UCLA or Berkeley? I can't decide...

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>I'm a freshman applicant and it may be a bit early to ask this question but I'll do so anyway. :)</p>

<p>My HS is tech-oriented and is extremely competitive, there are a lot of heavy studiers who have amazing grades, and as a result I have actually developed intellectually quite a bit. Of course, I have had to work very hard and lose a ton of sleep for it. But I haven't developed so much socially.</p>

<p>That's one of the reasons UCLA seems more appealing to me than Berkeley. I've visited both campuses and UCLA seems friendlier, located in a nicer area, more lively, has better housing, etc. And I would like not to work as hard for at least the first year of my college career as I have been working these past couple of years (nearly full AP/IB courseload). </p>

<p>Going by that alone, you might say "UCLA is great, go there, problem solved." But I'd like to major in EECS (Berkeley) or CSE (UCLA) (same thing basically, right?). And from how I understand things, Berkeley's program is noticeably more prestigious than that of UCLA. </p>

<p>At the same time, there are a few turn offs to Berkeley; the area is ... iffy, it's a bit too liberal for my tastes, etc. And while I like the intellectual aura of the academics and student body there, I would like a bit of a social life as well, and I'd like to make up for lost ground in HS!</p>

<p>BTW - I intend on applying to med school and I realize this will probably imply an extremely difficult courseload with both EE/CS classes and pre-med classes. (But I may change my mind about pursuing medicine in the middle of my college career and I have always liked computers, that's why I'm going EECS)</p>

<p>so can any Cal (or UCLA) students offer some advice on my situation? I understand both are excellent schools, but at least in some different ways, and I'm not sure which is right for me. UCLA brought a smile to my face, but something deep , deep inside of me (that intellectual vigor) is telling me Berkeley. :D Who do I listen to??</p>

2

<p>A former Berkeley student that really liked it a lot: go with the smile on your face. UCLA is a great school, and certainly good enough such that if you do well, prestige differences with Berkeley will matter little if at all. I wouldn't give this a second thought. At the level of Berkeley/UCLA, choose happiness since you will be able to find intellectual vigor at either one.</p>

3

<p>dt_,</p>

<p>I'm a former UCLA student who got into Berkeley as well. I haven't regretted going to UCLA for any reason other than I think going outside of LA for college might have been good for me. As for the prestige difference, it's almost meaningless outside of a few tiny little circles. Most people, in reality (this site ≠ reality), don't care.</p>

4

<p>And you might not even get into Berkeley EECS. Just let your admission letters come (or if you're already certain) and enjoy your last few months as a High school senior.</p>

5

<p>If you really love/want EECS, then go to Berkeley. It's one of the Top 3 programs in the country (MIT, Stanford, Berkeley).</p>

<p>Since you're interested in med school and like UCLA's atmosphere better, go to UCLA.</p>

6

<p>There is just so much to consider. Where you are located: generally you are either near the Berkeley area of Cal, or the UCLA area (unless you're oos). Most people go to the school that is away from where they live: norcal people go to UCLA, and SoCal go to Cal, generally. </p>

<p>What kind of atmosphere are you looking for? Berkeley is city and therefore has the feeling of that. Great area with a lot of diversity, but rent is pricey for people who live off campus. LA is more laid back, always sunny (Berkeley is great if you like rain and cold mornings!), and is 'sandal country'.</p>

<p>Berkeley is known as having a greate EECs program, but is also highly competitive in that field (the major is capped, I beleive). But all in all, both UCLA and Berkeley are pretty well matched in terms of quality of education. </p>

<p>So I would take into all these considerations before you decide where you want to go. For the most part, whichever you choose will tend to be the right decision (except for a few friends of mine), so trust your instinct!</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

7

<p>I agree with all of the above comments, my feeling after having visited both schools several times is that Cal has more of a community feeling, hard to explain, but there's just a certain level of prestige that comes from being a graduate of that school, that I believe is unmatched in any other university. Some people complain that they are too liberal, they let too many hobos out on the streets, call it "Bezerkeley" etc. But grads will tell you that the atmosphere is what makes the Berkeley experience. My brother grew up in a town that has been ranked as one of the 10 most conservative in nation, but he LOVES Berkeley, because of its diversity and opportunities to interact with so many different people.</p>

<p>UCLA is a great school too, although my personal feeling was that it wasn't as tight-knit. But if you like LA, sunny weather all year, and a very-laid back campus with an extremely reputable degree, it is definitely the place for it.</p>

<p>Both campuses will open countless doors for you. Is Berkeley more prestigious? Yes, but both are world-renowned and should not be discredited for their differences.</p>

8

<p>I agree, if the long-term goal is med school, you should go to UCLA. If you want to work in the computer industry, though, you want to be near silicon valley, for that reason alone Berkeley is probably better.</p>

9

<p>I'm going to shoot down my alma mater for second.</p>

<p>I don't really think it matters much if you go to UCLA vs. Berkeley for med school. If anything, Berkeley may even have a slight edge.</p>

10

<p>"Most people go to the school that is away from where they live: norcal people go to UCLA, and SoCal go to Cal, generally. "</p>

<p>This is exactly the opposite of the truth.</p>

11

<p>I'm in So Cal.</p>

<p>And about equal numbers of students went to Cal and UCLA from the class of 07 in my HS :)</p>

12

<p>The schools and their respective programs are both great. Go where you feel most comfortable and happy. Berkeley isn't for everyone. Some people want a cleaner, more suburban feel which UCLA has. Others want diversity and lots to do with a big city (San Francisco) nearby, & no car necessary- Berkeley is good for that. Both places are either insanely social or very lonely, depending on the student. BTW, both places have conservatives and liberals aplenty. Sounds like you think you like the LA vibe more than the Berkeley vibe so go for it. Good luck.</p>

13

<p>I can tell you that going to Berkeley and majoring in EECS will mean you'll have a very easy time finding a job afterward. A lot of Silicon Valley companies are up here recruiting all the time.</p>

<p>However, your general view of the Berkeley area vs. the UCLA area is reasonably accurate. UCLA is polished, well-groomed, very Hollywood movie-ish. I personally prefer the Westwood area to the area around Berkeley (though I'm a Berkeley student).</p>

<p>I wouldn't worry about the liberalness of Berkeley, though. People don't talk politics unless you want to talk politics, so if you don't want propaganda (liberal or conservative) shoved down your through, just don't try to shove your ideas down anyone else's throat.</p>

<p>BTW, the difficulty of your college career will be determined almost entirely by what you take. You can have an easy first year at Berkeley. Most likely, though, if you were a true uber-AP/IB student (like many others I know, including myself), you will be inclined to take a lot of classes naturally, so no matter where you go, it will be hard.</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
more suburban feel which UCLA has.

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</p>

<p>UCLA has a suburban feel? I don't remember feeling that when I was there. =p</p>

<p>
[quote]
both places have conservatives and liberals aplenty.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>If you consider about 10% conservative to be "aplenty" (as it is at Berkeley), then yes, I suppose so.</p>

15

<p>yah.... im in that situation also..
But i think ill shoot for Cal... 60%-cal 40%-ucla</p>

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<p>What really compels me to Berkeley is the history behind the school. In the 60's Berkeley was the at the center of it all. The freedom of speech movement, civil rights, anti war, and the UC Berkeley students were leading the way. I always wished I could have lived in that era. So I feel that for me, getting into Cal would somehow connect me with that legacy forever. As for UCLA, it's a great school and Westwood is wonderful. But I lived in socal for many years, theres just a shallowness behind it that doesn't sit well with me. These two schools really seem like they are complete opposites, just go with the one you feel more comfortable with.</p>

17

<p>fijeeboi,</p>

<p>I didn't really go to Cal, but I spent a lot of time up there for projects here and there, and I can say that the two are different, but certainly not opposites. UCLA also has a strong history of social movements, but it gets drowned out by the glitz. If you dig down, there's a lot of history there.</p>

18

<p>You are right UCLAri. As I was writing my comment above, it occurred to me that UCLA must of had it's own social movements. You just never really hear about it. As far as them being opposites, I consider Norcal and Socal pretty opposite in general. Complete opposites may have been a slight exaggeration, but I feel like there is a much different vibe from north to south. I was just saying that he should go with the vibe that he is more comfortable with.</p>

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<p>True, but few would state it on the same level as the Free Speech movement and Mario Savio.</p>

20

<p>Two words: Angela Davis.</p>

<p>Year: 1969</p>

<p>Both Schools: Rule 17</p>

<p>I'll give the edge to Berkeley for Mario Savio. Search his name on youtube, and you will see what us aging demonstrators are all about.</p>