<p>depends on the major</p>
<p>UCSD is probably the better option because. . .</p>
<p>1) UCSD recieves the 3rd most NIH funding for research. (1st is UCSF which doesn't have an undergraduate program and 2nd is UCLA). UCSD received $319 million in NIH funds. To put that amount in perspective #2 UCLA recieved $366 million and #4 UCD recieved $162 million. There are tons of undergraduate research opportunities at UCSD . I am doing an 8 unit research project at the medical school for the next two quarters, and they have already offered me a paid job in the summer. <a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.ed..._factsheet.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.universityofcalifornia.ed..._factsheet.pdf</a></p>
<p>2) I am a biology major, which is excellent at UCSD. In fact it is the most popular major at UCSD, 19% of students are biology majors. I believe we have 8 different biology majors. At UCLA biology majors make up only 5%. At UCLA the most popular major is Poly Sci (7%). University of California--Los Angeles - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report</p>
<p>3) UCSD is located in La Jolla, within walking distance of the beach. A great campus. Besides the beach it is surrounded by world class research institutions that are affiliated with UCSD (Salk Institute, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, The Burnham Institute). It also has 2 hospitals adjacent to the campus (Scripps Memorial & the VA hospital), a hospital on campus (UCSD Thornton Hospital) and another up the street (scripps green). All of these places offer employment, internships, and volunteer opportunities to students. Great if your pre-med or want to go to a biomedical graduate school.</p>
<p>4) The 6 college system offers an opportunity to select the best GE courses to fit your interests. The 6 college system does not mean that you are segregated from the students in other colleges or you have to take all your classes at that college. Its good enough for Oxford and Cambridge.</p>
<p>The biggest problem that will continue to hold back UCI and UCSD is The UCI/UCSD commuter campus issues. Those living in campus dorms at UC's are mostly freshman. UCI and UCSD have higher percentages of freshman that live at home and drive to the campus. At both schools many students living on campus go home on the weekends, which makes for a quiet campus. The commuter issue also involves the rest of the students. Neither school is located in a college town (the cities of Irvine and La Jolla). There is no centralized area around the campus where the majorities of students both live and congregate. Large numbers of students drive in to school and park each day, thus the often-lamented parking problems. </p>
<p>After freshman year many students live in diverse areas away from the campus and are unable to walk or bike. At UCSD most students (not freshman) end up living about 20 minutes away (though there are shuttles). At UCB, UCLA, UCD, UCSC, and UCSB the vast majority of students all live in the immediate area surrounding their campus and there is plenty of walking/biking distance entertainment and housing (the costs vary dramatically from campus to campus). These schools also provide intricate public and university transit to serve the students. UCI has increased the on campus housing in recent years and more than doubled the size of it's on campus student center which has improved the environment. UCI's long-range plan is to provide housing for 50% of the enrolled student population. It's good to have a car (or a friend who has a car) if you plan to attend UCI or UCSD. Both schools are located near a lot of really cool places, but they are not located in college towns and that is not going to change anytime soon if ever.</p>
<p>Now, suppose someone gets Regent scholarship(9K a year for 4 years, priority registration and housing) at UCI and regular admission at UCSD, which school will he/she choose and why?</p>