What should I choose b/w UCSC and UCD for CS major?

I got accepted to UCSC ,waitlisted by UC Davis for CS major and waiting for UC berkeley’s decision So which college should I choose for now UCSC or UCD?

How is there a choice here ?

You are only into one school.

I’d probably choose that one or you might be at community college.

If I get accepted to UCD later

If waitlisted at UC Davis, then you will most likely not be hearing until after the May 1 SIR deadline so right now the only choice is UCSC.

Both are good options so look over the CS curriculum for both schools, visit the campuses if you have not done that yet and then you can make a more informed decision that is right for you.

There is no bad option between the 2 schools if you are admitted off the waitlist.

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Right now you only have one option – fortunately it is a good one.

IF you get into UCD or UCB down the road, then you can consider those schools as well.

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You only have UCSC to choose from for now. If that continues to be the case (i.e. no additional admissions that may be more desirable come), then you can matriculate to UCSC while remaining on the waitlist for UCD. If you get admitted to UCD off the waitlist, then you can matriculate there, but lose the UCSC deposit when you decommit from UCSC.

Or are you really asking, “should I go to UCD if I get admitted off the waitlist after matriculating to UCSC?”

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yes

UCD is higher in ranking and good research school and UCSC is nearer to Silicon Valley that’s why I don’t know what will be the better option and If I want to transfer to a different college lets say UCB,UCLA or UCSD then which college should I select then UCD or UCSC?

Rank is overrated.

You will have kids from UCSC outperform kids from UCLA, etc.

So all are great schools - but you can’t say outcome wise, will UCD be better than UCSC or will UCSC be better. One may be better for you or may not. Heck, you may get the same job.

Do you like the UCSC campus? Do you feel comfortable there? Can you afford off campus housing?

If you do get into UCD it doesn’t mean you should pivot - that’s a personal choice.

Most every school is good for research by the way, if you choose to pursue research. Just ask.

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okay and any tips that how I can be competitive if I would apply as a transfer student from tier 2 UC to any Top UC like UCB,UCLA or UCSD?

Yes - show up, get great grades, get involved, and love your school so much you never even think of transferring.

Walk onto campus with one foot out the door and give yourself a miserable experience without making great friends and enjoying your experience.

Go to UCSC.

Make the most of it.

And have a great life!!

Oh, and lots of UCSC kids will outperform Berkeley and LA in life too.

Good luck.

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I think that you are already in at a very good university for CS as a potential incoming student at UCSC. Congratulations! I did visit the campus and liked it but this was many, many years ago.

If you start at UCSC, I would suggest that you complete your bachelor’s degree there. I might be biased since I worked most of my career somewhere close to the intersection of mathematics and computer science, but I would be inclined to take math classes just as seriously as you take CS classes. Also look for internship opportunities. Your success at finding internships and doing well in those internships will matter more than any small difference between these very good universities.

My understanding is that if you get in off the waitlist at UC Davis, then you need to make a decision pretty quickly. As such the question of which to prefer is one that to me makes sense to think about in advance. If you can do so then visiting both campuses might be a good idea.

However, if you don’t get into UCD, you are already in at a very good university with a very good CS program.

Exactly!

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You can only attend one school.

You haven’t heard yet from the other campuses but will hear soon.

Be patient and wait for the results. Focus on finishing your senior year as strongly as possible.

All of the schools have good things and some not so good things.

Not to be harsh, but a waitlist is considered a “soft rejection”. This is especially true with the CS major. CS is impacted at many schools because the universities just don’t have the space for all of the students who want to study the CS major.

Things to consider after decisions come out:

  • If you want to do the transfer route, please remember that some UCs have the TAG program. (Transfer Admission Guarantee). You take coursework prescribed by the CCC, and then apply again to the UCs who will guarantee an admission spot for you. Berkeley, LA, and San Diego, do not participate in that program.

  • Santa Cruz has a huge housing shortage for upperclassmen.
    That community will block any efforts by the university to add housing. Visit the campus and ask the students.

  • Berkeley, LA, and San Diego ( including Santa Cruz) also have very expensive off-campus housing. It can be an issue for many families.
    Wait for your results, then visit the campuses.
    Good luck!

I just want to add that with the CCC to UC TAG program, the only 2 campuses accepting TAG for Computer Science is UC Merced and Riverside. Of course, you can just apply as a Regular transfer to any of the other UC’s.

Also note that UC to UC Transfers have less priority than CCC to UC Transfers.

I agree at this point you have one choice, wait for the rest of your decisions and then decide the best option for you.

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