Hi, everyone. Apologies if this is an inappropriate forum to post this in; please let me know if there’s a better place! That being said:
I’ve heard the whole ‘party school vs. socially dead’ thing but honestly could not care less. I’m not a party guy, but, from what I can tell, it’s mostly just a stereotype anyway and you still have to actively seek out the parties at UCSB to be involved in that scene, which is fine. If one of the universities is a bit quieter, I’d probably appreciate that? But I’m assuming the difference is negligible.
Really, I’m just wondering if there’s a clear distinction between which school has the better English department. I’ve been offered pretty much the same FA package at both schools, and, in my eyes, they’re on generally the same level ranking-wise. They’re even the same distance pretty much from where my family lives and both have oceans, etc., so even the location isn’t much of a factor.
I think I’d like to be involved in the literary/film/play club community, so if one of the schools has a better creative-side, that might be cool! In general, though, I’m a fairly quiet person and will appreciate using the library and seeing movies, so the place with better access to those two things would be wonderful! 
Anyone have any extra info that can make this choice a little easier for me? I got waitlisted at UCLA, and, if I do end up somehow getting in, I think I’d end up just going there, but I’ve made my peace with these two schools, and I’m definitely not complaining! (anymore)
Thanks for any help