<p>As a transfer student that still hasn't made up my mind on where I want to go, I was hoping you guys/gals could give me some insight into how people gauge the vibe of each different UC. I've heard some people say stuff like, "Berkeley just wasn't for me.", and I was wondering what was it about each school that you liked/didn't like, and what the general persona of each school was. I know that to a certain extent, answers will be biased, generalized, and somewhat based on stereotypes. However, it would still be nice to know what your collective thoughts are on each school. Thanks!</p>
<p>You're right that all opinions here will be biased, etc. So, since that fact is pretty clear, I think it is very important you visit each UC you are considering attending.</p>
<p>Here is part of a post I made earlier today:</p>
<p>I know most people here are younger and probably haven't had the opportunity in life to go house-hunting yet. You view a lot of different places and it goes like this: "Yeah, I can see myself living here...this is pretty good." then the next place "Nope!" ...next place "Eh...not really, I still like the first one best."...next place "Yes, this is it hands down. I felt it as soon as I walked in the door."</p>
<p>A lot of times as soon as you get there you just know 100%, without a doubt.</p>
<p>I have a hunch it will be the exact same thing when you visit your prospective UC campuses.</p>
<p>Good luck in whatever you decide!</p>
<p>Thanks! So far, the only campus I've seen in person is UCLA (because my sister went there). Thing is I hate LA, but all of my closest friends live in that area. UCSD seems more like my kinda place. People down there seem more relaxed, and the pace of life less frenetic. </p>
<p>Another major concern is how the grading system at UCs work. I know that classes are based on a curve, and that students compete against each other, but does that mean that someone in the class will always, indefinitely fail? For example: if there's 100 people in a class, and I take a 100 question test and score an 85% on it, but everyone else scores above 85%, would I fail that test? </p>
<p>If so, then I'd be a bit worried about going to a school like Berkeley. It's not that I wouldn't want to challenge myself, but to some degree I'd like to be in a class of peers. Anywho, I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm still waiting to hear from Berkeley and UCLA (already admitted to UCSD/UC Davis), but I'm seriously considering sticking with UCSD even if I'm accepted by one of the other two schools...</p>
<p>yeah, at the end of the day your perception of each campus will vary GREATLY from anyone elses; in the spirit of the grandeur UC education--one's interaction with each college is completely user defined. </p>
<p>I consider myself to be a pretty laid back person that knows how and when to really buckle down and get work done. Based on that, here's what I can tell you about my experiences at each campus:</p>
<p>UCI - Awesome place...I visited the campus around this time last year and I remember everything being very neat and organized. It reminded me of Pleasanton here in the bay area--an upper-middle to upper class modern suburb. Everything was very neatly done and it was obvious that a lot of planning was done in making the area look really nice. The campus was really nice too. I didn't really see that many clubs or places that people could party at during the night, but then again I did most of my partying that weekend in other peoples' apartments and dorms. The people there are great--really laid back and friendly. Obviously there's a wide variety of people, so I'm really just generalizing. The only negative aspect of the place that I could think of was that it might be a bit too comfortable for me--I could see myself taking it a bit too easy there and possibly losing my focus <em>NOTE THIS IS how I would envision MYSELF</em> there, not necessarily how people there are. </p>
<p>UCSD - I visited UCSD once during sungod and once during a regular weekend. Sungod was hands down the best weekend of my college experience, so I obviously got a fantastic impression during that time. People here were also really friendly, but on the Sungod weekend there was just so much more life on campus--it really blew my mind haha. On the regular weekend the campus was pretty dead though. The biggest downside with SD for me is that the campus is just soooo big / divided. 6 colleges!! I feel like if I went to SD it'd pretty much be me on my own academically just because of the vastness. But SD definitely has academic rigor. All of my friends there work hard for their classes from what I saw. </p>
<p>UCLA - I've never really partied at UCLA but I've been there 3-4 times during regular weekends. For me this is the place I could really see myself thriving. Westwood is an amazing area and the feel of the place is just soo different. I'm really into music, and Elliot Smith was from Los Angeles, and when I was exploring the city I could hear his songs in the back of my head...it was magical in a totally cheesy way hahaha. People here are a lot like people at SD and Irvine--they're not like super competitive or pretentious from what I saw. I really liked the idea that you could get a world class education from a place were students were chill like that. </p>
<p>UCB - I don't care what anyone says, but Berkeley people know how to party...HARD. Jesus. My visits to Berkeley have always been the ones with the craziest stories to tell afterwards. The feel here is VASTLY different from SD/UCI/LA. It's very "bay area" if you know what I mean...not pretentious or anything like that...hard to explain. I still really like Berkeley. With the liveliness of the campus and political scene, Berkeley is somewhere where I could see myself expanding my world view. The things I dont like about berkeley though are: semester system while I've lived in an urban setting before, I don't know if I'd want to do that during college. If I get into Berkeley and UCLA though, it'll be a tough decision.</p>
<p>UCB- I'm better than the rest of you!!
UCLA- We're cool.. in a nerdy sort of way
UCSD- I am soooo BORED!
UCI- (speaking Chinese)
UCD- Where the hell am I?
UCSB- let's drink this sh**
UCR- let's smoke this sh**
UCSC & UCM- HEY! don't forget about us!</p>
<p>lol nice Oorah. Is this is general consensus? Or just your personal opinion?</p>
<p>poppin, good description of Irvine. It is actually one of the few truly master planned communities in the U.S. Hence, everything being all neat and ****.</p>
<p>Poppin, thanks for that reply. That was exactly the kind of answer I was hoping to get. I know that it's based on your experience, but it still helps. Think you can maybe expand a bit on the whole "bay area" thing?</p>
<p>btw, here's some quick facts about me:</p>
<p>-29 year old male (I know...OLD)
-Veteran
-Communication major
-Transferable GPA from CC: 3.76
-Worked full time over the last few years
-I got all my partying done years ago, I really have no desire anymore. I just want to go somewhere with my life...</p>
<p>Hahaha poppin, I know what you mean about the party scene at UCB, especially if you had season tickets for football, Tennessee game anyone (and I'm sure I have you topped as far as crazy stories go)?? They definitely know how to throw a party. While it certainly isn't everyday insanity like UCSB can be, and doesn't have (shallow as it may sound) the same caliber of good looking women that UCSB or UCLA has, it wont be hard to find a good time. Those I know that go to UCSB claim it's a good school academic wise, and it's obviously a good school as far as the social experience, but the fact is it can't shed the reputation of a party school, and that concerns me for post-college job opportunities. UCSD is somewhat of an enigma, it has everything you can ask for - great weather, great education, great location, but seems to be drastically lacking a social life for some reason, not to say you wont have fun if you go there, it just wont be on par with many other UC's in that regard. As for UCSC, UCR, UCM, and UCI I honestly don't know enough about them so I can't really give you my impression of them.</p>
<p>poppin, nice descriptions, thanks for going into detail (as I've only visited one campus, UCLA, and I wasn't there long enough to get a decent feel for it.) Since you mentioned Elliott Smith, guess what my plans are for my birthday in about one month: I'm making my pilgrimage to the Elliott Smith wall! :D Have you been there?</p>
<p>rofl oorah thats hilarious</p>
<p>^^I read about it...it's crazy that it got defaced and rebuilt and all. If I get into LA I'm SOOO going there. Hell even if I don't get in, I'll still check it out. Definitely my favorite artist by far.</p>
<p>Elliott is my favorite musician by far as well (however that's only as far as single musicians go)... that's why I planned my whole pilgrimage thing way in advance and am wayyyy stoked about it. LA is awesome for music, seriously</p>
<p>Regarding the Bay Area vibe:</p>
<p>Yes the Bay Area definitely has a distinct character and Berkeley could not be more "bay". (I hope nobody mentions "Hyphy")</p>
<p>As for describing it... well it is pretty indescribable. The area is very diverse and open minded. The weather is very great, and just the air quality is really nice. Creative people are everywhere. It is a great blend of urban life and beautiful nature, both are very accessible. </p>
<p>Those things don't seem very special... I didn't describe it well. But anyways UCB has a unique personality that some will love and others will hate. I love it and it is my top choice.</p>
<p>doh, everyone seems to be describing it as "indescribable" lol. That's doesn't help >.< </p>
<p>How about this? I'm more of a laid back, chilled out person (think San Diego vibe). Think I'd fit in?</p>
<p>Yes yes I forgot that... VERY chill. But in a different way than San Diego...</p>
<p>Haha this is going nowhere, you really just have to see for yourself.</p>
<p>UCSD: UC Socially Deprived
UCSB: UC Sex & Beer
UCI: UC International
UCR: UC Rejects
UCSC: UC Surfers & Caucasians
UCM: UC Mmmmm.....</p>
<p>UCLA: A really prestigious university in L.A.
UCB: A really prestious university in Berkeley</p>
<p>UCD: Some school in the middle of nowhere that lacks personality</p>
<p>Strange how it seems that so many people say the same thing about UCSD, that it's lacking socially. How can that be? Considering the location... Anyone have any theories? Could it be attributed to how the school is set up with 6 colleges?</p>
<p>i live in sd and have talked to a couple ucsd students both in lower and upper divs and they all say generally the same thing</p>
<p>everyone is pretty absorbed in their studies....however....i have gone to a couple UCSD parties...and havent even been a student there....that being said...any college can be what you make of it. there will be socialites at every school..</p>
<p>some schools...such as UCSD for instance are just more focused on studies....and research especially.</p>
<p>variable303,</p>
<p>Have you ever been to Venice Beach? I like to call Berkeley Venice in the hills. They're both full of crazy people, artists, and young people.</p>