<p>This is an extremely tough choice for me. I put pre-business as my major for Cal but it's ultra-competitive and if I go, I'll most likely change my major to econ or something to that effect. In UCSD, I got into Marshall College as an econ major. </p>
<p>I'm considering going to business school after undergrad, and I heard they look at GPA, in which case my GPA at Cal would probably suffer a little more. </p>
<p>I have grown up my entire life a Cal Berkeley fan and lived my entire life in NorCal. I love the weather in SD, and though I haven't visited the campus yet, I hear it's very nice. The Berkeley campus, on the other hand, is not as great. </p>
<p>Berkeley is more presitigous though--the most prestigious public university in the nation, in fact--and my family would probably be more proud if I went there. But this isn't my family's decision--it's mine. </p>
<p>Any input on the topic would be much appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>Haas is like the #2 or #3 ranked UGBA program. Work hard for 2 semesters and apply; about 50% get in, so its not that bad.</p>
<p>And even if you don’t make it and choose econ, it’s damn good at Berkeley too.</p>
<p>When you’re applying to grad schools, I’m assuming MBA, you want work experience. The opportunities from Cal are really strong, and you’ll definitely be one cut above the competition.</p>
<p>I heard you have to work pretty hard for those… 2 semesters? I thought it was 2 years? before you apply to Haas?</p>
<p>Is there anyone who’s taken this route of going to Berkeley undergrad, then applying to Haas?</p>
<p>well, first of all, Berkeley has the better campus between the 2. SD gets quiete boring, and most kids leave on the weekends leaving people with little to do.</p>
<p>second of all, your probably right about it being more difficult at Berkeley. However, you shouldn’t let competition scare you. If you got into Cal, I’m sure you know what its like to step up when challenges arise, because in my opinion, you will probably have more fun at Cal. </p>
<p>But I’m from SoCal, so my idea of fun may differ from yours.</p>
<p>True, true. I’m from NorCal. So I heard SoCal people always wanna go to NorCal for college, and vice versa. I guess it’s kinda true.</p>
<p>I am a little worried about the competition at Cal, but even more so, I’m worried about studying my head off without any social life.</p>
<p>I just visited Cal and I’ve been to the campus several times throughout my lifetime. It’s not the cleanest campus in the world, and SD is near the beach… and well… I think I would like SoCal weather better too.</p>
<p>more importantly</p>
<p>cal has a football team.
ucsd has no important sports to watch.</p>
<p>you apply in your 3rd semester, to receive a result in your 4th, to enter in your 5th semester. but i do think they consider your 3rd semester grades, not entirely sure though.</p>
<p>Yes indeed. You hit a strong point for me. I LOVE sports. And I’ve been a Cal football fan my whole life. And UCSD doesn’t have a football team 
But I don’t want to choose a college just for sports.</p>
<p>ooh okay, thanks for clearing that up for me. So basically the first 2 semesters… which is the 1st year in college… is spent studying my head off?</p>
<p>budget your time wisely and you can do whatever you want to. if you went to a tough hs, then your first year will be a lot more manageable for business because you’ll be used to it already. study when mt/finals come around, do work as necessary, find some cool opportunities (greek life, prof greek orgs, clubs, etc) and definitely have fun. start looking into summer opportunities as early as december of this year; since you’re a freshman it’ll be tough but see if you can use family/friend/greek/club connections.</p>
<p>yes i went to a pretty academically-strong private high school, so I hope the academics at Cal won’t be all that much of a shock.</p>
<p>What kind of summer opportunities would you recommend?</p>