<p>But going back to the OP, go with the smile on your face. Really. When I was at UCLA, it put a smile on my face every single day. My son had the same reaction with Berkeley, and I know that's why he is up there now (probably not smiling at the moment -- finals looming).</p>
<p>Thanks for the input folks, I really appreciate it. :)</p>
<p>Berkeley is awesome! Number one public school in the nation! You just can't beat that!
I picked Cal over the Honors program at UCLA and I don't regret it one bit. I have a few friends who transferred here from UCLA and they always say that they love the semester system way more than the quarter system, but that's a personal preference. They also tell me that the people at Berkeley are much more "real" and "down to earth" than the people they went to school with at UCLA. Also, the party scene here is awesome! Everyone studies hard, and then parties hard :) All my friends who visit from CalPoly, SDSU, and other "party" schools tell me that Cal is above and beyond what they expected in regards to the social scene. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>GO BEARS! :)</p>
<p>By the way, I'm a pre-med student too. You CAN have a life and be pre-med here. For pre-meds who want to do research there is a program at UC Berkeley called URAP (Undergraduate Research and Apprenticeship Program). I do research at UCSF through this program, and it is seriously one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I love that Cal offers such great programs to undergrads. Just something to keep in mind!</p>
<p>berkberk,</p>
<p>Your sample is just a tad bit biased. ;)</p>
<p>UCLA is a MILLION TIMES BETTER
dont go to Cal</p>
<p>haha ok ok UCLA is awesome too... I almost went there!</p>
<p>but I still LOVE cal!!</p>
<p>million time better?! haha funny....</p>
<p>^ Yep, nothing original about UCLA.</p>
<p>UCBChemEGrad,</p>
<p>Oh, don't get too smug. You should see the quality of Cal support you see 'round these parts sometimes.</p>
<p>Well in the case of being a pre-med. I would pick the one that is easier. Because they are so close in rank and prestige, the only difference in graduating from one vs the other, is the amount of work needed to get good grades. I've heard that Cal is very cut throat in the pre-med( chem, phys, calc, bio) courses. I can't say the same for UCLA though.</p>
<p>^^ I doubt UCLA would be any different, tbh.</p>
<p>yah im pre-dent student but i heard UCLA is slightly better for science field... but i still want to go to Cal more haha</p>
<p>^^ while I acknowledge that Cal and UCLA are on par in many academic fields, I have to add that Cal is known for being a science/tech/engineering school, and from what I've seen, is strong than UCLA in the sciences overall.</p>
<p>^^disagree kd, they're quite comparable...HSSEAS is very good, and la might give u better opportunities</p>
<p>True, they are comparable, but I'd give the tip to Berkeley (I wouldn't say UCLA is stronger). For example, in the NRC ranking (yes, old and graduate), UCLA not once outranks Berkeley in biological, engineering, or physical sciences, and is usually more than a few spots behind. The only places that I see UCLA outranking it, of the areas where both are ranked, are linguistics and psychology.</p>
<p>which school should i choose if im going for dental school?</p>
<p>dontcha: true, in numerous science fiction novels, and even movies (note "Medicine Man," "Legally Blond," "Patch Adams," "The West Wing," etc.), characters are graduates of Berkeley. Michael Chriton also often had his scientists portrayed as Berkeley grads. Why? bc it is the best science school in the country overall.</p>
<p>haha i totally agree but Berkeley should have med/dent school!!!</p>
<p>I believe Berkeley's never felt the need to have a med school; UCLA has one, UCI has one, UCD has one, but not Berkeley, the oldest and arguably the best. Why? Because UCSF was always right nearby (est. 1873, 5 years after Berkeley).</p>