Hello all,
So I was admitted to UCSB. It wasn’t my first choice, but since I was waitlisted at Berkeley and UCSD and doubt I’ll get in either, I’ll have to settle. Even though there are many pros to going to the school, I have a major problem with it’s reputation. Now I’m not saying UCSB is a bad school-in fact it’s rated to be the 41th best in the world by the ARWU-but it has this “party school” reputation. Now I hate parties so I’m not worried about myself ruining my grades partying or something. Rather, I’m more worried about grad school. Since I’m going on to be a researcher in the field of Ecology, will going to such a school lower my chances of admission to selective grad schools since UCSB isn’t taken seriously? Even though I’m planning on having great grades, GREs and lots of published research 4 years from now when I apply to grad school, will going to a less-respected university make people not take me seriously as a researcher? I only ask this because people have told me nobody takes UCSB seriously which concerns me. And would you think going to UC Davis (Where I’ve also been admitted yet don’t like as much) give me more credibility since it’s not as much of a party school? Thanks for the help!
No
How familiar are you with scientific journals and publications? You will be very, very lucky to get even 1 in a low-impact journal by the end of four years in undergrad. You will get lots of papers if you are lucky, have special connections, great timing, pick the perfect project that has a solid framework, and publish in more obscure journals if necessary.
No, your papers and ability to articulate your work will get you taken seriously. Publishing in vanity journals will make people not take you seriously as a researcher.
No
Well - you are looking down your nose at 2 very good schools. Take an objective look at them both and pick the one you hate the least. Really buy into the one you pick - buy a sweat-shirt, go to a football/basketball game and make the most of your tremendous opportunity.
Good luck
Are these “people” faculty members at colleges who decide who to admit to grad programs? Or your HS pals, making this up but speaking with authority as they do so many things?
According to U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Global Universities for Environment/Ecology,” UCSB is ranked 16th in the world. FYI, UC Berkeley is ranked #1, UC Davis is #4 and UCSD #24 (tied).
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/environment-ecology
UCSB alumni have gone on to study molecular biology at Harvard, study law at Columbia and, very frequently, at UCLA and USC, and an innumerable amount are engaged in post-grad work in the sciences and environment at fantastic institutions. The reputation is outdated and obsolete (considering it was constructed in the 60s), and anyone with knowledge of academia will recognize its great academic reputation. I struggled with the same thing upon choosing colleges, and after a year I’ve opted to stay at the school after being admitted to Georgetown and USC as a transfer. It really is a great place, and the people who say it’s not will have no little to no significance in your post-grad life. There’ll always be a Harvard student saying Georgetown isn’t good, or a Georgetown student denouncing UCLA, etc. Don’t pay too much attention to these reputations.