Which UC campus should I apply to?

State Forums
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<p>Hey! I'm a senior this year, and I know it's late, but I'm planning to apply to one UC campus as a way to abide to my parents requests to apply to a "cheaper" school. I am leaning more towards a small LAC right now but I just want to apply to one UC just in case I'm not offered a good financial package from a private. I don't really like the idea of a UC, but I doubt I'd be miserable if I went to one, either.</p>

<p>Some background info: GPA 3.95, SAT 2050, 250 hours volunteer work, band member/other ecs, and pretty decent essays, I think at least.
Also, I live in the Bay Area, very liberal, planning on being a Psych major.</p>

<p>So far, I've visited two campuses, Davis and Irvine. Both seemed okay, like not terrible or anything, but I didn't get the warm feeling there that I got visiting private schools. That's okay, though. Until the past couple of weeks I was planning to apply to Davis, because I thought it would be convenient because it's fairly close to where I live, but lately I've been second-guessing it. I brought up the possibility of Irvine to my friend, who looked scared at the thought of me going there, saying I wouldn't fit it because it's an "all-Asian school." (She's Asian by the way...). Because California is very diverse, I highly doubt that I would stand out as a Caucasian, or that Irvine lacks diversity in any way, and I am not bothered by being at a school with a lot of Asians. However, it made me re-think applying to UC Irvine, and now I'm even considering applying to a completely different school altogether, such as maybe UCSD or UCB. </p>

<p>I have no idea if I'd get into UCSD or UCB because they are very selective, but I guess I have a shot at least especially because I'm not applying into a science program. I'd also not care too much if I didn't get in. Also, I'm not even considering the other UCs because I am not into the party atmosphere of UCSB and UCSC, and Merced and Riverside are a little too out of the way for me.</p>

<p>My question is, which UC campus do you think would be best for me, and should I listen to my friend's advice about the apparent "stereotype" of UCI?</p>

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<p>If you like small LAC’s, Davis would be the closest fit. Although it is a large campus, the university is very small town and friendly. With 25,000 undergrads, my son always seems to see students he knows whenever he is on campus or in town.
UCI is a really nice campus but one of the complaints I hear is that many locals attend so the campus is deserted on weekends. And yes UCI has a large Asian student population around 50% but I really do not think you would standout, you would be just in the minority. </p>

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<p>Try Davis, Santa Clara, Chapman, USD, and Loyola Marymount. I also think you would like Davis.</p>