<p>This is starting to become a very hard decision. I got in both UCI and UCSB and am trying to decide which one to attend. In a school, i’m looking for balance. I want to have a social life, and attend an academically strong university. I’m majoring in Biology and as far as I can see, UCI is a better school for the Biology major. However, I feel as if I will not like it because of the following:</p>
<li><p>Social factor- Iv’e heard from many friends that UCI’s social life isn’t all that great. There isn’t much to do in Irvine. </p></li>
<li><p>Commuter Reputation- Many students at UCI do not live on campus, which most likely contributes to the lack of a social life.</p></li>
<li><p>Asians- I’m not trying to be racist, many of my friends are Asians, but 50%+ is a little weird for me. I want to attend a diverse campus, however, I would be moronic to say that UCSB more of a diverse because we all know it is not. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>As for UCSB, I hear that you can have much more fun there, along with attending a good school. However, I do not want to graduate knowing that I attended a “party school.” I don’t want employers to look at me and assume that i’m a hard core hooligan. I do not drink, I do not do drugs, but I do want the social aspect offered at UCSB. So, to the con’s for UCSB.</p>
<li><p>Party School- All you do is party? I really hope this is an exageration, if not, I would probably prefer this school over UCI.</p></li>
<li><p>Biology program- How is it compared to UCI?</p></li>
<li><p>It’s mostly whites, but i’m white/latino so I will not complain.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Please, someone give me your input on my situation. Thanks to all in advanced.</p>
<p>hm.. if i was in your position UCI seems like a more solid choice because of major. I wouldn't sweat the social aspect unless you need hardcore parties. yeah the commuting thing bugs me too. i'd rather hang out with my friends and just sit around than have a party.</p>
<p>Ok here's my opinion to everything. It's definitely a hard decision to pick between to schools, but picking the one you would enjoy more would probably be better in the long run. </p>
<p>Frist, the social life at each UC. UCSB still has a bit of a college town feel to it according to my cousin. Parties at UCSB are common. It should feel as if 70% of the school parties all the time while the other 30% (mostly engineers) actually put a lot of time studying and keeping up the rankings of the school. UCI's commuter reputation does create a huge factor in the social life but your social life depends on how much you put into it. For example if you're a picky person when it comes to friends then being lonely is only your loss. You may have gotten more friends at UCSB easily since the social atmosphere is more lively, but if you put effort into your life at UCI then you'll have fun. It all depends on you. BTW if you care about your social life that much then I already have a feeling that you will grab a drink during your stay at UCSB (or UCI) with no hesitation. As for drugs, there is still a chance you will pick some up. Don't think you can stay clean that easily.</p>
<p>Next I want to address the race issue. I understand you are not racist but being worried about the high asian count is not truly justified. We Asians can act like a stereotypical white person or a stereotypical asian person. We are just normal human beings affected by our environment. Besides, there are 20k undergrads. You'll find some friends; it all depedns on how much effort you put in.</p>
<p>Lastly, there is the issue of education. UCSB and UCI allocate their money in totally different ways when it comes to their programs. UCSB has more money in engineering and UCI has more money in biology. I have a few friends at UCSB in engineering (including my cousin) that believe the bio program there is a joke. This is opinions from others so don't flame me for it. </p>
<p>Pick the school that best suits your wants and needs. It's probably better going to the school that you feel proud of going to. Good luck in your decision.</p>
<p>Hmm, I see the point of both of you. So UCI so far does seem like the better choice. Another thing is that I tend to enjoy staying up late and hanging out with friends. I heard UCI feels deserted after 9:00-10:00.. Is this true?</p>
<p>Is UCSB's science department really that bad?</p>
<p>From what I've read and heard, the biology department at UCSB may feel a bit too dry for me since I care about academics. And, yes, UCI may feel quite after 10. The town is structured that way by the company that basically owns it...haha. You can easily drive to other cities around UCI such as Newport Beach to do something though. If you like to stay up late and hang out it will only affect you if you want to go to a certain place to hang. But normally hangout places close at 10-11pm at other cities too.</p>
<p>I think that it is a difficult decision, but I also think that you are reading into the stereotypes too much. Yes, UCI is a "commuter school" but there are sooo many people who don't comute...Also, I was just visiting the campus today (the high asian population was something that bothered me a tad) and I found the school fairly diverse. I am white and did not feel out of place at all! I loved it haha.
Ok UCSB, my sister went there. It is in no way going to impact how companies see you when applying for a job. Isla Vista is crazy on the weekends but that is not ON campus and not everyone parties hard (although its a fun option to have, it can get old).
Both schools are great and as a transfer I'm choosing between the two myself. I have similar concerns that you do...
In anycase, both campuses are beautiful, there seems to be potential of a social life at both (might have to try a tad harder at UCI). Visit the schools, you'll know what you like.</p>
<p>making these topics on specific school boards (UCI in this case) always has a noticeable effect on the responses.</p>
<p>do you think the people attending UCI right now who are reading this will know about UCSB? of course not. so pretty much, go and make your own impressions. post this on the UCSB board and you'll get more answers for UCSB.</p>
<p>I'd actually have a bias towards UCSB if you truly liked to party and are in engineering haha. Cisco is starting to invade the campus, and I want to work there in the future :P. It's one of the best treating jobs out there!</p>
<p>Of course people are have baises. What were you expected?</p>
<p>Just visit both schools to see which one you like more. They are the same academically. Go to the one your friends are choosing because you're likely to have the same perferences as they.</p>
<p>I would say irvine has a better biology program...
and if you want to go by the rankings,
usnews rankings: irvine is higher than santa barbara. (irvine is higher than davis because davis people reported their stats wrong.)
the top 100 global rankings by newsweek: uci doesn't even rank while ucsb is ranked 59</p>
<p>Whoa hold up there. This time around there were no UCD reporting errors. THAT IS THE PAST! Anyway, if you really want to do graduate school and are really serious, having a stronger, well funded program really opens you up to possible labs or classmates that also have the same goals to study with. There are so many plusses to going to a school that specializes in your major if you have that **actual<a href="keyword%20actual">/B</a> desire to excel in that particular field.</p>
<p>So I got into UCI and UCSB!--and I'm banking on those two schools. I hear that UCi has a better reputation but a more dry campus experience while i hear that UCSB has more of a campus life. The ranking, overall, too are pretty close with UCI being the #4 UC and UCSB being the #5 UC.
I just wanted to know what the pros and cons of both schools are--both Academically and socially.</p>