<p>I got into both Cal and UCLA. Academically it's becoming hard to compare the two, since both are top schools. Cal has a political environment I'd love and I heard it's better for Poli Sci. Plus I really like competitive places. However, I really reaaaaally hate the idea of living 40 minutes from my home town. Growing up in the Bay Area, I can't help but feel that I just need to get out for awhile.</p>
<p>Is anyone else deciding against Berkeley because of this? I think it's a pretty strong reason to decide against a school, but I just don't know. If Berkeley was that much better then UCLA then I wouldn't let my decision come down to location, but do you guys agree that they are similar enough that location can be a deciding factor?</p>
<p>i'm kinda in the same boat. I want the political side and general coolness vibe that i've been diggin from berkeley, but UCLA has a pull too. however i live in LA, and i'm sick of driving/traffic, and don't wanna be tied to home. Not because i hate my family, but because i want to be my own person, nobody's son, but a man... I gonna pick berkeley though. There's plenty of uncertainty and fear, but i also have alot of hope and optimism. I guess it all depends on what you want to do, however the ultimate decision is not where you will go, but whether or not you are willing to take the plunge. </p>
<p>go balls out fiddledd, do what makes u feel good, that's what i'm basing it on.</p>
<p>I agree with punkdudeus. At the risk of sounding trite, "follow your heart." Imagine yourself at both places for the next 4 (or maybe more) years, and see which one makes you feel more comfortable. I was in the same situation last year, but chose Berkeley over Cal because for me, it was close enough, but not too close. With that said, it is really all up to you. If the location affects how comfortable you are, it will affect your study, and will therefore be a strong enough reason to choose one school over the other.</p>
<p>I've lived for over 10 years with my house 10 minutes from the campus. I got into both Cal and LA, but I love Berkeley so I'm definitely staying put here.</p>
<p>It also helps my parents are moving to Irvine next year so I'll have some independence.</p>
<p>I live in So Cal and never really gave UCLA serious thought until I got accepted. Cal was number 1 and USC number 2. USC is out of it now. I live 2 hours from UCLA. I love Cal but do find it a little intimidating, it's harder to see myself as a "Bruin." I am a serious guy and not overly outgoing but I am going to try harder at it in College. I want a social life but won't know anyone at UCLA or Cal. I have lots of friends at USC and a cousin there too. My parents encourage either one but keep repeating that both schools will change me but completely into opposites. I know I am rambling. I am still confused.</p>
<p>I also live an hour away and also made to make a decision a year ago because of the close/far distance situation. At the end I chose Cal. Really, once you come here it is a completely different environment even if home seems so close time wise. And a plus is that you can go home if something big happens without spending hundreds on a flight each time.</p>
<p>However, attending a university that is hundreds or thousands of miles away can also be a new experience in that your parents won't be visiting you/seeing you often so you have "complete freedom".</p>
<p>Well I'm sort of lucky because my Dad works for United and there are so many flights from LA to SF that it's not such a big deal for me to visit home. But I have heard that Berkeley has a different vibe even though it's still in the Bay Area. I guess I'll have to go and check it out.</p>
<p>Im having the same problem as you gys, but with UMich. Technically speaking, my family still lives in New York. We're going to live in Ann Arbor in a few months. I don't really want to go to UMich now, despite the Honors Program acceptance and all, because I feel it's going to be strange having my parents just walk into my dorm whenever they choose to.... Anyways, this is a major reason Im considering Cal, especially since Im majoring in either business or political science.</p>
<p>I chose Berkeley over UCLA because UCLA was too close to home (that was one of the factors). I really needed to get out of SoCal and try something else.</p>
<p>Also, Southwest offers many numerous flights between OAK (which is a a BART/AirBart ride away) and LAX, Burbank, Ontario, John Wayne, and San Diego. I flew home for $100 this Spring Break (and did so for Christmas Break as well). </p>
<p>SFO also has numerous flights to LAX, fewer to Ontario.</p>