<p>While Berkeley's program is ranked higher, ultimately, does it really matter?</p>
<p>depends on who you're working for</p>
<p>Can you elaborate? Thanks!</p>
<p>haha sorry. I think Berkeley would be the better choice, bc it's so renowned in the field. You'd pretty much automatically be named one of the best simply bc you came out of Berkeley with that degree. Not that you can't accomplish the same thing at UCLA, but it's kinda like coming out w/a degree in Political Science from Princeton, or from Dartmouth. Which one is going to probably get you the higher paying job right away? Of course, you still have to be qualified, but my point is that Cal's name speaks volumes in that field, so I'd go there.</p>
<p>Yes, UC Berkeley's program is ranked higher, and yes, it does matter. EECS at UC Berkeley is pretty much the hardest Computer Science program in California; UCLA is well-known for Computer Science but it's just not as cut-throat as UC Berkeley (especially the dreaded CS 150 class). :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Right now, I like both schools but I'm favoring UCLA more just because I feel the place will suit me better. Given that, in your opinion, should I still go to Cal for it's CS program?</p>
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<p>Then come to UCLA! You'll do best at the place you feel more comfortable. DUH!</p>
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I'm favoring UCLA more just because I feel the place will suit me better.
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<p>I chose UCLA CSE over CMU CS for that same reason. </p>
<p>and i'm glad i did :)</p>
<p>UCLA initiated the Internet :D</p>
<p>ok, well yeah, obviously if you like UCLA better, go there! If you like Cal more, do that! Cal might have a better program/reputation in that field, but if your not going to be happy, choose better options for yourself. good luck, and hope to see you in the fall!</p>
<p>Hmmm... I don't know about the rankings, honestly. It always seemed a bit iffy to me to choose based on rankings. They're best use as the final tie-breakers... if everything else is equal, then go with the one that's ranked better.
If you actually plan on working in engineering, ultimately what matters most is what you can do. Berkeley will help you land a better starting job, but I don't know if it would be better enough for someone to invest 4 years in a place they don't really like. People from UCLA get hired by good companies too... heck, even people from Cal Poly get hired by good companies. And once you're in, your degree loses a lot of its worth, in my opinion. Its all about how you prove yourself from that point on.
So, if in the 4 years at UCLA, you are able to get top notch grades and due to less competition are able to engage in more career-oriented pursuits, you may be in a better position than you would have been at Berkeley. But if you're looking to fork into banking/business, then Berkeley might be better from what I've heard. The thing is that in the end engineers don't really get paid for where they got their degree from, unlike business and law. It does make a marginal difference, but in that regard UCLA should be able to get you a job comparable to the Berkeley grad's.</p>
<p>I didn't read any post but to let you know</p>
<p>you should really really go to UCB.</p>
<p>the program has been there since the invention and integration of computers into our world. </p>
<p>if you're not happy with cal, I don't care just go. I guarantee you'll be happy when you come out.</p>
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<p>What comes with that "guarantee?" Is it like a money-back guarantee? Will you refund the all those years of unhappiness? What if loserville fails miserably, drops out, and becomes just another Berkeley bum? Can you live with that on your conscience? Just wondering.</p>
<p>Will it be easier to enter a graduate program at, say, MIT if you attended berkeley instead of ucla? or do graduate programs generally not regard undergraduate rankings?</p>
<p>You can get into Cal's EECS MS program if you choose to major in CSE or CS at Cal.</p>
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<p>Short answer: NO</p>
<p>Seriously, do a search on this stuff. Browse the Engineering and Graduate School Forums. </p>
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<p>Very broadly speaking, graduate schools care a lot about your letters of recommendation and your statement of purpose -- the essay you write about why you want to attend graduate school in a particular field, and what your qualifications are. In some fields, admissions committees care about things like undergraduate research, writing samples, your work or internship history, or an in-person interview. Graduate schools generally do not care about extracurricular activities whatsoever unless they're directly related to the field you want to study -- often there's not even a place to write about extracurriculars on the application.
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<p>What the hell do you know?! Don't listen to him. It does matter where you get your undergrad! Cal >> UCLA, meaning that a 3.4(Cal) > 3.6(UCLA).</p>
<p>it doesnt matter which you go to, it matters how you do there. Berkeley has lots of failures, and if you are going to be one of them, you should go somewhere else, like ucsd/sc/etc. Go to the best of the best for grad school.</p>
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<p>Berkeley has the LBNL just up the hill! If you can get some research there, that would be sweet.</p>
<p>if you want to enjoy the best four years of your life, i suggest you choose somewhere where you want to go</p>