Choosing between UC San Diego and Pepperdine

Hey there, guys! So, I'm in a bit of a pickel here... I got into both UC San Diego and Pepperdine. I'm happy with both acceptances but I'm having a tough time choosing between the two. Any of you got some advice or experiences at these places? What are the major differences in terms of campus life, student resources, internship opportunities etc.?

Congratulations on your acceptances to UC San Diego and Pepperdine. These are both excellent institutions, but they offer quite different experiences, so your choice will largely depend on your personal preferences, academic interests, and long-term goals.

UC San Diego is a large, public research university known for its strength in areas such as STEM, specifically in engineering and the sciences. If you have academic interests in these fields, it could be an ideal fit. UCSD has a reputation for being academically rigorous, and its large size offers a diverse range of research opportunities and resources. The university also has a well-developed Career Services Center, which often facilitates internships and guided research projects for undergraduate students.

Campus life at UCSD is varied due to its large size and location in a major city. The college town of La Jolla is right there for you to explore, and there's always something happening on campus. UCSD also uses a college system, meaning that the student population is divided into seven smaller colleges, each with its own general education requirements, events, and living spaces. This could allow for more community building within the larger university.

On the other hand, Pepperdine is a smaller, private institution with a liberal arts focus. Class sizes at Pepperdine tend to be smaller which means that you'll likely have more personalized attention from faculty compared to at UCSD. As a smaller school, Pepperdine often feels more tight-knit and community-oriented.

Pepperdine is located in Malibu, which is not as urban as La Jolla, and the campus is known for its beautiful views. Though it doesn't have as huge a variety of majors as UCSD, Pepperdine does provide ample resources for internships, especially in areas of business, education, law, and psychology. The university also places a strong emphasis on study abroad programs if that is something you are interested in.

In summary, if you're looking for a larger, yet divided community with more major options and strong science and engineering programs, UCSD could be the one for you. However, if you prefer smaller class sizes, a closer community, and perhaps are interested in liberal arts or business—combined with a heavy emphasis on study abroad—Pepperdine may be an ideal choice. It's important to consider where you feel you would thrive both academically and personally.