<p>I'm really struggling with this one. I've visited both campuses and i still have no idea on how to decide. I've seen more of the Santa Barbara campus and it seems really beautiful and laidback and relaxing. However, I don't really party much, or smoke, or drink. So I kind of wonder if this would be the school for me, especially since i'm majoring in psych. UCLA seems like it would be better for my major, but its soo huge and cut throat that it seems like an unfriendly place to go to. ( I have not seen much of this campus but i'm going to soon). It just kind of worries me. Do I choose the relaxed, less prestigious party school or do i choose the cut throat prestigious party school lol? I have trouble being very social so i think UCSB would help me there since people seem very friendly. However, I do no really know how students at UCLA are like so i'm a bit biased. Any help? please!!!</p>
<p>if you were accepted to ucla then obviously they think you’ll be able to handle it. i live 20 minutes from ucla and westwood is a great area. there’s always something to do even though it’s not as pretty as ucsb. i say go with ucla 100%</p>
<p>I am having the same problem. I think I will be happier at UCSB due to the social life and my ability to take a 5min walk down to the beach, plop down and relieve some stress whenever I feel like it. Academically I believe both are going to be the same for undergrad, employers are not going to determine whether or not they hire you based off your undergrad school, they will look at your graduate school. If you do not plan on going to graduate school UCLA might be a smarter pick since it does have a more established name. I also do not believe that graduate schools are really going to care whether or not you received your education from UCSB or UCLA, I am pretty sure it is all the same to them. What they look for is GPA and volunteer/research opportunities that you involved yourself in; that of which you can get plenty of from either school.</p>
<p>But here is my situation </p>
<p>You would think after reading this that it would be no brainer for me, but no. Since my girlfriend, who lives in LA, wouldn’t be going with me to UCSB the cost of living would go up significantly. Instead of splitting a $1200/month rent for a one bedroom apartment I would probably end up paying close to $900+ to live near campus for a single in a house with a bunch of people I dont know (which isnt much of a problem); and living near campus/close to the beach and the college life is one of the main attractions for me. Also, I would have to look for a new job, and right now working part time (20hrs/week) I am making close to $1700 in LA. So if I moved I would have to find another job. Overall, I would probably go to UCLA for financial security… but I might just say f*** it and go to UCSB because you will find money may make life easier, but doesn’t necessarily make you happy. Plus, it would be nice to live on my own for awhile, since I moved strait in with my GF after my parents house, and I do have about 16k saved up. So I have some thinking to do .</p>
<p>I hope you realize by reading this that either school will give you a solid education, and that if you do plan on graduate school IT REALLY DOES NOT MATTER where you go. You can go to UCSC and still get into Stanford if you do well. What matters is what makes you happy, happy life = high gpa. High gpa = the right choice.</p>
<p>BTW I know this is an old post, just giving my opinion for people in the same situation this year.</p>
<p>That’s a tough decision, I guess it comes down to if you like the cut throat atmosphere or not. Some people do well some don’t, just depends on the person. </p>
<p>As for UCSB there are a lot of students that don’t party and most of the hardcore partyers go to SBCC, so you definitely won’t be alone. Also the party scene seems to have died down quite a bit compared to 2 years ago. </p>
<p>I can’t say much for psych classes since Ive only taken a few, but my major classes (Mechanical Engineering) the classes definitely get intense at times. Also in freshman and sophomore classes, there was a cut throat vibe until some of the students got weeded out. I’m not sure if its the same for psych majors, but they do seem to go through a weeding process like engineering majors.</p>
<p>I hope this helps.</p>
<p>@Swoosh223</p>
<p>I go to SBCC and I don’t party :/</p>
<p>Not all who go to SBCC party, but all that party go to SBCC ;)</p>
<p>I know that’s not true but it seems that most people that party all the time in Isla Vista go to SBCC not UCSB.</p>
<p>Shouldn’t even be question… UCLA no doubt is better. If you get in obviously your smart enough to handle the workload(for UCLA). I’m sure you’ll be happier with your girlfriend in UCLA ;-). You’d be sacrificing a lot to go to UCSB, go to UCLA be happy. make good financial decisions don’t want to be kicking yourself for not having enough cash.</p>
<p>Although i do know UCLA has amazing connections with a variety of companies for internships and jobs, which is pretty cool. I’d go just for that Good luck with making your decision! Cant wait for UCLA to come out thoo</p>
<p>Classes are not going to be that much easier @ UCSB. Both school are difficult.</p>
<p>I would most definitely go to UCLA once I get accepted. I just wanted my previous post to sound as if I am making my decision based off on what would make me happy, not on what news rankings/people that give into the hype say; which should go for everyone. Go where you want to go, any mid-tier and up UC will be respected regardless of its party reputation. Take into account your situation, like I did mine in the post above, and go where YOU would be most happy. Oh, and if you really care about rankings put it this way… UCLA ranked 2nd in public universities and UCSB ranked like 10th (going off memory here) out of like over a 100 schools in the nation… an eight place difference. Lets face it, top 10 is top 10. GL</p>
<p>Go to UCLA. Prestigious university, you’ll have financial security, it’s close to everything, less distractions more of a academic challenge, better for grad school, and it’s the all round best ranked UC in the system, one of the BEST public schools in the country.</p>
<p>UCB > UCLA > UCSD > UCD > UCSB > UCI > UCM > UCR i’m pretty sure.</p>