<p>Anyone still going through this decision? I think I change my mind everyday. What is leaning anyone one choice over the other? My heart says UCLA, but my head says Cal. </p>
<p>I also considered UCLA for awhile but I kind of realized it was only because of the proximity close to home. I chose Cal because it was a change of scenery, my major was stronger there and offered more variety in classes than at UCLA, and I actually like norcal weather lol. </p>
<p>Sounds like you might enjoy UCLA more if it’s what your heart is telling you. </p>
<p>I have the same feeling about the whole change of scenery, I live close to UCLA too. The rankings for what I’m doing are similar, Berkeley a bit better (not a big deal though), but the majors aren’t exactly the same. I’ve always wanted to take CS classes at Berkeley and intrigued by the “rigor”, which sounds weird. </p>
<p>Why does your head tell you to go to Berkeley? Do you believe its slightly greater prestige means you should choose it over UCLA?</p>
<p>Why does your heart tell you to go to UCLA? You think you’ll have more fun at that school? </p>
<p>I believe these are the most commonly cited reasons why people who are fortunate enough to have been accepted to both schools have trouble deciding between them. What are your priorities? How much does prestige matter for you? How much does social life matter to you? What about scenery in Berkeley and Los Angeles?</p>
<p>Tell us a bit more about what your priorities are and maybe we can help you decide which school is best for you.</p>
<p>My head tells me Berkeley for a few reasons, the prestige is a big one, the room to take classes out of my major and the ease to double major. Plus I’d like to experience somewhere new. I was admitted for Econ but I’m thinking of doing Applied Math with some CS and Econ instead. At the same time, Cal has notoriously low GPAs for these majors. </p>
<p>UCLA, I definitely feel I’d have a better time, and I like the atmosphere. I haven’t been to Cal in a while, but it is definitely a lot different. UCLA also gave me a little bit more aid, and I can apply for some scholarships.</p>
<p>Well, I doubt UCLA will be any easier than Berkeley in the fields in which you’re interested. Youll be very challenged at either school.</p>
<p>Ask yourself this about the prestige factor: How will Berkeley’s somewhat enhanced prestige help you in the future? If you can think of an answer, then that should tilt things in Berkeley’s favor. If you can’t think of a solid answer, then perhaps you should disregard Berkeley’s slightly higher prestige and consider its other strengths instead, such as the ease of double majoring that you mentioned earlier.</p>
<p>Did you get admitted into UCLA’s econ program? If so, maybe you should consider double majoring in Mathematics of Computation and Math/Econ instead. Mathematics of Computation is basically a mix of math and computer science that isn’t in UCLA’s engineering and applied science school, so you should be able to major in it. Its not impacted. Math/Econ is self-explanatory; it’s a math-heavy major with some econ classes thrown in. This major isn’t impacted either.</p>
<p>UCLA’s giving you more money is pretty important, in my opinion. Still, it doesn’t really matter unless they gave you significantly more aid than Cal did.</p>
<p>Just go to UCLA, lol</p>
<p>Hmm, why do you feel you’ll have a better time at UCLA? Is the college town of Berkeley not that exciting to you? lol </p>
<p>@Cayton I think the prestige could play a part later down the line, I want to go into banking at this point and they are known for being prestige w****s, but I know plenty of people that line stuff up out of UCLA easily. </p>
<p>I got admitted into Business Econ, I still have to take two classes to declare, but I think it is the best base major for me. I don’t think the math department would let you have two math majors. I’m just afraid of hitting a unit cap, but if you have both majors declared I was told you can petition to go over. Berkeley it’d be 6 more classes. </p>
<p>@ocnative I’d probably have a fine time too, but it seems UCLA breeds a lot better student environment, just from what I’ve been told and saw on transfer day. I love San Francisco but I know I wouldn’t be trekking out there every week. </p>
<p>@CSB111 </p>
<p>Hmm, in that case, you should probably go to Berkeley. It seems that your plans would be easier to accomplish there.</p>
<p>But do you really believe UCLA’s student environment is better? Why? I’m curious.</p>
<p>Follow your heart OP! :x </p>
<p>Can’t go wrong with either school.</p>
<p>@Cayton Well there are a few indicators, but I’ve heard that the transfer dorms aren’t Berkeley aren’t very social, while UCLA sets up a transfer environment. All the transfer programs at Berkeley like EOP and the transfer center are all really based off of race/background, instead of a general inclusion. I got into EOP and tried contacting them about some stuff and never heard back either. It is generally more clicky, and in my experience, people are just not helpful for the most part. But it could be the same at UCLA too. </p>
<p>I can’t get basic questions answered from anyone at Cal. The reason I didn’t apply to Haas was because of this, I needed to see if I would have to retake some courses because they weren’t on the articulation (Accounting classes), I literally called and emailed for a month and never received a single email back, and when I would call it was always automated.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, this is completely separate from academics. Anything major related, the advisors are easily contactable and the advising seems pretty good. </p>
<p>“I think the prestige could play a part later down the line”</p>
<p>I think your experience and accomplishments will play the largest part later down the road.</p>
<p>My heart told me to go to UCLA for the longest time, but I decided to go to Cal after thinking about where I want to be in two years. The one thing that I really loved about UCLA is how warm and welcoming the students came across; I had to ask myself how long is the welcome party was going to last because, honestly, we’re going to be integrated in either campus with time.</p>
<p>I’m flying up north on Friday for the Memorial Day weekend and I can’t wait to really get a feel of the campus. I’ve visited friends up there before and walked around, but I’m taking the campus tour and I really want to check out the psych department and libraries. </p>
<p>@CSB111 </p>
<p>UCLA’s EOP program, which goes by the name “Academic Advancement Program”(AAP), is definitely inclusive. I went to an AAP orientation a couple of weeks ago and there weren’t just minorities there. Plenty of white students and families were there. Basically, if you’re poor, minority, first-generation student, first in family to go to college, etc., you’ll be accepted into their program, and it comes with a wide variety of benefits and a strong support program. You should be able to get in if you qualify.</p>
<p>It sucks that Cal isn’t good with responding to requests for information; in my limited dealings with UCLA, I must say that they’ve been prompt in their responses and courteous. But that might not apply for all people when dealing with UCLA.</p>
<p>I’m still deciding too 
Though I’m giving myself a deadline of next Monday to make my decision so I have time to fill out all necessary paperwork and study for my final exams.</p>
<p>I think its odd no one answers your questions at Cal OP.
When I emailed the anthropology adviser and my undergraduate adviser, they responded in a timely manner…?</p>
<p>We need to make up our minds!
Sending you lots of good vibes so you can find clarity and direction.
I hope that no matter what you decide you are at peace with it and that it gives you an abundance of opportunity.</p>
<p>And remember, we are all hear to listen to you talk about your decision. I’ve found so much incredible support on this forum and I know those fine folks, as well as myself, are open to hearing you discuss the process of choosing because it is not easy and people outside of the process might not understand how hard it is to decide.</p>
<p>Good luck (:</p>
<p>@Cayton Yes I read about it. I might check it out, but those programs aren’t a big deal to me. I just liked how the UCLA seemed more welcome to all transfers, rather than Berkeley which seems to target specific groups for the most part.</p>
<p>@AnthroFlo Thanks and good luck! I will try and decide soon as well. I really don’t want to wait until the last day. I’m already indecisive enough, so at some point I need to suck it up and commit. I know no matter where we all go, we all have a prosperous road of success to follow. 
</p>
<p>Also, the Econ advisor replied to my questions immediately, but was very vague. Dealing with financial aid has been a pain too, extremely vague as well. </p>
<p>If its June 1st and still you still haven’t decided flip a coin, It worked for Gilbert Arenas (oops nevermind)</p>
<p>@CSB111
Have you made your decision yet?</p>
<p>still deciding. this is extremely difficult</p>