Hello everyone.
I recently applied to 7 of the UCs and got into four of them, but I didn’t get into my top choice, UC Berkeley. Because of this, I’m not sure which UC I should go to. Out of the ones I was accepted to, UCSD and UCSC are the most appealing to me, but I’m having a difficult time deciding between the two.
While I know that UCSD is a much better school, and it has a much better reputation that UCSC, I feel like I will enjoy UCSC much more. In my mind, I feel like the environment of UCSC (people, surroundings, feel of the town, etc.) is more similar to Berkeley, and I feel like I would have more fun there, and possibly more motivation as well. Despite this feeling, however, I don’t want to hurt my chances at getting into a good grad school later, and I’m pretty sure UCSD is looked upon much more fondly.
Furthermore, I plan to major in neuroscience/cognitive neuroscience, and UCSD is a fantastic school for those majors. However, I have heard that UCSC also has a good science department, and I also heard somewhere (although I don’t know how true it is) that it focuses more on undergrad students instead of graduate students, which could possibly be beneficial.
So I guess my question is, does anyone have experience with either of these schools, and would I be okay going to UCSC if I want to go to a good graduate school (and of course eventually get a good job)? Or would I be much better off going to UCSD, even if I don’t like the atmosphere? While I know academics should ultimately come before atmosphere, I’m having a difficult time letting go of the thought of living in a beautiful area that is very different from where I live, and if it’s possible to get an equally good education at SC, I would much rather go there.
Thank you! 
Edit: Sorry, I realize I should’ve put this in the college search and selection section, but I don’t think I can change it now. Sorry!