<p>I've been accepted to UCSD, UCSB, UCI, and UCD. (rejected from UCLA)</p>
<p>At first I thought if I was accepted at UCSD that I would go there. No questions asked. But now I'm not sure. I was accepted to ERC as a psychology major (B.S. not B.A.) As you guys know, ERC requires a lot of extra courses and on top of that, because it is a B.S., I need to take extra math (calculus) and other science courses. It just does not seem reasonable for me to go there anymore. I plan to attend a graduate school and do not want to spend 5 or more years in my undergrad.</p>
<p>So basically, would UCI or UCSB be better for me? I want a school with a good science and psych background and also has a pretty decent reputation (because i need to get into a good graduate school)</p>
<p>Thanks for reading all that!</p>
<p>I would go to Irvine because they’re more known for science than SB is.</p>
<p>^ uhhh no. UCSB has a better Psych department than UCI. The science departments at uci and ucsb are about the same. goto ucsb</p>
<p>According to [Best</a> Social Sciences and Humanities Schools - Graduate Schools - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools]Best”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools), UCI is ranked above UCSB in general psychology (they also have separate rankings for different psych specialties) and UCSD is ranked above them both. Just based on that, I would go to UCI.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in grad school in psych, I think being at the best possible program will benefit you because you’ll have access to good faculty. Going to UCI over UCSD may actually help you get access to faculty and help them with research, since it may be somewhat less competitive (I’m just speculating, don’t know this for sure).</p>
<p>One thing to consider, however, is that some grad schools may require some higher-level science courses, so UCSD may not be the worst option. Obviously there’s no reason for you to take courses that you don’t need, but if they are required for grad school it may make you a more competitive grad school applicant if you do take those courses.</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick responses!</p>
<p>usdenick - great post. I plan on becoming a physicians assistant, and so all I need are the pretty basic science courses. No calculus or physics is needed.</p>
<p>Email admissions and relations, tell them your situation. Explain to them that you didn’t understand the college choices or why, so you just picked them based on names. Tell them it would take you an extra year of undergraduate study to finish your degree if you went to ERC and that this predicament means you can’t afford to attend UCSD.</p>
<p>Request a change to Warren, Muir or Sixth and make sure you thank them in the end. </p>
<p>This has worked for most people.</p>
<p>And as others have stated, don’t cop out on an opportunity to improve yourself as an applicant. You “plan” on becoming a physician’s assistant, but do you know you’ll get into that? As an older student, I’ve had the advantage of seeing my coeds and friends from high school and their “one narrow path” mindset when it comes to college. Half of them are unemployed as a result. </p>
<p>I believe in this economy and environment that one must expand their options and be able to fill a role in many different occupations so they can maximize their supply as an asset.</p>
<p>With a psychology BS, if you do well enough, you can apply to their BS to MS program and get a Master’s in one year after getting your BS. Also, with a BS if you do really well and decide to pursue an MD or even a PhD, things like tuition might be paid for. Another thing to consider is that to go to graduate school you have to take a GRE and I’ve heard it has calculus on it.</p>
<p>usdenick, that article is based on their graduate program, not undergrad.</p>
<p>Most credible rankings for individual departments at universities tend to be for the graduate programs and not the undergraduate programs. These rankings are just measuring the quality and reputation of the department as a whole. To the degree that you care about a specific aspect of the undergrad experience, you may want to do other research on the university and department that you are considering.</p>