<p>I only got admitted into these two schools and I need some opinions and ideas on which school is better for me. I don't care about the bad area that UCR is located. I just care about which one actually offers better education and program. I also applied for CSU Fullerton and still waiting for their response. If I get in CSUF which one should I go out of the three schools I mentioned. If I don't get in CSUF which one should I go UCR or Cal Poly Pomona? I heard that UCR is the worse UC and Cal Poly Pomona is a pretty good CSU. So which one is actually a better choice for my future career in Business Administration?</p>
<p>I would say Cal Poly Pomona. As far as reputation, you’re correct; in a general sense, UCR is regarded as a lower tier UC while Cal Poly Pomona is quite a competitive CSU in terms of certain academic programs. But if you plan to get an MBA, try to do as best as possible in whatever school you earn your undergraduate degree.</p>
<p>First of all congratulations! You seem a bit disappointed that you “only” got into CPP and UCR. These are not bad schools. I taught at CSUF one summer and it was pretty good too. I would lean towards CPP as it has the polytechnic “Hands On” approach to teaching. One thing that I like about the school is that many of the professors will be working in their professions as their primary source of income and teach out of passion. I know a very prominent Tax Attorney that I work with that teaches there. This guy regularly speaks as an expert on international and estate taxation at places like the Beverly Hills Bar Association where I met him. He is one tough teacher and you can’t get a guy like that at UCR. This means that you will get real world up to date info in your classes. Plus, internships. In business, many of your job offers come out of internships. As a businessman myself, I want to reduce my expenses to have to train you for your job. Why not hire someone who can get moving in a new position right away because they had a real world education? CPP is building an incredible new business building. It is an up and coming school. Go for it and be proud of your accomplishment. I know folks that have given up offers at UCLA for CPP (no joke!). As a future business person, I am sure that you would appreciate the return on investment calculation of CPP vs. a UC. Additionally, I know of a young Japanese girl that just graduated from CPP and she was interning at a CPA office in my building. She just got a job working for Ernst & Young in Manhattan for close to $60K a year. Now, that is not a whole lot of money for NYC. But for a 21 year old with roommates in the city…well, she is going to have a blast and a great start to a career in accounting. My point? Big firms hire out of CPP.</p>
<p>Do you plan on getting an MBA? If yes, then go to UCR. If no, then go to CPP or another CSU.</p>
<p>Top MBA programs would be more likely to admit someone coming from UCR. However, if you’re only doing undergrad then the hands-on approach at a CSU would be better.</p>
<p>You might want to also ask your question on the Business major and MBA subforums.</p>
<p>Both are great schools, congradulations!</p>
<p>I think most everyone I know recognzies CPP as top of the CSs. I would go with whichever school you like, and are more comfortable with. If the area makes a diff, then dont ignore that. Is there a $$ difference?</p>
<p>@OsakaDad, wow thanks for your great advice and story. The problem right now is that I’m a transfer student. When I apply for CSU, they want me to choose a specific major for Business Administration. For example, I was forced to choose Accounting, (Finance, Real Estate and Law), Marketing, Management, or CIS for Business Administration during the transfer application process. UC Riverside on the other hand, only requires me to choose Business Administration as my major and allow me to choose which specific field I want to major in after I attend into the college. </p>
<p>I am accepted into Cal Poly Pomona’s Business Administration in Finance, Real Estate and Law. I’m not sure whether CPP will let me switch from Finance to something else related in the Business field. I did some quite of research on Business Majors and I really don’t know what kind of specific major in Business I want to learn. That is why I want to attend some of the related classes first then make my final decision after I get into upper division course.</p>
<p>Another problem right now is what @SMCguy stated. I’m not sure if I’m going to get an MBA in the future. Is it true that it is easier to get into MBA program for UC students than CSU students? I’m going to get a job right after Bachelor in business, but planning on coming back to school for MBA in few years of experiences in working. Unless I’m getting paid well after undergraduate then I will not go for MBA, but it is unlikely to happen lol. So, I think there is a huge possibility that I will be back for MBA if my income is low. Is it really that hard to get into MBA programs for CSU students?</p>
<p>@davidchan</p>
<p>First let me handle the MBA question. I do not believe that going to CPP will hurt you from getting into a great MBA program. What you need to be most concerned about for your MBA is (1) your GPA in college; (2) your actual work experience once you graduate (most MBA programs worth the paper they are printed on require 3 to 5 years of work experience prior to going into the MBA program); and (3) the reason why you want to get an MBA from that particular school as stated in your essays and application. Going to UCR as opposed to CPP will not give you any advantage to getting into an MBA program. I have an MBA from the top school for international business globally ( [Thunderbird</a> School of Global Management](<a href=“http://www.thunderbird.edu/]Thunderbird”>http://www.thunderbird.edu/) ) and I got my undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona. Great school in the top 125 nationally, but certainly nothing that would turn any heads. It was what I did AFTER I graduated that got me into Thunderbird. I lived and worked abroad for 10 years in international finance and investments, traveled in over 25 countries, became multilingual and mastered Japanese to the business level, etc.</p>
<p>With regards to major, you must contact CPP and confirm that you either can or cannot change your major. We were under the impression that my kid had to choose a major at Cal Poly SLO at application and then he could never change his major. Crazy for an 18 year old to do. Well, this ended up being completely untrue! You can easily change your major (in your department) by getting together with your counselor and putting a written approach together. Interdepartmental transfers are another story. Make sure to do your own due diligence and get the facts. It is your future!</p>
<p>@davidchan I’m referring to top MBA programs like Stanford, UCLA, USC.</p>
<p>If you want to work at a top investment firm then an MBA from a top school will be needed… in this case you will want your undergrad to be done at UCR because it’s actually a great school and holds national recognition.</p>
<p>To be honest, you won’t need an MBA for most jobs these days. If your goal is to get an entry level job, get promoted to a manager and then Director, VP, etc… then just do undergrad and be done. Spend your time making contacts, doing a great job, and proving yourself each and every day.</p>
<p>Also, note that an MBA from a CSU really doesn’t hold much weight…they surely don’t hurt, but very few employers will be impressed…I think they’re a waste of money. I think it is ridiculous how so many schools offer MBA’s these days… people don’t realize that they’re not respected unless they’re from a top school.</p>
<p>@David Chan.
I am in the same exact problem as you!!!
I got into UCR and CPP, and will be starting in the fall of this year as a junior. The only problem is i dont know where to go!? I got into the business program in both schools, and after much thought i have decided that i want my concentration to be in accounting.
I was torn between CPP and UCR, but leaning more towards CPP. Last saturday, i went to “highlander day” at UCR, and the Business program had a long talk with the incoming freshmen and transfer students. It seems as if the dean and advisor are very helpful!! and althought I am a little scared to take UC level busines classes, I think it might be a better choice than CPP. When i called CPP (business program) last week, i asked when they would be having an open house for the business undergrad students, or any events that would be helpful to us…they didnt know, they were like “umm, we’re not sure right now” I thought that was pretty weird. And after i visited UCR, i felt like it is the better decision. Im still a LITTLE confused though, im scared to SIR to UCR, because what if i regrett it later, or fail miserbaly. haha, okay maybe im just being a drama queen. well i want to make my decision by the end of this week hopefully. Hope UCR is a good decision. still thinking though…</p>