UCLA or UC Berkeley??

Hey there! I could really use some help. I just got accepted into UCLA and UC Berkeley for Psychology, well pre-psych. I currently live in LA with my boyfriend who will be attending UCLA this upcoming fall. To be completely honest I am having a borderline existential crisis trying to decide where to go.

I have never been to Berkeley, and the area would be totally new to me, whereas I have lived in LA for almost 2 years and am very comfortable here. I’ve heard they’re both the same ranking, but that UCLA has a better Psychology program. As far as cost, I did receive a UC Transfer scholarship to Berkeley for $17,00, but nothing from UCLA. (Also, does anyone know what that is? The UC Transfer scholarship? And why did I only receive one for Berkeley and not UCLA?) Overall, I just completely can’t decide where to go. I would highly appreciate any and all thoughts, ideas, comments or questions!! Thanks for reading!

You like LA, you already have housing (and are comfortable) and UCLA is the better program. From what else I gather from your post the only thing UCB has over UCLA is a $1700 transfer scholarship?

idk, but from what you are saying, I don’t know why you would go to UCB. Are you worried about staying in the same place? UCLA is not a bad “same place” to be.

I am trying to look at this independently from the boyfriend, whether he is in the picture or he is not in the picture, my thoughts are the same. UCB is a very different environment/vibe than UCLA. UCB would give you something new, which doesn’t always mean better, just different. But it may not be good different. I think you have to pick something that is the main trigger for the decision - I would tend to think it is the better program.

Thank you so much CADREAMIN for your thoughts!! I am leaning that way as well, but I just worry that I am leaning that way because my boyfriend lives here, so I thought I would see what some others thought since they are more impartial.

I sent you a PM, hopefully you can pull that up. Good luck!

Is that $17,000 or $1700 (or, I suppose, $17.00)? Big difference.

Absent financial issues, go to UCLA. I don’t see anything in your post that would suggest Berkeley is the right choice for you.

I agree. UCLA is the obvious choice for you. How committed is the relationship? Are you ready to break up?

Can you afford either, without substantial loans? You haven’t given us much to go on.

At that level, of course both programs are good. Why are you worried about the bf? If things are good, fine. If not, choosing a further away school isn’t the solution. If you know West LA and have friends, if things don’t work out with him, you find new living arrangements, build a new life.

Ucb is not so substantially better to worry about “missed opportunities” or such.