I was just accepted off the waitlist for UCSB today. I was planning to go to Cal Poly SLO. My major is econ - should I pick UCSB or Cal Poly SLO? (I also applied to Cal Poly SLO’s honor program but I won’t know the results until tomorrow.) I have to decide in like 3 days and would appreciate some help!
I’m not interested in partying and I know UCSB has a party culture which I’m kind of concerned about, but SLO also doesn’t have much diversity and is in a smaller town
I want to go to grad school but I’m thinking of getting a job after undergrad maybe and then going to grad
I’m also interested in an environmental sciences minor
I know SLO’s students have really good job opportunities but I don’t know much about UCSB in that respect
Any advice on whether I should go to SLO or UCSB for an econ degree?
UCSB’s party culture is well known, but I’ve read that it is pretty easy to avoid if you want to. I personally like the UCSB campus more, being right on the ocean. But the town of SLO is fantastic, and there isn’t a lot directly around UCSB except IV. The whole “learning by doing” Cal Poly model which emphasizes practical experience is really appealing. I would think UCSB has a more national reputation, but Cal Poly is definitely known elsewhere along the West Coast. It’s also a bit less expensive.
Again, I don’t think you can go wrong with either.
@bluris Congratulations on getting off the waitlist! You have two great choices and I don’t think there’s a bad decision. I’m a UCSB alum and absolutely loved my time there, and living in a college town. It was a really special place. If you’re considering accounting, UCSB definitely has the edge from a recruiting standpoint, but otherwise, I think it comes down to fit. Both great options- congrats again!
