<p>hello everyone! well the title basically says all, i just want to hear everyone's opinion about making this though choice</p>
<p>My major at both schools are Physics(with a specialization in astrophysics at SD)
I am 80% positive that i will do astrophysics later in life and so probably will need a master degree or phd
so my main goal is to maintain good gpa while having a very happy college life and making good friends</p>
<p>One thing that i am really curious is: <em>is the physics department at UCSB really amazing and prestigious!? worth turning UCSD down?</em> and will SB offers me a good preparation for applying grad school!?</p>
<p>UCSD
pros: overall it's more prestigious
cons: i am pretty afraid of the socially dead reputation becoming true</p>
<p>UCSB
pros: good physics program and probably one of the best college experiences one could possibly have?
cons: maybe not as prestigious as SD?</p>
<p>i am really confused right now... I am leaning toward UCSD only because it's academic reputation but a bit worried about the social scene
i imagine myself being happier at UCSB... but at the same time i am wondering is it really not academically strong enough
so i want to hear people's thoughts about it!
thank you!</p>
<p>Yes, UCSB’s physics program is by far the best out of the UCs, but then again “best” is very subjective, but that’s just what word on the street is. Both campuses are academically strong, they are both UCs. My best opinion is go wherever you feel comfortable, don’t go by the academic reputation because to be honest they difference between the two academically are negligible. Choosing to attend UCSB or UCSD has no effect really on which graduate schools accept you. What matters is your grades and research experience, and luckily UCSB is great at offering research positions (And I’m sure UCSD is great for that as well).</p>
<p>BTW kudos to you, physics majors are ridiculous. The physics majors here (Especially CCS physics) are like the most intelligent students I’ve ever met lol</p>
<p>I’m just a parent, but I would recommend you look at the faculty profiles at each of the campuses. If you’re interested in research, you should get involved with a lab as soon as possible. Read up on the research programs of the faculty and see if there is something that really grabs you about the work. There’s no guarantee you’ll end up in that lab, but it will really impress a faculty member if you say, “I chose UCX because I was interested in your research”. In theoretical/basic research it is important to find something you are really passionate about so you end up with good momentum for graduate school. I agree with the previous poster, it’s what you do more than where you do it that will be important for a grad program (plus grades and GRE scores).</p>
<p>bboyed I’m also a physics major starting in the Fall. I did get accepted to 3 different UC’s, so it was a tough decision for me. I’m sure you already know which one you WANT to attend. But I’m not gonna get into that. UCSB is a world renowned research University that hosts talks by the most prestigious physicists. Check out the KITP if you haven’t seen that yet. </p>
<p>AS dooplizz said, the CCS sounds really interesting and I’ve already applied. Hopefully I’ll get in. Good luck in your endeavors.</p>
<p>Well, studies have shown that you will do better academically if you are happier. Plus UCSB’s physics department is one of its best programs, according to these rankings. </p>
<p>The Physics major in the College of Creative Studies (CCS) at UCSB should be in any list of top programs. It’s essentially grad school starting right after HS. UCSB itself is host to the National Science Foundation’s Institute for Theoretical Physics, and its grad program is ranked in the top 5 in the country. CCS students essentially have the freedom to take any class they want, undergrad or grad, in pursuit of their goals. If the OP is really committed to astrophysics then she/he ought to think about applying for CCS since that is going to be a ticket to a top PhD program anywhere in the country (assuming one does well as an undergrad).</p>
<p>Thank you!! All your posts were very helpful!
I just visited UCSB and on my way to SD now. I did not really fall in love with the campus but I really like the peole there. And I really want to say that ‘all SB students do is partying all day’ doesn’t seem true at all. I still could sense the academic feel on campus. (well iv was pretty impressive btw haha)</p>
<p>ernestosilva123, may I know what three UC’s you were accepted to? And how did you decide? Thanks</p>
<p>I also spoke with an officer at CCS and she told it is not impossible to transfer into CCS at all. I will definitely consider it.
I also visited KITP!! It was a really cool place! And just by looking at the physists discussing stuff made me so excited haha. </p>
<p>Ok I am going to be honest with all you. The stuff I am going to say might seem very superficial.<br>
I think the major thing that is stopping me to choose UCSB is just the ‘name’. (the fact that I am an Asian might have something to do with this haha)
Generally, most people still think UCSD is a ‘bigger’ name than UCSB. And I hate people giving me the look when I tell then I am considering UCSB. They should not be affecting my decision I know but I still can’t get over it. </p>
<p>‘choose wherever you will be happy at’ sounds simple but is so hard</p>
<p>Well, I haven’t even seen UCSD yet so let’s see!</p>
By “most people” I’m assuming you mean the set of HS seniors you hang out with. If you think they have done the careful research and have the experience to make an informed judgement about this, then you ought to listen to them. </p>
<p>Personally I think the education you’ll receive as a Physics major at either school is indistinguishable, so in that sense there are no wrong choices. Go with what feels right or flip a coin. To me the wild card is CCS. There are few programs that can hold a candle to it at any public. But you were not admitted to CCS, so hopefully you got a sense after talking to the CCS officer what your chances might be.</p>
<p>Maybe you’ll find UCSD to be everything you hoped for when you get down there and your decision will be easy. Best of luck no matter what you decide!</p>
<p>^^I was just thinking the same thing, the first thing that came to mind when I read “bigger name” were high school juniors/seniors Good luck to wherever you choose!</p>
<p>UCI and UCSC. They both have a program with an international research institute that I’m interested in interning at. But when looking closer at the programs is not impressive. Nothing is current. The students that actually got internships were more affluent and whose parents could afford to pay for their travel expenses. </p>
<p>So even though UCSB doesn’t even have the same program I wanted, the Physics department is way more active and up to date on the latest research, at least in theoretical physics that is definitely the case. The program seems way more challenging, especially if I get in CCS, which I’m so hoping for because it would be a more focused environment in the field. </p>
<p>The campus choice was big for me too. I think IV is ideal for my style, I couldn’t see myself in Irvine where you got millionaires and NBA players for neighbors. UCSB has a more to offer so you don’t feel like a drone. I’m pretty good at separating work from social life, so it won’t be a problem for me that UCSB is the #1 party school in the US.</p>
<p>Dude. I feel you on the ‘name value’ of a university. I grew up thinking I’d, you know, go to Berkeley or LA and I was totally devastated when I ended up ‘only’ getting into ucsb, ucd, ucm, and waitlisted at uci. (I’m a current full korean freshman here at UCSB in the Physics program.) But overall, I am extremely surprised by how great UCSB is. The Physics program is very challenging, but there is a daily PSR full of grad and undergrad TAs there to help you, a personal advisor, and many other resources actively available. </p>
<p>I came into UCSB as a physics major because I worked as a telescope operator all through high school and really want to pursue astrophysics as a career. UCSB is #9 in the nation for physics, and UCSD doesn’t even break the top 10. Numbers are big for asians, as I’m sure you’re all too familiar.</p>
<p>The weekly lectures mentioned by ernestosilva123 are too complicated for freshman to understand, but they are a great opportunity for you to see what kind of research is being done in the subsectors of physics, astronomy, cosmology, and particle physics. It really gives you a scope into the complexity and current status of research in physics and labs that you might want to consider interning at in the future.</p>
<p>UCSB is a great school for…socializing (<em>cough cough</em> partying), but you can also make great, great friends here. Having friends you can be crazy with on Friday and still buckle down with to study and live with is amazing beyond words.
I don’t go to UCSD, so I can’t offer much perspective there. Here’s hoping you choose whatever road offers you happiness, not just the name prestige of a school!</p>
Good luck to wherever you choose!</p>