Annecdote/data point of one. I am a UCB Law School grad, and loved the time I was there. While there always was an element of grunge around campus, Telegraph Ave, People’s Park, the Polka Dot Man on Sproul Plaza, the energy was great and the grunge was part of the charm. I took S to visit a bunch of Cali schools a couple of years back. The vibe at UCB was not good. Low energy, not many smiling/happy faces, facilities showing their age. UCLA the complete opposite. After the trip, UCB came off S’s list and UCLA stayed on.