<p>I've gotten into UCSD, UCLA, Berkeley, and UCSB. I got Regents at SB, which is a huge plus with priority registration. I'm planning on majoring in communications. I'm a California resident (halfway between LA and San Diego) so tuition isn't horrible for any of them. I know Berkeley is technically most prestigious, but I'm afraid it'll be academically too much for me, and maybe I wouldn't fit in without a hardcore science major like most others. I guess it's like that at most schools though. So, thoughts? Any and all insight is much appreciated</p>
<p>Santa Barbara is beautiful. I know several people who graduated who have gone on to do very well in business.
UCLA is also amazing. It seems more impersonal at the campus level, but the cultural opportunities in Los Angeles are really outstanding. And Berkeley is, well, Berkeley! World class, by anyone’s standards.<br>
Personally, I’d go with either Berkeley or Santa Barbara. If the only reason you’re not picking Cal is because you think you’d be over-matched academically, please don’t let that deter you. They picked you and believe you will do well. On the other hand, if the priority and standing and love they show you 
sways you toward Santa Barbara, go and have a great four years! I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these choices. Congratulations!</p>
<p>I would think UCLA would be a great choice - the program is extremely selective and the internship possibilities in the LA area would be pretty amazing. Berkeley does not have a communications major - the major is called Media Studies and is not a pre-professional course of study. Why not visit the three departments during their open houses, or look at the course catalogs to see which is closest to what you want?</p>
<p>bumping! I need all the input I can get… I’m thinking it’s mostly between Berkeley and LA, as they’re the best, and I know Cal has media studies but isn’t that like the same thing? idk I guess I’m a bit clueless</p>
<p>UCSB for Regents - you’ll be glad not to have some of the hassles that priority registration allows you to skip! It means you’ll get to choose at what time you have class, with which professors/TAs (depending on rep, etc), the special topic if there’s one, not to mention… not worry whether you’ll even get into the class. 
Next i’d pick UCLA for the professional opportunities.</p>
<p>I get that priority registration is a huge plus, but I’m not sure if it would be worth it to go to SB with its huge party reputation instead of somewhere more prestigious. I’m also pretty straight edge, worried I wouldn’t fit in there. At the same time, I don’t know if I’d fit in somewhere as hardcore as Cal… help!!</p>
<p>UCSB isn’t for you. Let the space go to someone that really wants to go there, someone not worried about being dragged off the street and forced to attend parties at the risk of being ostracized for not partaking. </p>
<p>As for picking by reputation… Well, do you think that every Cal grad enjoys the same degree of success, or that employers look at things like grades and internships? Rhetorical question. That “prestigious” name isn’t going to do a bit of good for you unless you back it up with some accomplishment on your own. Don’t kid yourself. The students around you, wherever you go, are going to be competing with you for grades, for internships, for letters of rec (everyone can’t be “one of the best students I’ve had”), etc. If Cal is too hardcore for you, if you’re worried its too much academically, then it’s off the list too. Do poorly there and you wasted your time; waving a Cal degree and a dollar gets you a cup of coffee.</p>
<p>So you’re down to UCSD and UCLA. </p>