<p>Right now, I'm attending a community college in San Francisco, and next year I'm transferring to a UC. I've narrowed my choices down to UCD and UCSB, however, I'm unsure as to which one I should pick.</p>
<p>My planned major is political science. Does anyone have any rankings for political science for either of these two schools? I know they are pretty even overall, but I was wondering if there was a big difference for the specific major. It seems that Davis has the advantage of being in close proximity to Sacramento, which seems to me that it would be a great place for getting an internship in the government. Then again, I've only heard great things about UCSB when it comes to campus life and environment. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any comments on these two schools?</p>
<p>Well, they have similar undergrad academic reputations, but I'm not sure specificalkly about poly sci. Davis does have a law school, so maybe that makes a difference?</p>
<p>if you still have friends from HS at both schools i would suggest visiting and seeing which seems like a better fit, or if one is a definite non-fit. Its never a good idea to enroll in a college sight-unseen, sometimes you get a gut feeling a place is right or wrong. Both schools are ranked similarly, as you say, so your choice might be more influenced by other factors such as which is a better fit for you. As for internships, you should talk to the poli-sci advisor at both schools and find out more about this; not just that a program exists, but how many students have done it and what assistance and support the school gives in landing the positions.</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments. I think I will do that, I Know a lot of people at Davis, and my brother knows a few people at Santa Barbara. I was actually thinking of going down to the schools in January, and I guess I'll do that.</p>
<p>Being close to Sacramento is an advantage for UCD Poli Sci majors - there ARE many internship opportunities. UCD has the largest internship program of all the UCs - over 2/3 of UCD students complete internships prior to graduation.</p>
<p>Also, Davis is the home of the "UC Davis Washington Center" - many students take advantage of studying in Washington DC through this program.</p>
<p>Does having a parent that works at UCD and living in Davis have any real affect on my admission? A UCD admissions person that it didn't, but some of my friends say that it does. Is it just an urban myth?</p>
<p>UCSB is a gorgeous location--I would say it's too gorgeous to properly study--and I think it's got a decent Washington internship program though the point about UCD's proximity to Sacramento is well taken.</p>
<p>Having a parent employed by UCD gives you no bump unless, maybe, they're employed at somewhere around the vice-chancellor level where a word from the chancellor or the provost might be able to grease the skids. The whole UC admissions system is numbers based because they think that's the fairest way to do it.</p>
<p>I would have thought UCSC would be better for political science. Just because, it's more liberal, and it seems like some students might be politically active.</p>
<p>Well if your still debating in the future, well maybe one of the 2 campus will reject you, and that way you wont have to make a choice. Based on what you've said your debating between having career options at the end of college and being at a place where you can experience the typical college life that involves a fun social life. I think if you got into UCB(that's if you applied) it would bring both into one school.</p>
<p>UCSB has a VERY nice campus. One of the best i've ever seen. I haven't been to davis but from what i hear the campus is surrounded by farm land...not sure though.</p>