Hey everyone. Longtime lurker here but I’ve finally decided to post. I’m really grateful to have these two options but I’m really undecided on what to pick. I got into UC Berkeley for applied math and UCSB for electrical engineering. Which one do you think is the better option. I’m instate for both so cost isn’t much of an issue.
Berkeley pros:
More academically rigorous for major (Applied Math)
Higher academic prestige (not that big of a pro)
double major with economics, and Berkeley has a lot of resources for that
lots of my friends are going as well, so I’ll have a good community
workload won’t be too bad from what current applied math students tell me
recruiting for IB/consulting/tech is better
better connections to Silicon Valley for internships and jobs
better sports/school spirit? (not sure about this)
Berkeley cons:
didn’t vibe that well with the campus when i visited
seemed like everyone was very stressed
worried about the competitiveness (i like to be laid back and chill)
weather isn’t that great
very restrictive when it comes to CS and Engineering courses (can’t take classes and will have a really hard time).
UCSB pros:
got in for a major with good pay and job security (Electrical Engineering). Also have a lot of flexibility with my major if i end up not liking it down the line
very relaxed/chill atmosphere
great weather/close to the beach
I was vibing with the campus more when i visited
students seem more happy and extroverted
UCSB EE is first-class and has a lot of connections to companies in both SB and Silicon Valley. Lots of potential internship and job opportunities
Smaller college of engineering so I can be closer to professors and have an easier time with opportunities
UCSB cons:
not as academically prestigious as Berkeley
farther from home
housing might be an issue down the line (I heard the situation isn’t great)
EE is a much harder major and will take up a lot of my free time
Campus is a bit isolated from everything else
For what I want, it’s very simple. Basically, with how the economy and the way this nation is being run, by the time I graduate I want a well-paying job with good security that’ll allow me to live comfortably and have lots of career growth opportunities.
That’s why I’m conflicted b/w the two. Any advice?
USSB based on reading through your post where I get the impression that you like UCSB more. I presume you will also have an easier time changing to other branches of engineering at UCSB if you end not liking EE as much.
Totally agree. You can go from EE to Math at UCSB but it is impossible at Berkeley to go from Math to Engineering. Plus do not choose college because it is more popular or prestigious if it is not good fit for you. Happy student is a good one, upset and stressed one is not soo much.
Always pick major ahead of school. Ask yourself, do you really want to be engineer? If yes, pick UCSB. But less than 50% entering college as Eng major actually graduating with Eng major. If you are not sure, pick the school you like the most. To be honest, I don’t see any company would only hire math major from CAL, but not UCSB. Good Luck.
Also do not pick any major because of salary. Do you like take things apart and put them together? Did you do any robotics? Do you like to create something from "nothing " for hours? Do you like to repair something and struggle to identify what is wrong? Then it makes sense to try engineering.
Same with Math. Do you like proofs? Did you take Calculus and enjoyed? Do you like to solve math problems for hours?
I happened to study in the past both EE and Math. I discovered that I enjoyed Math more but not so much more to go to graduate school for Math. So I end up with Industrial Engineering MS but life forced me to do mostly data analysis. You sometimes have to do not your first choice for living due to many circumstances out of your control.
If you want to pursue a career in IB or consulting, then applied math & econ is a great combination. But, if you want to be an EE, then UCSB appears to be the better option.
FWIW I have many relatives who earned EE degrees at Georgia Tech all of whom later earned MBAs and left engineering.
EE will prepare you well if you wish to switch to Applied mathematics for finance later for a Masters degree, in addition to providing all the other career choices that come with EE.
Lot of good advice above, this is my ‘consider in addition’.
I certainly wouldn’t use housing worries as a reason to choose Berkeley over Santa Barbara. The kids I know who’ve gone to Berkeley have been stressing about the subsequent year’s housing in September/October of any given year. It’s a very tight and expensive market, and the less-desirable options are unappealing on a whole 'nother level from anything in Isla Vista. Big UC’s have housing challenges - that’s just a baseline - but if you’re proactive, you’ll figure it out just as others do.
You sound like you are “feeling” UCSB more than Berkeley. That, combined with the ability to start in engineering and keep all options open, makes it seem like an excellent option.