Linguistics Major -- UCD or UCSC?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
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<p>Hey all. First off, let me know if I should be posting this on the "College Search and Selection" board. That seems more directly related to my question I guess, but you guys probably know more about UCs. I might just post in both places lol.</p>

<p>So yeah, I got accepted as a transfer for a linguistics major from a CCC at both UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz. I want to submit my SIR now, but I'm a little conflicted.</p>

<p>I basically want to go to UC Davis. It's better ranked overall, and in many ways seems like a better fit for me. I haven't really read all that much about UCSC, but I just feel somewhat drawn to Davis now that I'm admitted. I am from Humboldt County (where Humboldt State University is) and apparently there are a lot of similarities in the vibes between here and Santa Cruz... but not in the sense that I want. The school has a reputation as being a stoner school, and I've had enough of that where I'm from. And I am politically liberal, but I find the idea of going to a liberal-to-the-point-of-dirty-hippie school tiresome. I had basically chosen Davis up until a couple weeks ago, when someone told me that UCSC has the best Linguistics program. I looked this up online and it does seem to be true; apparently the program is internationally recognized, whatever that means. </p>

<p>Ok in this paragraph I'm gonna rephrase a bit lol. Basically, I don't care that much about how great the particular program is, as long as it's not an underfunded piece of crap. This is because I intend to go on to graduate school, probably in a field other than Linguistics, and I'm even considering doing a double major. So I guess basically my question is... if I go to Davis, and not Santa Cruz, will I be making some kind of mistake?</p>

<p>So if anyone can help me clarify that, that'd be great! I would also love if someone could just make a comparison list about the two schools, or list some pros and cons about both. Thanks!</p>

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<p>I don’t think so. If you really don’t think you would like Santa Cruz, then don’t go. If you plan on going to grad school, it doesn’t matter where you complete your undergrad, so going for UCD’s linguistic program isn’t going to hurt you. If you pick SC merely because it is ranked higher but don’t actually end up enjoying the school, you really wont enjoy your experience and will likely end up kicking yourself over your decision. To be fair though, I think it might be worth a tour up at SC and D before your make your decision. SC has a stoner reputation but not EVERYBODY does that and you can find whichever crowd you want to hang out with up anywhere you go. I’ve visited there quite a few times and have loved every minute of it and, mind you, I’m not fond of MJ either and didn’t have an issue of that sort while I was there.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the response! I am probably gonna go with UCD. But I am possibly gonna be visiting Davis on Sunday, so I think that I’ll check out Santa Cruz while there. My mind is pretty made up though, I’ve just been prone to last minute indecision every time I think about submitting my SIR.</p>

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<p>Well, visit each school and then you will be able to make your decision without any regrets. Who knows, Santa Cruz may surprise you. Good luck! :)</p>