Which one is the best for fall '07? UCLA, UCB or UCD?

Question

I am visiting next fall in california, i need to have a third choice and i want you guys to tell me which one it should be in your opinion. thanks!

Answer 1

Are you a visiting scholar, or are you applying to schools and need a third back-up school? And what will you be studying?

I went to UC Berkeley (nobody calls it UCB, it's called Cal!). It is the highest ranked university on your list. So if you are looking to apply to it as a safety school, don't. It is usually a top pick among applicants. But if you are a visiting scholar, then by all means choose Berkeley. Many Nobel Laureates serve on the faculty. Berkeley offers an array of subjects and departments not found at many other schools. The students are intelligent and passionate about their studies. The local scene is eclectic and bohemian. The weather in autumn can be chilly and a littel rainy, but it is still nice. I studied molecular biology AND Southeast Asian studies while I was there.

If you are a foreign scholar, don't pick Davis. If you need to leave with some kind of impression of America, don't let Davis influence your opinion of the whole country. What a boring place. Then again, if you are an agriculture student, it's perfect! And if you are an applicant looking for a safety school, Davis is a good choice because it is a little less selective.

UCLA is less selective than Cal, but more so than Davis. If you like flashy living and manicured faces, UCLA is a good place to start. I live in LA now. I **HATE** Westwood. I hated it so much, I ruled it out when I was choosing universities. That's too bad because UCLA itself is nice. Nice campus, smart students. But the place is too plasticky.

Answer 2

Well look at the programs for heavens sake... each school has their strengths in different areas. For instance I know UCB has a great nanotechnology course and is top ranked in the US. UCD has some pretty good computer tech and a guy I knew got his PhD there in something like Racial diversity. UCLA has the football team and that brings in money for some good equipment and is alright in the medical/law fields. It has a bit of a "party school" stigma on it, but it really is up to you.

You really should look at what kinds of programs you are looking at and go with the school that offers the best for the price you want to pay. Especially in California... you have alumni all over the US that would help get you into the workforce of your choice.