<p>Soooo, I was accepted to Haas Business School at Berkeley and the Communication Studies program at UCLA. I had a tough time deciding between the two and everyone told me I should go with Haas, but I ultimately decided I would go with UCLA, as I want to work in the film industry. I figured that Communication Studies at UCLA (and being in LA in general) would be more conducive to my long term career goals.</p>
<p>BUT…I got an email this evening saying that I was awarded the Regent’s and Chancellor’s Scholarship at Berkeley. </p>
<p>My major concern with Berkeley is that I will be pushed towards doing finance or something along those lines. Originally, I decided to apply to Haas because I always thought I could use a general business background to pursue my specific career path. </p>
<p>I know this probably seems like a lame problem to have, but I was all set on UCLA until today and now I am thoroughly confused. </p>
<p>At this point, I’m kind looking for all the advice and insight I can get…</p>
<p>Paid Berkeley education from Haas vs paying to study communications at UCLA? </p>
<p>I would think going to Haas on a scholarship would make more sense, unless you were accepted into the film program at UCLA. You can always apply your business background elsewhere, and if you really know what you want to do then you shouldn’t worry about being “pushed into finance,” although that is a valid point.</p>
<p>The way I see it, is simple. You have your mind set on UCLA, or so it seems. A Regents scholarship is wonderful, however, if you were planning on putting aside “Haas School of Business“, then that alone shows how much you want to pursue your Communication Studies specifically at UCLA, and not so much Business (Finance) at UC Berkeley. I think it is a very easy decision based on what you have told us. A Regents scholarship is AWESOME, BUT it should not be a decision maker, unless you want to go to both schools equally.</p>
<p>Although, normally I would say “DUH” go to Berkeley, I think UCLA will be a better path for you as an individual wanting to pursue communications for your specific long term career goals. You make the decision, nobody else, of course that is if they are studying and attending school for you? Good luck and I hope the best!</p>
<p>Vmason, I have to commend you for that. Going to UCLA over Haas is a big decision, but if you’re mind is set on Communications then just go to UCLA. In my perspective paying for UCLA would be more of an investment. </p>
<p>You’ve making a very noble and humble decision. Most people choose Berkeley for its prestige, but you’re going to UCLA for the right reasons. Unlike most people they choose LA over Berkeley for it’s “environment”. </p>
<p>I would of killed if Haas accepted me lol sigh*…</p>
<p>Make undergrad as cheap as possible. You can do anything with a haas degree. Regents also gives you priority enrollement. A free undergrad at haas is huge. Your opportunaties will not be negatively impacted by your choice</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all the input you guys :)</p>
<p>After thinking about this a bit more, I’m starting wondering whether I was too quick to dismiss Berkeley in the first place because UCLA just seemed safer and easier or something. Now the Regent’s thing is making me reconsider if I could do as much or more with a degree from Berkeley as opposed to UCLA.</p>
<p>But, Regent’s at Berkeley doesn’t necessarily mean a free ride. Apparently they’ll meet any unmet financial need you have, but I don’t know whether this means they’ll take loans and work study out of the award or if they still include those in determining whether you have need or not. If your financial need has been met, you receive a $1000 honorary award. They don’t release the amount of the Regent’s award until May 25th, so I won’t know what I got until then.</p>
<p>To follow up on that, honestly I think you shouldn’t worry too much about the financial aspect of it. I know for me money is really a big issue, but between two public schools I would go to one that has my intended major. I view loans as an investment, a good debt. You should really look into both programs to see what they both have to offer you. </p>
<p>Either ways best of luck and please tell us your final decision.</p>
<p>I’d like to do film production or work in distribution. Getting into the financial aspects of film wouldn’t be bad though, which is why I initially applied to Haas, thinking I could get a great business background that would be useful working in the entertainment industry.</p>
<p>If I were you, I’d choose UCLA because you can always pursue an MBA after undergrad degree but being professional at communication (and filming) is somehow harder when you get older (and you lose chances to get involved in the industry while in a graduate film school too). </p>
<p>So my point is, follow your heart. You’ve proven to be a great man by being accepted by Haas and what you need now is not a prestigious school name but a right environment to let your interest grow. I always believe environment plays an important role in shaping one’s achievement so I guess you need to get surrounded by people who share your passion.</p>
<p>But it’s still a tough decision I know lol…I personally got denied by Haas so I might be biased. Haha.</p>
<p>Thanks for your thoughts, Tihuan My instinct has been to go with UCLA because I do kind of see myself being happier there…But, I found out this morning my official award from Regent’s and Chancellor’s at Cal is $18,000!! Coupled with my grants, that gives me a full ride for Cal- no loans, no work study. </p>
<p>Go to Haas and pursue specialization consistent with your career goals (which, realistically, who knows if they’ll be the same in two years) in grad school.</p>
<p>Seriously, do not pass up a free education from Haas. That should be illegal. :)</p>
<p>OMG!!! Congratulations lol!!! With that much of ca$h it’s undoubtedly illegal for not accepting the offer. And what’s even better is that it’s from Haas. Haah Haah~ geez, you rock so hard lol! I’m glad the decision is obvious for you now I guess Someone’s tried His best to hint you the right direction for your future. </p>
<p>Good luck at Cal and remember to come back to LA and benefit we SoCal ppl And I guess you can still craft your interest from imagination to reality during your leisure time up there. So no worries. You’ll be fantastic either way. </p>
<p>Ahhhh, it’s great to know you’re a girl but too bad we are going to different schools now lol</p>
<p>as a side note for you, if you want to build some connections at UCLA film school, they offer the complete screenwriting specialization online in the summer. Summer is open to all students, it is a great way to build connections with people in film and to learn about film, all while attending HAAS btw.</p>
<p>Communications =/= under grad film/theater program.</p>
<p>The major in Communication Studies is an interdisciplinary curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. It seeks to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of the nature of human communication, the symbol systems by which it functions, the environments in which it occurs, its media, and its effects. Employing critical and empirical approaches, the major draws its resources from the social sciences, humanities, and fine arts.</p>
<p>Two areas of focus are offered:</p>
<ul>
<li>The concentration in mass communication centers on formal and institutional communication systems and the macrocosmic social contexts in which they function</li>
<li>The concentration in interpersonal communication centers on face-to-face communicative interaction.</li>
</ul>
<p>I’ve worked on a lot of AFI Thesis Films, a few productions and some of of my own personal shorts. I actually wanted to do something very similar to you vmason.</p>
<p>If you look at the courses offered at UCLA ( [Courses</a> — Communication Studies](<a href=“http://commstudies.ucla.edu/courses]Courses”>http://commstudies.ucla.edu/courses) ) for Com, you’ll notice it’s a lot more like a psychology/sociology with mass media as the focus. I really really would recommend going to Haas not only because it’s a great education and the skills you will learn there you will use for the rest of your life but because going to such a prestigious undergrad can really make your app shine out for whatever grad school/job you choose. Business is everywhere, ESPECIALLY in the film industry.</p>
<p>whatasunnyday-
Thanks so much for your post. The thing that has had me concerned about the Comm major is that it is a soc/psych-like major, like you said, which might not be as beneficial for me in the long run. </p>
<p>Another question I have about the Comm program @ UCLA: although it’s extremely difficult to get INTO the program, how well respected is it within the UCLA community and among employers in L.A., particularly those in the entertainment industry? Anyone know??</p>
<p>The more I think about Berkeley, the more it seems like the best choice. I had my graduation from my CCC yesterday and every faculty member that I talked to about the offer of Regents at Berkeley told me I’d be completely insane to turn it down…</p>
<p>That being said, I’m heading up there tomorrow for a few days to look around. Does anyone know if there is any type of roommate placement service at Berkeley? I definitely need to look at apartments while I’m there, since there’s a good chance I’ll be moving up there in a couple weeks I will start with Craigslist, I suppose.</p>
<p>I thought I would give you all an update :)</p>
<p>I’ve been up in Berkeley for the last few days checking things out and after much contemplation on the matter, I’ve decided to attend Haas!</p>
<p>I think I would always wonder what ‘might’ have been if I ended up turning down Regent’s at Berkeley, and I think that the doors open to me once I graduate from Haas will be many. Also, I like the thought of attending UCLA for grad school, which I probably wouldn’t have been able to do if I had done my undergrad there (since they don’t like taking their undergrads into their grad programs). </p>
<p>Sooooo, my decision has been made Thanks so much for all your help and thoughtful comments- I really really appreciate hearing your thoughts.</p>
My instinct has been to go with UCLA because I do kind of see myself being happier there…But, I found out this morning my official award from Regent’s and Chancellor’s at Cal is $18,000!! Coupled with my grants, that gives me a full ride for Cal- no loans, no work study. </p>
And I guess you can still craft your interest from imagination to reality during your leisure time up there. So no worries. You’ll be fantastic either way. </p>