Running Out of Time... UCI vs UCSD vs UCSB

PadreDeTres
Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:44:00 +0000

@lkg4answers answered all of your questions in the same way I would (was a bit rushed earlier, yet wanted to let you know someone in CC land was reading your post).

Don’t base college decisions on perceptions of small differences in prestige. There is negligible distinction among most UC campuses in terms of the ABET-approved curriculum, overall quality of education and the platform for entering grad school. There is much more variation in quality of life, cost of attendance, location etc.

As a UCSD alum, I’m sad to see consistent descriptions of a cutthroat culture among undergrads. Generalizations, yes, yet perception can become reality for a good kid who is away from home for the first time. That’s the main reason why I suggested that you eliminate UCSD. And a binary choice should reduce your analytical overload.

Educational debt is an immense problem, currently $1.3 trillion in the U.S. Borrow as little as possible, within reason. Keep that powder dry for grad school.

@Leviathan245: When you said “I feel like I need to go where I would be most comfortable and happy rather than some highly rigorous and prestigious college and feel depressed,” you really answered your own question. That is the focal issue. (Note that all three are highly rigorous and prestigious–a great set of choices for you.) So which one makes you happy? Provided you can afford it, that’s where you should go.