<p>I was just accepted into UCLA and with Cal releasing decisions this week I was wondering what I would do if the heavens smiled upon me and granted me acceptance to Cal. Can anyone tell me about the English departments at UCLA and Cal? Are the classes impacted? Is one department more highly regarded than the other?</p>
<p>I can tell you anything you need to know. First of all Cal has by far the top ranked English department in the country over Stanford, Yale, Harvard…all of em. BUT…UCLA has by far the largest English department in the nation, the biggest undergraduate libraries, the biggest actual humanities building, and the most staff…etc. If you cared about rankings, like I used to, you would go with the best of the best, Cal. But if you cared about resources, you would go with UCLA. As far as selectivity, keep in mind UCLA has surpassed Cal officially in that department. UCLA, since the 1960’s, has gradually risen more spots on the USA today rankings than any other school, and it has got more selective than Cal over the last ten years or so. In general, UCLA will surpass Cal in rankings, mark my words, within the next 10 years. Both departments are impacted, both are ranked high, but if you are interested in rhetoric as well, Cal can offer that, UCLA will not (which sucks because I wanted to minor in rhetoric)</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all of the information. Do you know anything about the class sizes of upper division classes and the availability/ease of getting these classes? I would really like to be out in two years and that’s one of my main concerns. Also, do have any idea about the course load difference between the schools? I know I’m in for ten English courses at Cal and fourteen at UCLA, so I was wondering which would be more feasible…</p>
<p>The class sizes are roughly the same, but I would assume the UCLA has slightly larger class sizes due to more overall admits. I’m pretty sure UCB is a bit more rigorous than UCLA because they have a stronger department. You are in for more courses at UCLA though because they emphasize a good knowledge in Shakespeare and in pre 1800 literature. Also keep in mind that UCLA is quarter system, that’s the only reason you’re going to take more classes there, because you have more quarters to take them. Expect three papers per 10 weeks, which is a paper every 3 and a half weeks, not difficult if you can write, but difficult if you can’t manage your time well and if you take too many classes. UCB you will have 18 weeks to write your 3 papers, so I would assume they grade harder. These are generalizations though, some classes you don’t even have to write more than one long paper. Just look at ratemyprofessor.com and take a good balance of one tough upper, one average upper, and one easy breezy class (upper or lower don’t matter). The reason I say this is because if you let your GPA slip you have to study even harder when the GMAT comes around or LSAT. If you balance you’re schedule to benefit your GPA, you don’t have to score super high on GMAT to get into ivy league grad schools, assuming that is your plan.</p>
<p>Thank you again for all of the information. Would I have to take the GMAT for a graduate degree in Education? I was hoping to go to the Claremont Graduate School or USC’s Rossier School of Education because they have one-year Masters/teaching credential programs.</p>
<p>How does the grading of English papers differ at UCLA than at Community Colleges? Also, how many books are you expected to read per English class/quarter at UCLA?</p>