Hi all!
Obviously, UC Berkeley and UCLA are the best, but I didn’t get into LA and most likely won’t for Berkeley, so that leaves most of the other UCs. So far I’ve applied to and have been accepted to UCSC, UCSD, UCI (with honors), and UCD, and I will pretty much get into UCSB. I’ve been leaning most towards UC San Diego for a while now, thanks to it having the highest ranked poli sci program out of the UCs listed (according to websites), but I don’t want to completely overlook the other UCs. I also got into UCSD’s Eleanor Roosevelt College, if that makes a difference (I heard its GEs are hard and take a long time to complete).
So what are people’s thoughts on the UCs in regards to their poli sci departments? For example, does one have a better internship/DC program, etc.? Even thoughts on the college life in general would be good, since despite its lovely weather, I’ve heard UCSD is UC Socially dead, lmao.
Thanks!
In UCSD the 6 colleges are just a personal choice and 1 is not necessarily better than the other, although depending on what major you’re going for I believe you can get more of the GEs done in line with your major if they fit in the school’s emphasis.
Out of the ones you’ve been admitted to I think that (and this is my subjective opinion):
-UCSD is in San Diego (LaJolla) - which is way nicer than Santa Cruz or Davis.
-UCSC probably has the prettiest campus - but I think Santa Cruz is just a worse version of Del Mar (a city near San Diego).
When it comes to internships - I figure being near a metropolis simply gives you more options for internships. So with that respect, I think San Diego or UC Davis would be good (since Davis is pretty near the state capital in Sac)
Get into several, then worry about which is best for you.
@NCalRent Uh, I did get into several? And I’m worrying right now, that’s why I made this post?
sorry, i misread your post. First off, congrats your admissions - all of the schools are very good. One is not so profoundly better than the others that it is the clear choice. Your chore is to find the one that fits you best - which is a very personal decision.
It is hard to beat UCD’s proximity to the state capitol when you are studying poli-sci but, if the school is too big and you hate the weather and didn’t click with the students you met, you won’t thrive. Ignore all the opinion/conjecture about what’s ‘best’. Spend a half day or more on each campus, interact with students, ask about their experience on and off campus - hone in on things that are important to you (maybe it’s class sizes, a robotics club, a gym with lots of IM sports options, mountain bike trails, beach, a competitive D1 basketball team to root for, or even the keggers down the street - what is it for you?) and really listen to their responses - then follow your gut. Pick the one that feels right to you and don’t let a reputation as socially dead or party central sway you.
There isn’t a school on your list you’ll be embarrassed to have graduated from 10 years from now.
Good luck
UCD --> Sacramento City Hall for example is a 20-30 minute drive. I imagine UCD runs shuttles to Sacramento downtown? I don’t know specifics but if a student is picking UCD due to proximity I recommend seeing what sorts of transportation would be necessary to actually go to downtown.
Thanks, guys. Currently, I’m super enticed by UCI and me being accepted into its Campuswide Honors Program. UCD’s proximity to Sacremento sounds pretty nice too, though I barely know anything about Davis. I really need to do some research on it, but I doubt I’d be able to ever visit the campus in person (too far away). But man, I’m so conflicted between UCSD (probably the best poli sci program), UCI (so many perks with being honors), and UCD (employment opportunities).