<p>I read the statistics regarding the average class size at UCSD vs UCB. Let me tell you my kid experience there in CS. Her intro to CS was maxed out at 180. I called the school and UCSD confirmed that once it reaches the limit they will open another class. Compare this with UCB intro to CS and it was like 1000. Similar to Stanford which is a private school where the intro to CS was 600. The professors at UCSD are much more friendlier than other UCs according to the some grad forum, they want students to succeed there. They live in Lajolla so the weather must affect them(LOL).
Also on the San Diego news an anonymous alumni donated $20 million to UCSD CS program, I’m guessing he is one of the Facebook #1 employee because he said the program helped him to be where he is today. So maybe the myth to connect with professors at UCSD is harder is just a myth. My kid is not that supper proactive, she is just a kid, younger than most of her peers even. She has taking seminar and talk to this Facebook #1 employee(not founders) and learn more about the ins/outs of the industry.
While her friend at UCLA were flunking midterms and some intro to CS class and had to repeat. I know this is not UCB, but I think it’s worse there and not better than UCLA. My neighbor’s in the Bay area had a daughter whose goal in life was to study premed since kindergarten but dropped out of that goal after some pre-med classes at UCB. So when it comes to her son she didn’t care it was UCB, Penn State(OOS) was good enough for her son. Again if you use the average grade that I saw UCLA also has higher grade then UCSD. My thinking is UCSD has more science/STEM majors(compare to the university population) so the average is weight down while UCB/UCLA have more humanities compare to the rest of the university population.</p>
<p>Berkeley offers much more in a college campus experience than UCSD and La Jolla. There’s a reason why they call it University of California, Socially Dead. </p>
<p>UCLA and UCB have football. However, OP is not asking for that. From my kid’s experience is not as socially dead as described on CC. She has been to parties with alcohol and drugs. No big frat parties like USC but definitely not dead.</p>
<p>I didn’t make it up Dr. Google. UCSD has more commuters who go home to San Diego and OC during the weekends. La Jolla is not really a great college town. It’s a rich, sleepy, NIMBY oceanfront outpost. </p>
<p>The OP lives in SoCal and says UCSD is close to home. So my comment is very relevant. I would encourage the OP to spread his/her wings and go to the best public school in the country. </p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your replies 
</p>
<p>The social atmosphere could be thought of as a big deal, however, I have a lot of other concerns. Can I just say though that the fact that UCSD may be termed “Socially Dead” is irrelevant to me? I’m not there to just socialize.
But in any case, I just attended Triton Day today and the student life there seems fitting to my personality. I was told by some that the school spirit for the University may be lacking, but I was never a spirited person to begin with so I can care less. Besides, if I do get the urge to socialize and find some new experiences, I was told that the shuttle on campus can take me anywhere in San Diego, and God do I love the city :D</p>
<p>San Fran and Berkeley may be more dynamic (idk yet, I haven’t gone on a prospective-freshman tour), but the only reason I’m considering Berkeley is because everyone states that it is more academically rigorous and prestigious.</p>
<p>Could anyone please inform me on Berkeley’s courses? GE requirements? How easy it is to compete for professor time and internships? </p>
<p>The fact that UCSD is divided into six colleges of apx 4,000 students (I got accepted to John Muir College) could also be an advantage in the whole professor-student relationships area. </p>
<p>Any thoughts? I would love to hear from Berkeley alums or students considering Berkeley. </p>
<p>You might want to ask Berkeley forum, you get more answers there.</p>