UCD/UCI/UCSB for Psychology

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hello! I have gotten into UCD, UCI, and UCSB all under psychology variants. My future goals currently are to get a PhD/PsyD and become a Neuropsychologist/Professor.

I am leaning towards UCSB, with UCI closely behind, but don’t want to cross UCI or UCD off my list. Money is not an issue because I was awarded the same at every school plus Cal Grant.
Here are my reasonings for all the schools:

~UCSB~
Pros:
-an hour from home and close to SO
-FREE housing in the heart of SB with my sister
+means I would avoid the rowdy nature of IV, and wouldn’t have to work during the school year
-accepted into ideal major, no hassle switching
+love this major and the courses I get to take
-love the SB area and find the environment idealistic to live in (nature, shops, etc(
Cons:
-not as strong of a psych program (from what I’ve hear)
-their research isn’t really talked about? but part of my major I get research
-personally not a fan of the campus
-although living outside of IV is nice, I feel like i would struggle making friends and wouldn’t feel as included at UCSB

~UCI~
Pros:
-tons and tons of research
-lots of post-undergrad opportunities to work/intern in LA/OC
-two and a half hours from home and closest to SO
-highly esteemed institution
+unsure if this is fully true, but I feel as if UCI’s academics (especially in STEM), may be the best
-lots to do around the area
Cons:
-lack of diversity is a huge turnoff to me
-I am personally not much of an “urban” person
-I don’t know much about this school and struggle finding information on it. the people i talk to either love UCI or have no opinion on it
-expensive to live here especially since I’ll have to work to pay rent

~UCD~
Pros:
-absolutely in love with the campus and people
+was my first choice out of HS
-close to brother and extended family in SF
-very naturey
-good research
-has the most established psych program (ive heard)
+but may lack in their STEM strength?
Cons:
-really far (6-8ish hours), I used to want to be super far from home but now I prefer the convenience being in SoCal
-may lack in STEM strength?
-not much in the surrounding area although the Bay is about 2 hours away

I have been thinking about which school to choose from ever since mid-April and I feel stuck in a circle of thoughts.

Any information regarding or programs or even opinions are welcomed. Thank you! :slight_smile:

2

Hi, I’m a senior in hs and I wanted to ask you something. For the major of psychology in UCI, do they have required classes you take for freshman and sophmore year? I’m having a hard time finding information! Anyways, I plan on applying to UCI and putting my major as psychology or undeclared since I want to apply for their nursing program! I’m doing this is because I’ll have a higher chance getting into the nursing program if I commit to that school. The acceptance rate would jump from 1.7% to 8%. But the thing is that there are prerequisites I need to take for nursing and I don’t know if I can complete them if I major into “psychology.” I want to apply as undeclared, but I’m scared that I won’t be able to get accepted. I’m having a hard time because I don’t have the best grades although I try my best. pLEASE HELP! Do I need to take GE courses during my freshman year there if I get in?

Another thing is that I want to do nursing as a major and psychology as a minor, but I’m scared I won’t even get in.

3

@parkc , you should start your own thread in the UCI forum. This thread is several months old and is in the UC transfer forum, and your question is about lower-division requirements.

There’s also a Nursing forum under College Majors.

Generally, trying to change majors into nursing is even harder than getting in as a freshman. It’s probably best to apply to a program where you’re competitive for nursing, if that’s what you want to do.