The Sky is Falling

[lecorbeau]

<p>I was waitlisted at Bowdoin College (my number one choice in Maine), and have appealed UC-Berkeley but I have to make a decision on where to send my SIR in the mean time (or for the long term if the Bowdoin/Berkeley outcome isn't in my favor)</p>

<p>I have narrowed my list to UCSD, UCSB, and UCSC. I ultimately want to go into international business but want to major in foreign languages or an International Studies-type major...</p>

<p>I consider myself to be rather unique comparative to an average southern californian...</p>

<p>UCSB</p>

<p>Pros: Great location, stunning campus/awesome facilities, have my major (global studies), I like the bike accesibility, laid back, beautiful people, etc.</p>

<p>Cons: I am absolutely and utterly TERRIFIED by the student body as a whole...I have visited twice and I was pretty intimidated by the OC Bro and Chanel fashionista population and I don't really consider myself a HUGE partier (though I do dabble in it) and I am definitely not a typical Socal-type kid....additionally I speak more or less coherently and I want to meet likeminded people! Can I get those people at UCSB??? That was not meant as a reproach but I'm genuinely curious...</p>

<p>UCSD</p>

<p>Pros: Stellar rep., strong academics, have my major (int'l studies), beautiful campus, intelligent and perhaps intellectually-inclined peers, love the college system</p>

<p>Cons: REVELLE College + tough courseload (and a myriad of classes that have have nothing to do with my prosp. major, lack of social life, I kind of wanted to get away (hence the desire to go to Bowdoin College, statistically the easternmost college in the US) + I don't like heat very much (I'm from Orange County and am ready for a full range of seasons)</p>

<p>UCSC</p>

<p>Pros: IMPOSSIBLY BEAUTIFUL campus, laid back environment, love the college system, have the opportunity to join the honors program (on the condition that I choose a certain college), interesting + quirky student body, very accepting, close proximity to SF and Monterey area (my twin brother's going to San Fran State)</p>

<p>Cons: shaky reputation, student body too weird?, I'm worried about the people who chose UCSC because that was their only option, grad school opportunities hindered?</p>

<p>I need to decide by May 1 (as all of you know) and I honestly cannot decide...I think primarily it's between UCSB and UCSC...because Revelle at UCSD has really turned me off...</p>

<p>Any advice or guidance is appreciated and you can PM me if you'd like.</p>

[mikemac]

<p>I'm a big fan of ucsb, but from what you've written it sounds like ucsc might be a better fit for you. After all, what matters most is what you think of your college and how comfortable you'll be there. </p>

<p>For ucsb you write "I am absolutely and utterly TERRIFIED by the student body as a whole...I have visited twice and I was pretty intimidated ..." </p>

<p>about ucsc you write "interesting + quirky student body, very accepting, close proximity to SF and Monterey area (my twin brother's going to San Fran State)"</p>

<p>Just looking at that, it sounds like you already know the right decision for you</p>

[dstark]

<p><a href="http://www.ucsc.edu/about/distinctions.asp%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ucsc.edu/about/distinctions.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

[neobonzi]

<p>Heres my take. </p>

<p>I feel (or felt) the same way as you about UCSB. I thought the student body would be a bunch of blonde surfers who feel they have to drink in order to get social recognition - much like my high school (im in very close proximity to ucsb). After visiting, I felt just the opposite. Sure theres the blonde surfer drinkers, i mean...its Santa Barbara, there's money and overprivelaged kids - but thats the way it is everywhere....but you have ot understand UCSB is selective and only take those who care about the school. When i visited, I was extremely surprised at the varied student population and the amount of diversity the beauty of the campus brings. Don't let the reputation scare you off.</p>

<p>On the other hand, I have a friend who was trying to make a decision if he wanted to go to Santa Cruz - his brother graduating this year he knew a lot more than anyone I've met. He said that the impression a lot of people get of Santa Cruz is a very welcoming friendly population - but overall his brother found it very close-mindedly liberal. He said his brother had a hard time finding a niche because people were generally rude about accepting others that think differently and even the surrounding area is not kind about it. I found it hard to believe until i heard it from another couple people who had first hand experiences.</p>

<p>Santa Barbara has a better academic reputation than Santa Cruz - but htat might just be because SB is more selective than SC when it comes to their student body. In the end, i chose between the two and it was and SB was an easy pic because of the well roundedness of the school.</p>

<p>I'm sorry to say I dont know much about UCSD besides its reputation. It's prestigious but I have several friends who went in and found that it didnt fit their personality at all. I think your choice shoudl be between UCSD and UCSB - ask some quesitons on the UCSD forum because it's a little biased here (obviously :D).</p>