Why Cal over UCLA? This is the hardest decision of my life!

<p>So I recently got accepted into Cal and UCLA as pre-bus major.
Most people think i'm crazy to even consider UCLA seeing as how ridiculously awesome cal's business program is.
The thing is, I'm not entirely sure about majoring in business anyway.
Here's what I've got so far-</p>

<p>Reasons for cal:
-Prestige/ranking
-the business program/Haas
-good food around campus
-spirit</p>

<p>Reasons against Cal:
-weather sucks
-don't really like the campus.. although Haas is pretty nice
-i hear cal business is extremely cutthroat and you're basically on your own. Apparently people go out of their way to NOT help you.
-homeless everywhere/crime
-close to home (not a big factor)</p>

<p>Reasons for UCLA
-fly honeys EVERYWHERE
-awesome weather
-far from home (not big factor)
-campus aesthetics
-beaches
-sports/spirit
-hollywood/celebrities
-downtown/things to do
-less competitive/general atmosphere</p>

<p>Reasons Against UCLA
-not as prestigious as Cal
-no business school</p>

<p>Overall, I feel that I would have a more enjoyable time at UCLA, but Cal is a more practical path to choose. My reasons for UCLA are almost all non-academic. I also plan on going to grad school...
I would like to know more pro's and cons for both schools (living conditions, dorms, activities, things I can actually do for fun at berkeley.. lol). Also, can someone please elaborate on the cutthroat/competitive atmosphere at Cal? That is perhaps my biggest turnoff.</p>

<p>Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!</p>

<p>CAL all the way!!!</p>

<p>care to elaborate? lol…</p>

<p>to say a competitive school is competitive would be stating the obvious.</p>

<p>Both are highly ranked universities, and I can assure you both will be nearly equally competitive. To say that UCLA is less competitive and more laidback isn’t as true as it used to be.</p>

<p>On the other hand, cutthroat isn’t a school characteristic, it’s a human characteristic. You run the risk of generalizing the people at both schools by saying Cal is more cutthroat than UCLA. There will be asses at both schools, but there’ll be great people you meet as well.</p>

<p>I live in SoCal, so that’s why I’m aiming for Cal. Maybe you should go to UCLA if you think the schools are equal in your eyes eventually and want to experience life in Southern California.</p>

<p>When it comes to business as a major, I do not think the two schools are equals. Cal is better.</p>

<p>And I’m sure that I’ll meet great people at Cal, but I hear in certain majors (such as business), the majority of people are out for themselves, hesitant to help others in fear of losing their rank/GPA… or so I’ve heard.</p>

<p>Since UCLA’s business program doesn’t have the same prestige as Cal, business majors are less prone to being asses and more welcoming in say, corporate study sessions??</p>

<p>prestige and competitiveness aren’t always seen hand in hand.</p>

<p>true, but from some experiences i’ve gathered from alumni it’s safe to assume they do at cal and ucla?</p>

<p>you have to realize that while in comparison, cal trumps ucla, that in the greater spectrum of colleges, both are in the same tier when it comes to their capabilities.</p>

<p>you’ll find both competitive and cutthroat students at both schools, just because one is less prestigious doesn’t mean it is less competitive.</p>

<p>there’s a reason why UCLA is the most applied school in the country.</p>

<p>A degree from Haas will be worth much more than a business economics degree from UCLA. Even an economics degree from Cal will be worth much more than a business economics degree from UCLA.</p>

<p>I am a current student at Cal, although not in a competitive major like business. That said, the notion that Cal students are just out for themselves might be the most overstated myths about this campus. In reality, most students are willing to help you. In fact, I would say they smart ones realize that there is a great deal to learn in teaching others, and they themselves might learn something in the process.</p>

<p>There will always be a few who shun group study because they think they are the next Einstein, but you will find those anywhere.</p>

<p>Going to Cal for business and going to UCLA for business will be two totally different experiences in terms of competitive-ness… and that’s for sure.</p>

<p>if you’re so pigeon-holed into thinking that, I don’t see why you would ask anyone to elaborate.</p>

<p>I just want to warn you that you are drastically underestimating the competitiveness of UCLA’s biz-econ major…take it from someone who was in it for a year.</p>

<p>If you have doubts, don’t bother to come to CAL. CAL is overcrowded as is.<br>
All these comparison threads are useless.</p>

<p>Based on what I’ve gathered, both programs are very competitive. Its just that, Cal is more prestigious. Thus if you care about prestige, go for Berkeley. Otherwise, both schools are great with very competitive programs.</p>

<p>It sounds like the OP would be much happier at UCLA. Is prestige worth happiness?
That question has an obvious answer.</p>

<p>^ Well, to a lot of very smart students, I would say, YES, prestige is worth happiness. It’s exactly why Harvard wins in cross admit battles over other great schools.</p>

<p>i dunno… im from socal and i enjoy berkeley weather. at least when like the weather right now. sunny low 70s. a lil cool. :)</p>

<p>sports spirit is high at Cal - the support for the Bears football is strong. This is not a differentiator IMO</p>

<p>^
hmm i think it’s a huge differentiator for me cause i was deciding between sd and cal.</p>