<p>I am getting tired of hearing people in all these forums talk about applying to schools that "they wouldn't go to, even if accepted". Why apply then? Why bog down the system for people actually want to attend the school! Unless of course it's just sour grapes because they didn't get in...</p>
<p>I think one of the other ridiculous things about this forum is the focus of many students on just going to the best school versus picking the program that is the most interesting/fulfilling. Perhaps this isn’t the case with some majors, but when I tell people I DIDN’T apply to Berkeley and I get that look on their face, I feel like people keep buying into the belief that only the ranking matters. </p>
<p>If that’s truly what you care about, then, apply to Harvard instead.</p>
<p>I hardly hear anyone talk about having gone to a specific UC’s catalog and checking out the program of classes for which they would be transferring to that I wonder if people just really care about the label and not the substance.</p>
<p>These are my guesses. back up school, bragging rights, free applications, idk?</p>
<p>It really does not impact you when you think about it. UC’s are smart enough to know and project their student numbers. They accept more students then they can hold because they know that many who apply do not plan on attending their school. Schools like UCB do not even have a waiting list because they have perfected the numbers game. The schools who do have waiting lists do so just incase more students decline attendance than expected. It doesn’t really bother me.</p>
<p>I applied to UCSB with little intention of going there. If Berkeley and Santa Cruz were to both fall through I’d go there. However, that does not affect other prospectives so I do not mind doing so. Just paid an extra 70 dollars that is all.</p>
<p>Yeah it’s amazing that people seem to focus solely on the ranking of the school.</p>
<p>People give me strange looks when I tell them I’m really considering going to UCSD over Berkeley because UCSD’s Sociology program seems more interesting and offers really interesting and different classes. </p>
<p>I always think that you should go to the school that you want to, where you can be successful and enjoy your time. You’re going to be there for 2 or more years, you might as well enjoy your time!</p>
<p>@Disco That’s the sole reason why I would choose another school over UC Berkeley. I’d feel like I wouldn’t enjoy the Berkeley atmosphere.</p>
<p>I know entirely too many brilliant people who have graduated UCB and warned me against going there. While some of the programs are undoubtedly top-notch, many others just ride on the coat-tails.</p>
<p>@Discosteve, I totally hear you. I found UCB program in my major totally dull; UCSD and UCLA, however, so much more relevant and challenging.</p>
<p>You must be new around here 
Just visit the “what are my chances” and “college admissions” sections. You’ll see people complaining that they only got into Stanford and not Harvard. I swear I saw someone post this: " why did I get rejected from Harvard and get accepted to Princeton? I wanted to go to Harvard. #*** #lifesucks #lifenotworthliving #screwharvard" lol</p>
<p>@ visit One thing I have learned in life is that when someone opens with I am just going to be polite that means they are full of it. While most were busy hitting the books on their road to academic superiority I was carrying an 80 lb pack back through Iraq. No one is superior to me, nor am I to them. I am confident in the resume that I have put together and fear no other applicant. You are a clown. I am only talking about those that state they have NO INTENTION of attending the school, not back up plans. I applied to multiple schools as well, and like most have set up an order that I will accept offers from.</p>
<p>I guess I just misinterpreted people saying “they have no intention of going there, they just wanted to see if they could get in”, as talking about their back up schools. I would disagree that it does not impact everyone that applies, every application gets looked at which takes longer to release admission decisions. I was not worried about those folks taking up places, I was more worried about when I would find out where I am going. The post was more of a steam blow off from the anticipation and excitement associated with transferring. This seems like one of the longest waits EVER!!!</p>
<p>I’m glad I’m not the only person that the wait is taking its toll on. This has been the worst anxiety ever and I’ve had three kids; I know about waiting! I think the worst is that I just want to know. If you’re gonna say no, then just say no so I can get on with my life and decide with what I’ve got. Not that I have terrible choices, but UCI & UCSD have different advantages for my family life. I’d like to get everyone what they want if they’re going to support me through this whole edumacation thing. :)</p>
<p>@ Purr I have just had my first a 4 month old, he is not making life any less stressful around here. haha</p>
<p>Well, we obviously want alternative options, don’t we? People are constantly changing their majors and career goals during their early years in college. I’ve been obsessing over the individual catalogs at UCI, UCB, and UCLA, everyday and I’m transferring NEXT year. (someone help me lol). I’m leaning toward attending at UCI even if I get into UCB/UCLA because the programs offered for my major there are (in my opinion) superior, but the classes that I will be taking next year at CC may sway my mind.</p>
<p>Personally, I like having the options. I didn’t know what sort of situations would come up or how my mind would change from November to May, so I applied to 7 UCs. And I’m really glad I did that. I wasn’t even thinking about going to Davis before, but I just recently got an internship there so now it’s one of my top choices. Not to mention the possibility of nice financial aid packages (e.g. Regent’s Scholarship). That could really have me considering a school I wasn’t looking at before.</p>
<p>@ UCBoundVet,</p>
<p>You didn’t pay the fee for those UC Apps, right?!</p>
<p>I was able to put in (4) for free, and I did just that. In my situation, I am only going to be able to attend UCSD (I own a house). I still threw Apps into UCLA, SB, UCI, & SDSU. I have received acceptances into all of them, except for UCLA, which is pending.</p>
<p>So, “visitnajar’s” comment was a little off-base. Some people do apply “just because.” Additionally, why should anyone care about the admission’s staff having to process more Apps? That’s their job. It would be like complaining to In 'N Out for having a long line! Hah!!</p>
<p>Anyways, best of luck with the upcoming decisions.</p>
<p>Yeah, it’s just people hedging their bets.</p>
<p>Stating that you want “options”, implies there is a chance (however small it is) that you would attend the school. </p>
<p>@ USMC Good luck to you as well. However, I say it’s more like being really hungry and waiting in a line behind a bunch of people who are not ordering anything, and have no desire to eat there. While it is their right and they can if they choose. It’s still messed up.</p>
<p>Woolen = people haha</p>
<p>@ UCBoundVet,</p>
<p>Well played, Sir ;)</p>
<p>But also it’s just easier to omit the details. When people ask me about UCLA I just say “I wouldn’t go even if I got in” opposed to “I wouldn’t go even if I got in unless, perhaps, I were to get the Regent’s Scholarship.” Not that everyone has a reason like this… There are certainly many who just have sour grapes. :)</p>