UCI or UCLA?

Applying to College
1

<p>I got accepted to UCI and UCLA.
I had my mind set on UCLA, but then I went to talk to my high school counselor to get some advice and he told me that since I plan to attend graduate school in the future, UCLA is more competitive, so it will be harder to obtain a high undergrad G.P.A. as opposed to going to UCI. </p>

<p>So now I don't know which school to choose anymore. My counselor just told me to visit both campuses and see which one i like better because they are BOTH good schools and that I shouldn't pick UCLA just because of it's name. He also told me that he's had students who get 4.0 at less "prestigious" universities like UC Santa Barbara and they are chosen to get into grad school over someone from UC Berkeley with a 3.8. He said the same situation can be applied with UCI and UCLA. </p>

<p>I've visited UCI and I liked the campus and the whole vibe of it. I haven't visited UCLA yet, but I will in a couple of weeks. I heard the campus is gorgeous. :D</p>

<p>I've asked my friends for their opinions and they just said "It's UCLA..."
BUT i don't want to attend UCLA just because of it's name/prestige.</p>

<p>Is it really that hard to keep up a good gpa at UCLA like my counselor said?
Would I have a better chance of getting into grad school if I went to UCI just because I can get a higher gpa there?
Would it be the wrong choice to turn down the oh so "prestigious" UCLA?</p>

2

<p>I think at any large state school you’ll find it a challenge to receive a gpa higher than a 3.6</p>

3

<p>I am taking it that you are going to Bruin’s Day, when you do go you could ask around and see what the students are say. I personally would go to UCLA because I find that UCI is a little remote from the surrounding city.</p>

4

<p>Hey Arabellarin,</p>

<p>Like your counselor said you shouldn’t choose a school solely based on its prestige. However, based on what you have posted, I have a good feeling that you won’t. =] UCLA is an incredible school and same with UC Irvine. (Sometimes high-school counselors’ advice aren’t the best when coming to college. I’m not saying that about your counselor but I’m just throwing it out there.) For example, a hs counselor told a student that he wasn’t X university material. The student is now attending X university and is excelling academically and even managing an organization, which promotes higher education for disadvantage youth.</p>

<p>It’s excellent that you will be visiting UCLA. By visiting, you’ll have the opportunity to compare UCLA’s atmosphere (students, politics, club, scenery, location, weather, etc.) with UCI. </p>

<p>Do you currently have any ideas about what you’re passionate about major-wise? I’d encourage you to look up both of the schools programs and see which school has a stronger program base on your interests in major(s).</p>

<p>While people’s opinions can be helpful, I say base your decision on what you want. “Follow your heart.” If your heart is in UC Irvine then go to UCI. If your heart is in UCLA then go to UCLA. </p>

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<p>Don’t be intimidated by your counselor’s thoughts about maintaining a high GPA and about graduate school. While they may fit and be true for some cases, it doesn’t apply to everyone. If you’re very committed to learning and studying, I’m sure you won’t have a problem acquiring a high GPA and getting into grad school. </p>

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<p>Although GPA is a crucial factor in the world of academia, it doesn’t define who you are. I’m not an expert on grad school, so I can’t necessarily answer that question. Personally, i wouldn’t choose a school just to get a higher gpa though. </p>

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<p>Not necessarily. If you really like UCI than I say go to UCI. =] However, if you really like UCLA than go to UCLA. Both are incredible schools. Whatever decision you make, I wish you the best!</p>

5

<p>Well with UCLA’s name comes UCLA’s opportunities. I really don’t like it when people like guidance counselors who are supposed to be pushing us to be the best that we can be tell us to go somewhere because it’s “easier” or something like that. Why not take the challenge, enjoy a stimulating environment and stimulating peers, and experience a school that has gained a great reputation for a reason? Socially, academically, and with consideration to location, I believe UCLA trumps UCI. It’s ultimately up to you, but I wouldn’t follow the guidance counselor’s advice who–if they’re anything like the counselors at my school–do nothing but counsel to students (who aren’t self-motivated and who lack the initiative to succeed in school) saying to go to CC’s where you can’t get the classes you need and transfer to “any college you want” even though it’s become incredibly difficult and in some cases impossible.</p>

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<p>Well said. I’d also choose UCLA to take on the challenge =]</p>

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<p>Perhaps your counselor didn’t intend to say what you’ve interpreted him to say. Put simply the actual or interpretation was this “choose the second best option because you’ll have an easier time”. Negative thinking. It’s not the path to success. Choose the best option. It’s not worth a second of your time to evaluate. Congratulations.</p>

8

<p>Another factor to consider is that UCLA is primarily a residential campus while UCI is more of a commuter school for a lot of its students.</p>

9

<p>Don’t sell yourself short. You had the stats to get accepted into UCLA when there were over 60K applicants. </p>

<p>You have the ability to do very well there. </p>

<p>Do not pass up UCLA because of fear. You will do fine.</p>