UCLA or Berkeley?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I've been admitted to both UCLA and UC Berkeley and have under a month to SIR. Any opinions/ anecdotes/ advice regarding either school would be greatly appreciated! </p>

<p>I am majoring in communications/ rhetoric/ mass media. I'm from Las Vegas, but grew up in SoCal and love the area (my extended family is also close by). I visited Berkeley today, however, and fell in love with the campus and the area. I'm concerned that the academics at Berkeley (and at UCLA too, for that matter) will be "too hard" and there won't be much time left to grow as an individual and experience life outside of academics. Is this presumption true? I am, however, very passionate about my education and field of interest and looking for a school to push me. I have heard that both schools (Berkeley in particular) are very competitive and cut-throat. Is that stereotype true? I also definitely want to rush a sorority if that factors into the equation. I want to be able to build lasting and quality friendships and connections during my time in college. Which school gives me a greater chance at that?
Any information at all is helpful. Thank you! </p>

2

<p>I don’t think there is any difference in the colleges for making friendships and having a life. Students do at both.</p>

3

<p>Personally, I’d recommend neither for a Comm degree if you have to pay OOS fees.</p>

<p>Other than that, both schools have similar student bodies wrt grades and test scores and thus, competitiveness. Both schools are big impersonal research Unis, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to “grow” outside of the classroom.</p>