<p>I know a lot of you probably think I am nuts for even thinking about UCSB over UCB but i don't like the urban lifestyle of UCB. I have one day to decide what I am doing and it is making me crazy! I was all set on UCSB but now I heard that the students party a lot and I am not into it. Will I have a hard time meeting people at UCSB since I really don't like to drink? I don't care if others drink I just am not into it. BYT there are more GE classes you need to take at UCSB over UCB. Admissions told me UCSB has the most GE classes out of all the UC's so I am thinking it is not much easier than CAL. Please give me some advice! Also Cal is too far from my home and I just can't stand the area. I could go to UCI but it's close to my house. I just can't stand the thought of Berkeley. I never really wanted to apply there but got talked in to it. Thanks</p>
<p>There are plenty of serious students at UCSB and plenty who go on to grad school (just mentioned to demonstrate ‘serious students’.) It is about you as a person and who you associate with wherever you go. There surely are plenty of partiers at SB, studious or not.</p>
<p>Having less GE requirements is always a huge bonus, imo, as it gives you more flexibility and control over your schedule and you can have room to look into other interests as well as juggle your schedule to suit opportunities and needs that arise.</p>
<p>Berkeley is a far better atmosphere than Irvine as a location–you probably have no idea. There is plenty of access to nature in the area as well as urban SF. It is an area of interesting people, different than some of the vast suburban landscape of socal. I’ve never met someone who didn’t like it. I think it is good to extend your geographic familiarity, expand your horizons and get out on your own in the semi-protected enviro of college. It’s pretty convenient to hop on an hour plane ride from Oakland to John Wayne on Southwest.</p>
<p>Berkeley is likely to give you a stronger education and a bigger wow factor on your resume. However, I think UCSB is a very good school and you can get anywhere you want to from it. Why the hate for Berkeley, where does the prejudice come from?</p>
<p>I wish you had spoken in more terms of academic interest and what you might be studying. Also how ambitious you are and what your priorities are aside from location. I don’t think it should make you crazy, you can be ok with either decision. Just don’t look back once you decide–embrace it either way.</p>
<p>UCB is extremely tough, but you will get most benefit out of it in term of employment opportunities.
UCI is quite tough.
UCSB is the easiest of the three. but it has a party school rep.</p>
<p>Thanks for the good tips. As far as Berkeley is concerned I don’t like the surrounding area and want to be closer to home. I liked the friendly, comfortable warm feeling of UCSB and I guess I am just not ready to go that far from home. UCLA is what I wanted but I did not get in. Should I just go to the JC to try and transfer? Maybe I should submit two SIR’s? I think the students at UCB are probably more my type but I just can’t get myself to go there. Also I don’t know what I want to do with my major.</p>