Choosing between UCs

[Storyteller]

Hi,

I've received three admits so far for comparative literature: UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, and UC Santa Cruz. I'm still waiting on decisions from Yale, Columbia, U of Chicago, CUNY Grad Center, and a few others (UCLA, though I think that's a no based on the results I've seen posted here; UCI; and UCM's interdisciplinary humanities program). All three have offered full funding for at least five years, and two (SB and Davis) will likely be giving me a fellowship. My research areas are Spanish (Golden Age, mysticism, modern Latin and Central American poetics) and Russian (early Soviet poetics, Bakhtin studies, Dostoevsky, mid- to late 20th century Russian novel).

What do fellow literature folks think about these three departments? Any thoughts about how to choose, apart from the obvious (best fit, funding, etc.)? I'm just checking in to see if anyone has had any particularly positive or negative experiences with these schools, has any useful information, or could offer some sage advice. I'd welcome thoughts from current applicants also accepted to these departments.

Thanks comparatistas!

[brontësaurus]

Hi, Storyteller! Which school do you think is the best fit for you? Which school has the most potential advisors? Which school has centers or programs that are specifically tied to your interests?

I'm a UC Santa Barbara admit for the English department this fall, and I chose this school because of its Literature and the Mind center as well as its overall quality. This center is perfect for me because I plan to study Victorian lit and mental illness/neurodiversity. There are several potential advisors whose interests run with mine, so I'm pretty set in that respect. Funding-wise, I'm up for a fellowship as well. It sounds like you have several great choices; I really think it comes down to fit. Congratulations!

EDIT: Aaaaand I just saw that you wanted reasons OTHER than fit. D'oh!

Edited February 5, 2016 by brontësaurus

[Storyteller]

Hi Brontesaurus! Thanks for the feedback. I think it's going to come down to the campus visits and "feel," since each school for me offers great fit in different ways. And since I suspect you're the same English admit I'm currently messaging with, I'll end there. UC Merced, by the way, just emailed me with an admit notice for their Interdisciplinary Humanities program, which is exciting! Options are always good.

[WendyWonderland]

34 minutes ago, Storyteller said:

And since I suspect you're the same English admit I'm currently messaging with, I'll end there. UC Merced, by the way, just emailed me with an admit notice for their Interdisciplinary Humanities program, which is exciting! Options are always good.

Haha, no that's me. However, huge congrats on all the acceptances! You rock the UCs lol!

[pbnwhey]

Those are some awesome options! Santa Barbara is gorgeous but pricey, and -- well, honestly, I'm biased because I fell in love with Santa Cruz quite a few years back. The forests are delightful and the campus is too. (But again, I went to school in the redwoods of Northern California, so that's kind of my thing. You tend to fall in love with the trees though...I don't know a single person who hasn't.)