USSD Vs UCB?(and maybe others) Help!

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of California - San Diego
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<p>Hello everyone, so I am pretty much stuck in this decision between UCSD and UCB. Normally, I would definitely go to UCB because it is such a prestigious school and going there would be great, but there are several reasons why I might not choose it.</p>

<p>Intended Major: Electrical Engineering</p>

<p>UCB:
Pros: The main reason why I would want to go to CAL is definitely because of its name. Going to such a high ranked college will definitely benefit me in the future in terms of graduate school or finding a job. Also I would be close to home(I live in SF). </p>

<p>Cons: Sadly, I didn't get into spring semester, but that isnt really the biggest reason why I wouldn't go there. I got into Berkeley for college of Letters and Sciences, and there isn't really a major in there that I am that interested in, and either way I don't want to just "settle" for another major. And I've heard from friends that changing majors, let alone trying to change into college of engineering, is extremely difficult, but not 100% sure if this is true.</p>

<p>UCSD:
Pros: I got into their electrical engineering major which is what I wanted to do, so this is definitely a big plus for me to go there, and according to "rankings", UCSD has a pretty good engineering program. Surely it isn't as good as CAL, but at least I got into the major I wanted. Also, going here would be a new experience, probably will have to force myself to mature even more and I would stop relying so much on my parents.</p>

<p>Cons: Being that far away is both a negative and positive thing, it would mean that I don't get to travel back to SF when I want to, so there is that slight fear of moving far. Also, I've never actually visited the campus at UCSD, so it would definitely be nice if someone can somewhat describe the area around it is like, and the activities/areas within the campus.</p>

<p>It's definitely a tough decision, at least for me. I do want to go to CAL because of its rankings, but the whole spring admit and the fact that I didn't get into the major I wanted to is definitely a huge bummer for me. I also got into other UCs including Davis, SB, and Irvine, so if anyone thinks that they actually deserve a better shot, then shoot me your opinions please!</p>

<p>Thank you~</p>

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<p>I guess the prestige thing just doesn’t do it for me. UCSD has a well recognized engineering program that is ranked very highly. Cal is better known outside of Calif., but UCSD is very highly ranked. If Cal doesn’t offer your major and you can’t start until spring, then I would think UCSD would start looking more and more attractive. The red flag for me is that you have not visited the UCSD campus are asking for opinions on this board. Everyone reacts to campus environments differently; my son loves UCSD, but was not interested in even applying to Cal because of the environment. That does not mean he is right or wrong- it’s just that each person looks for something different in a college environment. Is there anyway you can go look at the UCSD campus before deciding? Seems like you are taking a pretty big risk considering you will spend the next 4 years there. As far as the distance, UCSD is really not that far from the Bay Area ( I am assuming you are there- maybe not?) Anyway, there are a lot of transportation options and there will be a lot of students going back and forth from whom you might get rides. Yes, you will probably be homesick at first, but it will get better before your 2nd year. You should still be able to see your family often.</p>

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<p>If you want to do EE and UCSD is the only college that took you for the major, this isn’t a hard decision. Your major matters far more than your college (unless there is a huge disparity in reputation) as to the success you’ll have post-college. My friends who were EE have had absolutely no trouble finding jobs at the Silicon Valley blue-chips (if this is where you ultimately want to end up). Doing CS at Cal might yield comparable short-term opportunities, but I’m guessing that doesn’t 100% appeal to you as you applied ECE and not CSE.</p>

<p>I’m from the Bay Area as well, and it really never became an issue for me. You’ll find plenty of other people from the area to fly/carpool home with. As importantly, you’ll have other people to feel homesick with if you feel the need. Besides, Skype makes life much easier.</p>