Thanks for the responses everyone! All of this really helps.
@ Al : Pretty familiar with San Jose as I live close by, it's my backup/live at home university.
@ Floop, Baron, coolspot, foureyedjim : This is exactly what i want to put into consideration. Irvine is one of my top choices, because of the computer sci education and (so i thought) the location. I thought it would be good being so close to costa mesa, huntington beach, and while rvca/volcom/element arent the best brands, if they're nearby there has to be a decent scene right? That was my thinking, but if all four of you are saying the location is very bad... then that's definitely something I should shy away from.
@ Baron : I feel most people here would agree, I do not care for Greek Life or college sports. Greek life seems superficial and thats just taking away from skating. College sports, again, not skating. I know SC has like 0-1% sororitys/fraternitys, and the less the better. I also am not too fond of "2nd party school in the entire country" UCSB. It's computer science program is top, equal to irvine, but i wonder how much skating is around there... and most importantly, I don't have the requirements for UCSB.
@cool spot : What do you feel are the major differences and benefits of Davis vs. Santa Cruz?
@ Nosferatu : Good question. I am pretty much as all around as possible. Transition and Street are both equal to me. I enjoy skating flowy bowls, ledges, handrails, pretty much everything EXCEPT small-scale badly designed parks like Monterey or what not. I'm from the Bay Area so I mostly know the feel of Santa Cruz and San Jose. Davis, Santa Barbara, LA, OC, I have no clue.
@ yeahisaidit : I would definitely be for UCLA, but UCLA, UCSB, and probably San Diego I don't have the reqs for. I'm pretty much expecting 0 skaterats at a UC. Skateboarding doesn't usually go hand in hand with higher education besides a few.
I know what I want to study, and i'm pretty excited for the Santa Cruz environment, I already know it halfway. That's what I'm hoping to gain with this thread, more insight into "an environment you are excited to be in" from other places. If everyone is saying that the Irvine area sucks, is boring, and is not skate-friendly, then that helps a long ways because I know to make other choices.
Thanks all. I know it's been said 4-5 times Irvine is a terrible place, but if you also have an opinion on Irvine if you've been in the area or attended it, i'd like to hear.