UCI vs. UCSD vs. UCSB for English

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

I live just outside of Los Angeles and will not be moving after I transfer from my CCC. I will be commuting due to not waiting to uproot my family for undergrad and I do plan to either go on grad or professional school so GPA is important.

I am trying to narrow my list of UC schools to apply to so I can ensure I meet all the major prep requirements. Which two would you apply to between UCI, UCSB & UCSD for English keeping in mind I am also applying to UCLA (English) & UCR (Creative Writing) and I am not moving outside of the Los Angeles area.

UCI
Pros: Close to home, respected English department, creative writing concentration
Cons: requires more pre-reqs compared to UCSB and requires foreign language (which I would need to start from level 1)

UCSD
Pros: Seems more highly regarded than UCSB but I don’t know much about if that regard extends to English or is just in STEM. Has Literature & Writing major
Cons: requires more pre-reqs compared UCSB and different pre-reqs than UCI and requires foreign language (which I would need to start from level 1), distance of commute is intense but would likely only be 2-3 times per week.

UCSB
Pros: They have a College of Creative Studies Literature and Writing major option. No additional foreign language requirement, I can take two lit in translation classes after transfer. Only one pre-req still needed and it is also needed for UCR/UCI & UCB.
Cons: Distance of commute is intense but would likely only be 2-3 times per week.
and seems less regarded in English than the other UCs

So….which two would you apply to between UCI, UCSB & UCSD for English keeping in mind I am also applying to UCLA & UCR and I am not moving outside of the Los Angeles area.

2

It seems you have given this a reasonable amount of thought. I can relate as I too have those I need to consider during my own journey towards completing my undergrad. I gave a lot of weight to the commute and how I would go about doing it. I want to be near enough to be able to respond to emergencies as my family is extremely small and we have no one really else to call if something were to happen. Not to mention all UC’s are competitive to some extent. Almost every person that I’ve talk to that has transferred has said GPA is fragile and only the top students have a 4.0. That being said, time taking to commute takes time away from studying and other obligations you have. However, everyone’s situation is different so ultimately it comes down to what you can manage.

If I were in your shoes, I’d pick UCI and UCSD. Good luck!

3

Post graduation goals?

You may want to look at class schedules to see if you really can get a 2-3 day schedule at UCSB and UCSD.