Please help me decide.

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi all, I'm torn between UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara University. I know I will be majoring in some sort of engineering, but I'm not sure which specific engineering at this moment. Basically, the main thing I'm looking at would be GPA wise, where would it be easier to maintain a higher GPA in the engineering area? I will be applying for grad school afterwards, so this is a huge factor for me. Here are some facts to help you guys know me better:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.86 UW/ 4.0x Weighed
SAT: 1890 (Math 680, Verbal 630, Writing 580)</p>

<p>High School: Very prestigious private school which is nationally ranked for both academics and sports. It's a college prep. school, so the teachers are required to do all that is in their power to make the environment seem like a college class. That being said, I'm no stranger to competition. In fact, the body of students that were in the same classes as mine all had SATs from 2000 and up. As you can tell from my SATs, I’m not extremely smart, but I work hard. </p>

<p>Personality: I'm pretty quiet, but I don't have trouble making friends at all. Also, I never party, drink, or do drugs. I'd much rather go out to the movies with some friends than to go to a party. </p>

<p>Good and Bad of each school in my situation:</p>

<p>Santa Clara Univ. : I have a huge scholarship to this school, but that would mean that I will be living at home for the next 4 years which doesn't appeal to me. But, I think their engineering is really good. </p>

<p>UC Davis: It's very quiet, but sort of depressing. As quiet as I may be, I still like to have options. Also, the people rejecting UCB and UCLA to go to Davis are making me nervious. I'm not afraid of competition, but I thought Davis would be a little break from that. I guess not. </p>

<p>UC Santa Barbara: If I go there, I know I won't party. I guess strategically this would be a good place to go. Reason being: while the students are busy partying, I will be in my dorm studying. Although, I hear as much as the UCSB students party, they all know their limits, and they all seem to do well when it comes time to take school seriously. So, I don't think getting a higher GPA would be any easier. </p>

<p>------ Please Help :-\ -------</p>

2

<p>I would go to UCD. More prestigious and best for engineering.</p>

3

<p>Do you think I would have trouble surviving there?</p>

4

<p>As long as you have some work ethic you should be fine.</p>

5

<p>Thanks, anyone else?</p>

6

<p>Bump, I need more input please.</p>

7

<p>Santa Clara sounds like a match for you</p>

8

<p>I would go to UCD as well. </p>

<p>I have a cousin at UCD and another at UCSB and they are both sisters. Just gathering from their experiences here are my two cents:</p>

<p>UCD is less superficial (duh) but it is NOT boring. People at UCD are only more creative with their time because its essentially in the middle of nowhere. Their residential experience is really whats stimulating and people there are very caring of eachother and theres more of a community/family attitude. Also, my cousin goes rock climbing on the weekend and bikes around everywhere. Its a very adventurous sort of experience I would say.</p>

<p>As for UCSB, its essentially a party/beach scene but a less OC and a more Pamela Anderson/Baywatch kind of scene. My cousin there isn't enjoying it too much. Basically I wouldnt go here.</p>

9

<p>In terms of grades, is one harder than the other in getting a higher gpa?</p>

10

<p>they're of the same caliber schools so in terms of competition and getting a higher GPA at which school...i think the difference is so minimal and its not even worth considering when choosing between the two. seriously.</p>

11

<p>Oops, I proposed the question wrong. I meant all 3, including Santa Clara. My guess is that Santa Clara would be easier since it's a private school (which has smaller classes, <em>I think</em>).</p>

12

<p>Why would you have to live at home if you went to SCU?</p>

13

<p>I live only 20 minutes away. So, I can't blame my parents for not wanting to spend 10k extra a year.</p>

14

<p>sry, i know nothing about santa clara. i'm just narrowing down UCD and UCSB for you. hurry you got like a day left.</p>

15

<p>Dag nabit, if I had gotten into UC San Diego, I wouldn't have this dilemma. I know 2 complete IDIOTS that got in, and they even admit that they have no idea how they got it. Oh well, I guess it's part of the great mystery of life.</p>

16

<p>Thanks to everyone. If someone still has something to tell me, feel free to post. But, I think from here on out, I will have to make my decision on my gut feeling. </p>

<p>-Adios</p>

17

<p>where are you leaning towards?</p>

18

<p>Davis, but wow is Santa Barbara amazing. If it wasn't for the atmosphere, I wouldn't even be considering SB. Davis just seems so bleak, but Santa Barbara just seems like an overall happy place.</p>

19

<p>Do I have to decide BY the 1st of May, or can I decide on 1st also? In other words, do I have to decide today or do I also have tomorrow?</p>

20

<p>you should probably decide today. </p>

<p>but i think, don't mark my words, its 11:59 tomorrow that you may SIR by.</p>