I’ve just received the news that I was accepted for CCS Biochemistry. UCSB is definitely one of my top choices at this point, but I still have other decisions to wait for (this week is stressful). Are there any current/former students or more informed parents/applicants that can tell me how this program works on a general level and what ‘perks’ are similar to what the L&S Honors offers, what go beyond, and if Honors offers outside perks that would make it beneficial to apply for Honors. Also, I have a few more specific questions:
How does housing work? I’ve heard that there is an Honors-specific floor, is this available to CCS students as well? Regardless, what dorm/apartment is most convenient for CCS?
How does CCS curriculum compare to the ‘normal’ curriculum. Would I be taking classes with other CCS students? Are class sizes smaller? How do class requirements differ?
How are the research/internship opportunities of CCS students as compared to non-CCS students of the same major?
Anywhere where I can stats about CCS-specific admit rates and other stats?
If anyone can answer some of these, it would be super appreciated (both by me and my parents)! Sorry for all the questions.
CCS has its own dorm. Forgotten which one but remember it is a big advantage
You will take some classes at CCS, some in CLS. Curriculum is what you make of it. Incredible flexibility! Call up CCS and ask for admissions counselors. Some classes will be big, some small, some will be grad classes you can take when all your CLS peers cant even dream of doing so. You can attend as many classes as you want and rop them till the last moment. It super amazing. I wish I had this kind of a program available to me 30 years ago. If you are academically inclined I cant think of a more enriching environment.
I think this is a massive advantage. Again, you will get better color by calling CCS itself but you are expected to be conducting research all the way through.
This I have no clue about to be honest. I dont think their admit rates will be very low despite the spectacular offering but that is because very few people know of the college.
Best of luck. You will appreciate the CCS format once you are on the floor rolled up with laughter at the genericness of a CLS or any other similar format degree. Also if you wish to not do a PhD at some stage, you will not be really extracting the full benefit of being in CCS. You will have a leg up compared to your peers when you interview for a PhD program at MIT or Stanford.
@ruetherford Parent here of a 3rd year CCS bio student, and another kiddo who just got admitted to UCSB CCS bio this week. Older daughter would be happy to PM you for any info you might want, but she is not on College Confidential. If you want I can PM you her email. When she was choosing a college she was able to get in touch via email with a then-current CCS student and it was incredibly helpful, so I’m sure she’ll want to pay it forward. If it helps, I can tell you CCS has been an AMAZING program, she went right into a research lab freshman year, blows me away what she is doing now research-wise. She also got into UCLA and Berkeley (and others) but chose UCSB and has not regretted it for a moment.
CCS does have some perks but you should consider the different focus of the two programs. Honors places an emphasis on academic performance, CCS places an emphasis on research. Do you want to get deeply involved in research as an undergraduate? CCS is also very small and easy to reach so you should discuss your options with Leroy Laverman, the Chemistry program coordinator. That being said:
CCS has two of the housing units in Manzanita village. All of the on-campus housing options are close. Manzanita is maybe a 5-10min walk from the CCS building
The answer to this question differs for every major. For chemistry you can see the curriculum on the CCS website. Note: ‘students will follow a similar course plan as described for the Chemistry or Biochemistry major in the campus general catalog.’
There are no special opportunities - students access all the many labs on campus - but the expectations are very different and you will be in a cohort of students who are all doing research
It varies a lot by major, I don’t know the figures for Chemistry.