<p>So basically, right now I'm deciding between UCLA and UC Berkeley. I applied as a Neuroscience/Neurobiology major for both schools, but I'm not quite sure that's what I want to do. Personally, I'm leaning toward UCLA, mainly for the environment and atmosphere, but my parents heavily prefer Berkeley. </p>
<p>I need help persuading them otherwise. </p>
<p>Also, you're always hearing about those Berkeley 'horror stories' where kids have gotten their papers ripped up or stolen, or they give each other fake study guides --that kind of thing. Has anyone heard of anything happening like that at UCLA. If you have, please do tell. (I know it's an odd request) My parents, believe me to be completely biased because I've failed to produce any of this sort of negative gossip from the southern end. </p>
<p>Instead of trying to persuade your parents via negative anecdotes, you should instead visit both schools and talk to students in the Neuroscience/Neurobiology major. Get a feel for what life on campus is like. Look at extra curricular activities that are available. Check out the scene on campus, and in the nearby retail districts. You will then be able to make a decision that both you and your parents will be happy with.</p>
<p>We've visited UCLA already and will be going to Berkeley this weekend. I actually ended up liking the atmosphere at UCLA quite a bit and the area surrounding the school seemed safe, with plenty of easy to access transportation. There was also a lot going on, and all the students we talked to were friendly and helpful. </p>
<p>But for my parents. They seem to have decided that academics will be the end all for all college decisions. I mean, education wise, the difference between Berkeley and LA is in no way a huge, substantial gap. To them, you go to school to study --nothing else. Extracurriculars and other things are unimportant and should comprise only 5% of your decision to attend. </p>
<p>The thing with the negative anecdotes is really more to just... I suppose prove that I'm not trying to be biased against Berkeley. </p>
<p>I'm just getting tired of the arguing. I feel like just giving in and going to Berkeley to appease them. Or maybe going to Davis, so that I'll have an easier time.</p>
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I mean, education wise, the difference between Berkeley and LA is in no way a huge, substantial gap.
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<p>ehh I wouldn't say that. Berkeley has many majors ranked in the top 5-10 (such as most engineering subjects, comp sci, and business). I don't think UCLA has any majors ranked in/near the top 10--I may be wrong though.</p>
<p>what your parents are ignoring is the fact that if you aren't happy, you won't do as well. you're already happier with the area UCLA is in, and i agree with you- i grew up near berkeley and don't trust the area at night. at all. </p>
<p>as for on-campus aspects, it's not as if you won't have a social life (despite what your parents may believe ;) ) so picking a place with opportunities that are more aligned with your interests would be ideal. heck, one of the reasons i chose UCLA over davis was because it had a colorguard- and that was my core social identity. (i chose UCLA over cal because i liked the environment far better and was much more comfortable here). so while your aim in picking a college shouldn't be based on social things, it SHOULD play more than a 5% role.</p>
<p>don't give in just to make your life easier. this affects YOUR life for the next four years, not theirs! if your parents could make an extra $1k a year by living in antarctica, or make a little less money but live in hawaii, would they insist choosing the money? i know it's an extreme example, but try to put them in your shoes. they should stop looking at extrinsic factors affecting your success (ie, slightly better academics) and look at intrinsic factors (your happiness and motivation), because as any psych major will tell you, intrinsic motivation is key :)</p>
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ehh I wouldn't say that. Berkeley has many majors ranked in the top 5-10 (such as most engineering subjects, comp sci, and business). I don't think UCLA has any majors ranked in/near the top 10--I may be wrong though.
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<p>oh no, LA's programs are only in the top 20!</p>
<p>you do realize that in the end, it doesn't matter? to begin with, the rankings are controversial and are vague guidelines at best. additionally, it's up to the student to take advantage of the opportunities that are offered. are the professors at Berkeley any better than the ones in LA? no. i bet the ones in CSULB are, though, but i don't see people flocking there. but rankings are not about teaching quality.</p>
<p>what separates LA from Irvine (and other "lower-tier" schools)? a more challenging atmosphere and more opportunities. i know this from a junior transfer. can anyone really argue that Cal has substantially more opportunities than LA? i doubt it, though i could be wrong. as for atmosphere, sure it's not as competitive, but that doesn't mean it's a party school in comparison.</p>
<p>anyway, i wish there was something like BART here.</p>
<p>first of all, UCLA has an exceptional neuroscience program.</p>
<p>second, Cal doesn't have any "majors" above anyone because no one ranks undergraduate majors. the rankings are for graduate programs which are not related to undergrad</p>
<p>the bottom line is that it doesn't matter. seeing as you are a life science major, you're probably premed. For medical school admissions, public schools are all viewed in more or less the same light. there is no real advantage going one place over another. So visit both campuses, and think where YOU will SUCCEED. because if you go to Cal, for example, and can't handle the competition, you're neurobiology degree means nothing in the real world. if you go to UCLA and do well, you will make it to medical or graduate school. and it is pretty much accepted that Cal is much harder than UCLA.</p>
<p>my advice to you is to visit both campuses, think about what each university has to offer you, and consider your future. don't go by the fact that Cal is ranked like 4 spots higher than UCLA. That means nothing in the real world.</p>
<p>Well for undergrad the distinction is a lot smaller, but on an overall level (undergrad and graduate) the level is significant. Look at USNews, LA only ranks for "African history" the last time I checked.</p>
<p>There still is a correlation between undergrad and grad. It is not very strong, but to argue that it is not there is nonsense (consider the fact that much of what you learn is taught to you by GSIs)</p>
<p>Ya well the point is that the rankings aren't going to matter. Just go where you'll be happier and get a good GPA. As mentioned, your school's prestige doesn't mean **** if you have a poor GPA.</p>
<p>What does UCLA have over Cal: basketball, UCLA medical center, and westwood is most definitely nicer than the ghetto Cal is in. You'll get to see a lot of ferraris, lamborghinis, roll royces, and bentleys in westwood :D</p>
<p>I dont think cal has a medical school? they do have a great optometry school though</p>
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I dont think cal has a medical school?
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<p>Yes, they do, it's called UC San Francisco.</p>
<p>But I agree w/everyone, both schools are exceptional. Go for what atmosphere you like. Also, Cal has changes in weather, while UCLA is pretty much 75 all the time. Depends on what you like.</p>
<p>If you intend to live on the East Coast, Cal is more renowned there (people are more familiar with UCLA's athletics), but college isn't all about name, it's also about internships, relationships with professors, etc. So go with what feels right, and you can't go wrong!</p>
<p>Umm, actually it does. UCSF IS UC Berkeley's medical school. It's also a hospital and such, but it was originally founded as Berkeley's med school, and still maintains that partnership today.</p>
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UC Berkeley has a School of Public Health, School of Optometry, and a School of Social Welfare on campus. The university also sponsors a program with the UCSF hospital and medical school, located across the Bay in San Francisco. A wide range of nearby hospitals and community clinics provide opportunities for student work and health training.
<p>its a joint program :rolleyes: Cal has a school of public health (which is not medical school). UCSF is its own graduate school with medicine, pharmacy, dental, and nursing. Everything you linked clearly says "joint program"</p>
<p>it doesn't matter if UCSF is affiliated with Cal. Medical schools (at least in California) do not give preference to their own undergrads.</p>
<p>also, at least in ALL the classes ive had so far, a graduate student has NEVER lectured in place of the professor. may be other classes have this, but ive taken courses in a wide range of departments and it's always been the professor who's been teaching. I think the "GSI lectures" happens more at Cal than at UCLA.</p>
<p>my point (which i forgot to mention), if the OP is indeed premed, was volunteer opportunities at the hospital, not admissions into medical school</p>