<p>The difference in acceptance rates between the two is minor (less than 5%). It is because UCLA is a slightly more popular school at the moment so more people apply. With more people applying, especially for the reason of popularity, the applicant pool is probably weaker. Cal definitely has more prestige when in comes to things like ranking and “name brandness”. Cal is the original UC and has a long history of excellence, UCLA is just starting to rise to that glory in its own right.</p>
<p>I’ve gotten into both, but Cal offered me Regents (the highest possible scholarship + early admittance) while UCLA did not. I have the maximum GPA possible as capped by the UC system, but my ACT was meh at only 33. My ECs were strong and focused but nothing like curing cancer or publishing a bestseller.</p>
<p>As a Californian I think people consider Cal to be the more academically serious school that could even compete with Ivies. UCLA is slightly more fun, but still a serious place to go. UCLA is definitely more of your TV California experience if you want to go to the beach every other day and never wear anything but flip flops. The beaches or colder up north (still bearable though). San Francisco just has a different culture than LA.</p>