UCSB or UCI for Psychology?

<p>Hi everyone!! :D</p>

<p>As a transfer student I am currently deciding between UCI and UCSB as a psychology major, and I am wondering which of the two has a better program? </p>

<p>UCI's social and behavioral psych program sounds interesting, but when comparing the course listings UCSB seems to have more class options overall. It would REALLY help to hear from past or current students, as I would also like to know of the campus atmosphere.
I feel UCI gets a bad rep for being a commuter school, and I am looking to live on campus ,is it really that empty?</p>

<p>I just seen your thread and I’m in the same boat as you!
However, I have been to UCSB and spent time there. It is a nice atmosphere for the most part. There is Isla Vista however, which I think is pretty shady. If you’re into partying then UCSB has plenty of that. Dorms for first years look pretty nice, but the “apartments” located on IV are way below what could be considered good for the amount you’d pay. The dorms are like I said nice, but not all that great either. I attended CSUCI and lived there and the dorms are really state of the art. My friends and girlfriend have attended SB for 4 years so I’ve seen the living conditions, but you will have a place to live. I’m not sure where you are from, but California weather is nice. I’ve lived here all my life, but I’d prefer colder areas. There are beaches next to it, but they’re not all their cracked up to be. I live in between Malibu and Ventura, so I’m surrounded by beaches. My problems with SB’s beach is the oil. There are oil rigs out in the distance so oil does tend to wash up. A lot of tar. Plus you will see little oil “stains” on the water which can get on you and sucks. If you surf I guess its alright. I won’t swim those waters. I’d rather drive down to where I live and swim here. Its really is a college town run by students. Theres the people who party hardcore and there is the rest of the student body. Not really hard to make friends there. Really diverse ethnically and culturally. However, I can’t speak for academics :). Hope this helps.</p>

<p>I can’t say much on UCI other than what I’ve read. CSUCI was also a commuter school so I know weekends will be pretty dead there. Safe area if that matters. From what I hear, a lot of asian descent attend. Not much else I know.</p>

<p>Remember, a BA or BS in psychology is not sufficient in itself to do anything professionally. You will need graduate school. You can get into grad school from both of these programs. Perhaps it may be helpful to contact the psychology departments at each school and find out how many of their graduates continue on to grad school.</p>