UC Berkeley vs. UCSD for Communications: HELP!

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>My major is Media Studies at Berkeley, and Communications at SD. I'm considering doing a minor or a double major in computer science to expand employment opportunities in the future, but I'm struggling to choose between the two</p>

<p>I think Berkeley has the more reputable name that may open up more employment opportunities regardless of my major, but the distance away from my home is weighing heavily on me because of my mom, who would be alone after the recent death of my dad. Another factor that I'm struggling with is the fact that if I choose Berkeley, I am not guaranteed my major. I have over 80 semester units from community college (I took a lot of classes to be a biology major and later changed my mind), so I would have to APPEAL to be able to declare the media studies major. I'm not sure how difficult it would be to declare another major once I'm there. With SD, I would not have this problem, but again, the reputation and the name is not the same.</p>

<p>Opinions would be appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Have you visited both campuses? I’d say to go with UCSD. In the long run, I think your overall experience and happiness in college and what you DO far outweighs the brand name of the school, especially when deciding between two great schools. It’s not like deciding between Stanford vs. Slippery Rock College. You are obviously an intelligent and capable person to get into Berkeley, there is no reason that attending a lesser school will automatically devalue your qualities. Furthermore, as someone who has done research about the CS programs in both schools, UCSD computer science is open to all transfers this year, so you will have no trouble double majoring if that is what you wish. On the other hand, you will have to earn good grades in Berkeley’s CS 61 series to even be considered for the major, since it is heavily impacted. Go wherever you will be able to thrive more. Best of luck in your decision.</p>