<p>So I've been admitted into UCLA and Cal as a psych major (or pre-psych for UCLA, L&S for Cal). I'm an international student who came to the States two years ago, and I have been living in the Bay Area the entire time I'm here. I absolutely love the Bay Area, that's why I'm super psyched about being accepted into Cal. But I've heard that although Berkeley may have one of the best psych graduate programs in the country, its undergrad program is kind of overrated. UCLA on the other hand, has a psych undergrad program that lives up to its name. So I'm just wondering if anyone out there are caught in the same situation? I'd also like to hear what you guys have to say. Just looking for opinions.
Thanks. </p>
<p>Not that rankings matter much, but UCLA and Berkeley are tied for psychology in the USNWR rankings. I’m sure that the experience at either school will be excellent.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that UCLA’s psychology department has a more biological focus than Berkeley’s. Not sure how true it is, so I suggest you look into that.</p>
<p>UCLA seems to have more name recognition in regards to Psychology, but I think both would be wonderful programs with great research opportunities. I would personally go UCLA for psych (I got in pre-psych as well). I think you should consider other factors, such as whether or not you want to stay in the Bay… as well as finances, and so forth.</p>
<p>I’m kinda in the same situation. I was admitted for psych at ucla, but I applied as a diff major at Cal (I didn’t think I could fulfill the requirements at that time, stupid decision). I was thinking of switching into psych at Cal, which is hard to do.</p>
<p>Anyways, I think that both psych programs are equally strong and the courses are very similar. I say make your decision on which school will give your more research opportunities in psych and the college lifestyle each one has. </p>
<p>@Cayton @Freetofly112
I think the rankings are more for graduate programs? I couldn’t find much information on psych undergrad rankings, but like you said, rankings don’t matter much. I’m only vacillating between these two schools because I wanna be as competitive as I can be in my application to graduate schools, and research experience is a key factor in graduate admission evaluation… It’s just that I heard Berkeley is putting too much focus on their graduate program so their undergrad program isn’t given as many research opportunities… Could be false information though. :-/</p>
<p>@randombookie
Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking, too. Research opportunities are definitely crucial because they play a big part in whether or not you will get into a good graduate school, or so I’ve heard.
So what major did you apply to Cal as anyways? Are you going to UCLA then?</p>
<p>If you absolutely love the Bay Area I’d suggest you go to Berkeley. Especially if you plan on leaving the states at some point. To be honest, I know nothing about either of the schools psych programs. It’s a good problem to have though deciding between Cal and LA! Good luck! </p>
<p>It got up to 90 degrees here in the north bay today. </p>
<p>@Zalrons
I certainly gravitate towards Berkeley, because I’ve only been to LA once and honestly I wouldn’t leave the Bay for it (no offense to all the LA-lovers out there, though!) I’m only asking questions because I’m more concerned about the research opportunities available at these two schools… I could be pretty indecisive when it comes to making big decisions like this. :-/ </p>
<p>@GoldenOnion
Considering that you’re International Student and that the programs are pretty much on equal footing. Ask yourself which school will be more convenient for you, since you will need to move. Do you have a car and license? (since most IS i know have difficulty getting their license because of the hassle of needing SSN) At this day and age it probably wouldn’t matter much, but does one school stand out more than the other in your home country?</p>
<p>These are all factors you would have to consider. Good luck deciding!</p>
<p>@Loyshi
Thanks for answering. You made some really good points and I appreciate it. I’ll probably spend a few more days making up my mind, and hopefully I’ll make the right decision.
Anyways, to answer your question, I do have a car and license. And I wasn’t required to have SSN when I purchased my car or when I got my license. We do need SSN for some other things, but not for secondhand cars and driving license. </p>
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