<p>Hey guys,
So I know it's coming down to decision-making time and I'm having a hard time deciding between UCSD and UCSB Honors Program. I'm majoring in biological sciences, but got accepted into UCSD undeclared. On the other hand, I got into pre-biology at UCSB and their honors program.
Which choice seems better in the long run, in terms of grad school? And if I were to chose UCSD, what are my chances of transferring into an impacted biological science major, especially with the high number of students registering for those classes.
Thanks!!!</p>
<p>Not even a question…you should go with Pre-bio at SB…</p>
<p>UCSD is it a great school and prestigious however that school has probably the worst social scenes in all of California amongst all colleges. Boring, boring, boring. Also if you go there your not in honors like you are in SB. Another reason to chose SB is that since you will be in honors, you’ll get priority registration for classes so in other words, you’ll probably get all the classes you want. Also the pre-bio program here (and idk I’m assuming you want to do EEMB - Marine Bio) is HIGHLY ranked nationally. Secondly, the people here at SB >>>>>>>>>>> people at UCSD by a mile and anyone who goes to any UC will tell you that.</p>
<p>Bio is a very impacted major at SD so it may be difficult to get into your major and thus difficult to take the required classes. That’s something you would have to really consider, SB is a UC and a good one at that but if you feel you would have a greater experience at SD then that’s where you should go.
Honors means you’d get to pick your classes early on and it would look very nice on your applications for med school.
Hope that helps</p>
<p>I don’t think it will make a difference at all grad school wise. I chose SB over SD because of the atmosphere. SB is just a more laid back, friendly environment to be in. And it’s much easier to get to the beach</p>
<p>SB man! No question!</p>
<p>Having taken classes at UCSD as a UCSB student I would say…</p>
<p>San Diego definitely wins in the diversity of upper division bio classes especially if you are thinking of doing something in healthcare or marine science. The school is much larger and has all sorts of classes that I wish I could take here at UCSB. For example, UCSB doesn’t have an anatomy class so all the pre-med kids have to go elsewhere to take one. UCSD also has way more prestigious lab opportunities (Salk, TSRI, Scripps Oceanography) however, I can’t really fault my school since it has lots of labs to work in as well. I’m working in an infectious disease lab down at UCSD when spring quarter finishes since I could never find a lab I was remotely interested in here. Lab experience is also super important for grad school for bio so that is something to consider in UCSD’s favor. </p>
<p>The One major drawback as someone mentioned above is atmosphere…UCSD felt very dead during my time there and I would probably not be happy if I had to spend 4 years there. Something to consider since your not just going to school there but you have to live there as well. It’s very dependent on your personality</p>