UCB vs UCLA (But with a twist! I promise!)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
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<p>Okay okay okay, I know a thread like this pops up every two days. I'm sorry. But, hear me out. This one's a little different.</p>

<p>So, here's the lowdown. I got into UCLA and Cal (both rather unexpected) and am having trouble deciding...</p>

<p>A little background: I've always wanted to go to Cal; been my dream school for a while. And when I came back to CC to "restart" my college career Berkeley astrophysics was the prize I was eyeing. </p>

<p>Now, I've gotten into Cal for Astrophysics (my dream), and UCLA for Aerospace Engineering (my logical dream)... So, it's not a clean cut decision. If Cal had AeroE, I'd go there hands down. But, I'm worried about the marketability of Astrophysics. I wish I was independently wealthy enough that my future salary didn't affect my decision, but the sad reality is I'm not.</p>

<p>So, my concern is Engineering $$ vs Astrophysics $$.</p>

<p>(UCLA plan => Aero BS to MBA of some sort
Cal plan => Astrophys to Aero MS to MBA ?
given that example,... Cal looks to be the much longer path...)</p>

<p>((I'd be happy with a job doing either... but, if salary weren't a factor, I would enjoy the astrophys degree more, I believe))</p>

<p>BTW, I'm a transfer.</p>

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<p>Where's the twist?</p>

<p>Liar.</p>

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<p>UCLA is for squares</p>

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<p>Berkeley's where the party's at.</p>

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<p>The twist is that they are vastly different majors!</p>

<p>(thanks for the help by the way...)</p>

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<p>go with UCLA.... with Aerospace Engineering it will be easier to land a job</p>

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<p>Career</a> Center - What Can I Do With a Major In...?</p>

<p>I guess it depends how much school you feel like going through.</p>

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<p><a href="thanks%20for%20the%20help%20by%20the%20way...">quote</a>

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Bad twist = bad help</p>

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<p>Ektaylor: Please, keep posting... You are so insightful and helpful. It's not wasting anybody's time at all! Especially not yours!</p>

<p>Anyways, thanks everyone else... I know UCLA is the logical choice. I've just always wanted to go to Cal, and Astrophys would be so cool. But, I think logic will prevail here, and UCLA it will be.</p>

<p>(Only a few people responded on the Cal Career center for Astrophys, but yeah, it would require more schooling for sure... and with 5 years of community college already under my belt, not sure if i'm up for that)</p>

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<p>Sorry. I apologize for the 5 seconds it must have taken you to read my posts.</p>

<p>Actually, I think I have a better argument that you, in fact, wasted my time by luring me into this post with such a title. </p>

<p>Inexcusable.</p>

<p>(I have to achieve senior member status somehow)</p>

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<p>You made a good decision with UCLA. Engineering majors most often get the highest starting salaries.</p>

<p>Just wondering, if your terminal degree is a MBA, why do you want to focus on Aerospace engineering/astrophysics for undergrad?</p>

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<p>I love people that think they deserve something for posting a lot.</p>

<p>Anyways, tastybeef, because I don't actually want to be a "business man" per se, I want to get into engineering management. Still work in the aerospace industry, but as a project leader or something of that sort.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I love people that think they deserve something for posting a lot.

[/quote]

^_^</p>

<p>I have ONE referral, too; and, after all, referrals are the ultimate quantification of CC clout.</p>

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<p>Goodness. SOME people at CC are losers.</p>

<p>I'm just sayin'. </p>

<p>;D</p>

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<p>I guess irony doesn't translate well on the innernet.</p>

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<p>Senior Member status, hah!</p>

<p>@OP: It's basically how you want to live your 4 years. What your major is doesn't mean you have to be stuck in that job for the rest of your life.</p>

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<p>UC Berkeley has the top ranking Astrophysics program in the nation. If you're going on prestige, Cal takes the cake. You can PM me with more info if you'd like, I'm an astro major.</p>

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<p>What about the differences in top tier grad schools? Would Berkeley make that big a difference from UCLA in getting into some top MBA or Engineering M.S. programs? Would it be worth it for that?</p>

<p>I know logic says get the engineering degree from UCLA and be safe. But, it's hard to turn down Berkeley, I've always wanted to go there, AND I think astrophysics would be really a interesting/rewarding degree.</p>

<p>I've been talking to some friends who say go to Cal just for the connections you'll make, and the ability to get into better grad schools. And they really get me convinced for Cal. Then I talk to other friends who say I'm an idiot if I get an astrophysics degree over an aeroE degree.</p>

<p>@Castel: I'd be happy with either astrophys or aero e. I'm just worried about the large $$ difference between the two.</p>

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<p>Cal is your dream school, astrophysics is your dream major choice and you have always wanted to go there. Am I missing anything here? You can analyze the possible future job salary/availability until you are blue in the face. Just go with your dream. There, so easy.</p>

<p>Your statement about Cal and the "ability to get into better grad schools" over UCLA is just absolutely false. Both graduates get into top grad schools, depending on how you do at the schools, of course.</p>