u/Flashy-Soup5603

Hi everyone,
I am a transfer student from OC and I need to make a decision before June 1st, so I want some opinions on which school is the best. My interest is to work at AI/ML and also really into hardware side as well(robotics, embedded systems, related aerospace stuff), and I might potentially plan to go to grad school later.
I got some amazing acceptances, super grateful, but I am still unsure which school to commit. Here is some context:

I’m admitted for CS at both UCI and UCSD, but I have confirmed that I can change my major to Computer Science and Engineering at UCI or Computer Engineering at UCSD if I want to get more into hardware stuff later on.

UCI (Computer Science and Engineering)
Pros:

• basically a full ride.
• super close to home, meaning I save a ton of money and can easily help out my parents.
• CSE is a great major, super flexible I think.

Cons:

• It’s too close to home. I really wanted the experience by moving away for university.

UCSD (Computer Engineering or Computer Science)
Pros:

• moving to San Diego (really beautiful city) would be a great fresh start, but it's still close enough to OC that I can drive back to help my family if they need me.
• the engineering resources and courses here really great. A lot of opportunities for research and the more choices of upper-division courses for CSE.
• more prestige? out of the all my choices for engineering and cs
• also I could double major or minor to cog sci or math if I decided to get more hands-on in ML/AI

Cons:

• Even with tuition covered by aid, dorms and living expenses will cost me about $26k out of pocket (estimated cost). I have some savings and funds for college through my time working during my CC years that could potentially cover for one year of college and can work/take loan later on. I don't want to create a big financial pressure or burden on my parents even though they are fully supportive with my choices and willing to pay for my college.

USC (Computer Science and Engineering)
Pros:

• the alumni network for the SoCal industry is great.
• great campus life and resources.
• also a great major for flexibility

Cons:

• still waiting on my financial aid package, but I think the cost would be super high.

UCLA (Linguistics + Computer Science)
Pros:

• Its UCLA. The prestige and name recognition are incredible.

Cons:

• The major is not align with my interests.

I am really leaning towards UCSD because the program and campus there seems really great for me. But between UCI and UCSD, is the UCSD engineering and the experience of living away from home worth paying more 26k in living costs, especially since I plan to go to grad school later? (I am also qualified for middle class scholarship as well, so that's great)
I really want to ask which school is actually best for my goals and interests. How do the internships, research opportunities, clubs, and engineering teams compare between them?
Overall, if cost was not a factor at all, which school would be the best choice for my major and career interests?
I am open to any opinions and really grateful for any insight you guys have. Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I am a transfer student from OC and I need to make a decision before June 1st, so I want some opinions on which school is the best. My interest is to work at AI/ML and also really into hardware side as well(robotics, embedded systems, related aerospace stuff), and I might potentially plan to go to grad school later.
I got some amazing acceptances, super grateful, but I am still unsure which school to commit. Here is some context:

I’m admitted for CS at both UCI and UCSD, but I have confirmed that I can change my major to Computer Science and Engineering at UCI or Computer Engineering at UCSD if I want to get more into hardware stuff later on.

UCI (Computer Science and Engineering)
Pros:

• basically a full ride.
• super close to home, meaning I save a ton of money and can easily help out my parents.
• CSE is a great major, super flexible I think.

Cons:

• It’s too close to home. I really wanted the experience by moving away for university.

UCSD (Computer Engineering or Computer Science)
Pros:

• moving to San Diego (really beautiful city) would be a great fresh start, but it's still close enough to OC that I can drive back to help my family if they need me.
• the engineering resources and courses here really great. A lot of opportunities for research and the more choices of upper-division courses for CSE.
• more prestige? out of the all my choices for engineering and cs
• also I could double major or minor to cog sci or math if I decided to get more hands-on in ML/AI

Cons:

• Even with tuition covered by aid, dorms and living expenses will cost me about $26k out of pocket (estimated cost). I have some savings and funds for college through my time working during my CC years that could potentially cover for one year of college and can work/take loan later on. I don't want to create a big financial pressure or burden on my parents even though they are fully supportive with my choices and willing to pay for my college.

USC (Computer Science and Engineering)
Pros:

• the alumni network for the SoCal industry is great.
• great campus life and resources.
• also a great major for flexibility

Cons:

• still waiting on my financial aid package, but I think the cost would be super high.

UCLA (Linguistics + Computer Science)
Pros:

• Its UCLA. The prestige and name recognition are incredible.

Cons:

• The major is not align with my interests.

I am really leaning towards UCSD because the program and campus there seems really great for me. But between UCI and UCSD, is the UCSD engineering and the experience of living away from home worth paying more 26k in living costs, especially since I plan to go to grad school later? (I am also qualified for middle class scholarship as well, so that's great)
I really want to ask which school is actually best for my goals and interests. How do the internships, research opportunities, clubs, and engineering teams compare between them?
Overall, if cost was not a factor at all, which school would be the best choice for my major and career interests?
I am open to any opinions and really grateful for any insight you guys have. Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I am a transfer student from OC and I need to make a decision before June 1st, so I want some opinions on which school is the best. My interest is to work at AI/ML and also really into hardware side as well(robotics, embedded systems, related aerospace stuff), and I might potentially plan to go to grad school later.
I got some amazing acceptances, super grateful, but I am still unsure which school to commit. Here is some context:

I’m admitted for CS at both UCI and UCSD, but I have confirmed that I can change my major to Computer Science and Engineering at UCI or Computer Engineering at UCSD if I want to get more into hardware stuff later on.

UCI (Computer Science and Engineering)
Pros:

• basically a full ride.
• super close to home, meaning I save a ton of money and can easily help out my parents.
• CSE is a great major, super flexible I think.

Cons:

• It’s too close to home. I really wanted the experience by moving away for university.

UCSD (Computer Engineering or Computer Science)
Pros:

• moving to San Diego (really beautiful city) would be a great fresh start, but it's still close enough to OC that I can drive back to help my family if they need me.
• the engineering resources and courses here really great. A lot of opportunities for research and the more choices of upper-division courses for CSE.
• more prestige? out of the all my choices for engineering and cs
• also I could double major or minor to cog sci or math if I decided to get more hands-on in ML/AI

Cons:

• Even with tuition covered by aid, dorms and living expenses will cost me about $26k out of pocket (estimated cost). I have some savings and funds for college through my time working during my CC years that could potentially cover for one year of college and can work/take loan later on. I don't want to create a big financial pressure or burden on my parents even though they are fully supportive with my choices and willing to pay for my college.

USC (Computer Science and Engineering)
Pros:

• the alumni network for the SoCal industry is great.
• great campus life and resources.
• also a great major for flexibility

Cons:

• still waiting on my financial aid package, but I think the cost would be super high.

UCLA (Linguistics + Computer Science)
Pros:

• Its UCLA. The prestige and name recognition are incredible.

Cons:

• The major is not align with my interests.

I am really leaning towards UCSD because the program and campus there seems really great for me. But between UCI and UCSD, is the UCSD engineering and the experience of living away from home worth paying more 26k in living costs, especially since I plan to go to grad school later? (I am also qualified for middle class scholarship as well, so that's great)
I really want to ask which school is actually best for my goals and interests. How do the internships, research opportunities, clubs, and engineering teams compare between them?
Overall, if cost was not a factor at all, which school would be the best choice for my major and career interests?
I am open to any opinions and really grateful for any insight you guys have. Thanks!