<p>What is advantages and disadvantages of both schools? UCLA ranked higher than UCSD, but I heard that LA is very competitive…How you guys think?</p>
<p>Did you get into both schools? If so, i would say UCLA is the more prestigious. More people around the world know of UCLA. I would encourage my child to choose UCLA over UCSD.</p>
<p>OP, there are very large differences between the schools.</p>
<p>Surroundings within walking distance: UCSD… none, UCLA, Westwood
Sports: UCSD, none to speak of, UCLA , well, you get it
Majors: UCSD is stronger than UCLA is some sciences (especially biological), whereas UCLA is strong across disciplines – sciences, social sciences, liberal arts, engineering
Brand Recognition: UCLA is known worldwide, UCSD only in the fields of biological sciences.</p>
<p>But, forget ALL that. Go to the website students review dot com , and check out the % of students who report they would NOT return to UCSD if they were to choose again. The % for UCSD is 57%. That is among the worst I have ever seen. Then drill down into the students’ comments. It becomes clear very quickly that students at UCSD feel like their trapped in an anti-social hole. I have no idea why they feel this way, but read the dozens of comments, positive, negative, neutral, and advice, and a consistent, depressing picture is painted.</p>
<p>Caveat emptor with UCSD.</p>
<p>Don’t kid yourself: SD is mighty competitive as well. It has plenty of students who had the strong numbers to get into Cal and UCLA but did not for whatever reason. A neighbor’s kid who was all honors/all AP at one of the top high schools in SoCal is busting his butt for A-. (He’s also in the 8 year SD med program, and is a Regent’s Scholar, so by definition he’s at the tippy top of the class coming in and is shocked at how many gunners there are in SD.) </p>
<p>Add in the lousy social scene, and LA becomes a lot more attractive (and fun). </p>
<p>If you want to minimize competition, go to Merced.</p>
<p>Lotta UCSD negativity here…I guess that perhaps it does live up to its nickname of UC Socially Dead.</p>
<p>Westwood is more lively than La Jolla.
Football at UCLA is 20 miles away vs. no football at UCSD.</p>
<p>
I wouldn’t say UCLA is “strong” across all disciplines…its good, but none of its academic programs are truly standout (except maybe film which pales in comparison to USC). USCD’s biological programs are top-notch and its political science program is stronger than UCLAs.</p>
<p>UCSD has a quirky resedential college system which I thought was kind of confusing.</p>
<p>
Uh still, UC Socially Dead >>> UC Merdead</p>
<p>^^Yeah, but Merced is only a couple of hours away from Tahoe!</p>
<p>^ Yosemite too. :p</p>
<p>^Berkeley too! :-)</p>
<p>UCSD is socially dead? Hooray! If I go there I will fit in very well! Happy to see UCSD’s bio program is top notch.</p>
<p>UCBchemguy – UCLA Polisci was #8 in NRC rankings, and UCSD #9… seems comparable to me.</p>
<p>Re: grade competitiveness at UCSD – I get the feeling it is like Cornell or Swarthmore, but without the social outlets and without the prestige that balances the experience at both those schools … bummer</p>
<p>UCLA is such an odd university. The admin love boosting about the academics, but reality is UCLA is often 2nd place when it comes to the UCs. </p>
<p>UCLA students love quoting their rankings. A particular favorite is NRC. However, if actually look at the rankings UCLA is hardly ever #1 in terms of CA public research. More than often it is Berkeley and UCSD who beats out UCLA. Below is the link to the NRC rankings. Please note that these rankings are for research which UGs are very rarely apart of. </p>
<p>[NRC</a> Rankings in Each of 41 Areas](<a href=“http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/nrc41indiv.html]NRC”>NRC Rankings in Each of 41 Areas)</p>
<p>Sorry about the errors I’m on my iPhone. :)</p>
<p>Dunnin, </p>
<p>[Rankings</a> - Political Science - Graduate Schools - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-political-science-schools/rankings]Rankings”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-political-science-schools/rankings)</p>
<p>UCSD has surpassed UCLA over the last 15 years. :)</p>
<p>It’s important to note that the US News are more uptodate than NRC. The NRC rankings haven’t been updated since the mid 90s. I know there is a lot of controversy of US News, but IMO it is the most relevant for students. In addition, it is often referred to as the bible of rankings.</p>
<p>I think those rankings(NRC, USN, etc…)are not an “absolute” standard. Every rankings have variations each year, you guys know. Since both are very good, i just wanna know about their housings, atmosphere, and so on. Anyway thanx! Ohhh, and my potential major is never related to biosciences, maybe English, Literature, Philosophy, i suppose.</p>
<p>UCSD > UCLA
*Biological Sciences
*Bioengineering
*Most physical sciences</p>
<p>UCSD = UCLA
*Political Science
*A fewengineering disciples
*Pre-Med</p>
<p>UCLA > UCSD
*Film
*Business/Accounting
*Most majors in the College of Arts and Sciences
*A few engineering disciples</p>
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</p>
<p>Which physical sciences? I looked up Chem, Physics and Math, and UCLA’s ranked higher in all of them. Earth Science too. UCSD is ranked higher in Discrete Math/Combinatorics.</p>