Hi, I’m an international student hopefully making it through the preliminary selection at my home university to attend UC. If I want to apply, I need to fill out three campus preferences, however, being international I cannot visit prior to sending in the application. I’ve read the campus atmospheres are really different so I was hoping someone could help 
My current number one (based purely on rankings/academics and location) is Berkeley, followed by UCLA and then UCSD. I recently met someone attending UCSB and they really loved that so I’m kind of keeping that one in mind too.
The UC system seems really great to study, however, some things that worry me are the cutthroat environment and curved grading I read about. I’m an all right student (3.0 GPA alongside five committees, one board function and a pretty active (student association) social life the past 2.5 years) and willing to work hard but reading about sabotaging peers was just mind-boggling and I’m not sure I want to be in that kind of environment. Another thing that worries me is housing and getting into the classes I want since I’ve heard local students are prioritized over exchange students.
The environment I am in now is a 12,000 student university in a small town where everyone has at least one mutual other friend. It’s quiet but there’s lots to do if you take initiative and the teachers will always help you (after class) and we’re (almost) always on first-name basis. I’m a biotechnology major looking for a place to take upper-class biology classes, preferably micro-, cellular and genetic biology. I want to learn new things but also have time to experience the culture, see places and be socially active (very cliche, I know). I want to move to a more urban area than the 40,000-person town I am in now which is what attracts me to LA and the Bay. I like a chill friendly atmosphere and easy-going people who work hard but also know how to have fun and attend the occasional party. I also don’t have a car so a place where a car is not necessary would be great (although otherwise I’ll just have to befriend people who do have cars haha) and cycling is not life-threatening.
Based on this do you have any suggestions for my applications? I know all campuses will provide a great experience but I’m curious as to what you think based on the above. Sorry for the long story and thanks in advance!
Biotech is most prevalent in the SF Bay Area and San Diego, so I might lean towards UC-Berkeley and UCSD based on that. UCLA and UCI will also be in very urban areas. The other UCs will be more college-town or remote.
Berkeley is a big city environment where you see wealth and homeless people all mixed in. The BART train is nearby so you can go to San Francisco and other places pretty conveniently.
UCSD is in a wealthy area close to the ocean. A lot of ugly architecture. Methinks you might need a car more there to get around to say San Diego proper, since there isn’t great public transportation but not sure.
Ucla bio is arguably one of its strongest programs considering it has one of the best medical and health science schools on the west coast. UCLA isn’t cut throat for the most part with a lot of collaboration. It’s like a smarter UCSB in terms of environment. My sister is at UCB and would much rather be at LA. UCSDs nickname is UC Socially Dead. Take it with a grain of salt.
Thanks for your replies! Why does your sister want to be at UCLA rather than Berkeley?
@AnotherIntlKid Cal is a great school but the culture is much more hard core academics focused while UCLA is known for being a pretty fun school to attend. It’s got a vibe closer to a big state school like ASU and UF if you know what I mean.
Hi, I’m sorry, I’m from Europe so I have no idea what the state school vibe is. Do you mean more relaxed; not studying 24/7; work hard, play hard?
I wouldn’t take any one person’s opinion on vibe. This is something you need to find out yourself. Everyone will have a differing opinion.
Yeah, no worries. Just trying to get the basic gist of things of a university system completely different from my own 
@AnotherIntlKid Yeah UCLA has a much bigger party culture than cal. But you can find all kinds of people in both schools. Depends on what you want during your quarter abroad.
Thanks! I want to see things around LA (if admitted), go up to SF for a weekend or so, visit Yosemite/Joshua Tree NP, all the touristy things haha. I also want to just experience American college life and maybe catch a few basketball/baseball/football matches. Thanks for all the info! LA is definitely tempting.
@AnotherIntlKid
state school vibe = attendance at sporting events is popular, school spirit is high, weekends are lively with parties, top-notch academics for those who are self-disciplined. A state school is partially funded by the state, making it less expensive than a private school for state residents.