<p>UCSF is Berkeley's medical school. Read the history of UCSF.</p>
<p>^^it was, it isn't now...its independent fo sho</p>
<p>^^ yes, but the two supposedly still share faculty, students, programs, funds, etc. I'd heard that one of the reasons for UCSF's independence was so that it could compete for more funds from the state.</p>
<p>To be honest, a "more prestigious" degree doesn't mean as much as your GPA or work ethic when graduating with a BS in EECS or CSE - both schools with give you limitless opportunities and you shouldn't rely on prestige alone. </p>
<p>That being said, I'm a CSE major at UCLA and couldn't be happier with my choice - I didn't regret for a second declining my Regent's Scholarship to Berkeley for EECS, there are many aspects of the school that are horribly overrated. I've lived in the Bay Area my whole live and visited Cal often, been to classes, and now have plenty of friends there. The difference is like night and day, comparing the two schools. The students at UCLA are just as smart as those at Berkeley, engineering or not, except they seem much more 'all-around' in the sense that they're social, athletic, down-to-earth, etc. Other than the prestige that EECS has over CSE, I can't find one aspect the Berkeley has over UCLA in the context of your experience there. </p>
<p>I know for a fact that if I went to Berkeley, my motivation and work ethic would be a fraction of what it is now. Everything about UCLA is terrific, and I can't wait to go back to start winter quarter in two weeks - the same can't be said for all of my Berkeley friends unfortunately. If you're at a school that you're not as comfortable in, chances are you're not going to perform to your potential, and the contrapositive is also true. Talk to EECS and CSE majors and get their opinions, then decide for yourself where you want to spend the next four years of your life. I found my paradise!</p>
<p>And as for jobs work after school, it truly is what you make of it. You're certainly not disadvantaged if you became a CSE major, and I'm disappointed that so many narrow-minded people make a decision based on prestige alone. I certainly didn't take the 'obvious' route, and for good reason. I know dozens of CS majors and engineers alike who chose UCLA over Berkeley, both from Norcal and Socal. But of course, if you only care about academics with no regards to life outside the library study lounge, then go to Berkeley, you wouldn't fit in here ;)</p>
<p>Any specific questions don't hesitate to ask.</p>
<p>^^Look I know you like your school; but lets be objective here. Were not here to bash other people's schools (you claim Cal is "horribly" overrated).</p>
<p><strong><em>quote</em></strong>
"The students at UCLA are just as smart as those at Berkeley, engineering or not, except they seem much more 'all-around' in the sense that they're social, athletic, down-to-earth, etc."</p>
<p>^^dont you think thats a little condescending--we said that Berkeley/UCLA students are basically on par (being generous I might add; see admission standards) yet you add that UCLA students are more social, athletic, down-to-earth...</p>
<p>I am glad that you found your paradise, however, taking a shot at Cal on the Cal forum where prospective students seek information about the school based on your experience as an outsider is somewhat weak dude.</p>
<p>^^ agreed.</p>
<p>littleitaly, just admit that it really depends on who you are as to which would be better for you. Neither is really "superior" to the other.</p>
<p>liquidmetal,</p>
<p>Apologies for anything that seemed offensive to Cal, it's certainly not my intention to put down a highly-respectable school, I was following in suit with other Cal/UCLA students sharing their opinions about preference. Also, saying that UCLA students seem more social or down-to-earth is obviously subjective, it's not quantifiable like admission statistics.</p>
<p>And of course, kyledavid80, it definitely depends on the person! The whole point of my post was to share the views of a particular person (myself). That way, the person who started this thread has a chance to see for themselves the subjective perspectives from each. If they wanted stats, they would look elsewhere.</p>
<p>I hope it was implied that what I said is based on what I've seen, heard, and experienced. I don't want anyone taking it for fact, of course. And I didn't say Cal was overrated, I said there were aspects of which that (according to what I've seen) aren't as appealing as the public sees as such. Don't take anything to personally against Berkeley, it IS a terrific school, the only people we have to put down are those at Stanford and USC, respectively ;) Hope that clears things up guys...</p>
<p>Oh and I don't disagree with admission statistics, either, Berkeley certainly has the edge in many objective regards. But I'm not putting anyone down by saying that, in general, UCLA students are more down-to-earth or social - maybe the hundred or so Berkeley students I've met aren't representative of the study body as a whole! There are tons of exceptions...</p>
<p>Oh and also the thread is meant for equal Cal/UCLA use, I don't mean to intrude on a forum in which I'm not meant to express my opinions.</p>
<p>Thanks for the clarification, littleitaly. I'll add that a 100 or so Berkeley students is roughly .3% of the student population; needless to say, I don't think that's a good sampling size. Of all the students I've known who have chosen to attend UCLA, quite a few of them were superficial, snobby, and arrogant, but I won't make any judgments on UCLA students -- I'm sure there's a full range of students at a school of about 40,000.</p>
<p>No problem, and honestly most of the posts here are prone to a small sampling anyways. Who really meets more than 100 students of a particular school before making observations and assumptions? Actually, berkberk said earlier about the same thing about UCLA that I did of Cal, so we're coming from similar experiences.</p>
<p>Sticking to the specifics from our original poster, what other information would they need from us to help them in their decision?</p>
<p>^^kyledavid, a little arrogance is always, ALWAYS needed :)</p>
<p>at the same time, ucla snob > berk trash, in my opinion</p>
<p>but those are just stereotypes</p>
<p>Thanks littleitaly, I appreciate your feedback. :) Is there really a difference between "EECS" and "CSE"? Also, I'm not that much of a social person right now, but I'm really eager to "break out" in college.. for example, I might wanna pick up some casual soccer (I know next to nothing about how to play it but I'd love to learn). Will UCLA be a friendly environment for me to do that sort of thing?</p>
<p>
[quote]
ucla snob > berk trash
[/quote]
</p>
<p>"Berk trash"?</p>
<p>what i'm trying to say is that i prefer the slight air of snobiness and arrogance that i get from ucla students is more tolerable for me than the general trashy, garbage, i-dont-care-about-who-i-am-or-what-i-look-like-i-just-need-to-study feeling i get @ berkeley
...probably b/c people have commented on my arrogance before :/</p>
<p>regardless, i would be hyped if i got into either</p>
<p>I think that "arrogance" and "trash" people refer to - neither of which are positive UCLA/Cal stereotypes - are kinda like this: UCLA students are known for having tons of school pride, and in reaction other schools (usually smaller ones) see it as snobbery, also because of a "superficiality" many people see in Bruins' appearances; and with Berkeley it's more of a laid-back environment, typically more socially liberal, where students aren't as self-conscious about appearance and whatnot.</p>
<p>Oh and kyledavid I don't mean to make 'judgments' against people - to say that the UCLA students you met were snobbish is entirely appropriate in the context of this forum, because it's your opinion and you never jump to the conclusion that ALL UCLA students are like that. It's not necessarily a bad thing if people have negative images of a school, whether or not those images are truthful and/or apply to the school as a whole. In this case, I would agree, there are many arrogant UCLA students which I feel stems from possibly a Socal upbringing and/or excessive school pride.</p>
<p>dt_,</p>
<p>Yes and no, as for the differences really. EECS (I believe) is the main cs/ee major at Cal, with an equal emphasis on Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, the major leading to a BS. I might be wrong, but I thought I remember there being just a CS at Cal that's offered for either BA or BS, but I'm sure our Bear friends can clarify. CSE is essentially Computer Science with a EE option, or a cross between UCLA's CS and EE majors. Like I tell my other engineering friends, the best of both worlds!</p>
<p>And yes, UCLA has plenty of well-established intramural sports leagues (the facilities really are outstanding) and I know for a fact that soccer is one of the more popular, with competition leagues ranging from beginner to experienced, boys, girls, and co-ed. As for socializing in general, I've really been impressed with the on-campus housing on what we call "The Hill". I'm sure you've seen the dorms on campus, and you're guaranteed to make lots of friends anywhere other than the suites (usually for upperclassmen) ;)</p>
<p>oh and dontcha,</p>
<p>I wouldn't be throwing "UCLA snob" or "Berk trash" around here, I've already been ridiculed for being too condescending, and you're doing so much more than I am...</p>
<p>:P</p>
<p>dontcha, if you don't understand Cal's atmosphere, which obviously you don't, do not attend. it isn't for everyone, and the vast majority of those who go there take great pride in their school and would be ****ed (to say the least) to have a classmate who not only misunderstood them, but misunderstood the university's founding principles.</p>
<p>littleitaly: how funny you should make a comment like you did in your first post! while i understand and respect your opinions, i guess i'm coming from the opposite end of the spectrum; i grew up in San Diego, and have visited UCLA numerous times; many of my good friends go there, in fact. in visiting Cal, there is a definite community feeling that i have yet to experience at UCLA; perhaps it is there and i am just not seeing it. Cal students know the stereotypes that are out there, and they dont give a damn about them. but to say that they are socially shallow is simply false and inaccurate.</p>
<p>ps...anyone who says Cal students have their face in a book too much should take a look at other schools' threads <em>cough, cough</em>. i mean, honestly...</p>
<p>Guys, please don't take my first post as taking a stand against Berkeley or its students. Saying that UCLA students SEEMED more social, etc. is purely from experience, not an objective statement. And you're correct, vc08, my early relationship with Cal is a lot like yous with UCLA! Also, when I said that aspects of Cal seemed overrated, keep in mind that I'm relating my preconceived ideas about Cal with the visits to campus and communication with friends up there now. I never said Cal students were "socially shallow," if that's what anyone is inferring.</p>
<p>I actually admire that confidence that Cal students have against those stereotypes like you mentioned, it's always refreshing to have open-minded people not let such things get under their skin. vc08 made a great point about how Cal's atmosphere isn't for everyone, which is often the reaction by many outsiders - it's usually a love-it-or-hate-it deal, so those who don't love it usually see it as being very undesirable (for the individual themselves).</p>
<p>Lol guys a little off topic! Lets stick to helping the kid with their original question. What school do we think would be best for their situation?</p>
<p>Guys, I know it seems like a HUGE deal right now, but let me clue you in on a little secret:</p>
<p>It doesn't really matter. Just go where you'll have the most fun. In the REAL world (as opposed to this website), the difference is so minimal (check out the career fairs at UCLA vs. Berkeley) that you won't care once job time comes.</p>
<p>I went to UCLA because it "felt right." That's it. The OP needs to visit both, soak up the surroundings, and figure out what works. Beyond that, there is no such thing as a college that matches any of our stereotypes. Berkeley and UCLA are both very big schools and have very big populations. To say that you can't find at least a few people that match your needs when at either one is just silly.</p>
<p>I guarantee that in reality, Berkeley and UCLA are probably 90% similar.</p>