UCI vs UCD vs UCSB for Political Science

hokiboshi93
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:23:53 +0000

I’m a prospective UC student, and I’m hoping for acceptances into these three schools. Hypothetically if I got into these three schools, I would have a hard time deciding between which one would be the best for me. (Obviously this is a hypothetical situation, and if I get rejected from a campus, it will make choosing easier. I also got accepted into a few other schools so I do have safeties).

I am hoping to major in Political Science and minoring in music. I want to go to the school that has the best reputable humanities/social science department.

I haven’t researched on the social science departments at these schools, and for that matter, I have no idea how reputable the programs are for each school. My ultimate objective is law school however.

I live in Irvine, literally 4 minutes away walking distance from UCI. I do like the city, but also I am kind of sick of it and I want to live somewhere else for a change. I have nothing against the school however, in fact I really like it. I probably would not dorm at UCI if I chose to go there, as it would be the best economic choice for my family (at the expense of my social life). But it seems that UCI has a better reputation overall than UCD and UCSB, but I don’t know if it’s better than those two schools in Political Science. In essence, I want to get out of Irvine, but if UCI is the best school in Poli Sci, I’d be down to go there.

I really like SB’s location and campus. It seems to generally have a good reputation, but overall it seems worse that UCD and UCI. I’ve heard that social life adversely affects academic life, and if you’re serious about maintaining a good gpa, then UCD and UCI is better. I still like this school, and for its campus and location, I would be really happy to attend this school. And if it is deemed the best school at political science, I would go for sure.

UCD is the school that I know little about and have not visited. Apparently in rankings, it has been with a stalemate with UCI, although it recently surpassed both UCSB and UCI. Still, I’ve heard that UCI has a better reputation overall. Since this is UCD’s forum, how would you guys rate the poli sci program there? I’m not concerned about social life, seem UCI seems pretty dull and I’m sure that UCD is better.

I’m really active in music too, and that will be a factor. But right now, i’m more concerned about the poli sci programs at these respective schools. I don’t think these schools have a HUGE difference, but which one do you think has the best poli sci program?