<p>I'm a high school senior guy that was recently accepted into UC Berkeley Spring Semester and UCLA. I am planning on majoring in Computer Science.
After being rejected by ivies, I am currently torn between Cal and UCLA. </p>
<p>I understand that Berkeley has the superior program in Computer Science, but I feel more attracted to UCLA for a few different reasons. I live about 20 minutes from Cal, and I feel that the campus is cold, dreary, and uninviting compared to UCLA's sunny, cleaner campus. Although its not a priority I want to have fun in college, and UCLA seems to have a better social life.</p>
<p>My parents want me to go to Berkeley, and I'm also worried that I'd be turning down one of the top Computer Science programs there. Is it significantly stronger than UCLA's, in terms of internships and recruiting? But I'm also worried about having to take classes with EECS majors at Cal and consequently suffering with a lower GPA.</p>
<p>In addition I was admitted into UC Berkeley College of Letters Undeclared and Science Spring Semester, and I was admitted into UCLA Engineering in Electrical Engineering.
It felt a little demeaning to only be admitted as a Spring Admit at Cal despite having a 4.4 GPA and 2340 SAT.
I can go into the Computer Science major at Berkeley's letters and science, but I will have to transfer from EE to Computer Science at UCLA. Is that easy to do once I'm already in the Engineering department at UCLA?</p>
<p>Please offer me advice, as I am very desperate right now.
I would appreciate advice from ANYONE, but it would be even more helpful to get advice from people majoring in computer science at either school.
Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>First of all, you need to get your mindset right. There are lots of 4.0UW/2400 students at Berkeley. All three of our classes’ Vals went to UCLA or Berkeley. Go to college on a high note and it’s more likely you’ll stay that way. </p>
<p>CS is a major that you can declare after meeting the pre-reqs. Your occupational opportunities are a little better at Cal, but the difference is not that substantial. So I would advise you to spend more time at Berkeley and UCLA, not only sitting in class and talking to the students, but going to the student hangout spots as well, before making a decision based on which school fits you better.</p>
<p>And Berkeley’s social life is much more than Telegraph, Sproul, and Math 1B.</p>
<p>I had an awful experience and left Berkeley, but that doesn’t mean you will too. Some people love it, some people hate it. I know a kid who chose UCLA over Berkeley. It’s really a matter of your own preferences and depends on your personality. </p>
<p>It sounds like for you, since you are already accepted to the COE UCLA, that may better fit you. About spring admit, couple of years back, our high school Valedectorian (yes, I said that right) got spring admit to Berkeley but acceptance at Stanford. Of course, she chose Stanford but what I am saying is, spring admit is not just the lower end of the spectrum. Not sure how they base it on. Or maybe they had an idea that the student would have other acceptances…who knows.</p>
<p>Also few weeks back, I met a UCLA sophomore who had dropped out of the college of engineering. He said it just wasn’t for him. So doesn’t matter which UC. Engineering is gonna be tough there as well. He also chose UCLA based on the “perceived beautiful campus”. He still likes it there but going for a different major. Incidentally he is still friends with a bunch of his old school mates who chose Berkeley and talking to them, they all seemed pretty happy…or guess they weren’t complaining ;)</p>
<p>Would you live at home if you went to Berkeley? Since you only live 20 minutes from campus, I would encourage spreading your wings a bit and go to UCLA. Going away, if you and parents can afford it, is a much different college experience.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the advice. @BerkeleySurvivor - your experience scared me, especially since CS courses will overlap with people in the EECS major. @BuBBLES FoR SALE - I will be taking a tour of Cal tomorrow and revisiting UCLA next week. I know I feel more comfortable at UCLA, but I’m not sure how much I should weight that into my choice. @UCBChemEGrad - I will be in the dorms either way, but this is the reason I want to go to UCLA and have a different college experience. I feel like I may feel depressed at Berkeley. I just don’t like that city and I’m sick of San Francisco @tryingforcollege- I guess spring admission isn’t a huge factor but its still pushing me towards UCLA because the FPF program at Berkeley doesn’t look that great.</p>
<p>So here is a quick pro-con summary of </p>
<p>Berkeley
+better computer science program, better internships, job opportunities
-difficult to get good GPA/compete with EECS majors- will this affect internship/employment opportunities???
i only live 20 min away</p>
<p>UCLA
+better campus, dorms, social life, more attractive student body, feel more comfortable there,
+already accepted into Engineering College
+easier to get good GPA than Cal???
-concern of being able to transfer to Computer Science within Engineering School??? (from EE)
-lower ranked CS than Cal, worse job/internship opportunities???</p>
<p>I put question marks next to the ones I’m not really sure are correct. I’m just completely unsure how much weight to assign to each factor. Just how much will I be compromising internship and job opportunities if I choose UCLA? Would a higher GPA at UCLA put me at an advantage over a lower one at Cal?</p>
<p>I am not sure it would be any easier to get a good GPA at UCLA. Both are highly competitive. I know a UCLA student who just dropped out of Engineering. I think you should go with the best fit, which I think in your case, you may like the UCLA environment better. Berkeley is close to where you live and yes, the foggy weather can be depressing. You will do well where you thrive, I am sure you can still get internships in the bay area from ucla. Just do the best whereever you go and for you to do your best, you need to be happy. I get the feeling UCLA may be the one for you since you already have the preconcieved notions about Berkeley.</p>
<p>Well, pretty similar. The business program at Berkeley is killer famous and TOUGH to get into, I’ve heard. That’s the main attraction for me to Berkeley. I don’t like the old grungy buildings, the cold weather, SF, or the clustered environment. </p>
<p>I feel the same way as OP about going to UCLA: better social life, better campus, and food. I don’t think the dorms will be much different from Cal’s though. I’ve heard they’re not that great at UCLA. I also feel like getting a better GPA at UCLA would be easier than at Berkeley.</p>
<p>Think about where you want to end up after college. UCB offers fantastic internship opportunities; many of the recruiting companies are run by Berkeley alums and they seem to favor Berkeley CS students. Plus, UCB is of course in the center of the high tech corridor. I don’t know anything about UCLA CS recuriting opportunities, but it would be worthwhile to find out specifics when you’re down there.</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone for the replies. I actually still haven’t made the decision, and its tearing me apart. I have two days and I don’t know what I’m going to do…</p>
<p>I would be doing a fall program at Berkeley if I went. This is still really aggravating.
Another thing I didn’t point out is that I probably won’t have a car at UCLA, while I’ll have one here because I can go home anytime I want to because Berkeley is so close…</p>
<p>My mom is still trying to force Berkeley one me. Any advice to convince her?</p>
<p>If you are not going to do well at UCLA then you most likely will not do well at UCB. The reverse may not be true.
I would go to Berkeley because at least you got into CS while you may not get into CSE at UCLA. Did you apply to CSE and only get EE at UCLA?</p>
<p>@tlstika hi i am currently in the position you were a year ago, except for me it’s econ/pre business. I wanted to know what you ended up choosing/ how you’re enjoying your time thus far</p>
<p>Go where your gut says you’ll me comfortable. You don’t want to feel as if you’re “swimming upstream” for four years. And, yes, going with your gut is a rational decision.</p>
@tlstika and @dslhs14
Hi, I’m am currently in the same situation as both of you were. I got into biology for both UCLA and UCB but I’m thinking of switching to a CS major. What universities did you both end up choosing? Your input would be much appreciated.
BTW, I also live 20 minutes away from Berkeley lol.
Go with what your gut tells you. If you have any doubts about going to Cal, any at all, don’t go to Cal. Also, I think for your college experience and growth, getting away from home would be best.