<p>I think those are both very subjective reasons for choosing a school. Obviously this isn’t a shot at UCLA, because each persons opinion is their own and no better than another’s; however, I appreciate the bay areas weather and greatly prefer it over LA’s. The neighborhood around Cal isn’t really that bad if you ask me, it’s certainly different, but it’s cons are really blown out of proportion.</p>
<p>I think someone would have to lead a really sheltered and pampered type life to really find this area unacceptable.</p>
<p>That maybe true in perception (and fact), but with the ‘California common app’, it requires no extra work to apply to both – just $60.00. I find it hard to believe that perception would inhibit thousands of instate applicants from sending in an app. </p>
<p>Heck, UCSD would receive more apps bcos it’s “easier” than UCLA by perception and statistical fact.</p>
<p>NCB, after $$, EVERY decision for choosing a college is subjective. :)</p>
<p>NCB–I am with you on the subjectivity of the two reasons I mentioned. I grew up in So Cal and personally found the weather very boring! I also found the whole LA scene a bit too “perfect” for my taste.</p>
<p>That being said, the vast majority of people seem to prefer warm weather, sunshine, and beaches to the No. California alternative. The surfer life has also been played up to teenagers and this may also influence their choice. As far as smog, I think MsSun did not take into account UCLA’s proximity to the coast (it is well outside of Los Angeles proper) and the likelihood it is to have an ocean breeze to keep it cleared out (right into Pomona!).</p>
<p>Now as far as neighborhood, I think a lot of people also prefer to be surrounded by places such Bel Air, Beverly Hills, and Westwood vs the “Liberty Park” perception. Again, I would agree that Berkeley would be more interesting to me but I don’t think to the majority of youngpeople. Also, whenever you travel outside of CA and people know where you are from, they automatically think of the sunny Southern CA beaches and “surfing”. </p>
<p>My point is that I think people have a perception of Southern California as being “better” than Northern California based on nothing but what they have seen on TV or have heard about in the movies (or what they haven’t heard about). I absolutely know this is not true (and for many people it is for sure the opposite). But, the age group that is applying to college is one that lacks a lot of real world experience.</p>
<p>I’d buy that. It also helps UCLA that they get some publicity simply being located by Hollywood. (James Franco attending, having fictional characters in Entourage attend and visit).</p>
<p>I don’t know, at my school - SoCal - there’s a huge difference. The self-selecting nature of Cal is certainly one thing. A good number of my friends did apply to UCLA as a reach, and expected nothing. Most wanted to stay close, and a few applied to it as a semi-bavkup (when they were applying to ivy caliber programs), and there is a perception that it’s easier to get into. UCB’s average test scores and GPA are generally higher than UCLA. (Not tons, but enough.)</p>
<p>For me, I couldn’t apply to UCLA. I’m an 'SC kid. And applying to UCB (and Stanford -oh oops, that’s not there!) was bad enough. Maybe I’m crazy but I love the NorCal weather better, and I much prefer SF to LA. (Then again, I’m somewhat liberal and also like visiting Napa and silicon valley. Haha.)</p>
<p>This is just pure speculation, but it seems like something I’ve noticed. I feel like in SoCal, UCB gets a bit dwarfed by Stanford in terms of view and stature. However, a lot of people feel like UCLA and USC are on more even ground are far as both athletics and academics. (I don’t of course mean both for football or basketball because in SoCal those two are clearly split.) But when looking north it seems like people look at Stanford before UCB (which doesn’t always make sense, both are different, but that’s another matter).</p>
<p>Bingo! (There are just more families in the Southland which apply to UCLA as their one UC reach to “stay close”. I’m sure many in NorCal apply to Cal as their one UC reach.)</p>
<p>This is so funny. I actually thought Westwood was rather “dead” when I visited, whereas the area around Berkeley was just so vibrant and exciting!!!</p>
<p>Anyway, I’m in NorCal and a lot of people at my school favor UCLA just because they want to get away! There’s sort of this mystical allure of LA that others have discussed…</p>
<p>UCLA and Cal are pretty much the same for academics. That being said, i think people also want to be by the beach, and be in a place where they can have a lot of fun. This brings santa barbara and LA into mind. But people also want to live in a big city, and have warm weather. The only university that has the perfect combination of all of the above is UCLA (cal lacks warm weather, and i’d also guess some warm beaches)</p>
<p>^ Take a look at some undergraduate engineering or business rankings. These are the only undergraduate programs that are generally ranked and they certainly don’t suggest that UCLA = Cal.</p>
<p>UCLA is not the same as Cal in it’s undergraduate department. They are close but Berkeley is consistently better than UCLA in most departments. If you don’t believe me take a look at a number of rankings and average the scores together and Cal still comes out on top a majority of the time. Of course there are certain specialties UCLA has over any other colleges including Cal but that is not the point. </p>
<p>And to the poster who said “UCLA will overtake Cal with time” I don’t think Berkeley would just stand there and watch as LA dethrones UCB as California’s flagship university.</p>
<p>Well, since UCLA doesn’t even offer undergrad biz. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>But yeah, Cal Engineering is top 3, along with Stanford & MIT. Cal College of Chemistry is also highly ranked and, as a ‘small’ program, is almost LAC-like.</p>
<p>UCLA beats Cal in theater & dance (and soon, baseball).</p>
Maybe I’m crazy but I love the NorCal weather better, and I much prefer SF to LA. (Then again, I’m somewhat liberal and also like visiting Napa and silicon valley. Haha.)</p>