UCLA vs. UC Berkeley Undergrad

[Patrick Bateman]

Hey all, I've been a long time lurker on this forum and feel you guys can give some good advice on my current situation...

I just recently got in as a transfer to UCLA and UC Berkeley as a chemistry major. I've currently got a 3.80 from UC Riverside, and am interested in going to medical school.

My dilemna is that I just really want to leave Riverside for personal reasons. I would be terribly terribly unhappy for the next 2 years if I stayed and there is a 0% chance that I will turn down either LA or Berkeley. I love UCLA and UC Berkeley equally as they both have their unique aspects about them that makes it hard to turn down one or the other.

My question is, should I go to UCLA or UC Berkeley? On one hand Berkeley is rated #1 in chemistry IN THE NATION, and I feel that I could get an amazing education and great research there if I choose to go there. On the other hand, UCLA is right next to the best hospital in the west and seems more of a "pre-med" school rather then a "pre-chemistry" school. I'm open to both so what do you guys think???

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[Patrick Bateman]

Anybody?

 

[nebratu]

Anybody?

honestly, both are great schools, go where you think your quality of life will be better.

 

[gravitywave]

UCB is the better option if there is any possibility you'll end up in chem grad school.

 

[Northwesterly]

Depends on whether you're the type of person who likes Westwood or the type who likes the East Bay.
I will, um... refrain from adding my own commentary on that score.

 

[tyronedamone]

Anybody?

Is that a rain coat?

Yes, it is!

PS: How do you feel about Huey Lewis and the News?

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Is that a rain coat?

Yes, it is!

PS: How do you feel about Huey Lewis and the News?

No, I like music. Just they're ... Huey's too black sounding for me.

But on a more serious note, my dilemna is that I like both Westwood AND the Bay equally. On one hand UCLA has much more to do as far as entertainment goes, and the girls are a whole lot better from what I hear ... but it is very hard for me to turn down the #1 school for my major. I know I'm not planning to be a chemist, but I love learning. And I know going to Berkeley I will get a grade A chemistry education ... is there any compelling reason to go to LA over Berkeley, or vice versa ???

 

[wolverinepwns]

I chose UCLA over Cal due to the fact that UCLA offered a the major I was interested in, and had more variety of classes. Also I preferred Quarter system over Semester.

 

[deleted325463]

Cal's College of Chem has some of the hardest majors, so it might be hard to get a good GPA since you'll be competing with future chemists. Still, I know several pre-meds who are Chemical Biology majors and are off to good med schools. But yeah, you'll get very good research and all that.

You really like Berkeley and Westwood equally? They're really, really different.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Cal's College of Chem has some of the hardest majors, so it might be hard to get a good GPA since you'll be competing with future chemists. Still, I know several pre-meds who are Chemical Biology majors and are off to good med schools. But yeah, you'll get very good research and all that.

You really like Berkeley and Westwood equally? They're really, really different.

I love different things about them. For Berkeley, I really like the rain and being in a wet, cold environment. For some reason that is my cup of tea. For Westwood, I would be surrounded by the most beautiful women of the west coast and Hollywood/Beverly Hills in my backdoor. Which really makes me happy. Both are amazing places in my opinion.

I truly do like chemistry though. But I have no interest in being a PhD and spending my days in a research lab. I want to be a Doctor. It's a tough decision, but I'm leaning towards Cal at the moment. I have till June 1 to decide...