<p>Just as the name implies, why should I (or any prospective) choose Berkeley over, say, UCLA? If current students/alumni could list, lets say 5, reasons, I would greatly appreciate it. (Oh, and please don't say something like, "It's a world class university." Please be as specific as possible.)</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I want to go there not only beacuse it's a great school like you mentioned, but because..</p>
<p>I can't stand LA. Way too crowded.. not saying Berkeley isn't a big city, I just like Berkeley's environment a lot better.</p>
<p>I like the culture and history of Berkeley.</p>
<ol>
<li>Better reputation</li>
<li>Closer to my home</li>
<li>Smarter people</li>
<li>Better looking campus</li>
<li>Its Cal.</li>
</ol>
<p>UCLA is a great school, and it's not clear that you should go to Berkeley [coming from a Berkeley student who thinks the university is fantastic]. Nevertheless, I'll say the primary reason I love the school is that it is "world class" meaning specifically that the departments are top notch, and the faculty are elite in a way you can't find at most other schools. Berkeley is truly good at almost all forms of academics. </p>
<p>All said though, I think the above only make your choice clearly Berkeley if you think you may be a top student AT Berkeley [which involves much more than being a top high school student]. We have insane resources, but elite faculty just aren't going to be as likely to talk to any but the most advanced undergraduates.</p>
<p>There may be other reasons to choose Berkeley, but I am not qualified to tell you those. I can say though, that if you want to go to graduate school, it is a nice feather in the cap to have a recommendation from particularly elite faculty...now they exist at both schools, but I'm quite certain more so at Berkeley.</p>
<p>I've never been to UCLA, so I can't speak much of student life there. Cal and LA are both great schools and you can't go wrong with either one. Any good reasons for picking Cal over LA will be personal and subjective. I highly recommend that you visit both schools and see what life is like at both places if you're agonizing between the two schools.</p>
<p>For me, the decision was easy since Cal's EECS program was far better than UCLA's.</p>
<p>Ok, I have been to both schools multiple times for both official and unofficial tours. I know multiple people from each and quite frankly really like both schools. So thanks for replying everyone.</p>
<p>Another major reason to coose UC Berkeley is simply because of the name. It's recognizable pretty much everywhere, even in foreign countries (going along with the idea that its departments are top notch). When you say you went to UC Berkeley, people are going to know what you are talking about; they will know that it is important and that it is among the best.</p>
<p>I've found that Berkeley, despite being very competitive, also has a pretty laid back atmosphere. For example, jeans and a t-shirt is sufficient clothing for pretty much anything going on (except for specifically formal matters). You'll find that people are much more chill in terms of clothing and social life than if you were to go to LA. IMO, it just takes away (or at least reduces) many more worries that you would have otherwise.</p>
<p>This type of atmosphere transfers over into many aspects of the city. That's not to say that LA isn't fantastic. It is. But Berkeley, or the surrounding area, seems very much geared towards the students themselves. So many things seem focused on and are probably dependent upon the university. There are so many easy and cheap things to do and places to go while still maintaining an attitude of laziness or "laid-back"ness - even late at night (see: Top Dog, Asian Ghetto).</p>
<p>UCLA isn't world famous? </p>
<p>You know, maybe it's because I went during the summer, but everyone on campus when I visited LA was in jeans and T's and other relaxed outfits. Again, maybe that was cause it was summer, but everyone seemed pretty chillaxed.</p>
<p>Ok, this part I definitely get. I did notice that Berkeley (City of) is much more relaxed than the LA area seemed.</p>
<p>Berkeley and LA have a different vibe. The schools are both great. The students are smart. The professors are top notch. Aside from specific majors that may impact your decision, the difference is basically a Northern Cal vibe or a Southern Cal vibe. The difference is walking/public transportation and the city of San Francisco nearby or driving in your car to Beverly Hills or the beach. It is easier to get around in Berkeley and visit other areas without a car, but there are not too many warm beaches within a 30 minute drive. People in general wear more make-up in LA and are more trend conscious overall (kind of a female fashion observation, but also applies to males). I am always surprised when kids have a tough time choosing between UCLA and Cal because they seem like such two different places to live. UCLA is right next to Bel Air, one of the most expensive areas in the nation and is Hollywood!, and Cal is adjacent to Oakland, which is definitely NOT one of the premier areas in the nation, and is not glitzy. One is urban, the other suburban. Good thing is, you cannot go wrong with either school. And yes, BOTH are world famous and will get you a job interview after you graduate.</p>
<p>1) Because Cal has more top-ranked programs than Harvard. </p>
<p>2) IMO, Cal also has a more tight-knit community at least on the margin. Housing is expensive in both places, but moreso in SoCal. Since Bel Air is to the north of Westwood, Beverly Hills to the south and east, and Brentwood to the west, nearby, off campus housing is really expensive down south. Thus, some kids take long bus rides even tho they officially do not live at home. Others rent houses by/on the beach (such as Santa Monica) and commute from there. While beach living can be great for 18-20 year olds, it's not the same as walking to top dog at midnight.</p>
<p>3) Cal is known worldwide. Sure, UCLA is too, but its not the same, since it ain't got its own spot on the Periodical Table.</p>
<p>^ Haha, #3 is great.</p>
<p>Ya, I do like the area around Berkeley a bit more.</p>
<p>Honestly, if Berkeley is a perfect 10 (and it's not, it has its flaws, but for this example lets say it is), I'd say UCLA is a 9.75. I feel really comfortable at both and I think I could do well at either campus. </p>
<p>Thanks guys for helping.</p>