<p>Hello everyone! I'm a computer science student from California who is looking to transfer into a CS program from a community college. I've managed to narrow my choices down to UCSB and UCSD, but am having a difficult time choosing between the two and was looking for any and all input! :) Thanks!</p>
<p>A little about me:
* I value my education and am willing to work hard in order to advance my future job prospects and quality of life.
* I am planning to complete a BS in CS, and then probably pursue a masters, not necessarily at the same school.
* I have completed my prerequisites for admittance over two years, however it has cost me a fair amount personally and socially in order to do so. I am hoping to use the 3 years it will take me to complete my BS to compensate and enjoy life, to a degree anyways.
* I love the idea of the college experience and would like to enjoy as many aspects of it as possible but again am willing to make some sacrifices in order to further my potential.
* I have never been a very social person, but recently have been actively working on my social skills to decent success.
* I have toured both schools and done independent research on the two.
* I will be 19 until about halfway through my first year.
* I plan to live on campus for my first year in an attempt to network and meet new people.</p>
<p>Here are my current considerations and questions:</p>
<p>Academics:
* San Diego seems to be slightly ahead in the overall academic rankings. US News (2010) ranks their graduate program (just the masters?) at 14th nationwide, whereas Santa Barbara is a little behind at 35th. Interestingly, the SB PHD program was ranked above that of SD according to the NRC.
* I felt a certain degree of academic culture at SD that wasn't as obvious at SB. The tour around SD was more detailed than that of SB, but the students at SD seemed to be more actively involved in student projects and focused explicitly on their work.
* I am to an extent worried about the difficulty of SD in comparison to SB. I am worried that the students may be more honed in on academics; meaning more competition, harder curves and potentially less chance at research opportunities with professors etc.
* I have heard that the graduate to undergraduate ratio is rather low at SB, perhaps allowing for more opportunities to get involved with professors. Is there perhaps any negative reason for this trend?</p>
<p>Academic Questions
* I have consistently heard that the prestige of a school, while relevant to a degree, is not a major deciding factor for getting a job, however may still be relevant (Is it?). Is this differential in ranking between SD and SB significant? And will it correlate with a better education at the school, resulting in a better job coming out of SD compared to SB? I have heard that some of the best major corporations recruit out of both schools, although during the tour of SD it was suggested that job offerings at SD are especially abundant, is this true?
* Due to there same rankings and the seemly very pro academic culture at SD, should I expect the workload to be harder there or tighter curves?
* Could I compensate at all as far as projects etc if I attend SB by attending some sort of academic fraternity or club?
* If I wanted to transfer to a more highly ranked college for my master's degree, would SD be a better choice due to it's extra prestige, even if I may potentially get lower grades?
* SD's CS program was impacted this year, what does this mean about the quality of the program or it's future?
* How strenuous is the workload at each? I'm ready to work, I'd just like to know what I'd be signing myself up for at each.</p>
<p>Social/Quality of Life:
* SB has a great party scene, people seem overall friendly. I like the idea that most students get involved in inter-mural sports.
* SD seems to be what you can make of it, however there are certain barriers (lack of fraternity row, tight policing, most student living off campus, on average less social students) that make having a social life and partying especially more difficult.
* SD supposedly is better for those over 21, although I don't know the reason why.</p>
<p>Questions
* Would joining a social fraternity in SD significantly offset the lack of a party scene?
* How common is drug use at SB & SD and how severely is it punished at each?
* Do I have any serious misconceptions regarding each of the schools?
* Does the party scene at SB get old? </p>
<p>In other words:
A good education is a large priority for me, but I also desire the college experience and a decent social life. Is the potential additional academic quality of SD and it's real world value worth more than the seemingly better quality of life at SB?</p>
<p>Thanks for the input! I really appreciate everything I can get!</p>