<p>Okay, so as of now, I'm leaning towards UCLA, so I wanna know if I'll really miss out on very good opportunities to intern for the government if I don't attend Cal. Are the poli sci programs the same for both schools in rigor, prestige and reputation? I wanna work for the government after college (state dept., intelligence agency, representative/senator staff member/intern etc.) so what would help me more in my prospective career? a degree from Cal or UCLA?</p>
<p>Thanks for answering.</p>
<p>I have outdated info on how UCLA was better represented than Berkeley in our last Congress. -.-</p>
<p>usnews.com/news/slideshows/the-top-10-colleges-for-members-of-congress</p>
<p>Berkeley is more presitgious…our government is full of elitist pricks so go to Berkeley</p>
<p>Prestige helps when it comes to some of the agencies (State in particular,) but as far as government jobs go, I wouldn’t worry too much about the difference between UCLA and Cal for most jobs.</p>
<p>Most jobs in the government are based on filling needs and easily quantifiable characteristics. For example, having a highly-needed language (Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Hindu, Urdu, Pashtun, Korean, etc.) is more important than a small bump in prestige in general. This depends on the agency, however.</p>
<p>It is also interesting to note that agencies recruit differently at different campuses. At SDSU, for example, the CIA openly asks for people who know how to socialize and who are able to blend into different cohorts easily-- that is, they want future agents from SDSU. At UCSD, on the other hand, they look for analysts and technologically savvy people-- in other words, analysts in general. This makes sense: they have different roles to fill, and different campuses attract different types.</p>
<p>As far as running for office goes, let’s be honest: that’s all about contacts and you. Outside of the presidency and maybe the SCOTUS, school has little bearing on success at getting into office. Even the presidency is sometimes won by “outsiders,” such as Nixon and Reagan (though the former often complained that his pedigree cast him as an outsider forever. He was also an odd guy.)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the answers guys!</p>
<p>@UCLAri, do you know what the CIA searches for in UCLA and Cal undergraduates? I’m interested in becoming a political analyst but I haven’t made up my mind yet on the whole intelligence thing, so does the CIA “openly” recruit people from these colleges to serve as analysts? Oh, and am I right to assume that UCLA also gives poli sci undergraduates the opportunity to intern and assist politicians (ex. Mayor, congressman, senator etc.) as much as Cal does? As I said, I’m also into joining a politician’s staff as an assistant or “campaign manager” so if I thread that career path, do you think that the “prestige” factor won’t really be that significant if I choose UCLA?</p>
<p>Fromcalwithlove,</p>
<p>Yeah, the CIA definitely actively and very openly recruits from UCLA. You’ll have no trouble at least getting an interview. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about the prestige factor. You’ll have no problem getting in the door in Sacramento or DC if you’re interested in interning. UCLA does just fine in that regard.</p>