Hey guys! Happy admissions.
So far I’ve been waitlisted for both UCD and UCSD and I’m definitely going to write up the mini essays but for now, I’m thinking a lot about whether to accept admission from UC Santa Barbara or from UC Irvine. Both have their pros and cons and I really don’t know what’s best for me.
Right now, I’m undeclared and still searching through options of what I want to study. Possibly something along the lines of business, computers and statistics.
For UC Irvine, I received a place in the Honors program which has a loooot of benefits… including priority in choosing classes and guaranteed housing, 1 on 1 time with teachers etc. They seem to be amazing perks that might help me a lot through my college academic life. However upon thorough research, I don’t really hear spectacular things about Irvine, nothing great, nothing terrible. They seem to be lacking a striking characteristic that makes them unique and competitive. I know their business school is really good, but also very hard to get in. Other then that, I don’t really know much about it.
On the other hand, UC Santa Barbara seems like a wild card – Some sites give them a really high ranking, though I still don’t know much about their school. I did not receive an invitation for the honors program for here. One thing that concerns me a lot is their drug safety and party life, since they are known to be that “crazy party school” among the UC’s. Though I love to have a little fun, I consider myself pretty easily influenced and I don’t know how well I can pull through with all the possible temptations. A lot of parents I’ve talked to don’t seem to have a good perception of SB because of this reputation. Their beaches certainly look beautiful, though, and I’m sure it’s one of the more competitive schools! I don’t however really know much about their academic rankings.
Any suggestions or advice? I’d love to know about anything, campus life, academic competitiveness, anecdotes of any sort! All is appreciated 
Thank you in advance!