Debate where to transfer UCSB, UCB, Boulder

College Search & Lists
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Hi,

I am a current College freshman at the College of the Holy Cross. I took a gap year last year and since then and arriving to school have found this isn’t the place for me as both I and my interests have changed a lot since making that initial decision. I am super focused on environmental studies. I know this is my passion and have yet to decipher what area I want to focus on maybe sustainability, engineering, or resource management, but know I want a school that offers a variety of options and resources to discover what I want.

Additionally I am looking for a bigger more dynamic campus environment. I am outgoing and social so that element of student life is important to me but don’t necessarily care about or even want greek life. I love the outdoors and adventuring and want a school where I can have access to such kind of extracurricular options.

The schools I have narrowed down my interests to are UCSB, UCB, and CU Boulder. Obviously a range and different schools. Berkley offers the best programs I am most excited about, but the lifestyle offered at Boulder and Santa Barbara are more appealing. The reality is that both UC schools only accept juniors and in order to make the switch I would have to come from an in state community college so I would have to spend the remainder of my freshman year starting January and all of sophomore year at a CC before getting to these schools I want. Comparatively - Boulder has a mid year freshman transfer option. The idea of a more traditional experience and continuity and commitment to a place that I get from transferring and settling in immediately is appealing but I worry about the reputation at Boulder and that the academics won’t be serious enough.

Is being at the “better” or right school worth a much bumpier and elongated process? Any insight into the programs and academics at boulder? Also I have evaluated these options with counselors so acceptances and financials are all more or less equally viable between the three options.

Any advice or knowledge would be appreciated!

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I don’t know about the quality of environmental studies at CU, but there are federal labs and other institutions that study related areas, and generally Boulder is very much environmentally aware, so I think the opportunities should be pretty good. Not to mention that it’s an outdoor mecca.

4

For UCB/UCSB, you only need 30 units or more at a CA community college to get the in-state transfer priority so you could finish out your Freshman year at Holy Cross. This said, there is no guarantee that you will be accepted into either school although UCSB does offer TAG for most majors.

I would try for the Mid-year transfer to CU Boulder and if you are unable to get into that school, then consider attending a CA CC and trying to transfer to UCSB or UCB.

Best of luck.

5

note that if you are not already a CA resident you will end up paying OOS at any UC. You will not be able to qualify for resident rates no matter how long you live in CA with few exceptions (such as being able to prove you are self-supporting). The cost will be more than $60K/year and there is no financial aid available to OOS residents.