I’ve been accepted to both UCSD and UCSB and I’m really torn. SD has always been my dream school, but I’ve heard the people are generally happier at SB. I want to go somewhere with great academics but that will still give me a well rounded college experience. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
My son went to UCSD with biology major and he was happy there. But he said since UC are big school he had to put extra effort to meet people. He joined several clubs and worked part time on campus. One summer he did research with professor. His good friend went to UCSB with Engineering major. He was happy there. Can you visit both school before you decide? I think both are great school and location.
I’m from the San Diego area and can tell you a lot about UCSD.
UCSD is in La Jolla and is very close to the beach. La Jolla is easily one of the prettiest places in San Diego, but unfortunately UCSD isn’t really considered a “beachy” school, like UCSB. Though UCSD has awesome surroundings and there is so much to do in San Diego, it is a really competitive school filled with a lot of Asians…just being honest. UCSD has basically no school community/spirit and it is largely focused on academics. It will be really easy to stay focused on school, as opposed to UCSB where the party lifestyle is more prevalent.
Overall, it just depends what you want. I wouldn’t say UCSD has the “well-rounded” college experience that you want just because it lacks a sense of school spirit. But, SD is better academically than SB (though, I don’t know your major). At SB you will have a lot of fun and it isn’t a bad school by any means. SB is in a small city and is kinda in a bubble, as opposed to SD…so you might want to take that into consideration, too.
I’m a senior too and I didn’t apply to UCSD not only because I’m from San Diego and want to get away but because there’s no sense of community.
With all this said, let me know if you have any specific questions about San Diego…it’s a really amazing city with a lot to offer.
Good Luck!
Both UCSD and UCSB are great schools. There are all type of people. I have heard great things from UCSD; people are really nice there. You will have great experience. If that’s your dream school, then go for it.
UCSD is largely a commuter school in a larger urban area with many students after frosh year in the dorms choosing to live on the beach in Mission Beach or Pacific Beach, as well as a number living in the greater San Diego area. At UCSB most students start off living in dorms and then move out to apartments in Isla Vista. So the kids are on or near campus; at most a few minutes by bike.
I don’t think one school “makes” people happier. Visit both to see what they feel like and pick the one that’s a match for what you want, then you’ll be happy too 
@mikemac, that’s an interesting definition of “commuter school”. I’d always heard it reserved for places that had little or non-existent on-campus housing, and many people were living at home (with parents usually) and commuting from home. Many were also employed full or part-time.
How do you distinguish “near campus” living from “commuting”? I’d call Berkeley a commuter school by your definition as well. Just curious how you are making the distinction.
I’m in the same position, accepted to both SD and SB (granted, I’d probably choose Berkeley over both if I get in, but that’s a stretch).
For me it was super helpful to visit the campuses, so definitely try to do that if it’s possible for you. San Diego has better academics in my opinion, at least for my major, and honestly Santa Barbara has more of a reputation for partying that I don’t like. But really, both are great schools, and what you get from college is what you put in it. I’m sure you’d be happy at either.
UCSD is a beautiful campus with astounding academics that I would rate above that of UCSB’s; both schools have stellar engineering programs and I’m not positive about UCSB, but I know that UCSD has impacted engineering admissions meaning you can get accepted into the university but not necessarily the Jacobs School of engineering, if that is one of your preferred majors, and you have admittance into both Engineering colleges, I say UCSD, but both schools offer excellent programs with plenty of opportunity and my knowledge of UCSB is limited whereas I have toured and done moderate amounts of research regarding UCSD
To me, if you need a car to get to campus, you’re commuting. It really does seem to capture something of what the school is like, IMHO.
Not sure why you think Cal is a commuter school. There are less than 6,000 spots on campus for parking, most go to faculty & staff. Most students I know that attend live on/near campus or a short bike/bus ride away. More bus than bike for many because a place like UCSB is flat, Cal is hilly. Cal students tend to cluster within a mile or two of campus.
UCSD has almost 16,000 parking spaces. To get to UCSD from PB/MB involves 6 or 7 miles on I-5, a trek many students make daily.
Or maybe put it this way. Draw a 2 mile circle around campus. Are the majority of the non-frosh kids in that circle? At UCSB, definitely yes. At Cal, probably. At UCSD, probably not, I believe.
^The distance/percent drivers makes sense. Although I will say that the people I know that went to Berkeley, or are going now, often end up living in apartments that are mixed in with the general population. While they may be living within a mile of campus, the neighborhood is so diluted by “civilians” that it doesn’t have that “I’m at college” feel to it. And I think that is the point you are getting at, regardless of what term is used to described it.
UCSD is not a commuter campus by the more typical definition. Freshman are guaranteed 2 years of on campus housing and the majority live on campus. My son chose UCSD over UCSB for the academics, the location, and his sport. That is not to say that UCSD is the choice for everyone. UCSD might be rated slightly higher academically, but it is not enough for that to be the decIding factor. You really need to visit both to get a sense of the community. UCSB does have the Isla Vista community right there so there is always a lot going on. My son is very social and has found plenty to do at UCSD. He opted to stay in on-campus apartments his second year and has been happy there. It is convenient for his on-campus job and his practices. Next year he will move to an apartment off-campus but still within biking distance. He can walk to the beach for surfing in 10-15 minutes max. He loves it there but it is a different atmosphere than UCSB so definitely visit both and talk to current students.
I’m going to visit both in April, thanks for all the advice! It was very helpful! Oh, and I’m a biology major.