Hi everyone,
I am currently a transfer that has been very recently accepted into UC Berkley and UCLA; however, after peering through the official sites, college confidential, comments/opinions from peers, etc., I can’t seem to come to a final decision. From a recent college confidential post, I have heard that there is an advantage for UCLA because of its close proximity to major art museum such as LACA, the Getty, etc. However, UC Berkeley does have a stronger art program.
I also have been accepted into the bridges transfer weekend (UC Berkeley) which allows newly admitted students to built relationships amongst their new community as well as getting a taste/grasp of what UC Berkeley is like. I am honestly not sure if the stay will be worth risking my class as well as work. The bridges transfer weekend program is THIS WEEK (May 5-7), so I need to make a decision.
I also am going to the Bruins day (UCLA); however, that is only but the following week.
This is the college confidential post which I did read over and took insight in the comments: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/uc-transfers/1500177-berkeley-or-ucla-for-art-history.html
Your input is greatly appreciated! Please help!!
I would also like to add if you are someone who is majoring in Art History who is currently a Cal student or UCLA student, your comments would be greatly beneficial!! Thank you!!
I would also like to add if you are someone who is majoring in Art History who is currently a Cal student or UCLA student, your comments would be greatly beneficial!! Thank you!!
I would also like to add if you are someone who is majoring in Art History who is currently a Cal student or UCLA student, your comments would be greatly beneficial!! Thank you!!
Hi!
I’m also deciding between Cal and UCLA for art history.
From what I can tell, UCLA’s program is going to be more experimental and hands-on, while it seems like Berkeley will stay on a more traditional academic path. Berkeley is the #1 public university in the world, but UCLA is a close runner-up. For me, I feel like Cal will look better on paper, and its where I would rather live, but I think UCLA has a more interesting program. Another issue is that of possible internships, but I haven’t looked much into that yet.
Did you end up going to the transfer day at Cal?
I really can’t decide either, but if I find any new info I’ll let you know!
Hi cali566,
I went to the bridges transfer weekend at Cal and it did help me get a look at the atmosphere of the place; however, it was dead week (final’s week) and the weekend was more geared towards the bridges program, rather than the school in general. It was tons of fun though! The most difficult part was that I could not find anyone that could give me more information on art history, since most had info on stem/engineering majors, sociology, or business. 
I went to the UCLA Bruin day this past week and I got way more information on the art history programs. I did meet someone who is majoring in Art History and she told me there are tons of internships available, usually recommended by professors. I know that students do take classes at Broad, if I am correct.
I also went to SEATED (SE Asian Transfer Enrichment Day) which allowed me to gain more perspective on the campus in general and other students. I was allowed to dorm with other students (sleepover), and I got a ton of questions answered from that, but they were all stem students :-(, so I could only ask general question, unrelated to my major. If you have any questions towards that, you can ask me!
Thanks for the info! I’ll also keep you updated! 
Message me if you have any questions as well!
I went to Bruin day as well, and it was definitely way more informative than any info available from Berkeley’s transfer day, which I think fell a bit flat. One of the things that bothered me though was that when I went to the AH booth, it didn’t look as academic as some of the other booths. I don’t know if thats a ridiculous thing for me to pick on but I felt like the booth made it look like the major almost wasn’t taken seriously? I do feel like there will be more internship opportunities available at UCLA but I can’t help but feel like Berkeley is stronger academic-wise. I wish I could find more information online about the program’s rankings.
Hey cali566, I’m 80% sure that I am going submit my sir to Berkeley. When deciding between UCLA and Cal, I was mainly concerned with internship opportunities. However, realizing that I could do internships in L.A. during summer, I found that UCLA didn’t have more to offer, for me at least, only the social life, great cafeteria food, and more sheltered area. Also, knowing that Cal has a stronger art history program, I am leaning towards Cal.
That’s how I’ve been feeling too, I think that Berkeley would benefit me more academically, though UCLA has the better food, social life, etc. I didn’t even think about just doing a summer internship in LA but that’s a great idea. Maybe I’ll see ya at Cal one day.