UCSB vs ASU Barrett Honors...what do you think?

My daughter was admitted off the waitlist today for UCSB (undeclared), which was her original first choice and dream school. She continues to be committed to Barrett Honors at ASU where she received a full tuition ride. The total cost over 4 years is $135K for UCSB vs $90-$92K for Barrett and I told her she could keep the difference for grad school.

I really loved UCSB, but I think she is right. She has her roommates selected and is already in to the business school at ASU. And UCSB is no longer guaranteeing housing for incoming freshmen so you are kind of on your own.

What do you all think? Which one would you pick if you were her or me?

Congrats to you and her. ?

Could you elaborate a little on the housing issues at UCSB? I don’t remember there being any issues, at least to any significant degree.

I’m not an alum of UCSB, but I’m REALLY familiar with the campus with dozens of visits there for visiting friends, relatives and vacations over the decades. And my D was accepted as a Chancellors scholar, but declined a couple years ago.

Great soccer program, which is a big deal for me. For others, not so much.

Beach me!

Thanks @sushiritto !

It used to be that UCSB guaranteed all incoming freshmen a space in their dorms. Not this year. You probably know that the UCs are increasing their number of admittances this year as part of a deal with Sacramento. And they are probably letting in more waitlists as the uncertainty of COVID is here. (also no more triples, just doubles, because of their concern over the disease) Anyway, not having a guaranteed dorm room is a major hassle in her eyes.

Which means not enough space…I’m guessing private dorms pick up the space.

Yes, soccer, but no football, and my daughter, like me, is a football nut. (wonder where that comes from, huh? Your kids will have the same) UCSB might be the only school I would overlook not having a football team to attend.

If it were you, which school would you pick?

As you probably know, football was one major factor for choosing Michigan over several other great choices for my D18. My D21, not so much. Since UCSB doesn’t have a football, team, there’s still a great deal of college spirit at their soccer games. I’ve attended a couple games there to watch a relative play (from an opposing team).

I’d pick UCSB, as my D would. I was born and raised at the beach and I wouldn’t want to live very far from it. But that’s us. Also, UCSB is a smaller more manageable school, size-wise.

Even though I think college (and life) are filled with hassles and I believe the housing situation would work itself out somehow some way, your D is already “down the road” loving her ASU Barrett choice. That’s exactly what happened with my D, after she was admitted EA at UMich. She found a roommate and began buying the UMich paraphernalia, planning, etc. It’s hard to stop that train, even when D was later admitted off a waitlist (or two).

For your D, go with the one you fell in love with already.

My D18 picked an OOS PAC-12 school with a big scholarship over UCSB (with Regents) and other UCs. She’s very happy with her decision and definitely sees the benefits (both financially and in standard of living) over her twin brother who stayed instate (at UCLA). The football is enjoyable for school spirit even though she isn’t into it that much as a sport. But the main reason for her choice was that the course was a better match for her objectives than what was on offer at the UCs.