Sorry, I should’ve clarified. If I were to go to a UC, I’d want to go to UCLA or UCB (although they’re all great.) I have friends at both schools, and they all tell me that it’s cutthroat competitive. I also have friends at USC/Santa Clara who tell me that, although it’s competitive, students are cooperative. I would also prefer the smaller class sizes that come with most private schools to the huge class sizes at the UC’s. I also know that it’s easier to get Internships/Research opportunities at private schools than it is at a UC, because you’re not competing with hundreds of (very talented) students.