<p>bluebayou: </p>
<p>Sure - we all have opinions and I think yours are ones that should be paid attention to. In this case I was just saying that some students simply don’t want the CC->transfer path and for them choosing from their UC options, even when not one of the top handful, could be a good decision - especially if it seems to satisfy their interest area (which I understand could change later).</p>
<p>The past few years the average GPA for UCD and UCSB has been 3.95 - (I think UCD was 4.01 this past year- but want to throw a conservative # out) So calling either of these UC’s lower rank is a bit out dated. And UCSB is 22,000 students- 19,000 or so are undergrad’s - significantly smaller than other UC’s and focused mainly on undergrad education. Seems many fine schools are around this size- And they have a yearly review program to make sure each students meets academic progress requirements each year which forces the students to graduate around 4 years. (AP and summer sessions help here).</p>
<p>Just saying the UC’s are full of academically driven students. The recession has done it’s part in elevating all the UC’s academic profiles that’s for sure. With the caliber students attending UC’s these days, the UC degree will continue to be highly regarded- especially in California. You would have to live under a rock these past 5 years to not understand how competitive admissions to UC’s have become.</p>
<p>In a recent conversation with an administrator at UCLA, I learned that UCLA, and probably all the UCs, are aiming to enroll more OOS students to boost income.</p>
<p>According to this recent article from the Portland Oregon newspaper, The Oregonian, nearly 20% of the incoming freshman at University of Oregon are from California. It appears many California students are choosing out-of-state schools over the UC’s.</p>
<p>[California</a> students flood University of Oregon | OregonLive.com](<a href=“http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2010/08/california_students_flood_univ.html]California”>California students flood University of Oregon - oregonlive.com)</p>
<p>probably a lot of those kids “flooding” oregon schools were denied admission to a UC. the majority of kids in california don’t want to leave the state, despite what that article may say (i didn’t read it).</p>
<p>shrinkrap: if u haven’t checked out UCR, it’s worth a look. it has a very racially diverse campus, which can be a bonus for some kids (reduces stress associated with potential social isolation).</p>