<p>I know to a lot of people it may seem like a no-brainer but I really need help on this one. UCSC was pretty much my first choice since I graduated high school. I visited the campus and fell in love. It's not only beautiful, but the people are amazingly friendly. I know all about the UCSC Literature (my major) curriculum and about the area. The only reason I applied to UCB was because my parents asked me to. I didn't think I had a chance so never seriously considered it. I don't really know anything about it. I visited it once on a hs field trip and it seemed to e an okay place. The cost would only be 3000 more at UCB and it's roughly the same distance from home.</p>
<p>My gpa is a 3.89, but I feel as though ccc is extremely easy. I am one of those procrastinator types that just retains information very well. When it comes to my major I know I am above average, but I don't think a transition into the Berkeley education would be a smooth one. UCSC is not only a safe choice for me, but it's also one that I would 100% love. Going to UCB would be a leap of faith that would likely be better for my future. Pretty much everyone I talk to also thinks it would be stupid to pass up Berkeley for Santa Cruz. I don't want to go to Berkeley just because of what other people are saying. I am trying to see past my love for Santa Cruz and weigh them out evenly. Any thoughts/opinions would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I think you need to learn more about the campus before you make a decision and SIR. Keep in mind that you will work better at a place that you are more comfortable at.</p>
<p>I agree with Mike. Do some research on the department at UCB and maybe visit the school once more? Not that many people get accepted to Cal and the fact that you got accepted means you belong there. UCSC might have the forest and nature setting, but Berkeley has some really nice architecture, nice area and is minutes away from San Fran. If it gives you an consolation, UCSC was also my first choice because of how beautiful the campus and surrounding area are, but I’m going to pass that up and go to UCSB because it just has what I want in a school. Although I sometimes feel like I’m missing out on the forest aspect ha.
I would seriously compare the courses you are going to have to take at both schools and see what interests you more. Maybe rank the departments?</p>
<p>Seems like an easy choice, go to Santa Cruz! I know it’s hard to get over the prestige factor, but it’s much more important to pick a school that fits your needs. I’m turning down UCLA for UCSB.</p>
<p>It all depends on where you will be happy. Just because Berkeley has “prestige” doest not necessarily mean you yourself will be happy there. IF you go to a school that you’re not comfortable at or don’t enjoy you might not do so well there (especially if you plan on going to graduate school). If you’re happy at a school you’ve always dreamt about–then pick that school. Simply because you know you will be fine and do well there and from there you can bridge your own gaps. </p>
<p>Don’t get all hyped up in the prestige of Berkeley, I know plenty of people who could not find jobs after graduating from Berkeley and lost jobs to CSU students/Other UC students. Unless you know that you will be able to happily adjust to the campus/academics/city of UC Berkeley–I would choose the place you’d be most comfortable at.</p>
<p>@Ree your story is shockingly close to mine! Throughout CC I was set on Santa Cruz I had a 3.95 and only applied to Cal because my dad really really wanted me to and offered to pay for the application fee. I too fell in love with the SC campus and I visited multiple times, I was completely set and then Berkeley accepted me and my world has turned over. Since friday I literally have thought non-stop about it and I’m thinking the choice will be Berk. I haven’t seen the campus yet but I think I would regret not taking the opportunity later on. I’m an econ major and Santa Cruz just isn’t really strong for it or Business in general and Berkeley has one of the best programs so thats one of the really strong things pushing it for me. Also, Berkeley is cheaper for me. Go figure. </p>
<p>Anyways think about it, both schools are awesome. I think you’ll probably chose Cal as I did but who knows. If you have any questions or so on just ask, I’m interested to see what decision you make!</p>
<p>As of now I am leaning towards Berkeley. I think over time I cold get used to a Berekely environment, even if it isn’t as beautiful as Santa Cruz. Really the only thing that’s stopping me is how intimidating it is. Like I said, I am usually lucky academically. I know here I will be pushed harder than ever and I don’t know if I can handle it. I read up on the workload of an English major at UCB and there were some students that talked about reading a couple of books a week and having 40 page essays! Making the leap from cc to UC is probably always going to be a big step, but this is Berkeley. I wonder if a good gpa at UCSC would look better on an application than an average gpa at Berkeley.</p>
<p>@mrandall Have you registered for Cal already?</p>
<p>It’s true that you might perform better at UCSC, but going to Berkeley is a great opportunity to expand your horizons. You got accepted, so the admissions had confidence you could handle the rigor. After all, it’s pretty hard to land a job as an English major, every perk on your resume helps, and UCB alumnus is no set-back :)</p>
<p>@ree I signed the SIR but more so I could see information. If I were to change my mind I’d just lose the 100 dollar deposit. I’m pretty set on Berkeley now though so it seems I will go there! We have a similar story so maybe we can help each other out through the transition. I have worries about my abilities too sometimes.</p>
<p>For the last year I’ve been holding UCSC as my No.1 as well, but my wife keeps telling me to apply to UCB (and Stanford too <em>rolls eyes</em>). I’m really apprehensive that it would even be worth my time investment to apply to UCB, but this thread has piqued my interest.</p>
<p>So, I am not applying to UCs until this coming Fall for Fall 2014 admission. After a full year of CC that I’ve done so far, I have a 3.95 GPA overall (I got an A- in a college algebra course last Summer, which isn’t even trasferrable, so I don’t think they will even hold weight to that, so I guess my transferrable GPA would be 4.0?). I will have all major pre-requisites done for my major (Economics) by this coming Fall for UCSC (I will have completed the Business Calculus instead of the Calculus req), but for UCB I will only have the Macroeconomics and Microeconomics reqs completed because my CC does not offer an articulated Statistics course for UCB and the other math reqs include the regular Calculus series (and, again, I would only have Business Calc). Also, I will not be IGETC complete by my final Spring term - I will be missing LOTE, but will have everything else.</p>
<p>I’m confident I will maintain a high GPA through to this time next year, and I go to school full-time and work full-time (I work in the Department of the Treasury). I don’t have any other EC, and most likely won’t be able to have the time between school and work, but I am a veteran if that counts for anything at all.</p>
<p>So, those who’ve been accepted to UCB, but also hold UCSC in high regard, would you suggest to me to apply to UCB as well? Again, I would most likely have maintained my GPA, but would not have all major pre-reqs done for UCB and I would be short the LOTE requirement on IGETC. If I apply, then I would put considerable effort into my PS and can mention work and military service.</p>
<p>@turtlerock Is there any way that you can finish your IGETC requirements? I’m pretty sure they write people off solely for this being incomplete. Colleges even write people off because the IGETC is still in progress. Maybe consider taking a summer class to finish up. I didn’t finish my prerequisites either and I got in so you will probably be okay in that regard, especially considering it isn’t offered at your school. Your GPA is competitive and since you work full time at a place full time that is semi-related to your major (I assume) I think you will do fine in the extra curricular department. Make sure to put good effort into your personal statement, seeing how Berkeley is said to take the holistic approach. It isn’t much of a time crunch to apply to Berkeley with the same application as UCSC. I’d say your investment is sound, because you have a good shot of getting in. Whether you choose Berkeley or Santa Cruz, it’s much better to have a choice and pick the best fit for you than to wonder.</p>
<p>To everyone else: Thanks for the input! I decided in an educated spur of the moment that I am going to UC Santa Cruz. I talked to someone on the phone for a while and it is possible for me to graduate earlier at UCSC or to take a quarter abroad. Also I’d have the time to minor in education here without feeling overwhelmed. Overall Santa Cruz really is the best fit for me. At least, this way, there’s an open spot for someone on the waitlist who considers UCB their dream school.</p>
For next year I can drop the UCSC “Additional recommended courses” for my major pre-reqs, the Accounting courses, and replace them with LOTE courses (Spanish or something), but that will leave me with IGETC done at the end of Spring next year at the best - I would still not be done with IGETC when I apply (I’m already planning to take two courses during Summer for GE), nor by the time an acceptance decision would be made. I would have IGETC in progress until the end of Spring next year.</p>
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I forgot to mention my opinion >.< From what you’ve mentioned, I would suggest for you to go to UCSC. You’ve obviously taken the time and effort to learn a lot about the school, you’re already into the campus, and you think the atmosphere will foster your abilities the best. Great choice.</p>