<p>I'm a Fall freshman admit to the College of Letters and Sciences at both schools, and I can't decide which one I want to attend. I plan to go on to grad school, and do something in the humanities or social sciences, maybe business, but I'm not sure. Both schools gave me the same financial aid package and have almost the exact same horse riding situation. I went to Bruin Day and Cal Day, and was able to do the Overnight Host Program at Berkeley, which gave me a better idea of what it would be like to go there. Any help deciding which college would be much appreciated, here is more info about both:
Berkeley: I already have three fairly close friends going there, I found a good roommate for me, and I made some great friends during my stay there (although I'm not choosing a college based on where my friends are going, so that's not really important to me). I felt like I could really identify with the liberalism there, and as a vegetarian I enjoyed having so many options (overall I was just really impressed with the food). However, I'm kind of worried about the dating scene; I realize that sounds silly since it's such a big school, but I haven't been able to find a boyfriend yet, and many of the first years I talked to there told me that it seems like nobody dates there at all, and that it's pretty hard to find a boyfriend. As for the campus, I'm not a fan. I felt like the architecture was way too eclectic-there would be an ugly gray modern building next to an ugly gray gothic-looking building, next to an ugly gray greek-style building, and so on. And the surrounding city was pretty gritty, but I kind of like how the campus wasn't a rich kid bubble, and I'm definitely not bothered by the homeless people.
UCLA-I absolutely loved the red brick architecture, and the campus felt much more polished and scenic, and frankly, it just felt more like a college campus to me, which I like. However, Westwood feels just a little like the upper middle class city in L.A. County that I've grown up in and grown sick of. Also, I think I would prefer Berkeley's semester system to UCLA's quarter system, and I didn't feel quite as at home among the students there-I felt like they're a bit more social, which I like, but less quirky and nerdy, like me. (Though it's really hard to tell, since I don't know anybody there and the demographics are so similar). Also, I know the school is still fairly liberal, but it was nice to be on the very liberal feeling Berkeley campus.
I feel like both schools would lead to similar grad school and employment opportunities, and that I could find my niche at both schools. In the end, I think either choice would be fine, but I'm having a really hard time deciding which one I would enjoy more. Any additional info or personal experiences/opinions you can tell me about would be very much appreciated.</p>
<p>Berkeley… why choose second-best when you can have the best?</p>
<p>You say grad school, do you mean a masters program or preMed and becoming a doctor? If doctor UCLA all the way better medical related opportunities. Our S chose UCB easily, an we are local so don’t base it on location, base it on fit. I’m sure you realize which one fits you better.</p>