<p>my dad wants me to attend UCSC but i really want to go to SCU.
He told me that UCSC > SCU apparently?
I am declared a computer science major at UCSC and an electrical engineering major at SCU.
I love that SCU is right in the hub of silicon valley, therefore, lots of internships available, but i keep getting told that UCSC is more theory-based so i'd get more background knowledge versus SCU, which would "get me cooked for the industry" right away, which is apparently a bad thing because it would mean i wouldnt know what to do if something goes wrong, etc, etc.</p>
<p>also, UCSC gave me a more generous grant than SCU did, which I guess plays a factor too. I'd have to pay 14k for UCSC out of pocket but about 32k for SCU. I'm applying for many private scholarships though i dont know if i will get them...</p>
<p>SCU pros:
close to my house
proximity to sv and internships
beautiful campus
easy to change major should i need to</p>
<p>SCU cons:
EXPENSIVE
i'd still live with my parents (i would commute, not livein a dorm)</p>
<p>UCSC pros:
fresh air
exciting new, independent life
"theory-based" education?
computer science major, instead of an electrical engineer major</p>
<p>UCSC cons:
negative stigma for being one of the worse off UC's
a little too big
bike thieves
hippie roommates who'd have weed parties in my dorm D:<</p>
<p>can you guys make an argument for any of the schools i listed? thanks! which do you suggest i attend?</p>
<p>I would STRONGLY recommend that you seriously consider UCSC. That is a significant financial difference between the two Us. 18K x 4 = $72K difference. If that amount needs to be borrowed, that will be a heavy loan. </p>
<p>There are bike thieves pretty much everywhere, as well as pot smokers. Even if the U may be large, the engineering department will be smaller & that way you will get to know the folks you are in class with, as well as folks you meet on campus. Would not get hung up on “stigma” or ranking. Graduating without crushing debt is HUGE!</p>
<p>SCU has an amazing engineering program that is well known in the area. as you said, the silicon valley offers a myriad of internships and career opportunities which is really great. You really need internships in order to get a job after college and SCU will prepare you really well for that. </p>
<p>In addition, SCU provides much smaller classes than UCSC. I for one have never liked UC’s so I’m pretty bias, but I think SCU is a much better choice. IMO SCU has a much better reputation than UCSC. </p>
<p>But as you said SCU is A LOT even if you don’t live in dorms. DId you not get any FA from them?</p>
<p>32k out of pocket AND you’re still going to be living at home? Does that figure have room and board costs adjusted? If not, it sounds like SCU gave you nothing but loans.</p>
<p>32k per year for SCU is too much, IMO.</p>
<p>Here’s how I would look at it:
If you can live at home while going to SCU, then you would still be close enough to SV to get Summer internships.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>A UC will hold at least a minimum same level of respect from employers who are not in the know. I say it like that because employers who are really smart won’t care which UC you’ve been to, but what program you came from. UCSC’s Comp Sci program is very well known and employers will know this too.</p></li>
<li><p>Ever read ‘The Santa Clara’? It’s SCU’s student-ran newspaper. In it, they have a ‘Safety Corner’ or some such that covers recent safty issues. In EVERY ISSUE they describe a whole bunch of thefts - bikes, ipods, you name it. Every school will have this sort of thing. In fact, just a few weeks ago a couple guys suspected of stealing bikes were kicked off SCUs campus while they were lurking around the dorms. They had bolt cutters and other items. Crime happens, just be smart about it.</p></li>
<li><p>I can think of a few personal instances where I witnessed SCU students smoking pot. Like crime, it exists in one form or the other at every school. Despite popular belief, most students at UCSC do not smoke pot and you can always try to change your roommate.</p></li>
<li><p>While the UCSC campus is beautiful, I agree it’s a bit sprawling. If you like the thought of a smaller campus, then SCU is the winner there. But so far that’s the only aspect it is king on.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I think SCU is a great school - for the right price, and you’re not getting the right price. I have taken multiple tours of UCSC and have looked into many of their programs. I would take UCSC anyday over SCU unless SCU was free or nearly free after grants and scholarships and the basic loans. I wouldn’t pay too much out of poket for SCU.</p>
<p>Have you visited each? Does each feel like a fit to you? Can you see yourself going to UCSC and enjoying time there?</p>
<p>Chances of getting enough in scholarships to make SCU are pretty low, and even if you get them, what happens after the 1st year. Most private scholarships are for freshman year only & NOT renewable? The price difference is really huge between the two schools you’re considering. </p>
<p>For us, we turned down SCU because they told us that they’d force S to withdraw if he missed the equivalent of 2 weeks of any course in a semester, even if he had documented medical reason for absences. That was a dealbreaker. The other Us promised to work with S & us.</p>
<p>ugh, they gave me 6k in grants and like 11k in student loans. i’m not even rich considering my location (sillicon valley, bay area), and i have 2 college-bound brothers as well that my parents’ll have to pay for.</p>
<p>Costs of living are high for most, relative to income. WIth two sibs who will also need college funds, it would be smart & sensible to take the option that will cause the smallest hole in family finances, especially when both schools have good programs and a lot to offer. Why encumber yourself or your family with unneeded debt?</p>
<p>I love SCU, but it seems hard to justify taking out $70,000 in loans to attend here, even if you’re in a pretty financially stable field. Also, I’d strongly recommend living at school. Pains me to say this, but definitely give UCSC serious consideration.</p>