UCI vs UCSC - CS and CE

Hey there CC folks, I’m having a tough time deciding between two UCs I’ve been accepted to. I’m in for Computer Engineering at UC Santa Cruz and in for Computer Science at UC Irvine. To give some background about myself, I hale from the Bay Area and am more inclined towards programming/mathematics rather than dealing with the hardware (As such, my preferred degree is computer science). I am aware that both fields also classes that overlap, and so for UCSC I am considering doing a major in CE and minor in CS. Furthermore, while a lot of people inform me that UCI’s CS program is better since it has its own department for ICS, UCSC is also offering me a campus merit scholarship for each year that I meet certain qualifications, which is really what makes this decision hard for me. When taking into account that scholarship, the price for each ends up about the same.

Before I list any pros and cons, I would like to point out that I acknowledge and understand that college decisions are, at the heart, subjective and based on personal decision and how comfortable I feel at each. I’ve visited each college in person and am feeling great vibes from both, but I also feel like I don’t have enough “insider” information, if you know what I mean. I have scoured the forums for students who are facing similar dilemmas and found useful information about the programs of both, but I guess what I’m failing to find is any input about what you guys have to say about quality of life, obtaining internships, and subsequent job opportunities at each college. Here are my observations:

UC Santa Cruz:

  • Offering a $2000 scholarship each year I attend as long as I have 3.0 GPA
  • Closer to Silicon Valley as well being closer to home
  • Vibrant campus atmosphere
  • Middle of forest (this would complement well with studying)
  • Going for CE rather than CS. However, from what I’ve heard, their computer science and computer engineering programs are relatively flexible and they both lead to almost the same positions (?). My rationale for applying to CE was that some experience in hardware would help me to better understand the integration between software and hardware which I think would be beneficial later on.

UC Irvine:

  • Has its own reputable ICS department, allowing me explore further options
  • More affluent community
  • Objectively higher-ranked
  • Large Asian demographic, but I really don’t mind.

Much of the information above is really just pros, but when it comes down to it, it’s less of the cons I struggle with and more about how much each college has to offer me. Also, this is less of a college preference and more of a practicality question, but I noticed that both UCSC and UC Irvine are both within proximity of great tech companies, but UCSC has a little bit of an upper edge by being closer to Silicon Valley (which is where I would I like to land a job at). To counter that, UCI also has a really close Google outpost and I was wondering if that helps too. As such, I was wondering how much of an impact location has (between UCSC and UCI) when landing an internship or job.

In essence, I guess what draws me towards UCI is its prestige and unique ICS department while UCSC boasts its proximity to Silicon Valley, a more active atmosphere, as well as a decent scholarship. As for the partying scene, I’m don’t think I’ll be doing much of that; just want to put that out there. Any input from alumni, current students, or anyone in the CS and/or CE program would be immensely appreciated!

Hey cyberviolinist, you may not believe it, but I am in the same exact boat as you. Got offered 2000 at UCSC. and am comparing these two colleges. I live in the south bay area, and got into CS for both schools. Based upon your interest in the more theoretical side of things alone, I would go to Irvine if I were you, but am unsure as to how I would make the decision for myself since I was admitted into CS for both.
I got into UCSC’s honors program which means I get course enrollment priority there.
In your case, I have heard switching from CS to CE is easier than the other way around, which is also a plus point for Irvine. I have also heard that getting a good GPA at UCSC is easier due to the comparatively weaker student body. This may help with graduate school admissions if that interests you.
Anyway, let me know your end decision and why you made it, I myself only have a few days to decide, and may end up just flipping a coin.