So I have been accepted to UCR and UCSC for Electrical Engineering and am trying to decide between the two. I’ve looked into the classes I would need to take to finish my degree. UCSC will require me to take 19 classes after I transfer while UCR requires 29. Is this huge gap that normal? Is it possible to take that many classes and maintain a high GPA in 2 years? Should I pick Santa Cruz over Riverside because it requires fewer classes?
Whew. I’ll only need 9 classes to graduate (semester system), or 13 (quarter) - but I’m not an engineering major. I’d pick UCSC if I were you, 29 courses seems insanely excessive.
Hmmm. I Would go to UCSC as it would be fewer classes from a UC that ranks better than UCR (Don’t know about EE ranking though). You can go to UCSC were the beach is nearby whereas UCR is HOT. Greenery and nature up at UCSC. Plus it’s close to San Jose and San Francisco. I would go to UCSC.
Up to you though lol
UCR is just more affordable and closer to home. The engineering school is ranked higher than Santa Cruz but not by much. I hope visiting the campuses will help. Thanks for the input!
Well if money is a real big issue then UCR is the way to go. I think UCR gives more financial aid as I have seen from the UCR thread.
Personally, I have means to go far from home so I would go somewhere new. Im from the LA area so for me Santa Cruz would be different for me and would allow me to see how North Cal looks and feels like. lol. But yea, def visit the campus if you can, who knows, you may end up loving UCSC. 
I’m visiting Santa Cruz tomorrow so hopefully that will help my decision making. Money is a factor but if I really like Santa Cruz it won’t stop me from attending. Have you decided where you are going?
No, my other schools are still pending 
Though I wouldn’t be sad going to UCSC
@futureeechick funny, the same situation applies to me as a pure math major. UCR would want me to take a full year of chem/physics and their math courses are more split up than other at schools so that’s what brings the number of classes up in my case. They split the curriculum over more classes in my case, and judging by the syllabi each one has less material in it/is less rigorous at intro-level upper div classes.
If you were to go to UCR, you would probably have to take an additional year to graduate - this probably makes UCSC the cheaper option. Granted, I don’t know what your financial aid looks like (if UCR is free, then maybe it wouldn’t matter) - still, the opportunity cost of an additional year in college may make UCSC the better option.
@BlackPlasma well best of luck to you! What’s your top choice?
@ananguiano yeah I applied to UCSB as mathematical sciences and I’d only have to take 19 there as well.
@goldencub good point. I don’t know what my aid will actually be I have a high efc so I don’t expect much/if any. It’s just cheaper to live there especially if I want to live on campus.
@futureeechick
I’m hoping for UCSB. I know for a fact I won’t ever get to live near the beach lol.
Though also because it has cheaper apartments than UCSC.
@BlackPlasma if I got into UCSB I’d get to keep my job but would have to switch majors. It’s a beautiful city no doubt.