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I'm a Comm major and did quite a bit of research on this. Here is what I have observed.
UCLA-Hands down the most comprehensive program. Lots of veriety in classes, so you really get to choose what area/concentration you want to focus on. Lots of media based classes and lots of interpersonal classes as well. IMO, this is the best program as far as internship opportunites are concerned (the location alone makes them far superior in this department). Overall, UCLA's program is probably the most respected (aside from USC's program). As you have probably observed, Comm is not taken very seriously in academia. Many people see it as a joke or "fluff" major, but it's pretty much common knowledge that UCLA's program is the most selective and that is something that will definitely be beneficial to you after graduation.
UCB-The major is no longer called Mass Communication as of fall 08, it is now called Media Studies. Obviously, this program is ALL media and theory based, with no interpersonal classes offered by the major. HOWEVER, the major is only 30 units and you need 60 to graduate, so you have the opportunity to take classes in whatever field you choose. Do you want to take classes at Haas? You can. Are you interested in communication from a sociological point of view? You can take Sociology and Psych classes. This is one major plus that UCB offers IMO. To answer the pre-req question, NO. If your school does not offer that pre-req (I'm assuimg that you are referring to MS 10) you are not responsible for taking it and can take it at Cal.
UCSD-A very comprehensive program as well, with the opportunity to take media production classes (a major plus). The only turn off (IMO) is that UCSD requires you to take additional GE classes according to what college you are placed into. Some require more than others. I was accepted to Warren and they wanted me to take 2 classes outside of my major. I wouldn't have had a problem with that, but the actual Comm program requires quite a few classes in and of itself and it literally provided zero flexibility to take other classes for leisure.
That said, I chose Berkeley. I am planning on double majoring in Sociology to get the interpersonal aspect under my belt and to balance out the MS major with a more academic based major. I didn't apply to UCLA as a Comm major b/c of my measly 3.83 GPA (avg is 3.95 for the major). I was accepted there as a History major and planned to double major in Comm (or at least attempt to). I chose Berkeley because of the location (I LOVE the bay area) and financial aid. UCLA offered me next to nothing and UCB offered me over $10k. UCSD's program looked really great though and if I hadn't been accepted to Berkeley, I probably would have gone to UCSD.
My best (unsolicited) advice is to order catalogs from every school that you are interested in and READ the class descriptions for each course offered by the major. Read the requirements for the major and make sure that they are offering exactly what you are looking for. All comm departments are not the same (as evidenced here). If you can't purchase your own catalogs, drop by your school's transfer center. They should have them on file and they should allow you to make copies.
Last edited by kc_sunshine101; 07-02-2009 at 11:08 PM.
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). At CAL, UCD, and UCLA (of course) this major is impacted! I know it's really competitive. I won't be transferring this year, but what are the "best" UC's for a communications major, including ones I'm not interested in at the moment?
