<p>This is a copy/paste of a post I posted earlier on CC, but realized I had it in the wrong forum:</p>
<p>I have been admitted to a number of schools and have, in the last few weeks, narrowed my choices down between UC Berkeley and UCLA. I have visited both on their Cal and Bruin Days, respectively. I have been admitted for Civil Engineering for Fall Sem/Quarter for both schools.</p>
<p>I can't decide between the two colleges for my major. I've heard from most people that Berkeley is much better academically for my major (and engineering in general), and I really do love the campus and area immediately outside of the school. However, I love the feel of UCLA as well. The students seem to enjoy the school, and seem much friendlier. I feel UCB engineering will be too overwhelming and that I won't survive long enough to get the degree, or perhaps I'm just freaking out...</p>
<p>I have lived in SoCal my whole life and don't mind staying here; LA and SoCal is a wonderful place to live and be in. I don't mind if I go far for college either. Berkeley seems to a be a nice college town, or at least the area near the college does.</p>
<p>My ideal college experience is a very typical one. I want to attend a school with well known, high quality academics. Though I know I will study a lot, especially as an engineer, I want to be able to have a social life and have some fun while studying. Basically I want a balanced college experience.</p>
<p>Can anyone throw in some information, personal thoughts, etc. to help me come to a decision? </p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Spread your wings and go to Berkeley.</p>
<p>Berkeley will be academically more challenging than UCLA in Engineering. If you feel that going to Berkeley will cause you additional stress, possibly result in you dropping the Engineering major (the % is frighteningly high) and rob you of some social time you are looking forward to, then UCLA might be the correct fit for you.</p>
<p>Look, I think you need a response from somebody currently in Engineering at Berieley. UCBChemEgrad, as I recall, transferred into Berkeley as a Junior. He did not have to face the rigors of the Engineering weed-out of the first two years at Berkeley. It can be brutal.</p>
<p>
Source of the “frighteningly high” percentage? And comparison to UCLA?</p>
<p>
True I was a junior transfer from a CSU. However, my first ChemE class was 140…taken as a junior when others take as a sophomore. I went through all the same weed-out classes. Only classes I didn’t have to take at Berkeley were Math 1A/1B, Chem 4A/4B, Physics 7A/7B and a couple engineering electives which were covered at my CSU. Kids with high AP scores can skip most of those classes as well.</p>
<p>Why settle for a satellite school/second best when you can have the true original and best?</p>
<p>National Academy of Engineering Faculty Members in Civil Engineering:</p>
<p>Berkeley = 13
[NAE</a> Website - Members Directory](<a href=“NAE Website - Members Directory”>NAE Website - Members Directory)</p>
<p>UCLA = 1
[NAE</a> Website - Members Directory](<a href=“NAE Website - Members Directory”>NAE Website - Members Directory)</p>
<p>Okay for Civil Engineering in particular - Cal no ? As CE at Cal is world wide trump card… But U know that as someone who was accepted at these 2 awesome schools & engr programs… So what is it? Awesome food @Ucla or excellent sports events or best new dorms @ Ucla? Life happens every day, but rankings only matter @ the beginning & end of the process… Lucky choices but Bruinz eat better & work it off on all the stairs…</p>
<p>Berkeley’s semesters allow a breather so to speak during the term - and allow for more in depth study with one professor. UCLA’s quarters you’re talking about mid-terms first week. You also have to buy books and register for classes a third time on the quarter system - which is a hassle. Quarters do allow you to get done with a difficult class quickly.</p>