<p>So I applied to UCSB for Chemical Engineering, and was accepted with honors. I also learned that they have a program where you learn chemical engineering as well as business skills, which is exactly what I want. I also got accepted into Berkeley, however it was into Undeclared (Pre-Business) Letters & Science. What do you guys think, UCSB or double major in Chemistry and Business or just single major in Business?</p>
<p>Ok well doing more research I believe double major at Berkeley in Chem and trying to get into Haas is just stupid, so any recommendations?</p>
<p>Double major at Berkeley would be so intense.
If you already know that program is exactly what you want, what's left to question?
I know Berkeley has the prestige and all. I heard only 50% get into Haas program . But have you thought about which school you like social scene & location wise? I think they're two totally different campuses..</p>
<p>If UCSB has "exactly what [you] want", i'd go with that.</p>
<p>UCSB has a fantastic chemical engineering department. If you want to major in ChemE and UCSB has "exactly what [you] want", I'd go with that as well - like JP said.</p>
<p>Please visit both campuses if you can. They are very different.</p>
<p>If you choose Berkeley, you can try and enroll in chemical engineering or chemistry...Berkeley's College of Chemistry is phenomenal. In either case, after your ChemE degree, you can always go for an MBA to acquire business skills. You need to decide though...chemical engineering or business...it's tough to do both.</p>
<p>Good luck and congrats on your acceptances.</p>
<p>You can also major in chemistry through L&S at Cal.</p>
<p>What about UCSB's and Cal's programs attracts you? Do you think that your interests are likely to change while you are in college?</p>
<p>Well I have a huge list of pros and cons for each university, so I'm still split down the middle. I'm taking a trip to both again for 2 days. Here goes:</p>
<p>Santa Barbara:
Good:
Honors program, can't beat the location, good potential for social life, less competition (good or bad), has Chemical Engineering + Business skills.
Bad:
Too nice of weather, too many distractions (beer, girls, and the like), not as well known, harder to get into post grad (MBA or other), </p>
<p>Berkeley:
Good:
Excellent reputation and name more cutthroat competition for business (good, as that is how it is in the business world), good surrounding city, good food, higher intellectuals.
Bad:
Possible depression from overstudy, possibly lower GPA for classes, less appealing of weather/location, less potential for social life (possibly good, would allow me to study more), </p>
<p>So both have its pros and cons, and I know some are stereotypical. As far as interests, well I don't think I'll be really attracted to the party scene regardless if I go to Santa Barbara or Cal since I've gotten it out of my system my Junior year and first half of my Senior year, kinda the same old ****. Another problem with Berkeley is lack of mobility within the colleges i.e. it would be difficult to transfer to ChemE from L&S. However, it would be easier to switch from Berkeley to Santa Barbara if I found I hated Berkeley. So I'm really torn between the two. I'm going to talk to some counselours from both and see what I can do.</p>
<p>I got into UCSB Honors and honestly, it was not even a question for me when I learned of being admitted to Cal. The UCSB Honors program seemed pretty useless (OMG, you get access to the grad student library! COOL) If you want to be able to say you graduated college with honors, you can do that at Cal - just get the grades you need. That said, the ChemE program at Santa Barbara is one of the best in the nation - easily, top 10. Look at whether you want to do chemical engineering, as opposed to pure chemistry. If its the former, then choose UCSB. If not, choose Berkeley. (I'm assuming that location, social scene, other such non-academic factors are equal for you.)</p>
<p>UCSB chemical engineering is top notch and world reknown and will definitely open doors. Do you have preferences in location?</p>
<p>I love the location of Santa Barbara, but I think I would be more laid back and not as focused if I went there. In the long run, I want to have more success, but I also don't want to regret not having a good time in college. I guess I don't have a preference with that being said.</p>
<p>Make another visit and talk to your counselors. </p>
<p>I understand your concern about distractions...my cousin went to UCSB and got caught up partying and had to drop out due to poor grades. </p>
<p>I'm sure you'll be more focused...but UCSB does have an enticing environment for an 18 y/o kid.</p>
<p>Hey! What did you end up choosing and why? I am in the exact situation except I am in the college of chemistry at berkeley and transferring into ChemE at UCSB currently.</p>
<p>Same here. I am a cc transfer student trying to decide between UCSB and UCB for chemE.</p>