UCSB CCS/UChic(/UCB) Physics and Maths

College Majors Science Majors
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<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>Over the next few days I have to decide over UCSB CCS, UC Berkeley and U Chicago. I'm completely set on a Physics & Maths double major, but I am absolutely torn between these schools and need help from current students/anyone who has relevant knowledge which could help me.
What I have:</p>

<p>UCSB CCS (please look up this program if you don't know it, it's very different from the normal UCSB college of L&S)
- Smaller, focused program, makes up for large class sizes of public universities like UCB
- Research opportunities! Lots of potential papers, research, internships under the belt by graduation time
- Course freedom, taking upper-division courses, graduate courses. Less general education requirements for CCS students.
- UCSB's physics reputation in general
- Cons are perhaps UCSB students are a little too laid back? I tend to prefer being surrounded by highly driven, academically strong students. Would CCS make up for this?</p>

<p>UCB
- Name, reputation
- Great physics program
- Cons are perhaps size (large lectures, no individual attention) and too much competition (competing for research opportunities, professor attention?)</p>

<p>U Chicago
- Name, reputation
- Great math program
- Very high level of academics guaranteed
- Cons are perhaps social life (but not a big deal) and random things like only giving one bachelor's degree despite a double major. Also perhaps the Core will take up much of my time, making it harder to double major. </p>

<p>What I'm not interested in is the weather, campus location, etc. Also tuition costs (international students). What I am interested in is primarily the level and rigour of the academics. Secondary is the research opportunities. </p>

<p>It's mainly down to CCS and UChic for me. I'm still considering UCB because a lot of people tell me that it would be a mistake to let go of UCB. Please do convince me on UCB if you feel that is my best choice. However, I would like ANY comments at all on CCS physics and maths and UChic physics and maths...keep in mind that CCS is different from the usual UCSB letters and science. I hope that CCS's freedom to make the academic experience as challenging/research-based as one wants makes up for UCSB's overall comparatively lower academic level. Basically I want to know if I can make my CCS experience as rigorous and academically strong as U Chicago's, in which case I would choose it because I love CCS and the philosophy (just not sure about academics and faculty). If not, then I would go for U Chicago because I am fairly sure that the academics and faculty are top-notch. </p>

<p>tldr; does CCS make UCSB top-notch, over U Chicago? Or is U Chicago the best option at the end of the day? From a purely academic standpoint, U Chic is guaranteed good, but does CCS's freedom, research, philosophy etc put it at par and at an advantage?
(And how about UC Berkeley?)</p>

<p>Thanks a lot for reading and please do give me your suggestions. I have to decide over the next few days so please stop by and drop in a reply! Thanks again.</p>

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</p>

<p>[Home</a> Page - Online Schedule Of Classes](<a href=“http://schedule.berkeley.edu%5DHome”>http://schedule.berkeley.edu) can give you an idea of class sizes at Berkeley. Note that there are many honors math and physics courses (course number prefixed with H) that are much smaller than the regular versions.</p>

<p>Check the class schedules on the other college web sites to see the class sizes there.</p>

<p>Any significant difference in net price and/or student loan debt between the schools?</p>

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<p>Double or dual majoring does not need to have 2 separate degrees to be recognized.</p>

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<p>@ucbalumnus, thanks, will check out the page, the honours option is one that I overlooked. I suppose it will be very competitive to get into though, and not all of my lower division courses will be available in honours?
No significant difference in overall costs for international students :/</p>

<p>@GLOBALTRAVELER, I see. What do you think of the B.A. offered in Physics at Chicago vs. the B.S. in other places, is it any less recognized?</p>

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<p>BA versus BS really does not matter. Note that Berkeley math and physics majors graduate with BA degrees.</p>

<p>At Berkeley, the honors math and physics courses are often in less demand than the regular versions.</p>

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<p>@ucbalumnus, okay, so it is a silly point to be concerned about I guess.
Thanks for the input</p>

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</p>

<p>Pretty much what UCBAlumnus said…</p>

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<p>I wouldn’t be to worried about the UCSB name recognition…</p>

<p>[CWTS</a> Leiden Ranking 2013 - Ranking](<a href=“http://www.leidenranking.com/ranking]CWTS”>CWTS Leiden Ranking - Ranking 2022)</p>

<p>On an international ranking they come in at #2 (up from #7 last year). They are also the 3rd happiest college student population in the US.</p>

<p><a href=“HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost”>HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost;

<p>CCS is a very unique program. And the individual attention you’d receive would be difficult to come by at your other choices. IMO…UCB is great for grad school. For UG’s…it has been described as a ‘soul crusher’. </p>

<p>My personal biases revealed…S will be starting UCSB this Fall. For both D and S the location and surrounding beauty of a campus affected their choices. UCB is pretty close to us…S spent a day on campus and that was just exhausting for him. The surrounding area of Berkeley is …well…unique. You have to know you will feel comfortable there (yes, yes, I know…part of college is getting out of your comfort zone…but if an urban environment does not feed your soul the chances of depression rise). Housing will be very expensive. Don’t know anything about UChicago but I think it is also very urban.</p>

<p>Now, some people thrive in an urban environment. My family does not. They are great places to visit but we are always happy to leave…and I grew up and went to University in SF!</p>

<p>Anyway, if you haven’t already done so…spend some time on the UCSB campus. I’d bet the head of the CCS department would be happy to set up a private tour. (They did this for my son in the ME department). It is beautiful place. And, as the above ranking shows…while not necessarily a CC favorite, it is getting the attention of those outside the CC bubble.</p>

<p>FWIW…our UCSB tour guide told us about the guy in the 80’s who took 84 units one quarter at CCS. They will allow this kind of stuff…if the academic rigor is of concern :)</p>

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<p>Thanks, guys!</p>

<p>dietz199, I have enrolled at the CCS :)</p>

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<p>Good choice</p>

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<p>Yes, Great choice!!</p>

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Hey so now that’s it’s been a few years, do you like the CCS program? Do you think you made the right choice?