Hey, so I’m a high school senior from around Boston and I’m so ready to get out of the cold New England weather. I’ve been admitted to both UCLA and UCSB and I really don’t know which one I should attend! Each side has its positives and negatives… Like I’m getting more money from UCSB, but UCLA is more “renowned.” UCSB has beaches closeby, but UCLA has the Bruins. One thing I really care about is how accessible the professors might be to me and I’ve already gotten admitted to the honors college at UCSB. One last thing is that it kind of seems like my parents are edging me towards UCLA. I kind of want to prove to myself that I don’t care about name value!
Overall, UCLA, is a better research institution and overall, academically better.
I honestly feel like UCLA vs. UCB is the infamous question, not UCSB. I’m not from Cali though so I guess I wouldn’t know.
I agree with @boolaHI, UCLA is held in higher regard and has a great reputation nationally and internationally. If you can scrape together the cash, I think you’ve found a winner.
First…don’t call Calif “Cali”…it screams that you’re not a Californian.
Secondly…what are your parents saying about the cost? Are they willing to pay more for UCLA? If not, what?
Lastly…what is your major and career goal (please don’t say premed)
First… So so so sorry I’m not from California.
Second… Parents are fine with the cost because we’re getting a lot of money from both schools. UCSB is just offering a 6k scholarship on top of that.
Last… I honestly don’t know. I want to get involved in sociology stuff but I’m also just really good at biology so I don’t know.
If you’re in the honors program at UCSB, do you think that would help in securing more research positions than being in the middle of the pack at UCLA?
UCLA is not that far from the ocean and quintessential California beaches. 21 mile bike route to Santa Monica Pier. In any case it’s not even close. Academically UCLA is the far better choice. It also has strong brand recognition among companies that are likely to hire interns. And it’s not so obvious that should you choose UCSB you’ll find it any easier to score top grades than if you were at UCLA.