u/Competitive_Mind_690

I recently got into both UCLA and UC Berkeley, and I’m honestly stuck trying to decide between the two. I’ll be majoring in Geography. Right now, the biggest factor for me is lifestyle and overall environment. If I’m just looking at the school itself, I’m more drawn to Berkeley. But outside of academics, LA just feels way more appealing overall. Another thing is reputation. I feel like Berkeley has a slight edge, which keeps pulling me back even when I’m leaning toward UCLA. It’s like I almost convince myself to choose UCLA, then hesitate again. From what I’ve heard, even within Geography, Berkeley is more academic and theory heavy, while UCLA leans more toward practical and applied work. I’m not 100% sure which environment fits me better yet. Also, as an international student, I do want to stay in the US after graduation, so job opportunities and access to the job market matter a lot too. Both schools feel very different, and that’s what makes this decision so hard. If anyone here is a Geography major or has experience with either school, I’d really appreciate any insight. Thanks