<p>I'm an international undergraduate applicant from India. I have gotten into Purdue and would most probably make it to SB as well. However, I'm thoroughly confused and have been largely unsuccessful when it comes to deciding between the two. In order to aid my decision, it would be great if you could rank them based on the following metrics: </p>
<p>1) College life: I'm sure UCSB's the better of the two in this regard, but I'd love to hear what you guys have to say about it anyway. </p>
<p>2) Job opportunities: This is something I haven't been able to come to a conclusion about. Purdue is ranked slightly higher (depending on where you look), but I suppose SB would benefit from being in a state more inclined towards IT (?). </p>
<p>3) Overall: If you were in my shoes and were admitted to both of these great institutions for an undergraduate Computer Science degree, what would be your choice and why? </p>
<p>Purdue is by far the better choice. The top CS programs in the UC system are UCB and UCLA. UC Davis is probably third. UCSB is lower. Employers in California are very aware of the pecking order. With good grades and internships you’ll do well in a future job hunt with a degree from Purdue.</p>
<p>Hello, my son is at Purdue. I wonder, have you been able to see it in person? Anyway, it is absolutely stunning. It’s a quintessential college town, with beautiful brick buildings from the late 1800’s. You would think you are at Harvard or something by the look of it. My son loves the Big 10 sports. We went to a home football game (parents day ) and you just can’t believe the spirit that this town has for Purdue. I think every man, women and child in West Layette and surrounding areas showed up! There is also lots of greek life and parties (much to my dismay as a parent, ha ha). He’s not a CS major but mechanical engineering, but all majors have job fairs often. Companies are already after him . He is already doing a Co- op for General Electric. Love Purdue. I’m from San Diego, native Californian and you do not see that kind of passionate school spirit at most CA schools. I also love Purdue’s mantra, which is do something good in the world, make a difference. Boiler up!~</p>
<p>I think you should choose Purdue if you’re not that into party seen. There aren’t many Indians at UCSB as there is at Purdue. Many will make fun of you and discriminate because you are Indian and have the accent. You might possibly have a better social life at Purdue. Engineering students are a minority at UCSB but a majority at Purdue. I woudn’t really worry about job placement but if you’re more inclined to work near California, choose UCSB. I would choose Purdue because I really think you will fit in there better than UCSB.</p>
<p>Check out the employers who recruit at UCSB. I am baffled by the idea that employers don’t recruit there, as close as it is to Silicon Valley. I have also never heard of people being made fun of for an accent at UCSB. Students at UCSB are pretty renowned for being chill, and friendly to everyone. </p>
<p>Purdue may also be great, I don’t know a lot about Purdue, however, the image of UCSB given in the posts above is really warped.</p>
<p>I didn’t respond to this post before because I can’t rank with a college I am not familiar with (Purdue). However, UCSB is an awesome place to go to school. </p>
<p>Have you actually stayed at UCSB? I roomed there for a week with my friend and there’s a a bit of racism going on. There is a rare number of Indians who join frats or attend parties at UCSB. I have met an Indian or two at UCSB and they were really chill and accepted but they lived in US their entire lives. Indian culture and American culture might conflict to some. </p>
<p>Bouncer, you seem to be equating “social life” with frats and parties, and implying that because few international Indians participate in said fraternities and parties, there must be racism. </p>
<p>I think you are jumping to conclusions based on your definition of a good social life. Many students at UCSB have great social lives and don’t partake in the party scene. Or have their OWN party scene.</p>
<p>OP, I don’t have experience with Purdue either (other than my parents having met there ), so it’s hard to compare. One thought is, UCSB is more chill and live-and-let-live. A previous poster described the team spirit at the football game at Purdue. Well, Santa Barbara doesn’t even have a team! You’re not going to get the same kind of “rah-rah” school spirit. But Gauchos do love their school! Intramural sports are very big. And you get lots of opportunity for water sports, such as kayaking and scuba.</p>
<p>Purdue: 8% of women, 10% of men
UCSB: 12% of women, 8% of men</p>
<p>Re: demographics</p>
<p>Purdue: 16.5% international from 90 countries; US students are 81.0% white, 5.7% Asian<em>, 4.4% Latino, 4.0% black, 2.6% unknown, 2.0% multiracial (not Latino), 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Hawaiian and Pacific Islander
UCSB: 2.9% international from 76 countries; US students are 43.2% white, 24.4% Latino, 23.5% Asian</em>, 3.9% black, 3.8% unknown, 1.0% Native American, 0.2% Hawaiian and Pacific Islander</p>
), so it’s hard to compare. One thought is, UCSB is more chill and live-and-let-live. A previous poster described the team spirit at the football game at Purdue. Well, Santa Barbara doesn’t even have a team! You’re not going to get the same kind of “rah-rah” school spirit. But Gauchos do love their school! Intramural sports are very big. And you get lots of opportunity for water sports, such as kayaking and scuba.</p>