<p>As of last week, I have been enrolled to attend UC Davis in the Fall as a transfer student. My major is Sociology but I was planning on changing to Psychology. I've already attended orientation, gotten my classes, talked to advisors and have my housing lined up. I'm ready to go. However, I decided to appeal UCSB, expecting to be denied only to discover they admitted me for the Fall! Never in a million years did I think I would be accepted. I truly thought I have nothing to lose appealing to my first choice....UCSB was always my first choice until I was rejected in the Spring. At UCSB, I am a pre-psychology major. I noticed to complete the pre-reqs for UCSB you have to complete calc. which I'm a little puzzled about. Why would they require calculus?... I ended up liking Davis but it's just really far from home. I'm from Los Angeles. I like the small, college town feel. I'm not a big partier so I liked the quietness of Davis. UCSB is known to be a party school which intimidates me to be honest. Also, since I'm so late in the game, I won't get housing through the school so I'll have to find my own apt which will most likely be in Isla Vista, which I believe is a big partying neighborhood. However, I really like that it's near the beach and close to home. I can drive home if I feel home sick or anything and with Davis thats 6 hours away and I would have to fly home. May I add, I would also be in a long distance relationship if I go to Davis, which I was not looking forward to. I am having such a hard time deciding where I should attend. Does anyone have any tips they could offer? Thank you!</p>
<p>College is what you make of it. I see it as this.</p>
<p>1) Stay at UCD. You have everything setup and ready to go! Why make it more stressful on yourself and try to attend UCSB when you’ve done all you did to prepare to attend UCD. You said it yourself the party atmosphere intimidates you at UCSB.</p>
<p>2) You said it yourself, you don’t like the notion of a long distance relationship if you attend UCD. You also have a plan to attend UCSB if you so choose to do so by living at a nearby apartment. It’s also convenient for you to drive home since it’s drivable distance.</p>
<p>In the end it is your decision.</p>
<p>Hey alepantz! First, congrats on getting into the two schools! My personal advice to you would be: stay at UCD, get out of your comfort zone. You will still be in the same state you’re from, and a flight or a little longer drive will not be all that bad. As far as long distance relationships go, while they are challenging, they have a lot of potential. Personal story here just to show how it can work - I started dating a guy in High School, we both moved to different countries after graduation, saw each other an average of 2 weeks a year. We’ve been together for over 5 years now, married for almost 3, and living together for almost 2. So it can work! And just as an upside of long distance, I feel like we talked a lot more before we lived together. Go figure!
I guess what I’m saying is, don’t be afraid to explore. Don’t be afraid to ask more of your relationship. If you had not liked UCD at all it would be different… But give it a chance! It will only be 2 years, anyway, and being far from home, exploring a new place, doing new and different things, just might be better for you in the long run.
This is just my opinion, of course. The decision is up to you. On the positive side, you get to choose where you go, and that’s pretty awesome! Good luck, and I hope that, wherever you end up, you are happy :)</p>
<p>My dd attends UCD and loves it. This wasn’t her first choice. She loves the small town and college town feel and bikes everywhere. They do have lots of parties at UCD, but the daughter is not a partier and she did really well-made the dean’s list. We’re a little further away since we are in San Diego (9 hours), but the flights on SW are reasonably priced and take an hour. UCSB does have a party reputation but I think it depends on where and how you live.</p>
<p>If you’re willing to make all kinds of last minute changes and stresses to attend UCSB then that’s your decision. Don’t know if you are using FA to attend but that could be an issue this far into the year. The other issues you have with being close to home: girlfriend, parents, etc. are reasons for you to not take risks and go to UCSB. It sounds like this is your choice because this is what you originally wanted and should probably do this to placate yourself, as well as everyone around you.</p>
<p>However, you’re all set up for UCD and it’s not your first choice. This would be a major change for you and, psychologically, it doesn’t sound like you’re ready for this big of a change and risk. </p>
<p>With DAVIS: It’s a huge school in a small town. There are 40,000 bikes on campus and the kids bike everywhere-grocery shopping, school, errands, etc. There is a public bus that is free for UC students and takes them to the airport and that’s how the dd gets home. </p>
<p>The variety of courses are very interesting to the dd. DD is a bio science major but for her electives she wants to take Tractor Driving!!! And, the popular vintner and beer-making classes, which are sponsored by the wineries, were well-described by the professors at our first parent rally.</p>
<p>So, it sounds like you will be leaning toward Santa Barbara. I hope all goes well. Just make sure this decision is based on your needs and your future employment after graduation.</p>
<p>Get all the facts straight with UCSB through calling them, emailing them, etc… My advice is that you make the best of whatever little time you have left to find out the best scenario for you. This is a big decision. Make sure you do the best you can so that you won’t regret it later.</p>
<p>What school makes you happy when you think about it? Which one makes you more nervous? I say go to the one that makes you happy and nervous at the same time. If you said UCSB was your first choice, I would go there.</p>
<p>Honestly I would look at each financial aid package, which school is willing to give you the most funding, which has the best program for you, and which one will you most likely succeed at.</p>
<p>As far as having to to calculus usually if the coursework is more rigorous it tends to pay off more in the end.</p>
<p>UCSB is a party school but they actually have really good academics which tend to get overlooked because too many people who don’t actually go there hype it up to be an awesome party school instead of focusing on academics.</p>
<p>Don’t let the determining factor only be a longer drive, just weigh out the pros and cons of each and make your decision. Follow your heart.</p>
<p>They are both great schools in great towns and you won’t go wrong with either one - so trust your gut instinct. Which one “feels” more right to you? Does one have a stronger program in your major? Do you prefer a more temperate coastal climate to the winter fog and blistering summer heat of the Central Valley? Do you want to be close to the mountains and skiing or to the beach and surfing? Do you want to be within easy driving distance of home? (this can be a mixed blessing). </p>
<p>If it helps - my son is a senior at UCSB and he is ecstatically happy there. He has had a great experience, both academically as well as socially. Top quality academics (he is a physics major and the department is top 5 in the country) but also a very fun, social place. It can be a challenge for some kids to learn how to balance the academics and the social aspects, but most of them figure it out eventually (and those that can’t won’t succeed at any college, because every school is a “party school” if all you want to do is party). Yes, Isla Vista gets pretty rowdy on the weekends, especially down by the beach. But there are also quieter parts of IV as well and you don’t have to get sucked into the party scene if you don’t want to. Its the town, not the university itself, that has the party reputation. UCSB itself is a top quality, highly ranked public research university with some serious academic creds. </p>
<p>So good luck with your decision. Chances are you will be happy at either place. Follow your gut, and try not to overthink it.</p>
<p>Just to add in case it’s freaking you out. The calculus class you have to take is not really a calculus class. It’s calculus for social/business majors. It’s a lot easier then regular calculus. It’s called math analysis at my CC.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your comments!! I really appreciate it and mermaker, thanks for that last post 
what a relief, haha.</p>