Hi everyone, my son is trying to choose between UCLA and UCSB as a Political Science major. He has an interest in working in politics and possibly journalism or photojournalism. Would love to hear thoughts about anyone’s experiences at either school to help him make an informed choice.
UCLA, being in Los Angeles, privides students many excellent opportunities, including in the government/political world. US News rank UCLA’s graduate Political Science department #12. UCSB is not even ranked in the top 40, which might make sense, since UCSB is well known for the sciences, biology, engineering, etc. Undergraduate studies rankings usually piggyback off graduate studies.
Neither UCLA nor UCSB offer journalism, and it probably wouldn’t matter, but he should try to work for the student newspaper at whatever school he chooses, whether the Daily Bruin or the Daily Nexus. There are other college-affiliated papers besides those two.
As far as his political science studies, I don’t think it will matter much which school he chooses to possibly enter politics; his success is going to depend on his charisma to be elected. He isn’t going to obtain it better at one school or another, but his studies will undoubtedly help him for the office.
Perhaps, then, he should just choose whatever school by wherever he feels more comfortable, feels more inspired, feels the greater tug, etc.