I am a woman with a degree from a top public university. When I was choosing which college in the UC system to attend, I remember my mother having the exact same advice in reference to the male/female ratios at the various schools. And her advice came from the same place as Susan Patton's. I remember her concern over the slightly greater percentage of women at Cal than men, but she was comforted that the difference was significantly less than at UCLA.<p>This is how 'old boys clubs' are built, and this conversation happens far more often than people realize.<p>Also fun to think about right now (in terms of vaguely shocking class categories/distinctions): <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22000973" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22000973</a>