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I just want to know since california is where I want to be.
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<p>Why? ...</p>
<p>Yeah why? I moved to Cali from Suburban New York, and I hate it here. I just don't understand what is so appealing about California that you would go to such great lengths to go to college here. Trust me, (and this is from someone who lived on both coasts) UVa is a better deal out of state than UC Berkeley. Yeah if you want private schools its pretty much the schools everyone else listed. Don't go to CSU's though. You might as well go to a SUNY. You'll pay less and SUNY schools are SOO MUCH BETTER than CSUs.</p>
<p>Tymel, have you even been to CA? The cities are very different and so are the colleges. I hope that you check out the settings of these colleges before making your choice and that you can afford flying back and forth across the country. </p>
<p>I am this way too in a sense where I want to go to San Fran (an 6-8 hour drive from Los Angeles). My parents are a little worried. However, I know San Fran, since my aunt lives up there and I've visited her almost every year. Also, I have checked out all my Northern CA schools. I found that I hated one (Santa Clara U) when I was actually on campus, so that helped me eliminate bad choices.</p>
<p>I agree very much. Schools in California differ in composition (how many students, what ethnic breakup), academic focus (do they stress a well-rounded education? primarily the arts? primarily sciences?), atmosphere (campus lifestyle, surrounding city, support from administration and other resources) and other domains. Definitely check out websites if not actually come to visit. California colleges are by no means all the same, so please keep that in mind and make the choice that's best for you.</p>