Hello College Confidential!
I got accepted into UCSB as a biopsychology major (a field I am really interested in), and Santa Clara University as a business major. I cannot decide which school to commit to, so I was wondering what you guys think. By the way, money is not a concern between these two and I like their locations equally. I know that I will have a lot of fun at SB, but the business program at SCU is very prestigious and I would have a lot of connections to huge companies if I went there.
Any advice would go a long way in helping me make my decision!
Ultimately you are going to have to decide what you see yourself doing for the rest of your life. Both have great opportunities in their respective fields, and I think you will be well off after graduation at either university. These are two completely different majors though. Without worrying about which college you think is better, decide which career path sounds more fulfilling to you. You already got accepted into two incredible schools, now it’s time to think about where you see yourself beyond the next four years. For better or worse, only you can make that decision. Good luck, and just know that whatever you decide you are going to have great options!
I agree with @brokencoconut What you mentioned are two very different majors. You need to decide first which career path you need to take. Doing MBA may not be interesting if you are into biopsychology. Overall I think UC has a better reputation than SCU (don’t quote me on that though) so you should take that into account as well. Also lot of my friends chose to do Executive MBA from Berkeley after they get a decent job in the field they are interested in so you may think of that route as well. Congratulations on the acceptance though. BTW, I might know a few students from UCSB if you want to talk to them to clear your doubts. PM me if you think thats helpful.
Agree with both posts above, but having grown up in the Bay Area, I am very familiar with SCU and thought I’d chime in to say it’s very highly regarded in the Bay Area, especially the South Bay, and has a strong alumni contingent. Some locals will hold a degree from SCU in higher regard than any UC. That may sound weird, but it just has a very strong local following and Silicon Valley companies do draw graduates from there.
Outside the Bay Area, it’s just not very well known. Even in So. Cal, not a lot of people have heard of it, or if they have, they don’t know much about it. So if you prefer the major there and think you want to stay in the area, I think it would be a solid choice, but UCSB is a great school too, and more widely known.
Congrats, and good luck with your decision.