<p>I was also deciding between UCI and UCSB and had the same question as to which school has a better bio program… I was back and forth because UCI is where I would be more comfortable with social scene wise (i’m a rather quiet Asian girl type) but UCSB has a reputation for party school and white dominated… but it would have zoology which is what I have always wanted to study and get into. </p>
<p>and like dissonance said, my friend’s sister told me I was crazy to even consider going to UCSB when UCI has a better and stronger bio program. But when I told her I wanted to study zoology, she said that then yes, UCSB might be better because of the resources right on campus is waaay better than UCI. My AP chemistry teacher confirmed this saying that when she went to UCSD and then tried to take a class about invertebrates or another, the class was just textbook based with no labs because ucsd didn’t really focus on the specifics (ucsd prolly focused on its pre-med students and such) and she said that UCSB is has it’s own beach and lagoon so labs and hands on stuff will be no problem. </p>
<p>and one thing that I think would work in our favor if choosing UCSB is that UCSB is 85% undergrad so the focus will be on us and therefore more opportunities will be available. </p>
<p>So yes, despite the party school rep which I am very wary about, I am going to ucsb for pre-biology and then after 2 years, zoology. =D besides, I am going there to study and prepare for grad school, not to party.</p>