I applied on time for TAG, and I think I may be accepted for UCSB in Statistics if everything goes well. I’m kind of nervous, I thought that the school would be a smart place to go study, but after learning about it’s party atmosphere I doubt I’d really at all fit in. I already have mental illness, and going to this school kind of scares me. I wanted to apply to UCD, but the lady who is in charge of helping people transfer said its too late. I also am sort of hoping that my UC app goes through and that UCD will accept me. However I noticed that their transfer rate is pretty hard to fit in to, I think I’m barely at a 3.4 gpa, and I don’t doubt that their Stats program is hard to get into. What should I do?
You can and should apply to UCD without TAG.
It is hard to imagine a 20 year old college student in California wouldn’t know about UCSBs party scene. The truth is most UCSB students take their studies pretty seriously. The real buzz is pretty concentrated in a couple of blocks on the bluff in Isla Vista, there are other places to live and, Of course you don’t have to partake.Davis also has parties but, since you burned your TAG on the place, you should visit the campus, stay nearby, talk to some students before committing one way or another.
Since you mention mental illness, Id find UCD a more stressful place to study. The campus is much larger and the students seem more tightly wound. Of course, there is no beach. You know what kind of environment will work best for you. Visit several schools and follow your gut.
Thanks for the response. What about my ethnic background? I’m an American-born Chinese, and I’ve had some trouble growing up since understanding a Western society has proved to be more difficult than I could honestly bear. I think sometimes that just seeing other Asian faces would make life easier, rather than having to wear a mask that others have a strange time trying to interpret. (I know I sound kind of prejudice, but I’m just trying to speak from a personal experience point of view) I sense that UCD could be an easier place to assimilate, but I don’t know if it’s worth it if the school isn’t as competitive in terms of academics. (I’m not sure of this either, but they seem to rank high quite often)
I never inquired about your ethnic background -in my experience, all races are pretty well represented at most UCs. Assuming you are admitted into both, spend a day or two on both campuses, talk to students and see where you feel more comfortable.