<p>... I have to retype this entire thing... Oh curse you, faulty programming... Pardon me if it sounds tired or wrong somehow - I guarantee you that the first draft you'll never be able to see was definitely a lot better.</p>
<p>So far, these two are my top two colleges from where I've been admitted. Of course, my situation greatly changes if I get into Cal or UCLA, but, considering my rejection from my target - UCSD - I don't hold much hope for a sudden deus ex machina...</p>
<p>~~ QUICK SUMMARY:
Major: Comp.Eng or Comp.Sci./Eng.
Minor: Writing
Leaning toward school with a better eng. ranking (UCSB, from my research). Looking for a slight challenge in college.
Concerns with UCSB: "Party school" = disrupt academics? Half party side & half boring side = social stratification.
Concerns with UCD: Doesn't seem to have much a social scene. Small college town = slight dislike. Campus = slight dislike (from very vague memories)</p>
<p>Will most likely visit both campuses before deciding.</p>
<p>~~ DETAILS:
I plan to major in Computer Engineering in UCSB and Computer Science and Engineering in UCD (thinking of just changing to Comp.Eng.). No matter where I go, I plan to minor in writing (should I double major?). From what I've researched, UCSB has a better ranking in both graduate and undergraduate engineering education than Davis; naturally, I lean toward the better education.</p>
<p>Every Friday, my AP Statistics teacher gives a presentation on a college: from what I've seen I do like the SB campus better than Davis. I've only seen Davis first-hand, but that was four years ago, so my memories are not up to par; yet, I've always carried a slight bias against UCD from that moment on. I'm unsure if it's from my boredom at walking around the campus, or it's from my inherent want to stray away from the campus that everyone else seems to be going to (yes, I know, that latter notion can be quite stupid).</p>
<p>Of course, there's the notorious notion that UCSB is a party school - I've heard it repeated by countless relatives and friends. I've read a little bit on the topic and have heard that the entire school isn't a party school - instead, there are parts of the school where the partiers flock to, leaving others desolately empty (for those who might be the more studious type). This stratification concerns me as well - is the student body not unified? is it separated not only by social life, but by other things? - possibly even moreso than a 24/7 party school (bringing up the logic, how are they ranked quite high if they were a 24/7 party school?).</p>
<p>My concerns with Davis is mainly the fact that - and pardon the cliche here - it seems to be located in the middle of scenic nowhere. The campus was never incredibly appealing to me, and the social life - because it's in the middle of nowhere - is possibly lacking. Despite my wish for a place to focus, I need some sort of diversion from endless textbooks (I'd go absolutely mad otherwise). I'm sure the campus has SOME sort of social scene, but is it the one I would enjoy?
I also dislike the small town feel. I understand that that MIGHT bring the community close together - something I definitely love in a place - but I also wish for a place where I can branch out and not be too confined; it seems I mainly worry that Davis is just like where I live right now: small, distant, and with not much to do.
That, and, of course, Davis's engineering program isn't ranked as high as SB's.</p>
<p>Feel free to tell me if I'm being too picky. I enjoy valid criticism.</p>
<p>Again, I believe I'm going to be able to view both campuses before the SIR deadline on May 1st, but some third-party knowledge would be absolutely fantastic, and any illumination on any of these topics would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Thank you very much. =]</p>