Which University of California School is Right for You?

The University of California (UC) system encompasses several of the top public schools in America.  Not only are most of them quite large, but also boast beautiful landscapes, a liberal political outlook and most importantly, a high rate of international students (especially Asian international students).  Most of our students here at 51 UStudy will apply to at least one of the UC schools during their application process with us.  However, it is very important to note which school may be the best for you; considering your chosen major, weather preference, or level of academic prowess.

While public universities are typically different from private universities in many aspects, there are some differences that stand out among the rest.  First of all, public schools are often much larger than private.  For example, at larger schools like UC Berkeley and UCLA, “you don’t get the coddling that private universities show.  You don’t have a billion counselors catering to your every need.”

As a consequence of being public, state schools accept local students who academically perform lower than interstate or international students, since they have an obligation to the state. Whether this is an ego boost for those who outperformed other students in high school, or a reason to slack off depends on the student.

In addition, there is no grade inflation at public universities.  Therefore, you will most likely have larger classes and harsher grading at a public school than a private school.  However, many students also note “even though survey classes (large lecture halls) can sometimes be enormous, professors make themselves very accessible via e-mail and office hours.”

Check out this article for more information on the difference between public and private institutions: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/refute-private-good-public-bad-claims-uc-berkeley-told/2016341.article

The UC Breakdown

In order to help you decipher which University of California schools you should apply to.  I have developed summaries for the six top University of California schools, outlining their strengths and weaknesses, as well as a stereotypical nickname to help simplify your college search.  Good luck!

UC Berkeley:

Berkeley is pretty much the Harvard of public universities.  Excelling in many various regions, it is even better than several Ivy League schools in many if its academics.  Berkeley’s large size and range of expertise is its strength.  Located in its own town, just a 20-minute train ride from San Francisco, this public school can be assimilated to a bubble of college life just outside the Silicon Valley.  With gorgeous temperate weather, redwood forests, and the ocean not so far away; Berkeley remains one of the most comfortable and likable campuses I have ever visited.

Berkeley has the 2^nd best sports teams of University of California Schools.  However, student housing gets pretty low marks for being small, old and expensive.  Berkeley, like UCLA, has a large graduate student population, making it a popular choice for many who wish to study beyond their bachelor’s degree. Off-campus housing options are pretty terrible, being way too expensive and potentially dangerous.  Political activism is popular at Berkeley, as are student publications; which sway to the left, liberal side of things.

To nickname Berkeley as the ‘Best UC School’ may be a bit misleading as some other UC schools excel in areas that Berkeley lacks in.  However, being that Berkeley is the most well rounded, and receives high marks on most academics and sports, makes this nickname apt.  UC Berkeley is 31% Asian.

US News General and Undergraduate Rankings:

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UCLA:

UCLA is not far behind Berkeley in terms of excellence.  With the best sports teams of all the UC schools and 1,090 student clubs and organizations (more than any other UC school), UCLA has much to offer socially as well as academically.   While UCLA is the largest of the UC campuses, it allows for incredible diversity.  UCLA excels in several areas, much like Berkeley; however, its highest ranked programs are in social and creative pursuits; such as psychology and the arts (however, its medical center is among the top in the country as well).

Being one of the largest universities in the US and situated in a prime travel destination, UCLA receives more undergraduate applications than any other school; which makes it a good choice for any applicant.  On the flipside is that many classes are huge, and personal attention might be harder to come by here than at other, smaller universities.

UCLA has sunnier weather than Berkeley, but fewer options in terms of transportation.  LA is the most spread out city in the US, and public transport is unreliable and dangerous.  While a reported 14% of students have cars, one may feel a bit trapped on campus.

I dub UCLA as ‘The Social UC School’ for its focus in psychology and high proportion of sport attendance and student clubs/organizations.  UCLA is 30.5% Asian.

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UC San Diego:

A great place for those hoping to study science, math, or anything dealing with the brain, however, not a great place for extroverts.  UC San Diego offers much less than other UC schools in terms of social life.  Alumni rant about bad sports teams, bad food, and not-so-nice student housing.  In addition, and somewhat matching these rants alumni complain about an inadequate party scene, and lack of drug safety and Greek Life.  In sum: there is not very much community here, whatsoever.  54% of students have cars on campus and many simply commute, due to the lower cost of living here when compared with neighborhoods surrounding Berkeley or UCLA.

One cool thing about student life at UCSD is their unique Six College system, which offers a kind of community to students through their chosen dorm.  When applying to UCSD, you must rank which of the six colleges you would like to enter.  Each college promotes slightly different values and requires different core coursework.  Living with the college also ensures more bonding in this large and sometimes isolating school.  Typically, students here are a bit nerdier than those at UCLA or UCSB. UCSD is 39% Asian.  Therefore, I suggest UC San Diego as ‘The Introverted UC School’.

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UC Davis:

It’s not every university where you can “touch a pig, pet a baby goat, and milk a cow if you’d like.”  But what else would you expect from one of the top agriculture and animal science schools in the United States?”  UC Davis boasts a gorgeous pastoral location where everyone rides a bike and is extremely environmentally conscious.  This school is almost akin to a specialty school in plants and animals, as it is very focused and successful in these areas.  Davis regularly scores high on having one of the greenest campuses in the US.

“UC Davis is the perfect combination of a top-rated institution and a calm and non-competitive student body.” People here area laid back, care about the world and its inhabitants in profound ways and enjoy natural environments.  Well known for its “agricultural sustainability and awareness.”  “The campus is very green and embraces biking to the maximum.”  “If you can’t bike, you probably shouldn’t go here”.  UC Davis is a beautiful farmland university, just about a half hour from the Bay Area.  Davis is also highly rated for being very safe and clean. UC Davis is 32.7% Asian.  Therefore, I dub Davis ‘The Plant and Animal UC School’.

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UC Santa Barbara: Perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, UCSB is touted as one of the most beautiful university locations in the world, however it boasts a different kind of beauty than pastoral UC Davis.  Santa Barbara’s reputation affects campus life in various ways.  Since it is right next to the ocean, Santa Barbara attracts many surfer types.  UCSB may throw some of the best parties, but is the worst of the UC system in terms of drug safety.  In addition, the student body is made up many, generally laid-back individuals, who are happy, social and appreciate living in beautiful surroundings.  Individuals are less competitive and stressed than other top schools.  The Princeton Review rates UCSB as having the 3^rd happiest students of the top 377 US colleges.

Only 6% of students have cars on the UCSB campus, therefore everything they need is located in the beautiful beachside town of Santa Barbara. UCSB is smaller than many other UC schools.  Greek Life isn’t huge, but parties are.  Students enjoy hiking, kayaking and a myriad of other outdoor activities.  UCSB has a great marine biology program, and graduate sociology and engineering programs. Music and intramural sports are also big.  Therefore, I call UCSB ‘The Surfer UC School’.  UCSB is 15.2% Asian.

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UC Irvine:

Located in one of the safest neighborhoods of California, UC Irvine is one of the most understated UC campuses.  The undergraduate Biology and Premed programs here are pretty great, and Criminology here is amongst the top in the world.  This is yet another campus with a very environmentalist atmosphere.  Campus is a short 5-mile drive to the ocean.  Irvine is amongst the smallest UC schools, therefore more personal attention is paid to students.  Dorms here are large, though not always new. Irvine is consistently rated by businessinsider.com as the safest city in America.  A moderately high 28% of students have cars on campus, meaning about a quarter probably commute, which leaves less students on campus to dorm.  However, this may create an interesting dynamic between those who have attended a state school for lower tuition, and those who have earned their spot the hard way.

Irvine students are not huge partiers, and care a great deal about their studies.  They also do not have the distraction of great sports teams, which can be a bit distracting for some.  I suggest this school as the best looking for a future in criminal justice.  Not only is it located in a place with very little crime, which would provide more insights to keep society that way, it also boasts the best criminal justice programs of all UC schools.  Therefore, I call this school ‘The Law Abiding UC School’.  UC Irvine is 43.4% Asian.

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