<p>Hey Everyone,
I have been driving myself crazy these past couple weeks after I got into both UCSB and Berkeley. Most of the people I have talked to said I was crazy for even considering choosing UCSB over Berkeley. Can someone maybe shed a little light on the subject and present an opinion?</p>
<p>First: A little about me (not that most people will care, but it may be be a little helpful to people answering)
- From San Diego, spent entire life in sheltered suburbia
- Can be a little socially awkward initially, but it definitely goes away after I start feeling comfortable
- Great GPA and Test Scores
- Not too fond of homeless people</p>
<p>Questions:
1. If I go to UCSB, I'll be majoring in Business Economics, whereas I would be majoring in business at Cal. Do you think this will make a significant difference in future employment opportunities? Grad School?
2. How is the social life on campus?
3. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the competition?
4. What, in your opinion, would be the best thing about going to college at Berkeley over UCSB? (besides the fact that the academics may be better)</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>No offense, but personally, I think the people who you talked to and said you are crazy is right… UCSB over UC Berkeley?! Hey I know choosing a college can be stressful, I’ve been through this before and I know, but this… oh man.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you are going to work for your degree why not work for it at a top school? </p></li>
<li><p>GPA and test scores mean zip, nada, null at this stage in your life - only that you need to keep it at a level to avoid getting rescinded. What you need to focus on is to consider what YOU want for life.</p></li>
<li><p>Everyone who got into Cal is socially awkward, so you are in good company but this doesn’t make it a nice scene - people don’t loose up until after they settle in. Then it’s all up to you to break your mold and make an effort to socialize.</p></li>
<li><p>So homeless people affects your ability to study… how? It’s not that hard to avoid them you know.</p></li>
<li><p>Competition smutzepition - it’s overrated, and frankly, people who complain about it are either not in a major that fits their abilities and they are too stubborn to admit it, or they are bubble kids who were overprotected - competition exists everywhere in life, and how is Cal any different?</p></li>
<li><p>If you pass up on a solid training in Cal undergrad, what makes you think you can handle the workload and life @ top grad schools?</p></li>
<li><p>After UC Berkeley, you are either transformed, hardened, and ready for real life or you will fall into the abyss and complain about how Cal had wronged you and robbed you without realizing that it is YOU who made it happen. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>After UCSB? you are treated well by the laid back atmosphere, lower level of workload, and a jolly experience - you just get your shock at how tough life is AFTERWARDS instead of up front. Do you like to be able to take a fall in school, where it’s still pretty forgiving and be able to learn and grow more, or would you like to take a fall later on in life, where there is zero tolerance? You decide.</p>
<ol>
<li>Then again, there are those who shine well everywhere despite the environment - but how would you know if you are that person if you are not truly tested in a jungle?</li>
</ol>
<p>i’m a current cal student that was a freshman at ucsb. Although i had tons of fun meeting people and living in socal, i have always felt that berkeley has been the perfect fit for me. I love how motivated many of the cal students are because it pushes you to do try harder. At UCSB you’ll find that the majority of the students care more about getting beer on a Wednesday night than their classes. I can totally see why some people would love to goto UCSB because its almost the complete opposite of Berkeley. In the end, i think you should take a good long visit to both schools.</p>
<p>@jet - I really wish I could spend like a month at each school… Sadly, I have to SIR and commit by May 1st. As for the students caring about beer on a Wednesday and whatnot, that may work to my advantage because I may look better to other students by comparison (possibly).
@stressed - Ok, that was a little harsh, but very true in many respects. Cal will definitely get me used to many things including competition. Plus, the school spirit is unmatched, and life there never gets boring. Still, it may (or may not) be important for me to get used to the college environment in general before I can start getting extremely competitive.</p>
<p>I agree with bear, if you aren’t willing to push yourself at a top undergrad school, you don’t deserve to go to a top grad school.</p>
<p>Go to Cal, work hard, don’t look back.</p>
<p>“5. Competition smutzepition - it’s overrated, and frankly, people who complain about it are either not in a major that fits their abilities and they are too stubborn to admit it, or they are bubble kids who were overprotected - competition exists everywhere in life, and how is Cal any different?”</p>
<p>says the person named stressedbear…but really I agree with this poster’s points.</p>
<p>GO TO UCSB. UCSB during halloween >>>>></p>
<p>@OP: Sorry if I sounded harsh, but a valuable lesson in life that you will have to learn is to figure out who is trying to jump on your bandwagon by feeding you sweet sounding BS and who is the the person that really cares but is just telling the unpleasant truth that you probably don’t want to hear.</p>
<p>Adjusting to an environment can be tough, but like I pointed out - the willingness to reach out from your shell is critical. In a big school there’s no one to cater you, and you will have to take the initiative to accomplish everything. Choosing a place that you will pour your sweat, heart, and soul in for the next few years based on the thought of “I may need to adjust” is very dangerous. </p>
<p>What you really need to consider is how both schools really fit YOU - not just your personality but also your future goals. Also, keep in mind that there will never be a perfect fit for everything because psychologically, there will always be a “the grass is greener on the other side” mentality lurking inside everyone. </p>
<p>I can tell you right here that from my personal experiences @ Cal, it has been extremely rewarding and satisfying. But keep in mind that with great opportunities there also lies great risks - I have seen too many of my peers fall into the abyss due to the pressure, etc. You can head out into the jungle with all your gear ready, but there will always be a chance that something will pop up and consume you.</p>
<p>Here’s what I suggest you do - get off the internet, turn off the cell phone, get away from everyone else; then grab a coffee and isolate yourself in a local park or something, where it’s just you, your coffee, and nature. Spend all the time you need and think about both schools and what you REALLY want. </p>
<p>No one can make the decision for you, and the more you ask around, the more confused you will get. Part of becoming an adult is learning how to make tough decisions in life, and THIS is where you start. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Yeah a bad thing about college is seeing a lot of people’s lifelong dreams and prospects being crushed due to little letters on a paper that say transcript =/</p>