<p>Hey guys,
So I just found out I got into UCLA off of the waitlist for physics but I'm conflicted as to whether I should go there now. Currently, I filled my SIR for UCSB in physics (I'm in the honors program + I applied to the CCS physics). From a strictly academic standpoint, which school has the better physics overall? (I posted a similar thread in the UCSB forum to see what responses I would get).</p>
<p>Any response would be greatly appreciated as I only have about two days to decide.</p>
<p>I was in a similar position as you just not a physics major. Came to UCLA. Don’t regret the decision at all. I’d say come here, but I know that UCSB is well known for physics so that makes the decision slightly more difficult. If you want a higher GPA though I suggest you stay where you are.</p>
<p>Coming from a student here, I’d say go to UCSB or maybe even an easier school if you plan to go to grad school. UCLA ruined my chances for that, which I would easily have gotten had I attended another school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response everyone! I think at this point I’m leaning heavily towards sticking with UCSB. The only qualm I have is that the students at SB won’t be as serious (but that is a minor complaint).</p>
<p>ucla111, have you ever stopped to think and realize for a second that if you really were smart enough and had things going for you to get into grad school, UCLA isn’t what ruined you? It was probably your own stupidity.</p>
<p>Think about it. A person with things to do, responsibilities to keep, jobs to work, courses to study (all the characteristics for a good potential grad student) wouldn’t be making an account on a random internet forum, literally copy pasting “Don’t go to UCLA, I didn’t get in grad school because of UCLA” into ever perspective students’s thread. You have 10 posts, all 10 of them literally say the same thing with minor wording differences. “UCLA ruined me, UCLA ruined my chances at getting into grad school.” Unless UCLA murdered your mom or your dad, raped your siblings, and stole from you, chances are you ruined yourself and that’s why you feel the need to stick the blame of failure on the school and not yourself. </p>
<p>Some people are too stupid to understand just how stupid they are. That’s part of the territory. </p>
<p>(response copy pasted from another thread, just like you do with your posts)</p>
<p>I’m going to UCLA in the fall so i can’t really say too much yet. But i know that UCLA’s science programs are in general pretty great. There are great internship programs if you put in the effort to find them. The way i see it, you’d be doing a LOT of extra work in the honors program at santa barbara which could hurt your GPA(i’m not too sure). If you go to UCLA, you’d be getting a top level education and like one of the last posts shows, your GPA will not be killed or anything. There’s that theory that top universities already expect you to do really well so they don’t try to damage your gpa. You can’t really look at all things from a strictly academic standpoint. UCSB has a reputation as a party school. (i’m not saying that their academics are completely compromised, it’s a great school!) When you’re looking for a grad school, it’s a major plus that you came from UCLA. My uncle who recruits workers tells me that they always prefer candidates that come from UCLA or other prestigious schools like Cal. If you got off waitlist, you’re definitely UCLA material. It’s all up to you. gl</p>
<p>Go to UCLA, no question. The UCLA name is much more well-known, so if you decide to switch majors, change your career track or whatever, the UCLA prestige will always be there to help you. If it was UC Davis vs. UCSB, LMU vs. Pepperdine vs. Chapman, or UC Irvine vs. UCSB, then the prestige gap wouldn’t matter.</p>