<p>I got accepted for CS in L&S for UC Berkeley and in COE at UCSB. But for Berkeley, I'm a Spring admit. I'm debating either going to a community college in the Fall and attending Berkeley in the Spring or just going to UCSB. I'm from the Bay Area.</p>
<p>UC Berkeley</p>
<p>Pros:
Prestigious
-excellent CS program
-#1 public university
Liberal and open-minded
Close to home, but not too close
Near SF and in the city
Easier to find a job after graduation</p>
<p>Cons:
Spring admit
-no guaranteed housing my first semester
-more difficult to meet people, make friends
-have to go to a JC for the Fall
Very few parties that are not Frat/Sorority*
-all anti-social people who study 24/7*
Competitive nature*
-heard students won't share notes*
(Basically will I be able to make friends, all things considered?)
Major isn't declared yet
-have to worry about prereqs and getting the classes I need
Larger class sizes
Lots of hobos everywhere</p>
<p>UC Santa Barbara</p>
<p>Pros:
In Socal/Near the beach
Party School
Laid-Back, outgoing atmosphere*
-not as competitive*
Major is already declared
COE students get all classes that they need to graduate in 4 years
Smaller class sizes
Fall admit
-housing is guaranteed
Cooperative nature*</p>
<p>Cons:
CS program is good but not comparable to Berkeley
Party School stigma
-people party everyday of the week*
Not near the city
-harder to find a job
Not very well known outside of CA
People are more shallow than at Berkeley*
Really far from home</p>
<p>*rumors and generalizations (Feel free to tell me that I'm completely wrong)</p>
<p>Help me decide guys!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Berkeley CS 61A does not use curve grading. Presumably, you mean the competitive nature in pre-med courses (which is probably true in pre-med courses everywhere, and perhaps to some extent in curve graded courses everywhere).</p>
<p>Berkeley L&S CS needs a 3.0 GPA in the prerequisite courses to declare.</p>
<p>Berkeley seems to find a way to let everyone into lower division CS courses, but that results in 1,100 (fall) or 700 (spring) student CS 61A courses. If you are near Laney College, you can take CIS 61 there, since it is listed at <a href=“http://www.assist.org”>http://www.assist.org</a> as being equivalent to Berkeley CS 61A.</p>
<p>Of course, UCSB will be a more traditional college experience as an entering frosh.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus</p>
<p>So which school do you recommend I attend?</p>
<p>Is it worth it to sacrifice the ‘tradition college experience’ to attend Cal?</p>
<p>I usually do not make recommendations, unless there is a huge obvious difference (e.g. in cost/debt or if a school is lacking in subjects that the student is interested in, or if the stated criteria clearly point to one school over the others). You need to consider all of your criteria to determine the correct choice for you. Of course, you need to verify whether your assumptions on which your criteria are based are true before making your decision.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus I think I’m just about set on going to Cal. I’m planning to go to a JC at home for the fall and come in the Spring. One question though, since housing is not guaranteed for Spring admits, if I don’t get a housing offer, where will I live? I live too far to commute everyday.</p>
<p>Also as a admit for CS in L&S, I plan to attend San Jose City College. Which courses from there would you recommend I take that would transfer to UCB and put me on track to graduate in time with my class?</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help!</p>
<p>Go where you think is best for you! I had two sons apply to UCSB and Berkeley, although neither got into Berkeley. One of them would have gone to UCSB anyhow, because he prefers the school and atmosphere, and plans to go to graduate school, so doesn’t consider the incremental prestige important. The other would have gone directly to Berkeley. I don’t know if having a BS in Computer science or a degree from L&S at Berkeley would make a difference – is that a BS as well, or a BA? I have no idea, Good luck wherever you go!</p>
<p>–
on the CC classes, you should really call Berkeley, I think. There were some people posting on here who got tangled up with their community college classes, and I don’t remember precisely what the issue was.</p>
<p>You could do the early fall thing (sorry, can’t remember what it’s called) at Berkeley if the money’s not an issue, and make friends/find your niche that way. And you could always find the fun, social scene at Cal if you try. I’d recommend Cal on this one.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus Thanks! I’ll apply to the co-ops asap. Don’t wanna be living on my own just yet.
@lostinmymind It’s called FPF but it’s all filled up now plus I don’t think the extra money would’ve been worth it.</p>