HELP! Deciding between a UC and a Big 10 school...

Applying to College
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<p>so i have one day to decide if i would rather go to UC Santa Barbara or the University of Wisconsin - Madison. I've visited both, neither completely grabbed me 100%...</p>

<p>a little bit about me: I live in Santa Monica, CA (about 2 hrs from Santa Barbara), moved here from Atlanta, GA (so i know what cold weather is like!). I have always been very studious but I also like to have my fun as well. I have been a cheerleader all throughout high school, but I don't plan on continuing that in college. I'm looking to major in linguistics maybe, or possibly something in history. Maybe psychology, but definitely something humanities-oriented. I want to learn many languages, especially italian and french. And i DEFINITELY plan on studying abroad during my junior year. So with that in mind, here are the pros and consi have come up with so far...</p>

<p>Santa Barbara:
PROS: great location, love the weather and the proximity to santa monica and los angeles (i love LA...). I am definitely a beach/flip-flops girl...not to say that i couldn't adapt to having seasons, but i do love the sun. I got into the honors program, and i've heard academics are pretty good at the school. Their party scene is notorious, so I'm guessing the balance would be pretty good, maybe a little heavier on the party scene? Im not sure if i want THAT much partying...
CONS: when i visited, it felt like i was at my high school...its the same type of kids, all from southern california. I also detected a slightly snobbish attitude, maybe that was just me...I know atleast 15 kids from my school who are going there...also, there is no football team. and while this may sound silly, i'm a little put off by the mascot. i just don't like the sound of being a "gaucho," laugh at me if you will! oh, and isla vista seemed a little grungy to me. I liked the city of SB though!</p>

<p>Wisconsin:
PROS: LOVE the campus. the atmosphere was great - relaxed, laid-back, friendly. Again, i've heard the academics are pretty good, and their party scene is also notorious. Seems like a better balance than at SB, though. Oh, and did i mention the football team??? I would love the feeling of being in that stadium and screaming with the other thousands of fans...oh, and i like the color red haha. and while its not that diverse, as far as diversity goes, but its more diverse than SB...Madison seemed like a great little town
CONS: well...its certainly farther than a 2 hour drive. and when i was visiting, it was sunny and warm. but for more than half the school year, its freezing!</p>

<p>my father thinks i should go to santa barbara because it is closer, but he wants to leave it up to me and would support me wherever i go. I am just having the hardest time deciding, please give me some advice/opinions, anything!</p>

<p>P.S. UC San Diego was an option...but their lack of a social life is so glaring, it's not really in the running anymore...although if it gets a good case i wouldn't ignore it!</p>

<p>Thanks everyone who responds!</p>

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<p>Are you looking for an interpretation of what you feel are the stronger "pros"---if so---it sounds like you prefer Wisconsin:
PROS: LOVE the campus. the atmosphere was great - relaxed, laid-back, friendly. Again, i've heard the academics are pretty good, and their party scene is also notorious. Seems like a better balance than at SB, though. Oh, and did i mention the football team??? I would love the feeling of being in that stadium and screaming with the other thousands of fans
If weather is the determing factor, then it sounds like you prefer UCSB:
Santa Barbara:
PROS: great location, love the weather and the proximity to santa monica and los angeles (i love LA...). I am definitely a beach/flip-flops girl...not to say that i couldn't adapt to having seasons, but i do love the sun.
Both seem to have the academic environ you are seeking. Your Dad seems to have a preference---maybe you could ask him why he feels that way-as there may be reasons other than the close proximity to your home/parents.
Both seem to be good choices for you-Congratulations on finding schools that are good fits for you!</p>

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<p>Buy the right cold weather gear and enjoy a change of scenery and lifestyle. There is a nice long winter break at UW when you can go home for some warmer weather R&R. You might learn to enjoy ice skating outdoors and hot apple cider. Football weekends are hard to duplicate and California will still be there in four years.</p>

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<p>Who is paying? If you are getting full ride at both then select what ever you like. if you or your parents are paying then going to UW will be much more costlier than UCSD or UCSB.</p>

<p>I don't think anything will be worth the difference.</p>

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<p>Both are great schools; two of my personal favorites. Two of the best college towns in the country too!</p>

<p>Wisconsin has great football/basketball teams, while SB has a great men’s soccer team.</p>

<p>Tough choice. Is cost a factor? You don’t seem to mind moving away from home, so that might not be an issue. The only advice I can give is go to the school where you felt more comfortable at. I visited quite a few schools. At one school, I knew it was the right fit for me after touring campus and talking to students. I loved the school spirit – I could tell that the students were proud to be there. Call it a gut instinct.</p>

<p>Also, smart move eliminating UCSD. The social life does stink there, but most on this board choose to ignore that since they would rather go to a highly ranked “US News” school.</p>

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<p>If you come here don't by any Uggs. It will mark you as a "coastie."</p>

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<p>thanks so much everyone...i still havent reached a decision though :/</p>

<p>cost is not an issue, my parents just want me to be happy wherever i go. </p>

<p>oh, and one thing i think i forgot to mention is that i got into the honors program at UCSB...that might make a huge difference. </p>

<p>APOL:weather is most definitely a factor, one of the big decisions since the weather at both schools are like, polar opposites of each other. My dad feels that I would be happier at UCSB since he knows i am a "california girl..." but maybe that is not such a good thing??</p>

<p>barrons: all true! i haven't checked how long the break is, if it's around a month that would be pretty nice...a change of scenery is always nice but i feel like wisconsin is just SO much of a change. </p>

<p>worriedstudent: i tried to imagine where i would fit in the best, but i can't really predict the future...i didn't feel completely comfortable at either school but at wisconsin it was a little better. definitely loved the school spirit there...</p>

<p>also, i visited wisconsin on a very nice day, the weather was the same as santa monica, so i might be biased haha. </p>

<p>oh, and to tsdad: i own 2 pairs...and i was wondering if i went to wisconsin, whether i should bring them or not...if being a coastie is bad though, that might change my opinion a little!</p>

<p>so basically, any more advice is still appreciated...this is all helping so much though; the more information, the better! thanks again!</p>

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<p>My best friend and roommate was from Claremont, CA and he adapted just fine. Even married a Wisconsin girl and lived happily ever after--in Portland, OR.</p>