<p>So, I was accepted to UCSB with honors. However, I was also accepted to UCSD, which was my absolute first choice. I know that the honors program gives you priority registration, but would it really be worth giving up my first choice? I don't drink and don't like partying (nor do I particularly enjoy people who do), so the social aspect isn't much of a factor. I guess I'm just wondering if I should give up my first choice just for the honors program (also, the honors program requires a 3.6 and community service, the former seems difficult to keep in college and the latter shouldn't be forced IMO). Thanks!</p>
<p>Note: I'm undeclared but leaning more towards math, science, or engineering. Also, I'm thinking about cognitive science, and UCSD has an amazing program.</p>
<p>Yeah I’m 99% sure I’m going to UCSD. It has been my dream school for over a year, and I was shocked/elated that I got in. I just don’t know much about UCSB honors (or UCSB, for that matter.)</p>
<p>if the social aspect isn’t any part of your decision then choose UCSD. The education is amazing (from what I heard). But have in mind, UCSD may be boring during the weekends due to it’s strict policy on “No alcohol on campus”. Besides that UCSD and UCSB have similar aspects (Being that they are both really close to the beach). UCSD is by far bigger than UCSB so I don’t know what you feel about that, but when I visited I was fine with it. Heard there are a lot of uphills so biking is tedious at time but I did see lots of long boarders. </p>
<p>Sum it up:
UCSD education > UCSB’s
UCSD social life < UCSB’s
UCSD campus size > UCSB’s</p>
<p>I have no idea what there is to do in SB, but around UCSD there is the biggest mall in San Diego - UTC.</p>
<p>Well, when people complain about lack of social life at UCSD, I can’t tell if they mean lack of parties or lack of social interaction in general. I mean, there are many active clubs and organizations to join, right? And people are willing to hang out on a Friday or Saturday? I’ve always though the lack of a “social scene” was good for me, but I’m hoping that it doesn’t bleed into the other sober activities as well.</p>
<p>A UC is a UC is a UC is a UC. The type of education you get at UCSB and UCSD will pretty much be the exact same, professors from both schools are extremely knowledgable in their areas. My Asian American Studies professor studied at UC Berkeley for his undergrad and went to Harvard Law for his graduate, the professors here, as well as UCSD are very reputable. Now if you’re talking about “reputation” then yeah UCSD is probably ahead of SB by a few rankings (In fact SB is ranked higher than SD in the Times Higher Education Survey, but hell rankings can only go so far). </p>
<p>For the partying thing, it’s kind of exaggerated but kind of true as well, there are alot of students who like to party. But at the same time there are alot of students who don’t like to as well. There are alot of partiers mainly because IV (the town where the parties occur) is right next to the campus. I myself don’t drink or smoke, I haven’t been to a single party during my stay at SB. I can assure you that it’s very easy to avoid, so don’t think of parties as the deciding factor.</p>
<p>Your main deciding factor should be how you like the campus and which school is better for your major. The honors program is very nice, it lets you register for classes alot easier than most people. However if you’re already coming in with alot of units then it doesn’t matter too much. If you’re not coming in with many units, then that’s a different story. However if SD has a better program for your major and you like the campus better, then you should go there.</p>
<p>word Fendi. It boggles me how lots of people will avoid the idea of attending UCSB because of their status of a “Party school,” yet everyone in UCSB are well qualified and educated students still maintaining their grades.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. Like I said in the first post, the party scene is not a factor other than trying to avoid complete hermits. The thing is, I love both campuses, but UCSD felt more “right” for me (although I could also easily see myself at UCSB.) I’ll be coming it with 2-4 AP tests (APUSH, English lit, maybe bio, maybe calc ab). So not very many units. Like I said, I’m leaning towards UCSD just because it felt right, but honestly, so did UCSB to a slightly lesser extent (could definitely see myself at either one for four years.) I guess I need more insight into how much easier things will be if I’m signing up for classes before most other students.</p>