My dream school has been UCLA since forever, but after being waitlisted these are my top two options. I was admitted into UT Austin CNS, but no honors as opposed to UCSB honors. I see that the UCSB rankings are higher than Austin’s, but everyone keeps telling me to go to Austin! Can anyone compare the schools to UCLA or help me make my decision? Any help is appreciated.
Also if this makes a difference: I am very social, but also super hardworking. 35 ACT, 4.6 WGPA. (I also got into UCSD but I’ve heard the social aspects are not the best)
Looking at your test scores, UCSB honors seems doable, but you have to maintain a certain GPA overall (maybe 3.5), which could be added pressure. What is your intended major because that should have some bearing on your decision?
UCSB student body demographics is pretty similar to UCLA’s, just making a stroll through both campuses confirms this. UCLA sits in a more urbanized environment and trumps UCSB’s on campus environment, not that UCSB’s is bad by any stretch, but UCLA has a grand and stately feel with a modern vibe. But UCSB is right on the ocean and just off campus it is so easy and friendly, and no smog,
UT is more a sports school and it is large. You may be more a number at UT unless you are a graduate student. The vibe is different due to the brashness of the state versus the laid back CA attitude. Probably if you have grown up in Texas you may find it harder to adapt to UCLA’s and UCSB’s cultural diversity, although UCSB is probably less concerned with such issues.