<p>I got accepted to UC Davis, UCLA and UCSC. My heart is with UCSC: I love the campus and the culture, but everything I've read about UCSC is that its terrible academically. Do I need to just tough it out and choose the much higher ranked UCLA? I am a philosophy major and I want to get into a good masters or phd program.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter what undergrad you go to if you’re planning on getting an MA or PhD. Just get a nice GPA at whatever undegrad school you’ll feel happy at. and SC is a very nice school.</p>
<p>You should visit all of the schools. Basing your decision solely on what you have read and what other people have said is not a good idea.</p>
<p>just go to UCSC because your heart is there! Your going to be spending all your time on campus so might as well make it one that you really love! Anyways what school you go to for undergrad wont affect where you get admitted for grad school as long as you do well academically!</p>
<p>Follow your heart! I’m assuming you’ve visited all. </p>
<p>What you need for grad school is a nice gpa and research experience/publications if possible. You can get those at UCSC just as well as the others.</p>
<p>Whatever you do, don’t pick a school merely on prestige. If you heart is with UCSC, then go there! Don’t rely on everything you read on the internet, just go visit the school! Trust me, you’ll end up being miserable if you pick a school that your heart wasn’t set on. Besides, if you end up at UCSC, maybe we’ll meet someday. ;)</p>
<p>Also to add to it, All UC’s are very respected. Although, yes, the other UC’s may be ranked higher, UCSC is still a top institution a among all the other universities. You will be still getting a great education from there and if you do choose to go you should be proud of yourself.</p>
<p>when people say you should visit the campus, you really should! I always just kinda brushed it off thinking that i knew what the schools are like! I thought i would hate ucla and it wouldn’t be for me. however i decided to take a campus tour and my perspective completely changed, i loved the campus and the diversity wasn’t as intimidating as i thought, it really opened my eyes and now im going there over my other choices!</p>
<p>Many kids who would have qualified for UCLA and Cal last year and did not get in, have opted for UCSC this year. The campus is gorgeous and it feels like a camp! The kids seem friendly. I have called two offices with two separate questions and BOTH returned my messages within 24 hours…that’s the sign of a good campus!!!</p>
<p>go to UCLA. no question about it.</p>
<p>Hey what was your GPA and SAT when you applied to UCSC? thanks!</p>
<p>I’m applying to Berkeley LA and Santa Cruz. Not saying I would get accepted by the first two, but if I did I would have a really really hard time deciding for the same reasons. UCSC is just straight up beautiful!</p>