UCSD or Occidental College ? Which college should I go to ?

State Forums
1

<p>Ive narrowed down my selection pool to UCSD (Sixth) and Occidental...
and Im having a hard time deciding which one to go to !</p>

<p>I got scholarship from Occidental so my tuition is pretty much all covered with some loans, same for UCSD.</p>

<p>My major at UCSD is Interdisciplinary computing and arts, ICAM, (music), which is basically usage of modern technology to analyze/produce music. I love the curriculum because my favorite two subjects are comp sci and music, and my future dream is to become sound engineer and apparently, some of the courses you learn mixing/editing/recording. But the major itself was created just a few years ago, so I dont think the major is well known.</p>

<p>My major at Occidental is music composition. Though it is still music related, some of the courses such as western music history aren't very enticing for me. But Im guessing this major in Oxy is more reputable than ICAM major in UCSD...</p>

<p>This is what I know about the two colleges</p>

<p>UCSD
- the beach is about 10 min walking distance
- awesome weather for me since i dont like steamy hot days...
- perfect major for me
- not as many parties present
- big, big campus with many many students
- bigger class size
- convenient transportation to almost anywhere in San Diego
- big gyms
- studious atmosphere</p>

<p>Occidental
- really good food quality
- passionate professors
- smaller class size
- nice dorms, but some of the dorms lack air conditioning....
- in the middle of LA (more places to hangout)
- family atmosphere
- beautiful campus
- only 20 min drive from my family
- beautiful and friendly people</p>

<p>If i go to UCSD, Im going to try to graduate in 3 years, because i have many AP credits.
And if i go to Oxy, I want to transfer to one of the Ivy leagues, or at least to one of the top notch schools.</p>

<p>Please help me decide which college !
I want a place where I can have the most fun, (club activities especially music related, parties, dances...), while learning as much as i can !</p>

2

<p>You may find that you love Oxy…and don’t want to leave…</p>

3

<p>Hi OP, it looks like you’re making some important decisions. I’m a sophomore at Oxy, and I work in the Office of Admission as an intern. If you have any specific questions regarding life at Oxy, I’d love to help! </p>

4

<p>UCSD because that major sounds awesome and you will have skills. Also I don’t like the idea of join a college just to transfer–just personal thing.</p>

5

<p>I’m going through the same dilemna! Have you figured out which one you’re picking?</p>

6

<p>Being a native San Diegan, I need to give you some advice about the UCSD campus. Seriously, have you even visited UCSD? You cannot get to the beach by walking for 10 minutes. The campus is on Torrey Pines Drive in La Jolla-up on a cliff above the beaches, and to get to an actual beach, you have to DRIVE down Torrey Pines about 10 minutes. (Where did you walk to? The glider port?) </p>

<p>Public Transportation is horrible so most of the students have cars. There is a shuttle that does take students down to the medical center in the center of town (Hillcrest community). The campus does not really have views of the ocean but you do get that overcast grey most mornings and sometimes, late in the day. In other words, it isn’t always sunny at the beach with the fog and all. </p>

<p>Social clubs do exist but the campus is stressful so the competitiveness can be fierce (per my daughter’s friends at UCSD). Neither of my daughters wanted to attend UCSD because of the feel of the campus and lack of general stress relieving activities. Son did not apply to UCSD but did apply to other UC campuses.</p>

7

<p>Different point of view. My daughter walks to the beach from Muir college and she does have view of the ocean. Very high floor> 8th floor. There is a shuttle that takes students around to train station and stuff. Occasionally she rents a zip car. UCSD is not as stressful as people claims it to be. I mean she has really high GPA(not 4.0 but high). The professors are friendly and helpful, she’s majoring in engineering and loves UCSD over any other UCs she visited.
My husband and I love La Jolla, such a beautiful area. We often go down to George’s restaurant to have view of the beach. Amazing view!</p>

8

<p>My daughter was reading my mind today. She sent me a snapchat of herself at the beach, she was making something on the sand. I asked her what is the name of the beach and she said it’s called Blacks and Scripps. Blacks is right next to the village and there’s a beach right next to muir.
She said she’s not living on the beach but it’s a very short walk. However, she said it’s a bit more than 20 minutes walk. You can see the beach after a 7 minutes walk. </p>

9

<p>I thank all of you guys who commented ! :smiley:
I think im committed to UCSD now… but still waiting for result for my appeal to USC :/</p>