D22 and I are flying in for Admitted Students day too. And we’re very excited as well. We weren’t able to go inside any of the buildings when we toured the campus last summer, so it will be nice to explore some of the facilities and dorms!
I hope your visit gives your son some clarity. That’s what I’m hoping for my daughter. When analyzing the value of various schools, it’s the intangibles that are so challenging when weighing perceived benefits against cost.
Absolutely! You are the world-changers!
Does it get more beautiful than this?
https://www.webcamtaxi.com/en/usa/washington/the-quad-uw.html
Our family will miss this weekend, but flying up early April. Didn’t realize UW was on spring break this week. For those making the trip, please post impressions! Would love to hear it all. We have a special interest in vibe, honors program/honors dorms and poly sci. Enjoy your trip!
Hi
Have you decide to go on UCLA or UW?
I have the same problem too
This is a difficult decision. Here are some factors I have though about so far.
Cost: UCLA seems a bit more expensive in tuition and housing.
Competitive majors: UCLA does not seem to have this problem.
Crime: UW seems to have deteriorated since my days.
Recognition: UCLA seems to have the edge,
Research: UW is higher rated in the research-focused USNWR global rankings.
Atmosphere: UCLA more relaxed but is it too relaxed for go-getters?
Personality match: Shy student fits in at UW but how well at UCLA?
After uni: Seattle v. LA job markets.
Which UCB majors are competitive?
Also, I have not heard back from the UCLA forum champion 10s4life, even though I responded to him/her.
The competitive majors at UCB:
Majors in the College of Engineering
Majors in the College of Chemistry
Majors in the College of Letters and Sciences that require a competitive secondary admission such as Computer Science, Economics, Business administration (HAAS Business school).
Also GMP (Global Management Program) and MET (Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology Program)
I do not know if I can help but what questions did you have for @10s4life?
Is physics a competitive major at UCB?
It was a similar question for UCLA, are there any competitive majors or is it once you are in, there is no competition to get into a natural sciences major there?
I think what you are asking is there a competitive secondary admission required to be a Physics major at UCB and UCLA? No
The College of Letters and Sciences for both schools do not admit by major so the student needs to take pre-req courses and then declare the major.
For UCB:
Students may declare a physics major when all of the prerequisites for the major have been completed. The prerequisites are as follows: minimum of 30 semester units which must include Physics 5A, 5B/5BL, 5C/5CL or 7ABC; Math 1A, 1B*, 53* and Physics 89 or their equivalent with a 2.0 grade point average in the prerequisites and a 2.0 grade point average in all University courses.
*Specific scores on AP Calculus exam(s) can be used to replace Math 1A and/or Math 1B according to the Math Department’s “High School Exam Credits” guidelines found here.
**Please note that Math N53 will not be accepted.
For UCLA:
Courses taken to fulfill any of the requirements for either major must be taken for a letter grade.
Physics Major Requirements: Preparation for the Major in Physics (B.S. OR B.A.) required courses:
(Total: 54 units)
Thanks, that is very helpful.
Just to be clear, if one is admitted to UCLA or UCB with the intention to major in physics, there is no barrier in front of them to completing their BS.
This contrasts with UW, where one has to apply to get into the school of physics in the 3rd year after taking the prereqs, as it is a capacity constrained major.
Is this all true?
You are correct regarding UW: Admissions | Department of Physics | University of Washington
I believe you are also correct regarding the UC schools, but I am less familiar with them and @Gumbymom will know best.
Correct, no competitive secondary admission. You meet the requirements and declare the major, that is it.
how about the statistics or applied mathematics at UCLA? Does it need the secondary pre-requisite?
Thanks!
PREPARATORY COURSES FOR THE MAJOR
To declare a Major in Statistics, a student must have completed the 7 courses below with a minimum grade of C or better in each and a 2.5 GPA or above in all prep courses.
☐ STATS 10, 12, OR 13 (ECON 11, 41, PSYCH 100A,
OR AP SCORE OF 4+ ACCEPTED)
☐ MATH 31A
☐ MATH 31B
☐ STATS 20
☐ MATH 32A
☐ MATH 32B
☐ MATH 33A
http://statistics.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Major-Contract
APPLIED MATHEMATICS B.S.
PRE-MAJOR: 10 COURSES
Students can declare the pre-major at any time while in good academic standing.
MATH 31A* MATH 31B* MATH 32A* MATH 32B* MATH 33A* MATH 33B* PIC 10A PHYSICS 1A PHYSICS 1B
Quarter
Grade
One course from the following:
CHEM 20A
CHEM 20B
PHYSICS 1C
Grade
The mathematics APPLIED MATHEMATICS B.S.
PRE-MAJOR: 10 COURSES
Students can declare the pre-major at any time while in good academic standing.
MATH 31A MATH 31B* MATH 32A* MATH 32B* MATH 33A* MATH 33B* PIC 10A PHYSICS 1A PHYSICS 1B
One course from the following: Quarter
CHEM 20A
CHEM 20B
PHYSICS 1C
*The mathematics sequenced courses are calculated separately from the other preparation for the major courses and must be completed with a minimum overall 2.5 grade-point average and a grade of “C” or better in each course. Repetition of more than two mathematics sequenced courses, or of any mathematics sequenced course more than once, results in automatic dismissal from the major
At least some are not (P&G)
Thank you so much 
This is also our concern with DS for the Applied Mathematics major here at U of WA: having to compete to get into the program vs. UC Irvine’s direct admit. There is a virtual AMath Info Session in April where students can ask questions and find out more about qualifying.
For those of you in-state to UW, it seems a trade-off between the cost of tuition and the possibility of not getting into your competitive major.
All-in UC OOS costs, including housing, are about twice IS UW. The cost of two wasted years after not getting into your competitive major at UW may make the OOS cost at one of the UCs seem reasonable.
That comparison is what is weighing most heavily in my mind as May 1 approaches.
There are, of course, decisions due March 31 which could further complicate this analysis.
So this is the problem with UW pre-science admission… We need to compete again to declare our initial major
But one of my friend can get to the major on the second year (CS) but she needs GPAs of 3.9-4 with good personal statement…
It is just like doing the second college admissions 