<p>Since our dd was among the 75% of USC applicants that were not accepted, she now has to pick from Cal State Northridge, or CSU Fullerton (accepted into both). She is planning on a broadcast journalism degree, and will be trying USC again as a transfer student. Any idea out there among the wise cc parents on if either of these schools are considered stronger? She'll be following USC's advice and taking a rigorous freshman year course load, but would like to know if USC would view one school as stronger than the other.</p>
<p>Probably not much difference academically. She should take a rigerous course load, get her GE out of the way, and try to do some EC's to make her attractive to USC in the Journalism dept............find a related job, volunteer, whatever. I would consider where you live and if she has to commute the ugly LA freeways, unless of course, she will be living on campus.</p>
<p>I live near CSUF, and once upon a time had a friend who went to CSUN. The Fullerton area (there's a fairly decent neighborhood with movie theaters and some cafes) has much more to offer, with Downtown Brea, and even Downtown Disney not too far away. Closer to the beach too. I'm not a fan of the San Fernando Valley at all. </p>
<p>I can't speak for the journalism departments, but the film and communications dept at Fullerton is really good. Excellent equipment, and I'm even friends with an editing teacher there. </p>
<p>I like CSUF. A pretty diverse student body, I think more than CSUN. And it's not on a major earthquake fault! We know many kids who go there, also on a transfer track, and they like it very much.</p>
<p>We used to call CSUN Cow Tech.</p>
<p>We visited CSUN in Dec 06, and it felt like a commuter school. No school spirit at all, run-down facilities, appeared like a serious lack of funding. A junior at CSUN recommended Fullerton instead, which we haven't visited.</p>
<p>I thought Northridge has a new building for broadcast journalism and related fields, as well as a dorm. I've heard good things about the program's ability to help with hands-on experience and internships. Also know 2 graduates from F who got jobs in the field and were happy with the program.</p>
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We visited CSUN in Dec 06, and it felt like a commuter school.
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That's because it is a commuter school! </p>
<p>Friend went there, and always tells a funny story about the parking lots. He had an early class so was there before the lots filled. First week of school, and he's done with school for the day so he's walking back to his car late-morning. This georgeous girl pulls up to him just as he steps into the lot and asks if he wants a ride to his car. He's thinking college really is wonderful, the girls are trying to meet guys! Turns out she just wants to give him a ride so she can be sure to get his parking spot :(</p>
<p>This isn't to say CSUN is a bad school, but like most commuting colleges its just a place where kids show up, go to class, take tests, and leave.</p>
<p>For a less commuter CSU, consider CSULB. Great environment and closer to the beach. One of the best CSU's</p>