went to two high schools, one for 2.5 years in Fresno, and my last 1.5 years in a high school in San Diego. Most of the dual UCLA/Cal admits from my first high school are going to UCLA, whereas down here almost all the dual admits chose Berkeley flat out (one girl was deciding up until the last day to send in the acceptance of admission, and chose UCLA over rather frivolous circumstances). NorCal students definitely prefer to ditch the NorCal label and head south, whereas students down here aren't fixed by geographic labels and choose the school that consensus shows is the better one academically - Berkeley.</p>
<p>No you are wrong, because Norcal > SoCal, therefore there is no "ditching" of label because the Bay Area is the best part of California. I guess people who live in the very northern parts would want to study in universities down south, but the Bay Area is quite different that the very northern parts (not as boring).</p>
<p>Whatever kid.</p>
<p>By the way Fresno is in Central California, about 3 hours south of Sacramento, 2 hours north of Bakersfield, and 5 hours north of Los Angeles. But Fresno does suck terribly.</p>
<p>I guess so, it's way too hot over there. But the Bay Area is just right.</p>
<p>I don't know, i always find these 'debates; (if you can even call them that) pretty much a waste of time. It is all personal preference. I dont' know why people get all worked up arguing which is better, and how they picked so-and-so, as if it means that university is better because they chose it. </p>
<p>There are more important things to argue about then which school is better (which is, in fact, a matter of opinion!)</p>
<p>If it was an objective comparision of statistics, then this argument would disappear...</p>
<p>Well I'm from L.A. and the westwood area is kind of like the valley to me. (san fernando valley that is) It's too sheltered and boring, I need more of a big city excitement vibe and a change of scenery. And one of the reasons I rejected UCLA......I didn't want to drive 45 min to Hollywood just to get some type of city atmosphere. And also to reiterate....Westwood is just plain....well....boring.</p>
<p>
[quote]
No you are wrong, because Norcal > SoCal
[/quote]
</p>
<p>NorCal hella sucks.</p>
<p>California hella sucks in general... Out-of-state is better!</p>
<p>Yo mama sucks in general....</p>
<p>Rofflecopter</p>
<p>
[quote]
Bay Area
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Does anyone agree with me, that the freaking area is really in the middle of the state (if you divide it vertically into say thirds?) I don't get it. Really, there's a lot of california North of the Bay, and unless "central California" is a triangle with the tip at the coast, the Bay just seems very central . . .</p>