<p>I know that Berkeley is better for all (or almost all) types of engineering, but I have heard that engineers there have barely any social life since it is so competitive. I want to have a fun, while extremely educational, college experience, which I think would be very difficult to have at Berkeley. Also, I want to get an MBA after an engineering undergrad, so do you think it would be better for me to go to UCLA or Berkeley?</p>
<p>Hi dsacks,</p>
<p>I graduated from Cal 17 years ago with an engineering undergraduate degree. I had turned down UCLA. I’m an engineering manager now working in Silicon Valley. Bought a house in SF. Life is good. Looking back, Cal was 100% the correct decision. You, my friend, have a no-brainer in front of you. Go to Cal.</p>
<p>In the real world, it is the performance of the individual that matters most, but Cal enginering degrees command more respect than the highly respectful UCLA engineering degree. All things being equal, you will be more likely to get an interview at this company with a Cal degree than a UCLA degree.</p>
<p>I had a lot of fun at Cal. Joined a frat, went to football & basketball games, dated, went to the gym, studied my ass off. My life was full there. If you have no fun at Cal, then you yourself are no fun. The problem, in that case, is not with the university.</p>
<p>Now, on the minus side of the ledger for Cal, assuming you are a straight male: the girls (and I suppose the men) are hotter at UCLA. Hands down. This does not mean that all Cal girls are not as cute as the UCLA girls. Your average UCLA girl is cuter than your average Cal girl. </p>
<p>Los Angeles and its hot girls & nightlife will always be there. You can get a job in LA after you graduate from Cal, or apply to Andersen at UCLA for your MBA, which is an excellent program. I knew a guy who did Cal undergrad and UCLA MBA, and that gentleman is a Winner.</p>
<p>So don’t be pennywise and poundfoolish. You can chase supermodels after you graduate with your badass Cal engineering degree (which will not impress supermodels), while having a life.</p>
<p>Hopefully I have saved you a lot of hand-wringing, because I believe I have provided you with the Correct Answer.</p>
<p>Both will afford you plenty of opportunities. I suggest selecting based on where you prefer to live for the next 4 or so years. Personally, I wouldn’t give a Cal grad any more of a nod than the UCLA grad competing for a job but if the hiring manager happens to be a Cal grad, they might (and vice versa for a manager from UCLA).</p>
<p>[UCLA</a> Engineering: Top 10 Reasons](<a href=“http://www.engineer.ucla.edu/academics/top10reasons.html]UCLA”>http://www.engineer.ucla.edu/academics/top10reasons.html)</p>
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<p>I am currently debating between going to UCLA and UC Berkeley as well! My situation is a little different however, because I am currently leaning towards pre-med! Any suggestions/opinions/help?</p>
<p>I can strongly recommend Cal for undergraduate engineering (I chose Cal over UCLA). In regards to pre-med, I would tread with caution. Cal has a notorious reputation of destroying your GPA. Many aspiring pre-med’s that I knew either switched programs, or transferred out of Cal. I did know one guy who was an MCB major who ended up in med-school. So ymmv. It’ll be hard though, no doubt.</p>
<p>what about research opportunities and connections? I know that UCLA has an amazing hospital attached to it and therefore really good research opportunities and connections, but what about Cal? Do most students just go to UCSF for their research?</p>