<p>So, my daughter was rejected by her top choice (USC) even though it was a solid match for her based on stats. It would have been the perfect fit. Luckily, she applied to a bunch of other schools even though it never really occurred to her that she might have to go to one of them. </p>
<p>We are now trying to sort through the UCs that she's been admitted to but it is feeling kind of overwhelming. She didn't get into UCLA or Berkeley, and she's (sort of) ruled out UCI and UCSD for idiosyncratic reasons (friends who went there last year and hated them). So she's mainly looking at UC Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Davis. (She also applied and was admitted to Santa Clara, Loyola Marymount, and University of San Diego, mainly because of size and location, but, as a pro-choice atheist, she's concerned about choosing a Catholic school). </p>
<p>To complicate things, USC has offered her a "transfer plan" that will essentially guarantee admittance as a transfer student for Fall of sophomore year if she meets certain conditions. </p>
<p>We are disappointed and exhausted. Any thoughts on how to sort through the options? With respect to "fit," She's a smart, arty, intellectually oriented, non-partier who likes to play her guitar, write poetry and talk about the meaning of life. Also likes outdoorsy stuff. Undecided major, but will probably be in the humanities or social sciences. Is serious about academics. She likes the UCSC vibe, but I'm not sure that it has the academic chops she's looking for. </p>
<p>Any thoughts on how to choose among second choices? And should we just forget about the USC transfer plan in making this choice?</p>
<p>Congratulations on some wonderful choices. I know plenty of students who would be thrilled with those options. I’ve heard that UCSD is not a welcoming place socially, so I agree with your choice to avoid it. Davis has become 3rd in line in terms of the UC’s that are most competitive and sought-after. Everyone who goes there seems to love it. UCSB does have a bit of a party reputation, but so does USC for that matter. I don’t know much about UCSC beyond that fact that they offer some innovative programs in the high-tech fields.</p>
<p>My son was accepted as USC and at the very last minute changed his mind and accepted at UCB. He is almost ready to graduate and has no regrets. We saved a ton of money and he got a great education.</p>
<p>Hands down, without a doubt, either UCSC or UCSB. SD and Irvine are both less social atmospheres, albeit those reputations come due to lack of partying (i.e. drinking, pot smoking, etc…) and not because you can’t find some folks to get together with to play your guitar and have intellectual conversations…</p>
<p>Not to offend, but why on earth would you have let her apply to the three Catholic universities if she is, as you say, a “pro-choice atheists”?</p>
<p>What are the terms of the USC guaranteed transfer plan? If it is non-restrictive about what school she can attend the first year, then she can go to one of her other choices (or a CC if that is allowed and she needs to save money) and then decide after the first year whether she wants to transfer to USC, if she meets the conditions.</p>
<p>The Trojan Transfer Plan is a bone that is thrown to legacies who aren’t admitted. From what I’ve read on the USC forum here, (there are many past threads about this) it’s not an absolute guarantee, but rarely is anyone denied transfer who meets the requirements. I do think they expect you to meet with them on campus in June to show your interest and make arrangements. I would assume you could do this as a backup plan, especially since your daughter is so enthusiastic about the school.</p>
<p>I don’t know why people would say UCSD isn’t welcoming socially. They do all the same things the other UCs do for welcoming and have the clubs, etc. and have a similar bunch of students attending as well as a lot of students of many backgrounds and interests attending. They don’t have a big time football or basketball team though if that’s important to the student but neither do a number of other UCs. UCSD does have great workout facilities, many dining halls, etc. and is within walking distance of a very nice beach.</p>
<p>I think it would be unwise to rule out UCSD - especially based on what a couple of friends might have said unless they have specific complaints that your D would find applicable to her. I’d rule out gross comments like ‘I couldn’t find any friends there’, ‘everyone’s unfriendly’, etc. because some students say that anywhere they go and if they can’t find a couple of friends within the 23,000 UG student population. Don’t forget a number of students will end up not so crazy about the college once they get homesick and realize that college can be real work. This happens at any of them - bay area kids attending southern cal colleges and being homesick for ‘norcal’ and vice versa.</p>
<p>Has she visited the UCs she’s been offered admission to?</p>
<p>The other UCs are worth considering as well but UCSD is a good choice when compared to the others.</p>
<p>I agree with GladGradDad. The way you describe your daughter, it’s possible that UCSD could be a fit for her. Why not do some more research about the school and attend the accepted student events next month before ruling it out?</p>
<p>Definitely visit each school to make the decision!</p>
<p>Funny, but when I think of those clump of UCs, I think of UCSD is more similar to USC. </p>
<p>“She’s a smart, arty, intellectually oriented, non-partier who likes to play her guitar, write poetry and talk about the meaning of life. Also likes outdoorsy stuff.” </p>
<p>Based on that comment, I would say the closest would be in order: UCSC, UCD, UCSD. And would exclude UCSB and UCI. By your descriptions, I assume you are in SoCal. UCD may be a little more of a aggie shock though. But everyone that I know who has gone to UCD has loved it.</p>
<p>As for Santa Clara, my sister was a pro-choice agnostic and loved her time there in the mid80s. My D’s friend is very liberal and at Santa Clara now and loves it. There are some things that I envied about her experience at Santa Clara vs my experience at UCLA. She was close to her profs, graduation was intimate, etc.</p>
<p>Can you start at UC and transfer to USC? If so, I’d to that. Also, once you start at the UC, she might like it so much that she might not want to transfer. But it would great to have the transfer as a possible option.</p>
<p>Hi all-- OP here. Thanks for the responses. They are very helpful. I’ve persuaded her to keep UCSD in play until after our visit. </p>
<p>In response to question abt why a pro-choice atheist would apply to the CA Catholic schools – she wanted to stay in California and was unwilling to consider extremely small schools (eg, Pitzer, Scripps or Occidental). The Catholic schools are a nice size, have lovely campuses and have reputations for strong faculty/ student interaction. So I talked her into applying, but she’s having strong doubts. I had heard many similar things abt SCU being welcoming to pro-choice liberals as YoHoYoHo’s comment. Very helpful to hear that. </p>
<p>Re transferring from UC to USC-- My understanding is that the transfer plan allows that, as early as Fall of Sophomore year. </p>
<p>Would love to hear more thoughts about any of the schools in question!</p>
<p>Five years ago my D1 had thought she wanted to go to UCSB, but was denied so in the end was choosing between San Diego State, UCI and UCSC. We went to the admitted students day at UCSC and I loved it (the campus is gorgeous), but she didn’t, UCI was too close and she ended up choosing SDSU and had a great 4 years. I visited UC Davis twice with my boys and I really liked it, but in the end neither chose it. I feel like all the UC’s are big enough that you can find a place to fit in. I have visited UCSD twice and I thought it was great. The only downside I have ever heard, from students, is that it is NOT a party school, but since your daughter is looking for that I don’t think that should be a problem. It has an excellent reputation.</p>
<p>I don’t know UCSB and UCSC all that well, but I have pretty fair knowledge of UC Davis, UCSD, and UC Irvine. And of those three I think either Davis or San Diego would suit just fine, for different reasons. UC Davis is perhaps the most outdoorsy of all the UCs. And Davis is a great little college town of the classic definition. To the extent rankings mean anything, Davis is usually the highest-ranked academically of the three “middle” UCs. And it’s strategically located half way between the bright lights of the Bay Area and the ski slopes of Tahoe.</p>
<p>UCSD is highest-ranked and most selective of any of the schools you are considering. The campus is beautiful in a modern sort of way. The location in La Jolla, very near the beach, is quite good too. And San Diego is a pretty good medium-sized city too boot.</p>
<p>I’d say visit the top candidates and see which feels most like it is populated with “her people.” </p>
<p>(And I predict that she will love whichever school she chooses and will forget all about USC by her sophomore year).</p>
<p>OP … Your D has EXCELLENT choices available. my 2¢ for exactly what it is worth…
My DS goes to UCSB, he LOVES it. He is in CCS, which is admittedly a bit different from the “unwashed masses” of the LnS… The party school rep is a bit dated. Since DS has gone there (now a 3rd year with enough credits to graduate this spring, but didn’t file the paperwork on time) we have gone to several events and been on campus quite a bit. Yes, Isla Vista is a party place and there is drunken revelry there often and regularly. There was NOT in his dorm freshman year. Culture is laid back, but many kids take their academics VERY seriously. As in all schools, YMMV with what you look for and who you find for your “peeps”. </p>
<p>I went to SCU for grad school and still give SWE tours there very occasionally. It is another GREAT school. Not as big as the UC’s. Lots of diversity. It has improved being a commuter school by a lot. I found NO forced feeding of religion, EVER. I get the alumni magazine and see none there either, even when the letter from the president is written by a Jesuit. Yes they believe in education. Yes, there is a mission on campus. yes, they are a very welcoming community for everyone.</p>
<p>UCD … I do not have direct experience of it, but second hand friends’ kids went there and all loved their education and experience. Both were very outdoorsy and didn’t mind being called AGGIES. </p>
<p>My own D turned down UCSD because people there were too serious … seriously? I didn’t get that vibe, but she also didn’t like the residential college choice thing. That was 5 years ago, so I am not current there. </p>
<p>Good luck! and happy deciding! Hope the USS Indecision leaves without you on board.
I do recommend the visit weekends if you possibly can. It DOES make a difference for who you see in the admitted crowd along with you.</p>