<p>Also, maybe… just a WILD idea here…</p>
<p>How do YOU personally like the schools you’re interested in? It’s clear that you’re preoccupied with rankings, this and that, and which school has the highest prestige, but you don’t seem to be all that concerned about personal fit. As you may or may not know, college is not just about academics… it’s about the experience. This is something that sticks with you for life, and a bad experience can have a very big impact on your career motivation, and overall happiness.</p>
<p>Having said that, UCSD and UCD are very different schools outside of academics. UCD generally has a more liberal-minded student body, and is set in a farmland community basically with a more relaxed pace. UCSD on the other hand is set in a slightly more conservative, upscale, and active area near the ocean. You’re going to have different distractions at either campus. </p>
<p>Personally, I think both campuses are great and both offer great academics. I really think you should start focusing on cost and personal fit.</p>