British student exchange - Cali universities: Which one to go to? (San Diego: home, dorms)

[hrvyspctr]

Next year I get to study for a year in the US from the UK. I have a long list to choose from but I am looking at California primarily. These are the Cali universiites that I can attend and would love to go to. They are in order of my preference:

University of California, Santa Cruz
University of California, San Diego
San Diego State University
California State University, Long Beach
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Davis

I am looking for the following from my experience:
- Good for a history major.
- Little international student presence. Santa Cruz matches this with 0.3% of students being international.
- Typical America portrayed in the movies.
- Good weather (should apply to all of Cali, right?).
- Good transport - Ideally a rapid transit system like San Diego's trolleys - I won't have a car in the US and I cannot ride a bike due to a balance problem (so no bike campuses - UC Davis is one so this is why it is near the bottom).
- Beautiful campus.
- Good dorms.

I really like the look of Santa Cruz! Could you give me lots of info on this place and two or three sentences on the others in my list tailored to my criteria.

Thanks a lot!

[CA4Now]

University of California - Admissions

Originally Posted by hrvyspctr

- Good weather (should apply to all of Cali, right?).

Not necessarily. (And we don't call it "Cali." )

[nightlysparrow]

Well, if you like cool summers (mid 70's about the warmest) and fog, then Santa Cruz would be the closest to those in "Briti"

Santa Cruz, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And:

Originally Posted by hrvyspctr

Typical America portrayed in the movies.

You mean like "typical Europe" ? You have a lot to learn about America.

[bigdumbgod]

Is there a Colombia forum?

Otherwise, if we are talking about CA. I would add UC Santa Barabara to the list.

[loloroj]

You're a university student, and you're going to base your decision on which school to attend not on the academic quality or reputation of the department, but if you can get laid, loaded and drunk, because that's what you've seen in movies. You know what, stay home and be a poser in the UK, we have enough of our own idiots cluttering up US campuses....

[hrvyspctr]

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

Well, if you like cool summers (mid 70's about the warmest) and fog, then Santa Cruz would be the closest to those in "Briti"

Santa Cruz, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And:

You mean like "typical Europe" ? You have a lot to learn about America.

"Typical America" as in a city that incorporates almost all elements of the country. The type of America we see in the movies.

Also, what is "Briti"? At least "Cali" is an frequently used word meaning California.

Look forward to you Californians' sarcasm.

[loloroj]

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

Is there a Colombia forum?

Otherwise, if we are talking about CA. I would add UC Santa Barabara to the list.

Took me a minute to figure it out, very well played!!!!

[hrvyspctr]

Originally Posted by loloroj

Took me a minute to figure it out, very well played!!!!

Yes, what does this mean? I am guessing all the universities mentioned have a large Colombian student presence...

[CousinMaynard]

if you want typical america, then youre barking up the wrong tree.

cuz us typical americans dont take kindly to book lernin and ponytailed perfessers!

re cali, its one of those things where the reaction has gotten just as annoying

in general it is something ppl say, either ghetto ppl or wanna be ghetto ppl, not something you'd be hearing much from college educated ppl like yourself.

[Cream1]

The most 'stereotypical' college campus is San Diego State. You're in a big city with a great campus and lots to do.

Santa Cruz would be my second choice. My sister went there. You'll have a blast there but Santa Cruz is a little isolated. It's also cold most of the year.

The 'best' school is UC San Diego. However, it is geared more towards scientists and engineers and has an introverted student body. I went to UCSD for undergrad.

I would honestly choose San Diego State if I were you. You are still getting your actual degree from your UK university. San Diego State isn't the 'best' college out of your list but will give you the best life experience.