UCSB vs CU Boulder

[KL3849]

Okay, so I am in need of some help. I have been admitted to both programs for an engineering PhD program beginning this fall. I thought I had decided on UCSB because it's been my #1 choice, but now I'm talking to a potential adviser from CU Boulder and am very confused. I cannot attend any of the visit weekends since I'm living abroad so I have to go by just skype/email. Here are my thoughts on both so far....

UCSB

• Adviser: There is one I identified who I really like and think would get along with really well. She sends her students to the types of jobs I want also (startups in particular). But she is a young professor and might be a bit more bio focused than device focused, the latter of which I want...I am talking to the department chair later this week so maybe I can identify another potential adviser.
• Program: The department is pretty small which I really like and also very collaborative. The coursework is tailored to the student and it's ranked in top 10.
• Location: Never been there but I know it's beautiful with great weather, and my brother lives on the west coast so I would be closer to him. I am concerned that Santa Barbara is in a bit of a bubble because I am definitely a city person. And the university itself is pretty small so I'm worried I won't be able to meet that many like minded people.

 

CU Boulder

• Adviser: The adviser I identified here seems to be a pretty big name in his field and has projects where I could work with nearby national labs. His research fits my experience well. His students more go into industry/national labs which I'm happy with too, and I think there is a decent startup scene in Boulder if I really want to do that. He is less personable than the UCSB adviser but I think I would enjoy working for him.
• Program: I am not as impressed with the organization of the program (although to be fair I've only seen it virtually) and in general the reputation of CU seems not as good. But its ranking is still top 20 which is a negligible difference from UCSB, I think. 
• Location: I visited Boulder and I did like it - but I hated how little diversity there is there (so many white people!). But it's close to Denver and seems to be less of its own bubble than UCSB. It would be easier and cheaper for me to fly places, and cost of living would be a bit lower than Santa Barbara.

 

What do you think? Any experience with either of these schools or locations?? I know that adviser is probably the most important factor so I've really got to learn more about that - just sucks that I cannot meet either of them since I can't visit. It seems like the overall program is better at UCSB, and a couple good potential advisers, but at Boulder there is this one particular adviser that might be a really good fit for my research interests.

Thanks for your help!

Edited February 2, 2017 by KL3849
grammar

[Sigaba]

4 hours ago, KL3849 said:

And the university itself is pretty small so I'm worried I won't be able to meet that many like minded people.

but I hated how little diversity there is there (so many white people!).

You want a diverse environment with people who think like you but not too many whites?

[KL3849]

I was just commenting on the overall demographic in Boulder. It's not necessarily a bad thing, just not what I'm used to. If you have any constructive feedback I'd appreciate it.

[Sigaba]

17 hours ago, KL3849 said:

I was just commenting on the overall demographic in Boulder. It's not necessarily a bad thing, just not what I'm used to. If you have any constructive feedback I'd appreciate it.

There's a tension between wanting to be among like minded people and wanting to be in a diverse environment. I recommend that you prioritize the two based upon what you want and what you need and then go from there.

IRT the comment "so many white people" I recommend that you substitute other cohorts for white. Give some thought why it is all right for you to say "so many white people" .. "not necessarily a bad thing" but it might not be okay for you (or someone else) to say "so many x people"..."not necessarily a bad thing."