<p>Hey guys, anyone wanna help me here with my top 2 choices? </p>
<p>UCSD: </p>
<p>Pros - GREAT Engineering program (applied as a BioE, backup Comp E.), won't be as expensive, and right next to THE BEACHHH.
Cons - Too close to home (literally 15 minutes away), Not that great socially (University of Completely Socially Dead haha)</p>
<p>UCLA:</p>
<p>Pros - Be cool if I got in since I've been wanting to go here since day 1, a top 3 public school, LOTS to do, and pretty good engineering program.</p>
<p>Cons - Gonna be a bit more $$ and Materials E. program not even in top 20 (idk about job outlooks for that, and if I want to swith, I have to get good grades and pay even MORE)</p>
<p>Where do you think I belong if I, hypothetically speaking, got into both schools?</p>
<p>That honestly has a great impact, visiting both schools and seeing where you may fit best based on atmosphere. </p>
<p>I was like you and thought that UCLA was way too close to home (like 25 minutes), I really wanted to get away from home so I decided not even to consider UCLA. </p>
<p>Don’t worry too much about the prestige in the engineering programs. If UCLA’s is a bit lower ranked, yet you feel you can succeed and take better advantage of the program there, than it might be better for you. It all depends on how you take advantage of your opportunities. </p>
<p>Btw, UCSD is only socially dead if YOU are socially dead. UCSD just happens to get quite a bit of socially dead PEOPLE, the socially alive people DO find each other and have fun (alot of times through frats etc.), so you won’t have to worry about that aspect unless it isn’t something you’re looking for. </p>
<p>with all due respect I think you should wait until you see if you get into both schools. Things can really change when the acceptance letters come in March.</p>
<p>campus visits FTW. UCSD is top notch… like you I am a little weary of transferring there over places like ucsb and ucsc where there is a bit more going on day to day and not so “socially dead”. </p>
<p>however, I think that its all up to what you make it. when I visited my friend their for a weekend, she said there wasnt much going on on campus a whole lot, however there were three events that she wasnt aware of that I walked in on (5k walk, some concert, and something else I dont know what it was, it was just alot of people). Ive asked similar questions and everyone pretty much tells me its what you make it. </p>
<p>So, if you like both schools, seriously consider the area of the college itself, how much you like the campus/ facilities, and any e.c. things each school has to offer.</p>
<p>I say go to UCSD, but for some people you cant put a price on GTHOH (Getting the Hell Out of Here) away from home</p>
<p>I hate it when people say that UCSD is socially dead because its not true. There’s like tons of stuff going on around campus. For instance, UCSD offers recreational classes where you can meet tons of people. Just recently I took a salsa class and I thought it was very fun and entertaining. There are also tons of student organizations you can join such as circle k(community service org), model un, and much more. Thus, UCSD will only be socially dead if you don’t put yourself out there and try to find an organization to join.</p>
<p>Completely agree with UCSDfan. People who say UCSD is socially dead are lazy! They’re the ones who expect a party to come to them. You have to go find them. And if you join an org, you’ll find plenty of people. </p>
<p>Also, there are plenty of events on campus too. Bear Garden just passed a few weeks ago – free subway sandwiches and BEER. It was packed.</p>
<p>^ oh and as a transfer student, being 21, i know they have a lot of events with free beer. a senior was telling me how cool it was when i was there on my campus visit</p>
<p>I was considering going to UCLA, but the extra $15k a year, IMO, was not worth it. Plus the tuition increase of 32% will be a living hell for you and your parents.</p>
<p>A. off the bat, if long-term career success is what you want, choose UCSD for bio E. the recruitment and networking resources are great for that. but with the wonderful resources comes competition–the top bioE program in the nation is of course going to be very tough. intellectually speaking, that is a really good thing.</p>
<p>B. if college social experience is what you want, there are two possibilities:
if “social experience” involves alcohol and raunchy partying, then ucsd will be fine–there will be a fair share of that.
if “social experience” leans more to the “family-friendly” type for you, then pick ucla, because ucsd doesn’t have much of that. i do know that ucsd offers tons of music concerts and recreational sports options–you might be into that.</p>