I need more time to decide. I didn’t sleep much last night trying to figure this out. The deadline is here and I am not set on a school.
Would both end up dropping me for not following the rules?
One is allowing a deferred payment and the other requires the $250 up front.
I would contact both UC’s to see if they are willing to extend their SIR deadline for you. I would not take the chance of SIRing without these schools giving you the OK. You are going to have to make a decision one way or another so go with your gut and pick a school. Based on your other posts, you will get a good education at either UC so select the one school where you think you will be the happiest for the next 2 years. Happy students= Successful students.
One has a far more enjoyable atmosphere and campus = happiness. The other has more opportunities for internships and clinical experience = success.
I was not impressed with my experience at the latter, but opportunities to build my resume are very important to me…
I am sure there are plenty of “Pre-med” students attending UCSB and they seem to be to get those internship opportunities and clinical experience somewhere so I would vote for UCSB. You are not limited to these opportunities based on where you attend school. Internships and clinical experience can be found during your summer breaks and need not be local.
UCD is not a campus for every student and I am surprised about your experience in regarding “rude” individuals since as a parent, I visited my son many times during his time as an Undergrad and found everyone very welcoming. I agree with the Sacramento/Bay area and surround suburbs, there are more chances of staying more local for internship and clinical opportunities but if you are not happy with your academic life, what is the point??
That said, everyone has tough choices to make in their lives and I am sure you will be successful where ever you end up.
Yes, I was surprised. A girl working on the housing tour didn’t want to help us. We were told to go to her with questions but her response as we approached was “No, I’m just a --so and so–”. We asked about the deadline “Well if SHE would just look at her portal, then SHE would clearly see all the information listed there” I was taken aback by her attitude. She wore a tour uniform but was focused solely on her lollipop.
A couple students working in the deli shop were laughing at my mother - she was red in the face from the heat and walking around so much and didn’t hear the student when they were asking about the type of meat she wanted or something other…the two looked at each other and exchanged giggles… I stared back, unamused.
I didn’t see much in the way of food options on campus. Buildings were outdated. The weather is not ideal.
My time there just wasn’t the best experience.
I’ve simply heard that experience is more challenging to come by at UCSB. And of dozens of people, you’re the first to recommend UCSB to me…
I think you make your own experience and you seem very determined so you just need to avail yourself of all the resources available at UCSB. No one is going to hand you internships and clinical opportunities, you need to seek these out for yourself but if you are happy in your academic environment, then you will have that motivation to succeed.
Do not get me wrong, I think UCD is a great school and my son although had a rough start Freshman year, ended up loving his time there, but not every campus is right for every student. This is a personal choice and only you can make it.
Best of luck.
My Class of 2022 kid didn’t choose a UC in the end, but we toured both and preferred UCSB. My '22 also got the Chancellor’s invite and they gave a very nice reception at a fancy hotel. We prefer the weather at the coast and there are plenty of food choices in IV. And Santa Barbara is such a great town.
I wouldn’t choose a school based on my bad experiences at a local deli and with a housing employee. And if rankings matter to you, UCSB is a higher ranked school.
For Pre-Med, ranking really shouldn’t be a big consideration. GPA, MCAT scores and Medically related EC’s are going to make you a viable candidate. Again, go where you will be happiest.
Yes, I know that those were merely a few individuals of many. The rankings don’t matter much to me, but perceived reputation by employers does. UCSB is seen as a party school. The party mindset is off-putting to me.
Do the UCs have a system in place wherein they can see if you have SIRed to multiple colleges?
US News Rankings:
UCSB at #30
UCD at #38
Not much difference.
“Prestige” was a consideration for my kid and, locally, UCSB has a tiny bit more prestige. It wasn’t a major consideration, but it mattered nonetheless in our decision. Simply a sample of one here. 
I have never heard of a “system” to check multiple SIR’s and, even if they had a system in place, then whether they would have the man (or women) power and budget to monitor it, but it’s dishonest and I would not recommend it.
Both are great, fantastic schools. Gumbymom is the resident expert here regarding UC’s, so I’d listen to her VERY carefully.
It doesn’t seem that Gumbymom has much of a preference for one over the other.
It’s a recommendation to choose the UC where I would be happy…Honestly, I’m not sure if I should trust my own judgement. I visited UCSB just once.
My advice is not so much in regards to the UC’s specifically but what I have learned from both my son’s experiences and like I stated in the above posts, Happy students are successful students. Enjoying your time at any college will keep you motivated to succeed and to continue to do your best, just take advantage of all resources available to you at UCSB or UCD (I cannot stress this enough).
I called UC System, and a lady told me that I could SIR both until later UC will send me a letter to ask me to withdraw one of those. So she concluded that I had time until the day I got that email.
Anyway, I later declined UCI as soon as UCLA confirmed that my decision admission stood. At that time, I was ok to pay 500 for both schools even though UCLA deferred it. All the school’s balance will end up to Federal to collect after a few years.
@Bibihcmvn: You had extenuating circumstances and was waiting for confirmation in regards to your dropped course from UCLA if I remember correctly.
OP just cannot make a decision of where to attend. I did recommend to call the UC’s and see if they will extend the deadline but get permission first before SIRing to 2 campuses.
@Gumbymom Which would you consider to be the better overall choice for pre-med? (without considering my own comments because I’m not currently leaning toward one over the other)
Pre-med will be tough at any UC since about 60% of Pre-med students never make to the application process. I happen to love both campuses and there are pros and cons to both schools. What is important as I stated in the above post is that you need a school where you think you can academically excel (GPA), that will help prepare you for the MCAT, access to good pre-professional advising and where you can readily participate in Medically related EC’s.
Both schools will have the “weeder” courses but as a transfer, you have gotten beyond those lower division courses so some advantage there towards your goal.
UCD has the advantage of having a Medical school, many hospitals/clinics for shadowing, along with being considered an overall collaborative school.
USCB has the location, a laid back vibe, a few more social distractions than UCD but still it is a UC and you will have access to internships/research opportunities perhaps not as equally local as UCD.
I think “fit’ is important and first impressions can change but ultimately you have to be happy where you go to school. I see all signs pointing to UCSB for you.
My opinion really cannot be considered since perspectives change as you get older. My younger self probably would pick UCSB while now I would pick UCD.
I am an older student and am turned off by the party scene at UCSB. I’m thinking I will SIR at UCD.
@Gumbymom I asked UC System generally, did not tell her anything about my case. Only wondered if I could SIR more than 1 UCs. So I do not think it will be an issue.
@kristinpete It’s your decision and only you know your personality but UCD has a medical school and just from a pre-med pro and con, I think you’ll be better off at UCD.