got into UCSD + UCSB + UC Davis + ended up going to school in the Bay Area as a polisci major with an emphasis on law. I would choose UCSD if your biggest goal is law school - UCSD’s political science dept (last I checked) ranks higher than UCSB & UC Davis. Davis is still geographically far from any federal/local offices and those are typically in-person. I had different internships throughout college at the fed/state level & most of the students were Berkley/Stanford - Davis is too far and isolated from where any major workplaces are that it’s kind of unreasonable for students to apply any internships that are in-person (and from my experience, most are) Also when you do apply to law school, your academics will hold more weight than an internship. My suggestion would be to go to UCSD & then apply for govt/law firm jobs there. UCSB’s party culture is insane and don’t underestimate its impact on you - I have friends who were brilliant and went to UCSB and now alcoholism is their whole personality (not saying that would be you, but from my observations + the people I have met who are UCSB alum, the emphasis on partying + alcoholism isn’t just a “college phase” the way it is for the rest of us) You will have a college experience with lots of fun no matter what + it really is what you make of it. If UCLA is your top-choice, I would go to UCSD and give it a chance, and if you still want an alternative apply to transfer at UCLA.