Unfortunately, due to financial issues, I ended up having to choose among 3 universities, UC irvine, UC davis and UC santa barbara. But, since those three colleges are very similar in terms of academics and rankings, it is hard for me to make up my mind. Can someone please give me some recommendations on which college I should go to?
Here are some of the general benefits/information about those colleges particularly for myself.
UC irvine
Cheapest among those 3 ($10,000 a year including everything)
Buisness Econ major
Lots of excelling companies around UC irvine campus (maybe great internship opportunities?)
Very close to LA
Upper trending in rankings - ranked 39
UC santa barbara
Most expensive among those three colleges ($13,000 a year)
Pre econ and accounting major
Strong accounting major but due to the fact that it is a pre major until the beginning of the junior year, there is a risk that I might not be able to get into the full major due to the competitiveness.
Upper trending in rankings (Don’t know why) - ranked 37
UC davis
Around $11,000 a year
Econ or compsci major
downward trending in rankings - ranked 41
I don’t really know what i want to major in yet but slanting towards the accounting major. I’m also thinking of business or math major but oh well. Can someone give me some advices on where I should go to?
Don’t worry about ratings. You mention finances. How much does the $3,000/year for UC SB matter? Not worth loans. Which campus do you like? Where do you want to live? LA metro or Sacramento?
Honestly $3,000 won’t make a much difference for me. But I’m so obsessed with the rankings even though there isn’t a much difference among those three colleges
I agree that rankings should not be a major consideration. If you are leaning towards accounting, then either UCI or UCSB would be the better choice since UCD does not offer a minor nor emphasis in Accounting. You should attend the school which meets your academic/social and financial goals. A happy student will have a better chance to succeed.
I really want to experience/enjoy college/social life. But I heard that UCI is good in terms of location but then it is a a commuter school and can’t really experience much of college like experiences. Also, the another concern is that I heard that both irvine and santa barbara is upper trend in terms of rankings but I feel like irvine will soon take over SB and Davis since so many companies are around UCI.
As has been stated above, forget the rankings. There isn’t an ounce of difference between the rankings of these three universities. Trends in this range of ranking aren’t worth speculating about. It’s not like you’re buying equities.
Instead focus on the quality of the program and the fit to your interests – both academically and socially. I agree with your concern about a college being more a commuter school. But you need to talk to current students about the social aspect.
@mij221 - I agree with @Gumbymom. Three very solid and well-regarded universities (congratulations on the acceptances!). My kids have many friends (non-commuters) who have gone to all three schools, and I hear more positives than negatives. I have not heard any negatives about any of the schools regarding employment post graduation.
If you are concerned about UCI, visit the campus on a Saturday. We did. It will give you a better feel about student involvement. But, just because there are a lot of commuters at the school, there are still quite a few that live on or near campus, and, just like all colleges, if the students get involved in activities, clubs, and events, they will create a strong community for themselves. Many commuters are also very involved on campus. Also, check out the non-dorm student housing at the schools. Is it affordable? Is it livable? Do you want to live in Isla Vista? Do you like off-campus student housing at UCI? That is one area we didn’t research for our UC kids, and we wish we had!
I agree with @Gumbymom that a happy student will have a better chance to succeed, and everyone else about not worrying about rankings. They are all very close and all great schools.
I also agree that UCI or UCSB might be the better choices for your interests. If you are looking for more of the stereotypical “college experience,” I think you’ll most likely find that at UCSB, but there are so many students who think they know what they want based on a stereotype they have in their head, then visit another campus and completely change their mind. That’s the way it often goes. One school can look like exactly what you want on paper, but in person, the feel you get for another makes it the obvious choice.
Since you say the $3K won’t make much difference for you, you’re fortunate in that you can really pick the one you want without having to worry about that, but you may visit UCI and instantly feel like it’s the best fit for you. As the least expensive option, that would be a nice win/win. If not, no loss. There are more companies/jobs in and around OC, but I wouldn’t let that be something that determines your decision if you don’t feel like it’s the best fit. Again, you’re likely to do best where you’re the happiest.
Whatever you choose, they are all great schools. Congrats, and good luck!
Don’t pay attention to rankings. I know this is a repeat but it needs to be repeated :)They are all in the same ballpark anyway. Do you want business econ, accounting, econ or CS? Though I assume all have CS and econ.
I cannot stress enough (as everyone has done) that there is not an ounce of difference in those rankings that is worth a nickel. They are UCs. There is UCB/UCLA and all the others. That’s it. It will not make one difference on your resume going forward between those three. Zero, nada, zilch difference.
Go where you want to be, that has the major you most likely want to do. UCSB will be more fun and more of a college experience than UCI. UC Davis is cute, charming, and also much quieter than UCSB especially on the weekends, but has more personality than UCI. Have you been? What feels right?
When you get older you will realize how many rankings in the world are meaningless, and how many rankings are bought over a business lunch.
If not, no loss. There are more companies/jobs in and around OC, but I wouldn’t let that be something that determines your decision if you don’t feel like it’s the best fit. Again, you’re likely to do best where you’re the happiest.