<p>Go with UCSC. You will have a better experience. It will also serve as a good place to transfer from. The same GPA at UCSC will do you better than the same GPA at Merced. UCSC is a BEAUTIFUL campus, nationally ranked, close to the ocean, and just a bus ride from downtown Santa Cruz which is a great fun place (I’ve been in the area a couple of times). </p>
<p>And, you will meet people like me there, who also want to transfer to UCLA/CAL in two years. What college are you thinking about? Maybe we’ll see each other there. BTW, the work load may be less, but in general, UCSC should be as easy if not easier than high school. It will prepare you more for transfering to a hard university.</p>