8-| Hi guys! I recently got accepted to both UCLA and UCSB. I don’t know which one to choose because of financial issue. UCLA has always been my dream school, but the net cost to attend is somewhat $8,000k for the first year. I don’t know if this net cost will go up or down for the 2nd year as I will live off-campus (I’m from NorCal btw.)
For UCSB, I got into CCS of Chem and Biochem + awarded the Promise Scholars which has a min of 120k over 4 years. With this scholarship + finaid + other scholarships, I don’t have to worry about financial problem at all. Furthermore, I can also study abroad, live-off campus, and so on. But I don’t know much about the school, and not sure if I would like it… I also heard that UCSB is a party school… Any advice?
Considering the cost I would go happily to UCSB!
UCSB and UCLA are pretty much equally ‘party’. They’re both fairly free schools, not much difference on that end. However, it’s true that LA>SB in pretty much everything and that in terms of cities, LA is a better place to live than SB. Especially considering that the UCLA Hill is in a very desirable area. In terms of academics, UCLA is better than UCSB for your majors and in general.
However, to be truthful, no one gives a cr*p about where you went for undergrad. Really, companies won’t give a hoot about where you spent four years ‘finding yourself’. Of course, if someone went to Austin Community College vs. Harvard, they’d care but when you get to this level of academia (UCLA vs. UCSB), they won’t care. Where you go for graduate school is much, much more important.
Now, if you want to do pre-med, then UCLA is again better because they have a 50% med school acceptance rate as well as a hospital on site for easy oppurtunity.
But, your finances are you main concern, and despite the fact that UCLA is better in almost all aspects, I’d say shoot for UCSB, no one is going to care about your undergrad. You can “study abroad, live-off campus, and so on” at UCSB, won’t have to worry about fees at all and can live college. Go for UCSB. Have fun. Enjoy your life. Work hard. Get into Harvard, MIT or wherever for Grad school. Then, look back in 10 years and smile knowing you made the right choice.
@Ahmad12345 That was really helpful. To be honest, I’ve heard about 5 people told me to shoot for UCSB. But yea…still bitter about UCLA. It’s hard to give up on something you’ve been yearning for such a long time. It’s like having a candy in front of me but cannot eat because of diabetes lol 
Well, I hope I would get a $16k scholarship from East Bay College Fund 8-> so that I can go to LA. If not, then UCSB 
Thanks a lot though!!!
@californiaroll apartments off campus are much cheaper than the dorms so you’ll be paying less the second year. Don’t give up your dream school. UCSB does not compare to UCLA !! 8k isn’t that bad
I recently talked with a student at UCSB who said that several of the professors he has had so far in chemistry and math were poor teachers. Is there anyone else who goes there who has had the same experience or a different one?
What did you decide? The CCS program or UCLA? And how do you feel now about your choice?