Hi everyone! So I’m currently debating between attending UCSB and USC in the fall. I was admitted to UCSB as a Pre-Biology major w/ Pre-Med and Honors. For USC, I was admitted into Biochemistry but I’m actually thinking of changing to Neuroscience. Originally USC was my dream school, but after much consideration I’ve realized that UCSB is an equally great school. I was wondering if anyone had any input of which would be a better choice. Although USC is double the tuition of UCSB, money isn’t an issue because my grandpa has already told me he will pay for my college.
I’ve already visited both campuses. I visited USC several months ago (actually gonna visit again this week) and I loved it. I really saw myself attending. But then I also visited UCSB this past week and I just loved the atmosphere. It felt so chill and relaxed. I felt that I could really achieve my academic success while still having a social life and fun. Note, I’d actually rather stay away from the party scene. But I think that is manageable with either school. I would just really like a school where I can get a good education but not have to be completely overstressed due to over-competition. I expect that both schools are competitive but I do want one where I can take a breathe at times.
I do want to do a minor in college but I think my options are a bit more limited w/ UCSB compared to USC. I was also hoping to study abroad. So if anyone has any insight on that regarding these schools that would be cool. Additionally, how would you compare the undergraduate research? I know that UCSB is pre-dominantly undergraduate w/ less graduate students so I’ve heard there is more opportunity for undergraduates to participate in research since you aren’t competing with graduate students. On the flip side, would is it hard to get undergraduate research at USC?
Honestly, I’d recommend UCSB. USC, unless you’re on a merit scholarship or are receiving good financial aid, is going to be a lot more expensive than SB. On top of that, UCSB faculty is incredible. Like, Incredible. The Santa Barbara location is attracting really great professors from all over the country and world to teach there. So, the research there is amazing and professors, for the most part, do take a good amount of undergrads into their labs. There are definitely a lot more options in what you research, since it is a bigger school. I’ve toured labs at both schools and SBs facilities were much larger and nicer than USCs. Plus, who can resist an ocean view from the lab?
Although it is important to consider that you’ll have access to Keck/affiliated hospitals as a USC student, I think those positions will be much tougher to get than research positions at the better UCSB labs. So, overall it might be the same difficulty to get research positions, but just note that the top positions in Keck might be tougher, and that the research going on at SB is really renowned and well cited.
Plus, it’ll be easy to graduate faster and at the top of your class if you have med school in your sights at all. I may just have a soft spot for UCSB, but it’s really on the rise, and I know a lot of people who turned down ivy leagues/stanford/etc. to do pre med at ucsb. Save the money for grad school!
On a slightly different note, Santa Barbara is an amazing place to live, and UCSBs location is gorgeous and a 5 min walk from the ocean (if that matters to you). USC is a beautiful school, but it’s in kinda a sketchy part of LA haha.
Study abroad will almost definitely be better at USC, if that’s super important to you. And the classes will be smaller, and the liberal arts and humanities will likely be better. But I guess it comes down to the fact that Ucsb is an awesome school, and whether it’s worth the 250k to go to usc for you.