UCLA vs UCI

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi all, I am currently facing a difficult decision between these two schools. I got accepted into UCLA for Mathematics of Computation and UCI for Computer Science this Fall 2013 as a transfer student. </p>

<p>My dilemma rests in the fact that UCLA is, well, UCLA. What worries me however is the fact that I won't be a Computer Science major there. Simply put, I will be a math major that's allowed to take CS courses at the SEAS (which I believe will grant me lower priority when it comes to enrollment compared to the SEAS students). Will the lowest priority in enrollment at UCLA even matter as much? I also don't want to be pigeonholed into math for the rest of my life since I will be a math major there. UCI, however, is also appealing to me because I will be admitted there as a plain Computer Science major (which is the major I actually want). There is also the fact that it has its own computer science college (ie, more money allocated for its own research and other resources for its students).</p>

<p>It's a bit of a tug of war between the two for me because I know I will have access to UCLA's highly reputable computer science department and resources, but I won't necessarily be part of it--how much access as a non-SEAS student, I'm not so sure. I am mainly worried about opportunities (which grad school do most UCLA/UCI students in my major get into, jobs, how easy is it to get into good research at either school, etc). </p>

<p>I am also considering dropping my Linear Algebra class (which I am struggling in this semester simply because of my course load) if I decide to go with UCI. The deadline to drop with a W is this Monday, April 27th.</p>

<p>I would sincerely appreciate any input from students from either school that know/are students in these majors. Simply put, I am really really confused. HELP :[</p>

2

<p>Employers care more about your skills than your school. It sounds like CS at UCI is the better option for you, although a UCLA math major with a few programming courses shouldn’t have a hard time finding work, either.</p>

<p>Linear algebra can be pretty valuable in a lot of computer applications. If you drop it, make sure you take it again later on.</p>

3

<p>I am aware of that, but like I said, I am also worried about having lowest priority for enrolling in CS courses at UCLA. And the only reason I’m planning on dropping linear algebra if I decide to go to UCI is to free up some space on my schedule this semester to allow me to get better grades because my school’s linear algebra course doesn’t articulate with UCI’s.</p>

4

<p>Anyone? 10char</p>