<p>I found this to be difficult, since the ranking of the two schools are quite close. A lot of my friends and family members always push me to go to UCSD, since this school has a better reputation. However, I seem to be more comfortable at UCI (I love the campus!). But since I went to UCI on a Sunday, I did not get to see any of the students except a few. I intend to major in psychology and may change my major to cognitive science or finance. Can you guys give me some ideas?</p>
<p>Did you actually visit UCSD as well?</p>
<p>Well, I’ve read on these forums that the psychology major or the cog sci major undergrad program is fairly strong in UCSD, haven’t heard anything about UCI…</p>
<p>Visit UCSD before you make your decision.</p>
<p>UCSD’s cogsci is very highly ranked, and its grad cogsci is top 10 in the nation. If you’re sure you want to do that then I say go here.</p>
<p>Yes, I’ve visited the campus of UCSD and I would prefer UCI, as far as campus.
My concern is --which school is more competitive? I would really like to have higher GPA at college than graduate to get in a really really top-notch graduate school. I am afraid that I might not be able to compete with those kids at UCSD, since students there are known for their nerdy study habits.</p>
<p>With such a mentality you might as well go to UCR.</p>
<p>Seriously. Nerdy study habits? UCSD isn’t at UCB level where studying is like everywhere.</p>
<p>UCSD and UCi are both good schools, I had to make a choice between these two as well, but I chose UCSD because of the better ranked Bio program as well as a more competitive nature.</p>
<p>Seriously, if you don’t want competition, go to a lower tier UC. Competition is everywhere, doing well in college is the first stage, competition over jobs is what will scare you.</p>
<p>A decent GPA at UCSD might be liked better than a good GPA at UCI.</p>
<p>Just some ideas thrown out there.</p>
<p>Don’t even think about grad school if you’re playing ti safe.</p>
<p>You’ll fail your quals or won’t even maintain an adequate GPA if you avoid challenges</p>
<p>I was also making a choice between the two (SD - regular, Irvine - CHP / honors program) but in the end I chose SD.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that for some programs like nursing, Irvine would be much better, since SD doesn’t have nursing. </p>
<p>I would say SD unless you really like Irvine much more than SD - then in that case I’d say go for it. 
Both schools are great world-class universities.</p>