What are the awesomest University of California campuses?

[Haggis_McMutton]

For the purpose of this exercise assume you plan to become a contributing member of society and as such are doing a science/engineering related major.

Make your choice. The people need to know.


Disclaimer: Berkeley has been omitted for various inconsequential reasons

[PLAYER57832]

Disclaimer: Berkeley has been omitted for various inconsequential reasons

LOL... I assume you were not selected for their program??

Seriously, you cannot just say "science", it truly depends on which field of science. If you want to study marine mammals, I understand Santa Cruz is the place to go. If you want to study nearshore oceans, UCSB If you want Agriculture sciences , Davis is a "must"... but that is hardly a full list.

Also, does Santa Cruz still do the no grades bit? Or, are you talking the UCSB letters and science program, engineering or the college without walls?

Also, what about the CSU system? For many things they have better options.

[muy_thaiguy]

SDSU? I've heard that they're basically the flagship of the Cal State schools from various SDSU fans. Plus thir sports seem to be doing shitloads better than any of the other Div 1 campuses there.

[PLAYER57832]

SDSU? I've heard that they're basically the flagship of the Cal State schools from various SDSU fans. Plus thir sports seem to be doing shitloads better than any of the other Div 1 campuses there.

Flagship??? I don't think so....

unless you mean party town USA.

EDIT.. had wrong campus, was thinking UCD, not familiar with SDSU

[muy_thaiguy]

SDSU? I've heard that they're basically the flagship of the Cal State schools from various SDSU fans. Plus thir sports seem to be doing shitloads better than any of the other Div 1 campuses there.

Flagship??? I don't think so....

unless you mean party town USA.

In California, there are 2 sets of universities; the California Universities (USC, UCLA, Cal Berkley, USD, etc) and then the Cal State Universities (SDSU, Fresno State, San Jose State, etc). SDSU, from what I have seen, is leading the way for the Cal State Universities. Good academics, sports that are on the rise (top 10 B-ball team right now and a football program that blew out Navy in their bowl game last year), and plus, of course, being party town USA.

[PLAYER57832]

SDSU? I've heard that they're basically the flagship of the Cal State schools from various SDSU fans. Plus thir sports seem to be doing shitloads better than any of the other Div 1 campuses there.

Flagship??? I don't think so....

unless you mean party town USA.

In California, there are 2 sets of universities; the California Universities (USC, UCLA, Cal Berkley, USD, etc) and then the Cal State Universities (SDSU, Fresno State, San Jose State, etc). SDSU, from what I have seen, is leading the way for the Cal State Universities. Good academics, sports that are on the rise (top 10 B-ball team right now and a football program that blew out Navy in their bowl game last year), and plus, of course, being party town USA.

LOL.. yes, I graduated from CSU, I should have looked closer.. thought you meant UCD, from the poll.

I already told him to look into the CSU system. That said, he is from UK and so likely more limited in choices. (unless he is just visiting the UK? But I think I remember he is actually from the UK)

[PLAYER57832]

haggis, the UC system is "traditionally" more geared toward research, puts out the PhDs.

the CSU system began as the teacher college system, traditionally requires more "bredth".. more GE classes. In some instances, there is a bias toward the more "practical". the UC system offers most of the PhDs, but the CSU system has begun offering a few...

As noted above, it really depends on the major.

[bedub1]

Whatever you do, don't go to USC.

[Bones2484]

Whatever you do, don't go to USC.

Yea. It would suck to go to a school that ranks ahead of all the schools on this list (since Berkeley was omitted) in most major rankings. It would also suck to go to the school with the biggest network in Southern California - no one wants an inside track to a job in this economy.

In answer to the question: It would be a toss up between UCLA and UCSD for engineering purposes. Both have top-15 schools and San Diego has actually been ranked ahead of UCLA in recent years.

[Army of GOD]

Ha! Like Haggis_McMuffin is going to college...

[Army of GOD]

Also, I was looking to apply to transfer to UCLA, but their fucking application was due in December. I applied to USC though.

[Haggis_McMutton]

Ha! Like Haggis_McMuffin is going to college...

pfft, college is for sell-outs!

Anyway, the general rankings to seem to support UCLA and UCSD as the top two.
Now the question remains:
1. Which one of them is better.
2. What should my third choice be(I need 3). This will likely be between UCSB, UCD and UCI

VOTE! The people need to know.

Also, I suppose I might as well clarify, might actually get some serious answers.
I've got an offer for an exchange year at UC.
I sort of forgot about it and got a cool mail named URGENT from somebody in my uni kindly informing me I need to complete my online application NOW!!!
As part of that I need to specify my top3 campuses + study plans for each, this is particularly awesome timing since I have an interview tomorrow morning that I should be preparing for.

So yeah, come on CC, don't let me down.

Btw, I'm doing Computer Science if you really wanna know, and those bastards at berkeley don't accept computer science exchange students.

[bedub1]

Never been to Davis, it's close to Sacramento yes? Dunno about it.
I lived in Irvine for a while, the city wasn't that cool. I don't know about the college.
LA is LA, so it kinda sucks, but UCLA is a great school.
Riverside...I'm pretty sure thats in the ghetto. And it's close to LA...
San Diego as a city was pretty cool when I was there, and I think it's a good school.
Santa Barbara is a cool city, and I think the school is good also.
Santa Cruz i haven't been to or had experiences with...

Do you want a party school, a school with a wide range of majors, or the best Computer Science school? Do you want the one with the best basketball team? Do you play sports?

[Bones2484]

Anyway, the general rankings to seem to support UCLA and UCSD as the top two.
Now the question remains:
1. Which one of them is better.

Really can't go wrong. UCLA has the bigger name and bigger following, but UCSD is moving up and up the rankings. They also both have beautiful campuses. I'd lean towards UCLA if I had to choose (this coming from a USC grad).

2. What should my third choice be(I need 3). This will likely be between UCSB, UCD and UCI

I'd go with UCSB third and UCI fourth. The biggest drawback to UCI is that it is still a mostly-commuter school so it doesn't have too much of a college "feel" to it (plus it's around 500% Asian, which may not be bad if that's your thing). Also, I'm pretty sure UCSB is higher in the rankings.

[PLAYER57832]

Quick rundown.. UCLA is LA.. means smog (LOTS OF IT), beaches you don't necessarily want to visit (but you can drive a bit to some nice ones, if you have car). Public transport generally sucks. (but it might have changed ????).

UCSD is near the border, and beach. Has had a reputation as a "party school", but has made some progression in various fields (abstaining on that.. my info too out of date).

Again, look at the specific major. A key is to look at the professors and the research they are doing (publications, etc.). However, in the bigger schools even within major undergraduate classes and some graduate classes are taught by students, not the PhDs themselves (and course lists don't always specify that part). OR you may wind up in a lecture hall with 100 other students (especially for general ed classes).

DO look into opportunities at the CSU, unless you are going for your PhD. They do offer excellent education and, depending on the school, may be smaller and therefore more likely to have an actually professor teaching.

[Bones2484]

DO look into opportunities at the CSU, unless you are going for your PhD. They do offer excellent education and, depending on the school, may be smaller and therefore more likely to have an actually professor teaching.

Read his post. He's being sent to a UC.

I've got an offer for an exchange year at UC.

[PLAYER57832]

DO look into opportunities at the CSU, unless you are going for your PhD. They do offer excellent education and, depending on the school, may be smaller and therefore more likely to have an actually professor teaching.

Read his post. He's being sent to a UC.

I've got an offer for an exchange year at UC.

yes, but there might be similar opportunities through the CSU that he has not considered. Not everyone, even in California are really clear on the 2 systems. Why should he be?

[Haggis_McMutton]

Do you want a party school, a school with a wide range of majors, or the best Computer Science school?

Do you want the one with the best basketball team? Do you play sports?

Wait, didn't i already say i'm a computer science major?


Also, there's crazy bureaucracy at every step in this process(which started in november last year). At this point the only options are UC or no exchange year.

Now I'm making my way through UCLA's 650 page course catalog ... wth do they need study plans at this stage anyway? I do love me some red tape.

[PLAYER57832]

Do you want a party school, a school with a wide range of majors, or the best Computer Science school?

Do you want the one with the best basketball team? Do you play sports?

Wait, didn't i already say i'm a computer science major?
.

Note that there are sub-specialities within "computer science". For example, in UCSB, it was "computer engineering". but in Northridge it was "computer science", both prepared you to be a software engineer (from what I understand). Again, I don't know if those titles still apply, but if anything, the fields are likely more divided now.

You want something that corrosponds well with what you are studying at home. That might lead you a different direction than someone else.

[Haggis_McMutton]

Do you want a party school, a school with a wide range of majors, or the best Computer Science school?

Do you want the one with the best basketball team? Do you play sports?

Wait, didn't i already say i'm a computer science major?
.

Note that there are sub-specialities within "computer science". For example, in UCSB, it was "computer engineering". but in Northridge it was "computer science", both prepared you to be a software engineer (from what I understand). Again, I don't know if those titles still apply, but if anything, the fields are likely more divided now.

You want something that corrosponds well with what you are studying at home. That might lead you a different direction than someone else.

Ooh, ooh I've been waiting to use this one:




But yeah, that's a good point.

[Fircoal]

Ha! Like Haggis_McMuffin is going to college...

pfft, college is for sell-outs!

Anyway, the general rankings to seem to support UCLA and UCSD as the top two.
Now the question remains:
1. Which one of them is better.
2. What should my third choice be(I need 3). This will likely be between UCSB, UCD and UCI

VOTE! The people need to know.

Also, I suppose I might as well clarify, might actually get some serious answers.
I've got an offer for an exchange year at UC.
I sort of forgot about it and got a cool mail named URGENT from somebody in my uni kindly informing me I need to complete my online application NOW!!!
As part of that I need to specify my top3 campuses + study plans for each, this is particularly awesome timing since I have an interview tomorrow morning that I should be preparing for.

So yeah, come on CC, don't let me down.

Btw, I'm doing Computer Science if you really wanna know, and those bastards at berkeley don't accept computer science exchange students.

Haggis if they did, there'd be a chance that you and I would be in the same field at the same college. But that depends if I get inzel >W>

[Haggis_McMutton]

Ha! Like Haggis_McMuffin is going to college...

pfft, college is for sell-outs!

Anyway, the general rankings to seem to support UCLA and UCSD as the top two.
Now the question remains:
1. Which one of them is better.
2. What should my third choice be(I need 3). This will likely be between UCSB, UCD and UCI

VOTE! The people need to know.

Also, I suppose I might as well clarify, might actually get some serious answers.
I've got an offer for an exchange year at UC.
I sort of forgot about it and got a cool mail named URGENT from somebody in my uni kindly informing me I need to complete my online application NOW!!!
As part of that I need to specify my top3 campuses + study plans for each, this is particularly awesome timing since I have an interview tomorrow morning that I should be preparing for.

So yeah, come on CC, don't let me down.

Btw, I'm doing Computer Science if you really wanna know, and those bastards at berkeley don't accept computer science exchange students.

Haggis if they did, there'd be a chance that you and I would be in the same field at the same college. But that depends if I get inzel >W>

You're doing computer science?
Join the casual programmers usergroup!! NAO!!

Also, when do you find out? Berkeley is definitely one of the best in the world.(I'd prefer caltech, but still)

Edit: Also, looking through the UCLA course catalog, there's such a thing as a major in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered studies ... I am shocked and confused, mostly confused.

[Fircoal]

Ha! Like Haggis_McMuffin is going to college...

pfft, college is for sell-outs!

Anyway, the general rankings to seem to support UCLA and UCSD as the top two.
Now the question remains:
1. Which one of them is better.
2. What should my third choice be(I need 3). This will likely be between UCSB, UCD and UCI

VOTE! The people need to know.

Also, I suppose I might as well clarify, might actually get some serious answers.
I've got an offer for an exchange year at UC.
I sort of forgot about it and got a cool mail named URGENT from somebody in my uni kindly informing me I need to complete my online application NOW!!!
As part of that I need to specify my top3 campuses + study plans for each, this is particularly awesome timing since I have an interview tomorrow morning that I should be preparing for.

So yeah, come on CC, don't let me down.

Btw, I'm doing Computer Science if you really wanna know, and those bastards at berkeley don't accept computer science exchange students.

Haggis if they did, there'd be a chance that you and I would be in the same field at the same college. But that depends if I get inzel >W>

You're doing computer science?
Join the casual programmers usergroup!! NAO!!

Also, when do you find out? Berkeley is definitely one of the best in the world.(I'd prefer caltech, but still)

Sometime late MArch. I think the 26th but I'm nawt surezel.

[bedub1]

Do you want a party school, a school with a wide range of majors, or the best Computer Science school?

Do you want the one with the best basketball team? Do you play sports?

Wait, didn't i already say i'm a computer science major?

A lot of people don't pick a school because it has the best program for their major, but because the like the weather, the people, the campus, the party school attitude etc etc etc. I'm just wondering if that's how you decide which to go to...because I'm sure you can find a ranking based upon computer Science and the choice should be easy.

[Haggis_McMutton]

Do you want a party school, a school with a wide range of majors, or the best Computer Science school?

Do you want the one with the best basketball team? Do you play sports?

Wait, didn't i already say i'm a computer science major?

A lot of people don't pick a school because it has the best program for their major, but because the like the weather, the people, the campus, the party school attitude etc etc etc. I'm just wondering if that's how you decide which to go to...because I'm sure you can find a ranking based upon computer Science and the choice should be easy.

Yeah, i'm not that bothered about that stuff(I went to Scotland for uni for god's sake, not exactly renowned for it's sandy beaches).

Problem is
1. There are many rankings, and the results often vary wildly from year to year and from ranking to ranking to such an extent that it makes you wonder if they're pulling those things out of a hat.
2. There are many things that are obviously not portrayed in a ranking, even things such as public opinion of the school which does matter to some extent later on.
another thing is one of my ulterior motives for applying in the US in the first place. Namely that I'm considering going there for a graduate degree later on, so this seemed like a good opportunity to get a taster and maybe make my life easier when I'll be applying for that graduate degree.That's another factor.

So yeah, i initially started this mostly in jest, but I figured wth, i might as well see what other people think about these choices.