<p>Ignorantly posted this in the wrong forum. Thanks to entomom for directing me to the right forum.</p>
<p>So having been admitted to both, I must make my decision. Now, I know that a lot of you are reading this and wondering how this could possibly be a tough decision for me, considering the prestige of UCLA vs. the party school reputation that UCSB has, but the fact of the matter remains that I've lived in Los Angeles my whole life and desperately want to experience something new.</p>
<p>Money is one issue however. Though I did receive a large amount of financial aid for both schools, $10000 still remains a cost left for me to pay on my own should I choose to get the full "UC package." I know that if I were to attend UCLA, I would opt out of living on campus and dining there to avoid that cost, but if were to attend UCSB I would be forced to bite the bullet and take out loans, do a work-study program, and use the little outside scholarship money I have. I'm having trouble deciding whether experiencing a new life in Santa Barbara would be worth the potential financial trouble later on down the road.</p>
<p>Another issue is grad school. Having been rejected from my dream school, Stanford, I want to apply there again for graduate school. As silly as it is, would the prestige of a UCLA degree verses a UCSB degree affect my admission chances? I know it's not an excuse, but it is something else to consider. I'm considering pursing a field in astronomy, engineering, or genetics. My reading tells me that these may be better pursued later on down the road in a technical school like Caltech or something, but I digress. I'm also considering studying music as I already play an instrument. Of course, these are all just plans and may change in the future, but this my direction for now. So would my goals be impeded at one school vs. the other?</p>
<p>All in all though, being rejected from my dream school turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. I get to pursue some activities that I've been wanting to for a while at both schools that aren't available at Stanford, so I'm pretty happy about that. All I need now is a little advice in making my decision. What do you think would be best in my situation?</p>
<p>You will experience lots of “new” at UCLA - a new environment, new people from all over the world, new professors - new living circumstances. UCLA is it’s own world so as much as you will be in LA - you will still have a lot of new experience. Save your money, go to the more prestigious school - this will bode well financially and for your future grad school prospects.</p>
<p>While i didn’t apply to UCSB (since i didn’t even know about it until after i applied) i did sort of regret it. UCSB certainly has a lovely campus, and it isn’t hard to imagine why you’d want to go there. I wouldn’t take out loans to go to it though. Trust me, when you’re done with college, you’ll be glad to have substantially less loans.</p>
<p>Well I’ve actually lived pretty near UCLA my whole life. I live about 9 miles away and I’ve been in Westwood and on the UCLA campus numerous times. As far as that goes it’s nothing new to me. Also, if I go to UCLA, I’ll still be living where I am now, so my living circumstances won’t really change much. I mean, I’d still have to pass by my old high school on my daily commute to UCLA. But as far as the UCLA atmosphere goes I understand what you mean. And does this prestige really matter that much? I mean, I’ve read a lot to counter this notion and the cosmologist Alex Filappenko who I admire went to UCSB and then Caltech for graduate school certainly counters it as well though he is part of the older generation. And it’s not like I’d be taking out $10000 in loans to go to UCSB. Some of it would come from work-study and perhaps a little support from my father.</p>
<p>Your last post pretty much answered your own questions and concerns. </p>
<p>You were wondering about SB’s prestige in getting into a top-flight grad program and you referenced Dr. Filappenko.</p>
<p>You were wondering about loans, but you’ve answered that also.</p>
<p>Go to SB … with your intiative and drive it’ll get you where you want to go. And if you’ve decided you’re not into the scene at SB once you’ve started attending there, you could always transfer to UCLA. I have no doubts you’d make it to UCLA in an inter-UC xfer; you sound like a star. But remember, SB’s probably closest to UCLA as far as any other UC comparisons. I’m guessing though, that you’ll love SB, which I guess could mean you’ll love UCLA. Again, just go to SB…</p>
<p>9 miles isn’t exactly close. In most places, 9 miles would be negligible, but in LA, within 9 miles the whole feel of the city changes depending on what neighborhood you’re in. And going to Westwood on, perhaps several occasions, isn’t really comparable to being one of the students there, taking advantage of the resources, being part of the community, etc.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Those cases are pretty rare. Whether you’d be able to do the same would depend on a number of things like your drive. </p>
<p>But regarding your main question, no, i don’t think prestige will really make a difference. My roommate’s friend got into Stanford from Angelo State, which is basically a prestigeless public university in Texas (although he graduated with a 4.0) If you work hard, you can get anywhere you want. </p>
<p>Be aware though that excessive partying can have an impact on your grades. I know someone who flunked out of humbolt state (stoner school.) transferred to Berkeley and graduated.</p>
<p>i’m not trying to dissuade you on your decision (in fact, if i were in your shoes, i might be making the same one.) i’m just trying to help you make an informed one. Your decision already seems made. However, if you lack the drive drax12 credits you with, you might be in quite a bit of debt, with no easy way to pay it off. So here’s my final advice. if you only have to pay 10k for 4 years, go to UCSB; if the 10k is annually at SB, go to UCLA.</p>