<p>I know there are tons of these threads so I'll keep it simple.</p>
<p>What would I be missing if I chose San Diego over Berkeley?</p>
<p>I don't want to sacrifice my education, but the regents scholarship is a very tempting and calming thing to have. Having access to all of the opportunities with the Regents, as well as making nearly everything easier (housing, registration, etc), are all extremely welcome. However, I can't help but worry over the loss of an amazing school like Berkeley.</p>
<p>So in conclusion, what opportunities, and anything else really, would I be missing out on if I chose SD over Cal?</p>
<p>We have three generations of UCB in our family but my son was accepted at UCSD. After I got over the fact that he will not be a Golden Bear and he refuses to appeal Cal’s decision (“If they don’t want me, mom, I don’t want them” he told me last night), I have reflected on how, for him, UCSD is really a great fit on many levels. Go to Triton Day next weekend and check it out. It’s an amazing university. With the soaring costs of college, follow the money. San Diego is highly regarded nationally and internationally and has a wonderful, small college feel because of the small college set up. In my son’s chosen major, Economics, there are two Nobel Laureates. UCSD has a lot of them. Based on our entire family’s experience of Berkeley: yes, amazing, but you really need to deal with the financing of undergraduate education, particularly when you will likely have more down the road for graduate education. In large universities like Cal and UCSD there are so many niches where you can fit in, so go to the accepted student days, but really, Regents? My goodness. Follow the money and count your blessings. Tens of thousands of your peers would love to be in your shoes.</p>
<p>Berkeley is a much more lively campus than UCSD. You have Pac-12 sports, the student oriented city of Berkeley and the entire Bay Area to explore via public transportation. </p>
<p>La Jolla is a nice place, but far from student oriented. A lot of kids go home on the weekend at UCSD that impacts the social environment.</p>
<p>Thank you both for the input! I would like a few more replies please. 
This is the next 4 years of my life xD</p>
<p>How much money would you be saving at UCSD? If it is not an insignificant account, I would go to UCSD. The difference between the universities isn’t that big and a better education isn’t really as valuable or worthwhile as you may think. It’s all “bragging rights”.</p>
<p>I would hardly be saving any money. The only difference is the $2000 I get from the regents scholarship. Transportation would probably be a little cheaper too because my parents wouldn’t have to fly me home if I went to SD. Thank you for your input! Honestly, I’m leaning far towards SD. I just want to make sure there isn’t something magic at Berkeley that could make or break my future.</p>
<p>I figure the classes at SD are also easier (note easier, not easy) and not as time consuming, so I would have more of an opportunity to work (to help pay for college) and do research (why I really want to go to college). Also, the freshman research program at UCSD is really an amazing opportunity. </p>
<p>Then again, bragging rights mean a lot xD!</p>
<p>I also might plan on double majoring, so the priority registration would really help me get all the classes I need right? Registration is based off of units completed as far as I know. Therefore, if I went to Cal and decided I wanted to double major I could be stuck waiting for the classes I need because I have too many units and would be underprioritized.</p>
<p>One last bumpity ;)</p>