Hi @JoelShoe my daughter had the same decision to make and while it was tough it was a little easier since we live in Oakland and in the end she said UCB was just too close. She’ll be majoring in Chemistry. Her other reasons choosing UCLA were:
•She loves warm weather. Even though, I will say, despite what you hear from some people about all the rain in Berkeley (we really got a laugh when even Chancellor Block mentioned this in his speech at Bruin Day), there is NOT a ton of rain up here. It is chillier, though, for sure.
•Housing. She really liked “the Hill” at UCLA and knowing that housing is guaranteed for 3 years at UCLA vs 1 year at Cal. She loved that all the dorms were together on the Hill making for a very social experience. Housing at Cal seemed like one more thing to worry about and even though we’re close, she did not want to have to resort to living at home after year 1 OR paying a ton of money for off campus housing.
• Food. The options at UCLA are endless and delicious.
• General vibe of students. Since we do live in Oakland, we are at Cal a lot (she’s gone to many STEM events there and her 13 year old brother takes a math class there weekly and has for the past 2 years). She felt that the students seemed “happier” at UCLA. Whether this is true or not, who knows, but this was her take. She has also heard that Cal is really cutthroat and she wants a less always pressured academic environment. Again, who knows how true this is and UCLA will be no walk in the park academically, but this is her take being on both campuses and having friends at both places.
• Her excitement was always about UCLA. She was very proud to get into Cal but UCLA truly excites her.
What really excites your daughter? What is her gut telling her?
She has 2 great choices. As a parent, being at Cal a lot, I LOVE it. It has a buzz and and energy that totally excites me. I would be a Cal person since I’m much more Nor Cal then So Cal. I like an edgier vibe and I do NOT love warm weather ; )
Good luck with the decision! Looking forward to hearing where she lands.