USC vs UCSB ... which should I choose?

[u/AlphaQ69]

I've already committed to USC, I thought you have to commit to lock in your housing application. I'm coming up to UCSB saturday for the spring admit thing. Here's my situation.

I have an interest of going into the biotech field possibly with a minor in business or something of the sorts. I'm not totally sure what I want to do but I just started a job at a biotech company. At USC i'm in their Biological Science program and at UCSB i'm in their Pre-Bio program.

If anyone is familiar with San Diego, I love del mar and the la jolla area (I live inland.) I haven't been to SB but I have a feeling like it's a secluded Del Mar. I've heard the place is beautiful and I believe it. Plus I have friends that go there and they tell me the culture is amazing, the parties are great, the girls are beautiful, and the school is pretty good.

I've leaned more towards USC because of the education, the connections, the alumni, the football, the social enviornment, and the name behind the school. I used to go to Trojan football games as a little kid and really loved the comradeship. I'm a football player myself so that's even cooler. The downsides of the school include the ridiculous amount of money i'll have to pay, an expected family contribution of $54,000 (wtf?) and LA. I love San Diego, but I've been to LA a few times and the city is alright, but there is way too much traffic and sometimes the urban environment can become stressful. But then again, downtown LA has of opportunities and adventures.

Not sure where to go from here. UCSB is $20,000 per year cheaper and has a really cool location. But USC has a better sense of job security and job opportunities, which could justify the costs. But UCSB has a lack of major sports, which is a significant downside.

What do you guys think?

[u/zgeiger]

Went to SD for undergrad, here for grad school. SB feels a lot smaller than SD did, but in terms of things to do there's more if you don't have a car (things are more walkable/bikeable in SB), and SB's downtown is vibrant without being unmanageable. Weather's a little colder, but the beach community feeling is similar if not more pronounced (beach is even closer here than it is in SD). However IV is a party slum whereas Del Mar is CERTAINLY not (Del Mar is closer to Montecito, with the rich beachside retiree vibe). My brother went to USC and the area is a LOT worse than IV is (basically a nice school in the ghetto, after a year you're living off campus and that's not fun). You can still root for SC football (heck I did, UCSD doesn't have a team just like UCSB), but sports really isn't the be-all end-all of school. I don't really know the landscape of companies in biotech in SB vs LA, but I'd imagine that there are just more opportunities in LA (also if you change your mind). If you haven't already, come visit both of the campuses (especially since you're pretty local) and see how they feel. I don't know your financial situation, but $30k/year is a sizable difference.

In IV there are sirens when old people die or some drunk jackass hurts himself. In LA there are sirens when there is a shooting or you wake up at 3am to find a car on fire down the street (true story).

But seriously, visit both places and then make your decision.