UCSB or UCSD for psychology major

<p>I was admitted to both colleges and I am psychology major. I really need help in deciding which college would be the best to go to. I plan on going to grad school after and getting a doctorate degree.</p>

<p>Go to which school you like the most and where you will have a better experience. I’m in a similar situation as I have to decide between UCSD and UCSB for biochemistry. I like SB way more than SD, so although SD is better for biochemistry than SB, I don’t think rank of undergraduate school matters that much when applying to grad or professional schools. If I was choosing between Cal and SB, then I’d pick Cal cuz the difference there is huge. However, the difference between SB and SD in terms of rank shouldn’t be a big factor in your decision. I personally like SB more because it is on the beach and there is a way better social scene there and I’m sure I will have a much better experience there. Hope this helped!</p>

<p>Visit both and pick the one you like the most. Rankings don’t really matter and they’re always changing. Things could be incredibly different in 4 years. Just like it doesn’t matter what high school you went to when you apply to college, what matters are the other factors when you apply to graduate school.</p>

Agree with @MedalLily I know a few people that turned down Ivy leagues for state schools like Kentucky, and several UCs; a lot more turning down Berkeley for UCSB (probably a lot more because I’m about an hour south from SB). As far as undergraduate education goes, there is a negligible difference between the top 50 programs. What really differentiates schools in this regard is the focus faculty pays on undergraduate teaching, compared to personal research. UCSB is really unique in this regard as the graduate program is extremely small; thus, there is a lot more attention payed to undergraduate students, as well as more internship and research opportunities. Im in a similar situation, where I was choosing between UCSB honors and UCSD.