Hello! My brother is trying to choose between UCSD and University of Miami, and he wants some input. My parents are pushing him to choose UCSD because they feel it is a better school academically, but he thinks it might be too nerdy for him. While he loves how close it is to the beach and thinks the campus is cool, he is not a fan of how huge it is and has heard the town is kind of boring, and that the school is kind of boring as a whole. For Miami, he likes Miami as a location and thinks he will have a lot of fun there, but while he does like going out and hanging out with friends a lot, he’s not really a crazy party type and wonders if Miami is too much of a party school for him. He would not join a frat if he went there, but wants to make sure he could still have fun while not participating in Greek life. For reference, he plans on studying computer science (so being in CA may be a positive on that front). It’s even harder to decide now because he can’t go visit them or anything, and he hasn’t even been to Miami, so he’s just hoping to get some more opinions. Thanks!
He should really make his own account and ask for himself…
In any case, the big question to consider is, how do cost and debt compare?
That sounds fun…until someone gets laid off, and you can’t afford to go there anymore. Neither one are good options. Tell your brother to go somewhere in-state. A bachelors degree isn’t worth that kind of money.
Hate to say it, but we were put off big time on our visit of UCSD too, and I think his initial reaction to the school is accurate. Where else was he accepted in state?
Any comments that are suggesting he go somewhere else besides these two schools or asking where else he got in or where he got in instate are not helpful because these are the schools he is choosing between. Thank you.
U Miami is actually really south. Lol.
Either would be excellent.
i told him i already had an account and he wanted me to just post the question for him, i’m only posting this bc he asked me to
UCSD: better school, presumably cheaper.
UMiami: “more fun” except it’s a Greek school and he doesn’t intend on going Greek.
I’m puzzled as to why this is even a question.
because it’s essentially the same price and he heard Miami can still be really fun if u don’t go greek. that is how it is a question. and i don’t understand why you would add something like that at the end of your comment, we don’t know that much about these schools and that’s why he wants some help, i don’t think it’s necessary to make it seem like he’s asking a stupid question when no one forced u to comment.
OP, this member posts on every bread they same exact thought.
And you’re right, it’s not helpful. Back in the old days, UCSD was known as the UC of the Socially Dead. I’ve heard it’s improved, but it’s not Miami. Although San Diego isn’t too far away and it’s a great town. La Jolla is beautiful, but so is UMiami.
Tough call, but if academics are #1, then I’d tell my kid to go to UCSD.
Yes, and I’ll say it again…money is the only tangible fact when choosing an undergraduate. You take that away, all you have left is subjective and emotional decisions. Emotion is an incompetent adviser. It’s like saying “which $300,000 Toyota Camry should I buy? It’s $300,000 because it’s being sold in California.” The answer is the one that costs $25,000. I wouldn’t pay that kind of money for “experience.” Life has plenty of experience without spending $300,000 for something I can pay $25,000 for. You’re there to get an education. You can surf on your own time.
He is very lucky that my parents have set up a college fund for him and are able and willing to pay for either of these schools, so in this case money is not the most important factor in his decision.
Son applied to Miami. It was his first choice. Got in but enough merit. Friends daughter is a junior. She likes it but probably won’t stay after graduation. She has lived off campus since sophomore year and has a car. I don’t think she’s in a sorority and seems to have a good time. She has said that it’s a tough school. She’s in the PA program. Lots of smart kids.
The campus is in Coral Gables so he’ll need transportation to get anywhere. Beach is close but not walkable. Not sure how good public transportation is but it’s on Route 1 so I’m sure there’s at least buses. I know they built some new dorms and hiked the price of room and board. I’m guessing COA is north of $75k/year. It is a pretty campus but not sure how their CS department rates.
Going to a university on the basis that it is going to be “fun” sounds to me like the first chapter of a horror movie or the introduction to a train wreck.
University is academically challenging. If you do not focus on your studies, you can get into a lot of trouble in a hurry at university.
I have an uncomfortable feeling about the original question.
Respect the OP and offer an opinion of UMiami versus UCSD. Money isn’t an issue here.
All you do is offer the same exact opinion of cheapest choice and “the world is coming to an end” on every thread. ?
Do you copy and paste the $300,000 Camry analogy everywhere?
UCSD is a very STEM focused, large public university with a very diverse student body (70+% people of color) that is great for a certain kind of student. The more serious student will be attending UCSD over UMiami. I’m not a big fan of the buildings, mostly gray concrete and dorms are pretty poor and rundown. When I was there over a year ago (D did a summer program) there was a lot of construction going on. La Jolla is one of the most beautiful places in SoCal but the campus really doesn’t take advantage of its wonderful location.
Since University of Miami is a private college close to Miami Beach, you will have more white, rich kids attending and some who are going there to party and have fun. School spirit and D1 sports will be strong there. The campus is gorgeous. Two totally different college experiences.
I think If I was a STEM major who wanted to do research, definitely choose UCSD. If you are a business or humanities major who wants to “work hard, play hard” UMiami might be the better choice.
Have to agree with @socaldad2002
All three of my kids got into UCSD and used it as a "safety". They were happy when they got their other acceptances. The campus was/is always dismal and cold. The students don't appear to be happy. It can be cut-throat. Because it's at the coast, fog burn-off occurs in the afternoon. My former students tried to finish as soon as possible to get out of there. They are trying to break away from the "UC for the Socially Dead", but it's tough.
Construction is ALWAYS going on at that campus. You will be focused to get through, so if you want to just take the courses and get out, then UCSD is for you. If you want a bit more of a community and a life, then go to Miami.
For me (when I was making my decision) and for him, it’s about a combination of academics and quality of life factors. Many people find that they can’t perform as well academically if they don’t have social lives or have no fun, as they get burnt out and depressed. Although he is smart, my brother has never been a person to derive joy from academics, so I think it makes sense to consider if he would be enjoying his life outside academics at a given school.