<p>why bfired2? why? :p</p>
<p>actually, it was a tough decision...each school had its own highlights for me.</p>
<p>I'm thinking about grad school...that, and the fact that it's 400 miles away from home. :D</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Well, at least we're thinking the same thing...just happens to be the opposite school for me :D</p>
<p>
[quote]
haha alright thanks for all the replies everyone. The thing is, I live in New York, and theres pretty much no chance that I will be able to visit either campus. Berkeley originally caught my eye because it was rated #1 public, but from what I've heard, it gets most of its prestige from the graduate level research. UCLA isn't that far behind on the rankings, but I don't go by just the rankings. I want to be in a more chill atmosphere where a lot of work still gets done, but I'm also afraid that Berkeley has a better reputation, which means it will be easier for me to get into medical school from there.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Berkeley does get most of its prestige from the graduate level research, but going by undergrad alone Berkeley is probably still the best public school in the nation (although UVa is pretty darn good too). If we're talking about prestige + grad + research then there is no question in my mind that Berkeley beats out all the other public schools by a significant margin.</p>
<p>Both schools have chill atmospheres; here are some pros and cons:</p>
<p>UCLA pros:
Better weather
Better girls (no I'm not kidding)
Nicer campus/housing
Safer surrounding environment
24 hour library
Honors College</p>
<p>Berkeley pros:
Better grad programs/research/prestige (which influences undergrad to an extent)
Lively and vibrant surrounding city
Top programs in certain fields (Engineering, Haas, etc.)
Top-notch professors/faculty
Slightly better grad placement
Rich history and the original UC
Some of the smartest students you'll meet
One of the largest library systems in the nation (I believe 6th)</p>
<p>Regarding pre-med: both schools aren't GREAT for pre-med because at public schools they are weaker when it comes to advising, packaging, preparing for MCATs, and they have grade deflation. I wouldn't say Berkeley is better than UCLA when it comes to pre-med. Comparable private schools may offer you a better shot. For example, I believe Berkeley's rate for med school acceptance is in the low 60s while Cornell's is in the high 70s.</p>
<p>Now some comments on other comments in this thread:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Pros: Both are really good schools socially.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Relative to all colleges in the nation, I wouldn't say that. I can think of worse colleges (UCSD comes to mind) but the Greek scene isn't dominant at both. I believe at Berkeley 10% of the student population are in the Greek system. UCLA might be a little better socially, but in all honesty if you're considering either UCLA or UCB it's not for the social life. You would go to UCSB for that. Not saying that you can't have a social life at either one, but on average I wouldn't say it's "great."</p>
<p>
[quote]
-quarter system (fast, get it over with; excellent timing with vacations)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Quarter system vs. Semester system debate. My personal take is that the semester system is preferable. Now the quarter system is good because you can take a wider variety of classes but you rush through classes so fast (it's fast enough with the semester system). Also, with the semester system you have more time to get to know your professor and classmates. Another pro of the quarter system is that it allows you to potentially graduate faster. However, I have heard complaints about the unit caps at UCLA, and they seem harsher than the unit cap policy that exists at UC Berkeley. Quarter system also means more midterms/finals. Finally, quarter system means starting at the end of September and ending in June. Many UCLA students don't like staying in their hometown for the month of September while most of their friends are off at college, only so they can get out of college one month later.</p>
<p>
[quote]
-semester system (bad timing, come back from xmas and you have midterms)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This was already pointed out but you have finals before Christmas.</p>
<p>
[quote]
-competitive, crowded
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The degree of competitiveness really depends on your field. For something like pre-med, both schools are going to be very competitive. For other majors, less so.</p>
<p>
[quote]
errr not exactly. it will be equally as hard to get to medical school from just about any college in the US
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Maybe not every college in the US. For example, a college like Harvard gets its students into med school at a rate of over 90% I believe. Compared to most other colleges, that's pretty darn easy!</p>
<p>
[quote]
If u got into the University of Michigan, UCLA, and Cal-Berkeley where would u go?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Berkeley, definitely.</p>
<p>"Maybe not every college in the US. For example, a college like Harvard gets its students into med school at a rate of over 90% I believe. Compared to most other colleges, that's pretty darn easy!"</p>
<p>grade inflation :rolleyes:</p>
<p>how are all of the UC schools ranked.
1) Berkeley
2) UCLA - which I think I want to go to
3) ....
4)....
and so on
Please fill in</p>
<p>Cal
UCLA
UCSD
UCSB, UCI, UCD
UCSC</p>
<p>UCR</p>
<p>UCB
UCLA
SUC
UCSD
UCI
UCD
UCSB
UCSC
UCR
UCM</p>
<p>I don't know if I'd take SB over I or D.</p>
<p>davis is WAAAY underrated. It should be ranked just below ucsd</p>
<p>yea davis has pretty decent engineering</p>
<p>In a sense .. SB's engineering is overrated.</p>
<p>what engineering^?</p>
<p>[ol]
[<em>]UCB
[</em>]UCLA
[<em>]UCSD
[</em>]UCI
[<em>]UCD
[</em>]UCSB
[<em>]UCSC
[</em>]UCR
[li]UCM[/li][/ol]</p>
<p>i agree....davis is a good school</p>
<p>which school is better USC or UCLA and which would you rather go to. I am unsure where to go</p>
<p>hmm...considering that you're asking this question in the UCLA forum...</p>
<p>of course UCLA! our victory today should be reason enough :p</p>
<p>(i am still too ecstatic about our win to give a reasonable answer..so just live with my "UCLA is the best..forever bruin" phase :))</p>
<p>vanquishz22: Both schools have a huge student body. Honestly, i think UCLA has a better student body and a more intellectual atmosphere. However, the BIGGEST difference is that you'll be pay a s*** load of money to go to USC while not nearly as much to go to UCLA.</p>
<p>bruinboy,</p>
<p>Not necessarily true. USC is known for being fairly generous with financial aid...oftentimes moreso than UCLA.</p>
<p>Never look at a school's sticker price. Always consider the discounts offered.</p>
<p>Engineering:
[ol][<em>]UCB
[</em>]UCLA/UCSD
[<em>]UCI/UCD/UCSB
[</em>]UCSC/UCR
[li]UCM[/li][/ol]</p>