Ending up at UCSB for PoliSci?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Santa Barbara
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I’ve recently been waitlisted at two schools I thought I had a good chance at (UCLA and Tulane) and denied at Northwestern today, which I know was a long shot but it still stings. I was deferred early from Dartmouth and UVA. So far I’m only into my safeties: UVM, UMD, UW, UCSD, and UCSB. I got the Regent’s Scholarship at UCSB, which I thought kind of meant I was good to go at UCLA. Anyways, considering all the colleges I’m waiting to hear back from are just as, if not more competitive, than the schools I’ve heard from, I’m starting to freak out.

As of right now, if I had to make a decision, I would go to UCSB, but I’m not feeling too excited about it. I have 8 schools to go, but my confidence is definitely not high right now, so I’m trying to plan for the worst. I know UCSB is a great school but I was really hoping to end up somewhere smaller and on the east coast. I’m worried about being too close to home and being swallowed up by the huge student body (although the honors program should help with that). I definitely appreciate the social life at UCSB, but one of the things I was excited about for college was an intellectual atmosphere and lots of smart peers. Can anyone give some reassurance about their experience at UCSB, especially if you were a Regents Scholar?

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I’m still waiting for Cal, Dartmouth, Middlebury, UVA, Tufts, UNC, William and Mary, and GW

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Anyone have thoughts?

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Hi! Current UCSB student here.

First off I just wanted to say congrats on your acceptances! College admissions can be a total crapshoot so don’t let the rejections get you down- the schools you have been accepted into all have really great programs.

I was in the similar situation where I wanted to go to either UCLA or a smaller private school, and expected to get in due to being accepted early as a Regents scholar to UCSB. I ended up being waitlisted/rejected at a few of my top choices including a waitlist rejection from UCLA (not to dash your hopes, but the likelihood of getting off the UCLA waitlist is slim).

I’m actually really glad I ended up at UCSB. Although I’m not a Poli-sci major, I can easily say the programs here for pretty much all majors are superb, and you should have no problem finding a great career/grad school/whatever future plans you have after attending UCSB.

Unlike many other prestigious schools, UCSB has the perfect mix of being super chill, yet really serious about academics. Honestly don’t let the “party school” rep deter you- that’s definitely a stereotype of the past. The reality is the majority of the student body is very focused on academics and the classes and programs here are definitely challenging, even for Regents Scholars like myself. I have met some of the most intelligent individuals here, including people who turned down top tier schools such as Cal, UCLA, and other privates to go here.

In addition, being a Regents scholar will give you a lot of perks! You get to take special seminar classes, have priority registration for classes, and not to mention the discounted tuition!

Definitely give UCSB a shot! This was kind of short so if you have specific question feel free to PM me. But overall, UCSB is a great school, and although I shed a lot of tears after finding out I wasn’t going to a school with more prestige, I absolutely love it here now and can’t imagine myself elsewhere.

Try checking out the programs, campus, and everything UCSB has before making a decision, but other than that, best of luck!

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@foodie12345 Thank you so much for your advice. This definitely makes me feel better about the future, whether I end up there or not!