UCSB CCS/UChic(/UCB) Physics and Maths

nadarang
Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:01:50 +0000

Hi guys,

Over the next few days I have to decide over UCSB CCS, UC Berkeley and U Chicago. I’m completely set on a Physics & Maths double major, but I am absolutely torn between these schools and need help from current students/anyone who has relevant knowledge which could help me.
What I have:

UCSB CCS (please look up this program if you don’t know it, it’s very different from the normal UCSB college of L&S)

Smaller, focused program, makes up for large class sizes of public universities like UCB

Research opportunities! Lots of potential papers, research, internships under the belt by graduation time

Course freedom, taking upper-division courses, graduate courses. Less general education requirements for CCS students.

UCSB’s physics reputation in general

Cons are perhaps UCSB students are a little too laid back? I tend to prefer being surrounded by highly driven, academically strong students. Would CCS make up for this?

UCB

Name, reputation

Great physics program

Cons are perhaps size (large lectures, no individual attention) and too much competition (competing for research opportunities, professor attention?)

U Chicago

Name, reputation

Great math program

Very high level of academics guaranteed

Cons are perhaps social life (but not a big deal) and random things like only giving one bachelor’s degree despite a double major. Also perhaps the Core will take up much of my time, making it harder to double major.

What I’m not interested in is the weather, campus location, etc. Also tuition costs (international students). What I am interested in is primarily the level and rigour of the academics. Secondary is the research opportunities.

It’s mainly down to CCS and UChic for me. I’m still considering UCB because a lot of people tell me that it would be a mistake to let go of UCB. Please do convince me on UCB if you feel that is my best choice. However, I would like ANY comments at all on CCS physics and maths and UChic physics and maths…keep in mind that CCS is different from the usual UCSB letters and science. I hope that CCS’s freedom to make the academic experience as challenging/research-based as one wants makes up for UCSB’s overall comparatively lower academic level. Basically I want to know if I can make my CCS experience as rigorous and academically strong as U Chicago’s, in which case I would choose it because I love CCS and the philosophy (just not sure about academics and faculty). If not, then I would go for U Chicago because I am fairly sure that the academics and faculty are top-notch.

tldr; does CCS make UCSB top-notch, over U Chicago? Or is U Chicago the best option at the end of the day? From a purely academic standpoint, U Chic is guaranteed good, but does CCS’s freedom, research, philosophy etc put it at par and at an advantage?
(And how about UC Berkeley?)

Thanks a lot for reading and please do give me your suggestions. I have to decide over the next few days so please stop by and drop in a reply! Thanks again.