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Ask HN: UCLA or UCSD for Computer Science?

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Re: Ask HN: UCLA or UCSD for Computer Science?

#21

Post by octane »

I went to UCSD and did a shitload of drugs and lost my sexual innocence and had a great time for 4 years.

Just remember there are no campus parties at UCSD, but plenty of house parties thrown by campus orgs. You probably won't go to any until 2nd or 3rd year. In the mean time, steal liquor from the 24 hour Ralphs supermarket by campus and sneak them into the dorms. If you want to go to campus parties just drive to visit your friends at UCLA.

Every quarter there is an on-campus festival where everyone gets SHIT faced drunk on campus. Sun god festival is one of these - honestly I've never seen anything like it at any other college. It's kind of ridiculous how far people take it since they don't get to party on campus. There are 2 bars on campus though if you feel like getting a beer. Make sure you have a real good fake ID though.

The cliffs by Blacks beach is a good place to bring a girl at night. Just don't fall into the ocean. If you get kicked out of the dorms for smoking pot or drinking, don't worry, it's not a big deal. They can't even tell your parents. I had a friend who got kicked out so far into the year he just didn't even move out, they refunded his money too. He bought BBQ for everyone for the rest of the year.

Teach yourself CS on your own time and major in something that is less demanding academically. Learn how to surf. Use RIMAC to work out so you don't get fat. Spend your meal points at the convenience store in warren instead of the dining halls.

Here's a tip for when you live off campus: instead of buying a parking pass, park in the Ralphs parking lot and ride the shuttle 2 stops to the top of the hill. They may have started cracking down on this.

One more thing - STUDY ABROAD FOR HALF A YEAR.

I'm getting sort of choked up writing this post.

Re: Ask HN: UCLA or UCSD for Computer Science?

#22

Post by apsurd »

kyro wrote: post #10

I went to UCSD for my first two years, majoring in biology, and transferred to UCI, not because it was tough, but because I HATED the school. Please, please, please consider campus and social life. I held the belief prior to entering college, one probably inherited from my traditional familial roots, that social life and location really doesn't matter - it's all about the academics and doing well. It's not true. I wa…

Just a quick +1 to this post. Had some friends go to UCSD. Visited them on many occasions, and there is an undoubtedly strong sense of SEPARATION you get there. That's about as best as i can describe it. To put it another way, when you walk around campus, nobody really looks at eachother, and its weird because you get this sense of how not only are they not looking at you, but as if they do not recognize your existence.

I've visited, UCR, UCI, UCLA and have never felt the way i felt at UCSD.

Just one guys opinion, but have to agree.

Re: Ask HN: UCLA or UCSD for Computer Science?

#23

Post by apsurd »

mark-t wrote: post #5
carterschonwald wrote: post #3

UCSD has much better theoretical computer science folks, on the other hand, UCLA has awesome applied math and math. I'd say figure out what style of socialization is best for you, where you'd find that, and also where in the blend of engineering, theory and math you're intellectual style is, and go with the blend that you know you'll be happiest with. Err on the side of the school which has more classes you'd definit…

Full disclosure: I'm a math PhD student at UCSD. UCLA is probably better overall for math, but UCSD is better for graph theory and combinatorics in general, the most likely kind of math CS students would be interested in. In my opinion, there will be very little difference between the schools in terms of education, quality of peers, or job potential upon graduation. I would choose based on which location I like bette…

no drinking establishments??

Downtown San Diego is packed with nightlife spots... too many to count ....

Then there's that street that Pacific Beach is on ...

Re: Ask HN: UCLA or UCSD for Computer Science?

#24

Post by octane »

Tacomanator wrote: post #4

I'm a computer science undergrad at UCLA nearing graduation. Although it may not be much help to you for deciding, but I must say you will probably be happy with either choice from an academic standpoint. I think the UC system has done a fabulous job gathering talent and creating an excellent and competitive curriculum at a very affordable price. Now let's get a little more practical. I've never been to the UCSD camp…

Brentwood, Westwood, and Holmby Hills and Bel Air (the areas that surround UCLA) are some of the wealthiest areas in the nation and world, right up there with Palo Alto, Woodside, Stanford, etc.

I have no idea where you or any of your friends got the idea that it would be dangerous there.

Re: Ask HN: UCLA or UCSD for Computer Science?

#25

Post by octane »

kyro wrote: post #10

I went to UCSD for my first two years, majoring in biology, and transferred to UCI, not because it was tough, but because I HATED the school. Please, please, please consider campus and social life. I held the belief prior to entering college, one probably inherited from my traditional familial roots, that social life and location really doesn't matter - it's all about the academics and doing well. It's not true. I wa…

It's luck of the draw. Roosevelt students that lived in camp snoopy got a summer camp experience, while Sixth and Marshall kids live in prison dorms.

Re: Ask HN: UCLA or UCSD for Computer Science?

#26

Post by s_baar »

hbien wrote: post #20

I'm a recent graduate from UCSD CS program. You'll hear a lot that the UCSD campus isn't very social, it's true. This has to do with the focus on "academics" so we don't offer any scholarships to athletes and we don't have frat houses on campus (no parties on campus). On weekends, the campus is pretty much dead. If you do go to UCSD, I hope you picked Warren college. You'll live right next to the computer labs. It wa…

Thanks.

Re: Ask HN: UCLA or UCSD for Computer Science?

#28

Post by mark-t »

apsurd wrote: post #23
mark-t wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Full disclosure: I'm a math PhD student at UCSD. UCLA is probably better overall for math, but UCSD is better for graph theory and combinatorics in general, the most likely kind of math CS students would be interested in. In my opinion, there will be very little difference between the schools in terms of education, quality of peers, or job potential upon graduation. I would choose based on which location I like bette…

no drinking establishments?? Downtown San Diego is packed with nightlife spots... too many to count .... Then there's that street that Pacific Beach is on ...

Downtown San Diego is a long trip for nightlife. Most students probably won't have a car (parking is ~$600), so it'll be over an hour on the 30 each way (150 doesn't run at night). I don't even know how to get to PB by bus. My friends who live there all drive or bike to school.

Re: Ask HN: UCLA or UCSD for Computer Science?

#29

Post by Tacomanator »

octane wrote: post #24
Tacomanator wrote: post #4

I'm a computer science undergrad at UCLA nearing graduation. Although it may not be much help to you for deciding, but I must say you will probably be happy with either choice from an academic standpoint. I think the UC system has done a fabulous job gathering talent and creating an excellent and competitive curriculum at a very affordable price. Now let's get a little more practical. I've never been to the UCSD camp…

Brentwood, Westwood, and Holmby Hills and Bel Air (the areas that surround UCLA) are some of the wealthiest areas in the nation and world , right up there with Palo Alto, Woodside, Stanford, etc. I have no idea where you or any of your friends got the idea that it would be dangerous there.

Hi octane, just the opposite. I meant to say I had no problem walking home late at night but somehow I left out the "no." The next sentence is correct, however (that I've never felt unsafe or threatened).
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