<p>I have the choice to go to UCSC and get a BA in Environmental Studies or go to Humboldt State and get a BS in Environmental Science. I was wondering if the prestige of Santa Cruz compared to Humboldt is worth going to or if the BS degree is worth more than the prestige. Please give me your advice. </p>
<p>These are two schools my D was seriously considering though she went elsewhere. I would do a couple of things if I were you. First, visit both schools if possible. They are actually very different though both are set in the Redwoods. Arcata isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and UCSC’s location on the hill away from everything isn’t necessarily a plus. Check out the students, talk to a professor if possible. My D didn’t like it when she sat in on an upper division Fisheries class and people were chatting away while the prof lectured. Then again, she wasn’t pleased that she didn’t even get to sit in on a class at UCSC. Then I would look at the courses offered at each campus and see which one offers classes which align with your specific interests. Keep in mind the cost differential. How much is the UC prestige worth to you? Are you planning on going on to grad school? Straight to work? Do you like a smaller vs. larger academic environment? Will large classes be a plus or a negative?</p>
<p>Don’t worry as much about prestige. Think about the basics.</p>
<p>I would look at the ciriculum for each school. Usually a BS degree will have more science related classes vs a BA. If you want a more science focus then go to Humboldt if not UCSC. I personally feel UCSC has a very good program with more internship opportunities. </p>
<p>Look at the curriculum for each major at each school. BA versus BS at different schools is not particularly meaningful.</p>
<p>UCSC offers a joint ENVS and Biology major. It’s still a BA, but it will cover the sciences for you and offer more internship opportunities in the sciences.</p>
<p>I grew up 5 miles from HSU. It is a beautiful area with a lot to do, most of it in the outdoors. To be perfectly honest, outside of California UC Santa Cruz would not be considered as prestigious, not even remotely prestigious. HSU has always had very strong environmental department. Sometimes college class visits are a disappointment and part of that is just the difference between high school and college. We had a bad experience visiting Brown University classes a few months ago</p>
<p>Actually in many fields, UCSC is very well regarded, especially within academia. I go to school in Oklahoma and both UCSC and UCSB (two schools that most people not from CA would probably not know) are very well known. </p>
<p>The BA designation is essentially meaningless if you take the proper science courses. UCSC’s program is incredibly strong in almost every area pertaining to ES, and as an added bonus it has far more strengths than Humboldt should you decide to change majors at some point in your college career. </p>