<p>I am having a really HARD time choosing between UCSD and UCSB. I am an undeclared major which I think is adding to the problem. I was interested in 1) Urban Studies & Planning and 2) Political Science. Here are the pros and cons of each school:</p>
<p>UCSD
pros:
-highly ranked university
-highly ranked for Political Science
-best urban studies and planning program
-unique college system
-near the beach
-pretty campus
-love the city of san diego
-no matter what major I pick. It will be prestigious.
-brighter opportunities for internships and jobs (especially for Urban studies and planning)
-variety of majors
-closer to students in my college because we have the similar general education requirements
--the college (Eleanor Roosevelt) i got into has the best dorms and dining halls
-chill campus</p>
<p>cons:
-very far away (live in central valley)
--car is necessary (& car permits expensive)
-lacks school spirit
-empty atmosphere
-very large campus
-nerdy school (people seem to study 24/7)
-very challenging courses
-the college (Eleanor Roosevelt) I got into has the strictest general education requirements
-even though I'm Mexican I don't like that its close to the Mexican border
-requires a lot of walking since campus is so huge
-ucsd is located in La Jolla which is a village full of arrogant strict rich people so stores close early meaning not a great night life unless you get out of town</p>
<p>UCSB
pros:
-gorgeous campus
-college town
-on the beach
-prestigious university (but not as good as ucsd)
-bikes necessary (i love riding bikes I'm a country girl! haha and its cheaper too)
-prestigious geography department (i can be a urban planner with this major too)
-academics and social life seem to be able to be balanced
-closer to home
-close to La
-a lot of school spirit
-friend is going there (so I wont have roommate problems, wont ever be lonely at the beginning, and we can road trip together back home when break comes)
-friendly environment
-all most all students that attend ucsb are happy
-free tutoring</p>
<p>cons:
-no diversity
-party school reputation
-parties/beach can be distracting
-dorms are not worth the price and very expensive
-political science isn't a prestigious department like at ucsd
-most majors at ucsb don't interest me that much</p>
<p>I seriously don't know where to go. Freshman's change their major all the time in college, so I feel I should not just pick a school based on their majors especially since I'm undeclared. However, I feel that whatever major I pick at UCSD will be great since its full of a lot of prestigious majors. On the other hand, I feel I will be happier at UCSB. I don't want to be miserable in college because I don't like the environment; college should be a place where I grow and discover more about myself. </p>
<p>Ur soo lucky to have gotten accepted their. I applied but got rejected . Well according to ur info I think that SD would be a good choice unless u want to go to Sb . What r u looking for in a school? </p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear that! Don’t feel bad, its tough! I was shocked I got in! and so it sound like I want to go to SD? Hmmm. Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it! and what I look for in a school is their academics and where I’ll feel more comfortable and at home and well that’s the thing. I am not sure what is more important the academics or where I’ll be happier because I feel like I would like the environment and social scene better at UCSB but I’ll be better off academically and for my future at UCSD. I don’t know where to go. I haven’t visited the schools either which I think is adding to the problem and I dont think I’ll be able to. :(</p>
<p>Yeah I’m a transfer and maybe ill try to appeal but its soo scary.
And yeah, I’ve never been to Sb but I visited UCSD like in Feb of this year and its more academic. And I have heard rumors about Sb being very social. But if u can focus that would be awesome. SD is a really nice school. </p>
<p>Lol at the beginning I hesitated to apply to any san Diego school for the same reason u have lol I prefered gong the opposite way but now i haven’t really focused on that much. Did u apply to any other UC?</p>
<p>yea I applied to UC Santa Cruz and I was admitted but it doesnt really catch my interest compared to UCSB and UCSD. I also applied to UCB but got rejected but I was fine with it since i dont really like UCB’s location, weather, and overall its atmosphere. ;)</p>
<p>and what do you meant you preferred going the opposite way?</p>
<p>Oh that’s cool(: I applied to UCD and ucla. But I haven’t heard from them yet.
And I ment instead of.going towards san Diego I wanted to go up north. Lol </p>
It sounds like you already know what the right decision for you should be…</p>
<p>And honestly the prestige of UCSD is not that much greater (if at all) than UCSB in the view of future employers. Look at who recruits on campus and you’ll see the same names. Both are mid-tier UC schools, more similar that 2 randomly selected publics. Pick the one you like.</p>
<p>I’m probably just bitter because I didn’t get into SD, so takethis with a grain of salt. I’ve heard SD has a lot of very I’ll stab you in the back so I get the better grade type people and that it’s super competitive, kind of similar to Berkeley ( idk if that’s what part of the atmosphere you didn’t like). I’m also sure there are plenty of wonderful helpful people, that’s just what I’ve heard its reputation is. In all unbiased honesty though, both are UCs so they’re both great schools and you’ll get a great education at either school. In my opinion, choose where you’ll be happy, if you’re sad and hate where you are, that’s bad in itself but it could also affect your grades. Good luck and I’m sure you’ll do great!</p>
<p>@mikemac @ katiesmith yea I think I have decided UCSB! how I feel where I am going is I believe the most important factor in choosing the right college. Thanks for both your inputs! I really appreciate it! :)</p>
<p>@mikemac yea i think I did know all along what college was right for me. I just needed some reassurance. It was just hard turning down ucsd because of the great prestige when in fact they’re both very prestigious that it shouldn’t matter in comparison. </p>
<p>@katiesmith yes I have heard those rumors. They scared me that’s why I had doubts about going to ucsd with that type of atmosphere haha</p>
<p>The #1 factor in your education being worth while is NOT the institution’s prestige or even the professors. That #1 role in delivering you an amazing education is in fact You…that said, my observation is that most people are more successful if they are feeling good/happy, etc</p>
<p>based upon the things you said, you have an amazing opportunity to get into college lifeat a fantastic UC and LOVE the process…if you simply read your initial posting again Out Loud, you would hear it say the things I heard - you seem destined to start of college life with your friend - how wonderful</p>
<p>@odadoo thank you! I appreciate what you said! and yes i agree the #1 factor in choosing a college is NOT the prestige! Thank you for you input! </p>
<p>@honeyflower92 thanks and yes it is! but with the scariness comes excitement and a brand new awesome chapter in our lives :)</p>
<p>I would choose UCSB over UCSD for every reason imaginable. That being said for your major there is no denying UCSD’s strength. I would go there.</p>
<p>@fliquer thanks for you input! i appreciate it. Yes ucsd is very strong on the major that interests me but I dont know if i’ll enjoy the major until I try it. I am also undeclared so I dont want to choose a school based on majors. I just wanted to have an idea of what I like entering college so I wont be blank. They’re not my declared majors. </p>
<p>@mikemac thank you so much those tips will be very helpful! Your too kind! cant thank you enough! :)</p>
<p>@honeyflower92 You’ll be fine! i’m sure the homesickness will only be temporary! I bet once your back home on thanksgiving break you’ll miss college lol</p>
. Well according to ur info I think that SD would be a good choice unless u want to go to Sb . What r u looking for in a school? </p>
I really appreciate it! and what I look for in a school is their academics and where I’ll feel more comfortable and at home and well that’s the thing. I am not sure what is more important the academics or where I’ll be happier because I feel like I would like the environment and social scene better at UCSB but I’ll be better off academically and for my future at UCSD. 
lol</p>