Hey guys! So I’m currently in the process of finishing up some pre reqs and getting ready to apply to some CSU’s for business admin with a concentration in either human resource management or accounting. The list of schools I have in mind are CSUSB, CSUF, Cal Poly SLO, SDSU and CSULB. From a lot of the research I’ve done I’ve read that Cal Poly slo is pretty much the best choice in my list for accounting. However, I’m curious, which one of these schools has the best overall business program? Considering that I’m thinking of doing Human resource management, what other schools here are the best option? Also, I’m looking at finishing at my CC with a 3.68… does this give me a good shot at any of these schools? Thanks.
Assuming you are eligible, I’d start with a TAG to UCR. TAG has some lead time so, you will want to look into that ASAP.
This is pretty subjective but, IMHO, the CSU biz programs stack up like this:
1 CP SLO
2 SDSU
3 CSULB
4 Chico
5 SJSU
6 Fullerton
7 Northridge
8 Sonoma
9 Fresno
10 Sac
You should know though all CSUs have to favor local applicants as part of their charter so, it is very difficult to transfer into the top few Cal States as a non-local applicant, even with a 3.7+. For Biz, CP SLO, SDSU, CSULB and Fullerton are the toughest to navigate if you aren’t local.
As a result, I’d suggest you TAG UCR, apply to a couple of really selective CSUs and a couple you will almost certainly admit you.
Good luck
I second @NCalRent’s advice. I have seen Transfer applicants with GPA’s of 4.0 not get into the top CSU’s due to local in-service area priority. Tagging into UCR is an excellent suggestion.
Best of Luck.
One important thing you should know when applying to the state schools is that if you on track to getting an associates degree before you transfer, then the state schools will add .1 to you GPA during the selection process. I had a 3.72 GPA and because I was getting an associates before leaving it counted as 3.82.
By far the two best state schools for Business administration are 1. Cal Poly SLO and 2. San Diego State. After that there’s no clear cut third place. If you don’t get into Cal Poly or SDSU then your choice should be more about location and where you feel most comfortable because eduction wise most are pretty comparable. You should also do the TAG program and apply to UC Irvine or UC Merced because they have Business programs that are probably better than most CSU’s other than Cal Poly and SDSU. UCLA also has a good economics department and Berkeley is great for Business but you can’t TAG it. I got into Cal Poly SLO for Business Admin a transfer with a 3.72 GPA. Data given by the Cal Poly says that last year the average GPA for Business Admin transfers was 3.56. SDSU probably a slightly lower standard but probably still difficult to get into. And you can TAG a UC as long as you have a 3.1 or 3.2 I forget exactly.
UC Merced does not have a Business school, UC Riverside does. TAG GPA for Riverside Business Admin is 3.5 and you cannot TAG for Business Admin at UC Irvine.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/tag-matrix.pdf
One more comment, other than Cal Poly SLO, many of the Cal States have some regional bias, whereby they hire well into their local areas. If you want to work in Silicon Valley, SJSU will probably serve you better than SDSU or Fullerton.