<p>chemeng1: I'd recommend you visit Berkeley before submitting your SIR.</p>
<p>Living in Los Angeles most of my life, I think that Los Angeles is probably one of the greatest places to be. For those of you who will never experience living in LA, I feel somewhat sorry for you. There is a reason why LA is on the map. I don't know if everyone from the Oakland-Berkeley area could say the same. </p>
<p>In terms of education, their both good schools. Would I go to Cal? No, probably not. I have family in and have visited the bay area. I wasn't really impressed, but then again I don't live there. Just my 2 cents. BTW, I'm planning on applying to USC, (I like privates) but UCLA is on my list of schools to apply to for fall 06.</p>
<p>I have submitted my SIR, i've put in my notice at work, I have submitted all loan paperwork, taken a sig loan directed to UCB... i'm DEFINITELY going. Like I said, for me it soundw like a good fit and I already know I didn't personally care for LA. Fact is, though, if LA was the best school for my program, that would have weighed heavily on my decision of a school. But, it was not. CHE at Berkeley is consistantly #2 or #3 in the world, if it is tolerable then I am happy, and i'm certain it is more than tolerable:) But, i'll let you guys know after I get back from orientation if it was truly a good fit. </p>
<p>As far as looking for an excuse not to like UCLA, maybe you are right. I spent a day in LA before going to the campus and I didn't like the city, so maybe I was looking for a reason not to like the campus. It probably had nothing to do with the campus itself, although the people just didn't feel like my type of crowd anyhow. </p>
<p>Azotic, thanks! I am sure I made the right choice for me!:) </p>
<p>Angela.</p>
<p>Staiolz, I'm not particularly crazy about Oakland (I live in Daly City, which is literally a stone's throw away from San Francisco), what with it being a haven for the homeless, and the crime rate, but Oakland has been named the most diverse city in the world. I've actually read that in 2001, the most diverse city was Long Beach (SF Chronicle), but Oakland was second to Long Beach then. Oakland has its own charms, just as LA does. And LA has its turnoffs also, such as the traffic. A lot of people love living in Oakland, just as a lot of people hate it. Same can be said for LA. What I'm doing is disabuse the notion that Oakland is not a place that people who live there are proud of. I do know of people living in the Oakland area who are very happy there. Just as there are people who love living in LA.</p>
<p>Scott, how many and what prereqs did you complete for Berkeley polisci and ucla polisci when you applied</p>