<p>Hello all, just a brief question that is kind of general.
I am applying for fall 2015 and wanted to get quick summary of each UC school. I am just looking to find out the strengths and weaknesses of each UC excluding LA and Berkeley.</p>
<p>Realistically I do not plan on attending UCLA or Berkeley because of my average test scores and GPA, but I would like to know a quick break down of the best majors/campus life/etc at the mid-tier and low tier UC's being San Diego, Santa Barbara, Davis, Riverside, Merced, Irvine, and Santa Cruz. Also what majors are the hottest and others the not so hot majors. Lastly I was wondering what are the pros and cons of applying undeclared/undecided and the pros and cons of switching majors.</p>
<p>Unfortunately I do not really have a specific field or major I am necessarily interested in so I cannot say what is best for me yet. However I believe if anything, I am most likely leaning towards medicine, health care, similar fields of the sort.</p>
<p>I will try to answer some of your questions but first are you in-state or out of state and will cost/financial aid be a determining factor?</p>
<p>Top tier UC’s are UCB/UCLA/UCSD, Mid tier are UCD/UCI/UCSB and lower tier are UCSC/UCR/UCM.
All the UC’s would have great programs for medicine, health care and similar fields. The competitive programs at most of the UC’s would be Engineering, Computer Science, Biology and Psychology. The “hot majors” from what I have observed would be most Engineering especially Mechanical and Biomedical, Computer Science/Engineering and Biology (most common major for Pre-med).
Just be aware the the UC’s weigh GPA more heavily than test scores, so the averages posted on the UC application website would be much higher for the more competitive majors. Essays and EC’s will many times make a difference but you need to be realistic with your chances.</p>
<p>Regarding campus life, it really depends upon what your are looking for as in really urban, more suburban/rural, smaller or larger campus, diversity etc… You should try to visit as many campuses as possible since the internet can give you an idea of the “vibe” but it really important to see them for yourself. I can tell you that both my sons had preconceived ideas about many of the campuses prior to their tours, but once they looked around the campus, sat in some classes, their perspectives changed for several of the schools.</p>
<p>As for applying Undeclared, it will depend upon your intended major. If you are interested in any of the competitive majors, you will have a difficult time to change later in your college career. Many majors are impacted, so you would have to maintain a stellar GPA and hope there would be room for you to change.
It is much easier to be accepted into a competitive major as a Freshman and then change to a less competitive major than visa versa. </p>