<p>Excluding UCLA/Cal, which of the UCs do you feel has the best mix of a social life and academics?</p>
<p>UCLA/Cal are reach schools for me (I’m OOS), so I’d like to explore other options such as SD/SB/Irvine. I’ve visited all of the campuses, but campus tours don’t really give you a good look on student life.</p>
<p>The answer depends on what your definition of the best mix of a social life and academics is.</p>
<p>Personally, I would rank them in the order of UCSB, UCSD, UCI for best mix. For purely academics, I would say UCSD, even though its classes are delightfully easy in comparison to Cal's (then again, Cal is not being compared to here). For a great social life, UCSB is the one. They party hard and study hard. As for UCI, it's just there. Neither the best for academics nor social life, but it's a great mix nonetheless. In the end, it all comes down to your own opinion and what you make out of your college experience.</p>
<p>ucd has a big frat/party scene. academics excell aswell but from what i read, ucsd is a boring social campus life.</p>
<p>I guess I would have to say that I'm looking for a UC campus that has great academic programs specifically in sciences/medicine, but I also want to be able to play and study hard.</p>
<p>I would want to have the opportunity of having a social life outside of class from Thursday-Sunday. Which campus would suit me best?</p>
<p>UCD is underrated for science/math, very up and coming. it's also good for a college atmosphere, parties, social life.
UCSD has a great Biological Sciences, the campus is divided into different schools and each school has it's own personality. I have friends there that love it and some that hate the social scene; to each its own.
Academically both UCD and UCSD would be the better choices IMO, socially UCD may be better.</p>
<p>I think it really depends on what fits your personality. UCSD might have some stronger programs than UCD, but UCD I think is an overall stronger, more diverse campus. </p>
<p>Back in the day (like over 15-20 years ago), UCSD used to be much more social with keg parties, etc. (an older relative of mine went there). But over the years, it has become increasingly academic-focused while the athletics and social scene have faded away. The administration is really focused on academics so that really dictates the type of campus UCSD has become.</p>
<p>UCSB continues to be the party school, UCD is a good mix as well as UCI. Since UCI is the youngest campus, it still is changing and moving away from its commuter status.</p>