Which UC would be the better option for me?

<p>I got accepted into UCLA College of Letters and Science with Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology my academic major. UCLA had more applicants than Berkeley this year which made it far more competitive.
I got accepted into the UC Berkeley College of Letters and Science but no major was specified. The problem is that I didn't get accepted into Berkeley fall, but i got accepted into Berkeley spring 2012.</p>

<p>I don't know where I want to go and whether it would be worth it to go to UC berkeley even as a spring admit knowing I got admitted into UC LA</p>

<p>UCLA pros: It is farther away from home. It's research facilities are phenomenal and has practically all the classes I would ever want to take. In addition to that the campus is beautiful. It is definitely something new and exciting. I live in northern california, and even though UCLA is still in california, it would take me out of my safe niche. SoCal is so different, I feel like I am ready to experience a new atmosphere with different cultures.</p>

<p>UCLA cons: I can't see myself fitting in. Despite the great classes, i am probably not a SoCAL kind of a girl. I am afraid that I will not fit in. The campus seems to have a more moderate group of students, not the liberal and hippie group Berkeley has. Not that it is a bad thing, but I think I would enjoy the atmosphere in Berkeley more. The Smog and traffic in LA is just not the best thing. I feel like a car would be necessary and public transportation will be less accessible than in Berkeley.</p>

<p>UC Berkeley Pros: Well it is Berkeley. This is an amazing school. I have wanted to go to Berkeley for the longest time and It has always been one of my top choices. Again, the classes are world class and just having the opportunity to attend this school is great. I love the atmosphere in berkeley. I can see myself fitting in. I love the culture, the art and the fact that San Francisco is right there. i think I love the weather in Berkeley far more than the weather in LA. The campus is pretty, but in a different way. LA campus is gorgeous but Berkeley's is also good but in a different way.</p>

<p>UC Berkeley Cons: Well, I am a spring admit. I am not going to take a semester off. I have sent a mail to reserve my spot in the Fall Program for Freshmen but it takes some while to process. If I didn't get in then the choice would be extremely easy, but assuming I did get in, just the idea of being in a different program than everyone else is just strange. I know i shouldn't be offended because they did accept me in the first place, but I can't help but be insulted that i only got in spring 2012. LA had a larger pool of applicants and still accepted me. So i guess I am slightly bitter about that. But besides my unreasonable cons, I am not guaranteed housing in the Fall Program for Freshmen. Residence halls are where people make friends and I don't want to regret starting school the wrong way and end up being lonely because I will always remember that I have another option - a school that actually wants me in the Fall with my specified major. I am also afraid that the Fall Program for Freshmen is going to be too far away from campus and I won't necessarily feel in the loop. I also was wondering how good is the Fall program for Freshmen. I don't want to spend the first semester in college taking terrible classes. I understand that it is simply one semester, but still, I can't help feeling this way. I am just afraid that accepting being a spring admit will be the wrong choice.</p>

<p>Sorry about my long message, but I just need some good input from people who have been to either colleges under my situation.</p>

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<p>P.S. I got around 8000 in grants from UCLA and 8600 from Berkeley</p>

<p>Hey i am having a similar situation. I got accepted in UCLA and UCB for fall 2011 in the same major as you did. I know UCB’s way of dealing with declaring majors is going to be a pain in the butt.
I live in LA and I attended SMC for those who did go corsairs. I loved LA and UCLA seems the prefect fit. But I am going to UCB. To make it short, I’ve never liked the easy path if you ask me. I just love challenges (complicated me) besides UCB has a great reputation. </p>

<p>I moved twice from one state to another so moving north is not a big deal for me. Rather I wanted to stay one more semester at LA before moving up. I think you are lucky in my way of seeing it though. </p>

<p>Now UCLA is a great school and has great faculty. Living in LA … might be complicated depending in what kind of person you are. The city of LA has good and bad ppl like everywhere. About food is the best place in the world in my opinion (variety). Mobilization will be an issue for sure. </p>

<p>I am going for research maybe medical school … but that is me.
Dont feel offended tough. You know i’ve met a lot of people that would kill to go to UCB.
Congratulations!
Question you want to study in the semesters or quarters system? Taking 1 semester off wont kill you rather be ready for 4 years of craziness.
Now do you mind living away from your family? or rather stay close for 4 years if ur a freshman.
If so is going to be hard decision. I understand you because i moved from one state to another away from my family to have an independent life and to study in a prestigious school.
However, wherever you go u will successful if that is that worries you.
Good luck!</p>