<p>So originally I wanted to go to UC Irvine but sadly, I was rejected. So, my choices are UC Santa Cruz and UC Riverside (CSULB too but I want to attend UC). My major is Biochemistry. I was researching a bit about these universities and I love the concept of nature in UCSC and I've heard it is academically higher than UCR. But the only problem I have is the common fear of distance. I live 55 minutes away from UCR and 5 hours away from UCSC! The distance scares me a bit and I admit I'm an attached child. Should I take a leap out of my comfort zone and go for UCSC or instead go to UCR? Meaning, is it worth it?</p>
<p>Can someone tell me what is UCSC and UCR please?</p>
<p>Sent from my LG-VM696 using CC</p>
<p>UCSC: University of California - Santa Cruz
UCR: University of California - Riverside</p>
<p>@chyifa, you can always google it… UCSC - University of Cali, Santa Cruz; UCR - University of Cali, Riverside</p>
<p>I think you should take that leap and go to UCSC! I’m an attached child as well, but as we’re getting older, we’ll need to leave the nest sooner of later 
You wnat to go to a school that will be best for you, not a school that will be convienient. I say go to UCSC!</p>
<p>Riverside is dump. Riverside is sewerside. Santa Cruz has better college atmosphere. Get out of your comfort zone and go Santa Cruz. Nothing to loose.</p>
<p>Can you financially afford to live on campus if you were to go to UCSC? Can you afford the cost of airfare back and forth between home and school a few times a year?</p>
<p>You really should attend the admitted student day at each school before you decide. You should not attend a school you have not visited yet</p>
<p>Depending on your career choice, both schools can be a great option</p>
<p>It’s far easier to drive to Santa Cruz from Orange County (I’m assuming that’s where Memento lives if he applied to UCI and CSULB) than it is to fly into San Jose and then drive to Santa Cruz, so I wouldn’t worry about cost of airfare. Most SoCal students just split gas with someone who has a car. </p>
<p>Assuming you can afford to live on campus, check out both schools and decide which one you like better. Both UCR and UCSC are good in the sciences, but have completely different environments.</p>
<p>Thank you so much everyone!
@SAMGinny16 Thank you, I’m just nervous but after reading your response, I’m more assured that it won’t be too bad. I do have to become independent and my parents urge that.
@Xtremepower That’s true that I have nothing to lose. Thanks!
@crizello I think I will visit both campuses during spring break. As for money, I can afford both schools and for commuting, I will have a driver licence by that time. But thank you for introducing this aspect to me. I didn’t think about that!
@whenhen Oh that’s right! If there are other students who live in same area as me, we could carpool! Thanks for that idea and I’ll definitly check out the universities! (And I’m a she, no worries.)</p>
<p>UCR is not a “dump”, XtremePower. It’s actually a fine school. Some people might prefer it to UCSC because the campus isn’t as spread out and there aren’t “too many trees” (as I have seen UCSC described elsewhere on the board.)</p>