<p>I got into UC Berkeley as a Spring admit and UC Santa Barbara with Honors and after visiting both campuses and doing a lot of research on their CS programs and environment there. I'm leaning towards UCSB. I know UCB's CS program is better but I don't like the large class sizes, competitiveness and overall impression of an impersonal school plus I'm in L&S, not COE. UCSB's COE is relatively small compared to the school and I heard you get a lot more attention as well as research opportunities and I think I need that kind of support system.</p>
<p>So I guess I'm just looking for some validation on my decision because my parents are disappointed and my friends are shocked to find out I'm choosing UCSB over UC Berkeley. I tried to talk myself into going to UCB for a while but I concluded that I prefer UCSB more. I know the job opportunities I would get from Berkeley would be better but I just don't know if I can handle it and if I'll enjoy it there and be able to be happy. I'm afraid of making the wrong decision. Am I ruining my chances of success in the future? Would it be dumb to turn down UC Berkeley?</p>
<p>You’re ruining your life–if you don’t listen to what the voice inside your head is pretty clearly indicating. Go to UCSB if that’s what you want to do. You don’t owe your friends an explanation you haven’t already made. Your parents will adjust and in 6 months will be happy that you are happy in SB. We all want our children to be happy, not stressed out and lonely. Besides, you didn’t get into the COE at UCB.</p>
<p>You sound like you are making a good decision by taking all factors into account together as it should be done. Not just looking at rankings, and looking for the best fit instead. You could not be making a better decision, from the little that you described.</p>
<p>Are you in the major at UCSB? UCSB is a perfectly good school for CS.</p>
<p>It is easy to understand why people may think you are crazy, but they don’t have to live with your decision. It sounds like you really have thought this through and I like that you said you tried to talk yourself into UCB. The way you present your decision here makes perfect sense. </p>
<p>I think that is certainly a reasoned choice and I’d support it. The main goal is to get through the program and get your skills. If you feel you will be successful there that’s important–maybe you will have a chance of standing out I’ve met UCSB kids who did grad school at UCB so you don’t have to worry about preparedness. I don’t know what they offer for honors but any perk is nice at a big school.</p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone! I feel a lot better about my decision now (:</p>
<p>Both are great schools and you really can’t go wrong either way. You are for sure doing the right thing by doing what is going to make you happiest. Goodluck!</p>
<p>Your friends are HS kids that little about colleges and next to nothing about the working world. Cal gets a bit more street cred, but if you work hard and do well at UCSB (good grades, take part in student groups related to computing, and especially get internships) you will be fine.</p>
<p>You sound like a mature, thoughtful person who is putting weight where it belongs. It’s not about the “My Child Goes To…” bumper sticker on your parents’ car. It’s about FIT, an clearly your gut is telling you that UCSB is the right fit for you. </p>
<p>Chula Vista is chill; you’ll be fine at UCSB and if it what your heart is saying then that’s that!</p>
<p>We are in the same boat here -</p>
<p>My daughter was accepted to UC Berkely for Spring 2015. They tell you about the FPF (Fall Program for Freshman), but the program was already filled up BEFORE Cal Day (when most students visit the campus) and before when the FPF program did their online webinar explaining the program. Last year, they opened registration after these days, which makes much more sense, especially since you have to submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) before you can apply to the FPF Program. Thus, you have to put down the deposit and be sure you are going to UC Berkeley before you have the chance to visit the school or learn about the program…How ridiculous is that??? Makes no sense that the program was filled before students were given the opportunity to learn about the program and/or visit the school. </p>
<p>That issue aside, she is facing the same decision…whether to choose UC Berkeley (regular program) or UC Santa Barbara’s Honors Program or UC Santa Cruz’s Honors Program. As a parent, I have encouraged her to go to whatever school feels like the BEST FIT for her. I told her that she should NOT base her decision on the school’s reputation, but rather on where she thinks she would be the happiest. At UCSB and UCSC, she can be a big fish in a small pond, whereas at UC Berkeley, she would be a small fish in a big pond, so to speak. We have visited UCSB once, but want to go back now that she’s been accepted. We are not able to go on the day that they welcome new admits, but we look forward to learning more about the Honor’s Program. We are going to visit UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley next week. I told her to keep an open mind when we go to see all these schools. </p>
<p>I applaud you for going where your gut tells you to go. I hope you can feel good about your decision. I admire that you made a decision that was best for you in spite of what other influencial people in your life might have suggested. After all, YOU are the one who has to be happy and if you think you are better suited for the Honors Program at UCSB, then that is the right choice for you. Congratulations!!!</p>
<p>Please feel free to PM me if you would like to discuss this further. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts about what made you make up your mind about UCSB. Thanks very much and good luck with everything.</p>