ASU(full ride/honors) vs. UCSB(regents/honors) vs. USC(NMF) vs. UCLA vs. UCSD

College Search & Selection
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<p>All right ... from the Bay Area; looking into a chemical engineering major. Made the mistake of applying to WAY too many schools because I wanted to give myself options if admissions got weird. I figured that if I got into UCLA, though, I'd go there no matter what, but this scholarship business has complicated things. I'm turning to you guys for help - I have 1.5 months, and this is a lot harder than I expected it to be. </p>

<p>Hopefully you'll be able help me narrow it down to 2 or 3. I feel like UCLA is the ideal college environment. With that as a reference point, what kind of "fit" would each school be?</p>

<p>As far as money goes, my parents will pay for any school on this list IF the extra costs are actually worth the benefits.</p>

<p>This is what I've narrowed it down to - you know you're in trouble when you've got 5 AFTER you narrow it down:</p>

<p>ASU - Full ride at Barrett, the Honors College. It seems nice, but I've heard this school is "easy," and for some reason I can't seem to embrace the idea of attending, possibly because it's not in California. It's an appealing offer, but I don't want to end up sacrificing a lot because of it. </p>

<p>UCSB - Regents scholarship ($6000/yr - costs after scholarship about $18k/yr) & auto admittance to the Honors college there. I know the campus is beautiful, and that the chemical engineering program is great, but if I end up switching out of the major, are the other engineering programs solid? Also - the whole party school stigma - is there any truth to it?</p>

<p>USC - National Merit Finalist scholarship (half tuition - after the scholarship, yearly costs come out to about $34k/yr). This is the most expensive option, but it's a great engineering school that has perks (academic counseling, easier to register for classes, career support, the Trojan Network).</p>

<p>UCLA - no scholarship (costs about $25k/yr) (I'm assuming acceptance because of that engineering e-mail.) LOVE this school - the environment/culture is awesome. The caveat - the overcrowding, difficulty getting the classes you need, triple dorms. If I had to "follow my heart," as people say, this is the school I would pick, but then again, I'm not the one paying for it.</p>

<p>UCSD - no scholarship ($25k/yr)- I think this one is probably out because I like UCLA's campus/environment a lot better. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>in my opinion, I would choose between UCLA and UCSB. eliminate asu if you can't see yourself attending...eliminate ucsd if the cost is the same as ucla and you don't like it as much...I would eliminate usc. the costs are higher than ucla and if you say ucla feels right, better than usc, than go for ucla...if costs are a big issue, look more into ucsb. I am not aware of the strength of their engineering programs but that will be something you should ask an admissions counselor or eng. student there. mind you this is solely my opinion...don't feel pressure to outrule and option that feels right for you, that is what is most important</p>

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<p>Don't discount ASU. It's a good school in the Pac-10....</p>

<p>Nevertheless, I'd pick UCLA if costs aren't an issue.</p>

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<p>"Don't discount ASU. It's a good school in the Pac-10...."</p>

<p>Absolutely - rereading my own post, I realize that it sounds overcritical of the school. I know that any Honors courses taken at Barrett probably would not be "easy." I think the fact that it's different from the UCs is what's probably biasing me more. I haven't visited, though - maybe if I did, I wouldn't feel that way. From what I've heard, it's a part of the city - there are city streets running through the campus. On the other hand, it seems like a small price to pay for a full ride.</p>

<p>Thank you dncrgrl - in terms of UCLA vs. UCSB, can anyone give me some specific pros & cons, esp. with SB's Honors college? I know that the regents perks (priority reg) are great, but is that worth turning down UCLA? Is the overcrowding at UCLA as much of an issue as people make it out to be?
Maybe I should post that specific question in UCLA's forum, but for now, I really want to see what others here think.</p>

<p>Keep the replies coming!</p>

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<p>Have you had a chance to visit UCSB yet? That would be a great place to start. Honestly, this is a tough decision, but it sounds like it should just be between UCSB and UCLA.</p>

<p>But yes, there is a lot of truth to the “party school” stigma around UCSB. They party a lot. Of course, you are whoever you want to be and you don’t have to party a lot.</p>

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<p>@arcadefire1027: Seriously, what’s with all the thread necromancy today? These long-dead threads have served their purpose and deserve to rest in peace.</p>

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<p>USC–all the others are going broke-especially ASU which was not so hot to start and over expanded…</p>

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<p>It’s an old thread.</p>