Berkeley vs. UCLA - which school is better for a Communication major?

Question

I received my acceptance letter from UCLA last week; I just received my acceptance letter from Berkeley today. I'm absolutely torn between the two schools.

UCLA's communications program is more difficult to get into than Berkeley's...however, Berkeley seems to have the better academic reputation overall.

I visited the two schools already, and they're very different from each other...I don't know which school I enjoy more.

Does a college's program really even matter to employers?

Help!

To avoid confusion, I got accepted into both UCLA and Berkeley's communication programs already.

Answer 1

CONGRATS on getting into Cal!

Both UCLA and Berkeley have great communications programs. I can see why you're so conflicted! Both are top-ranked schools, but you're right: Berkeley is more prestigious (#1 Public University in the WORLD!).

The advantage I might see with UCLA is that LA is a hotbed of media outlets. Similarly with USC, UCLA students have access to a LOT of journalism, advertising and media internships in Los Angeles. In these fields, networking with influential people is key.

Mass comm at Cal is pretty competitive, and it is an impacted major. There is a 3.0 (or possibly even a 3.3) minimum GPA requirement for declaring the major. I knew a few mass comm students. Many of them work in PR at the moment. One has a cushy gig at Google. Another works for a local (East Bay) news station. Another is a freelance writer (a little bit of a trust fund kid, but she does her work well).

While Berkeley's journalism school is a graduate school, if you do well in your comm classes, you can pull some strings to get permission to take some of the journalism courses. I knew plenty of undergrads who got permission to take grad-level classes in several departments.

I cannot attest to UCLA's comm program quite at that level; I didn't know any comm Bruins.

And bluetulips echoes a sentiment I've noticed here on Y!A and in real life: Cal students and alumni are a spirited bunch. If you look around Y!A, no school is celebrated, extolled, lauded and exhorted the way Cal is (suck it Stanfurd kids!). What we can't match in monetary endowment to our university, we make up for in spirit, enthusiasm and a near-jingoistic loyalty to Cal.

Answer 2

Ucla Communications Major

Answer 3

Can't speak for UCLA, but if you're talking about mass communications, I know Berkeley has an excellent program. It's an interdisciplinary major, so you'll get to sample across many different fields. I hear it's more theory-based though, so I'm not sure how much vocational-type training it'll provide if that's what you're looking for.

In the field of communications/media, experience and internships matter much more to employers than your college's program.

I once was torn between Berkeley v. UCLA too, and for me, there was just a certain amount of energy and spirit to Cal that couldn't be matched elsewhere. Now that I've graduated, I have absolutely no regrets about choosing Berkeley over UCLA. Both are great schools though, and I wish you all the best!

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Berkeley vs. UCLA - which school is better for a Communication major?
I received my acceptance letter from UCLA last week; I just received my acceptance letter from Berkeley today. I'm absolutely torn between the two schools.

UCLA's communications program is more difficult to get into than Berkeley's...however, Berkeley seems to have the better...

Answer 5

I'd say it depends on what aspect of communications you want to go into. The program at UCLA is well-regarded, and because of the location of the school, students who want to work in the entertainment industry are well-placed for internships. If you're more interested in print journalism, Berkeley might be the better place, but for broadcasting or working in pr or as an agent or whatever, UCLA might be better for job placement.
The academic reputations of the two schools are pretty close overall- Berkeley's still ranked higher, but you'd want to evaluate the specific program you're interested in and how well it fits your needs. Also, where do you want to spend 4 years? Berkeley and LA are VERY different places. All stuff to consider! But they're both excellent options- congrats and best of luck!

Answer 6

I know that it is hard to decide, but between those two schools, I dont think that you can make a wrong decision no matter where you go. Yes, Berkeley has a bit more academic prestige, but UCLA is a highly respected top notch school also. Either one will get the attention of employers. Go where you think that you will be the happiest with your life. Congratulations!!!

Answer 7

Berkley has the better program, and it's also better overall. I would go there instead of UCLA but that depends on the campus, dorms, etc.

Congratulations on getting accepted to both! they are both great schools!!!

Answer 8

Ive always thought UCLA was best in communications. i know thats where the the celebrities go to study directing, films, communication related stuff.