I was accepted to UCLA (psych), UCD (poli sci), and SJSU (psych), (these are the three I’ve narrowed my decision down to). SJSU is in the running because it is so much cheaper than a UC and I didn’t get any financial aid for any of the schools. My parents will not take out loans, so I want to do what I can to ease financial stress especially because I want to get my MA and PhD after my BA. Also a little worried about leaving my support system behind–some of the posts about how miserable people are at some of the UCs are pretty concerning since I want to enjoy my time in college.
Thoughts? What were your experiences at these schools? Also worried about getting into a good MA program if I go to a state school, but at the same time Id love to stay close to home (UCLA is 7hrs away, UCD is 3hrs, and SJSU I could live at home).
You can get into a great graduate program no matter where you go for undergrad. Plus, SJSU is a major public university; it is no slouch just because it is not one of the UC schools. Honestly, work hard, maintain a high GPA, do well on the GRE, get to know three professors well (for letters of rec), and you’ll be fine. One of the common misconceptions is that getting into very good/great graduate school requires one to begin at a very good/great undergraduate institution. Again, SJSU is a very good school.
Sadly, I do not have firsthand familiarity with these schools, but there are so many CA people here that they’ll soon chime in.
@calitransfer18: Do you intend to pursue a masters in psychology ? If so, wouldn’t that make UC-Davis a clear number 3 ?
Yes, I do. But, Davis is not necessarily a clear number 3, I could double major. Also since they are both social sciences, most psych masters programs don’t have an issue with a poli sci BA.
@Hapworth Cmon there must be a LAC in there somewhere 
@privatebanker ,
I do admit my biases! I am unabashed LAC supporter. But I’ve also had the pleasure of being both a student and educator at the community college level, at an LAC, and at large public universities. I have honestly enjoyed all settings. I’m also a college football fan, so the D1 sports don’t hurt either.
But, yeah, for undergrad, I root for the LAC team. I do follow some basic guidelines. I do not mention LACs if the OP has not mentioned them or is not interested in them. I also do not recommend an LAC if the choice is, say, Middlebury at full pay versus the state flagship for free. I’m not stupid!
But yeah. Harvard or Amherst? Amherst. Yale or Williams? Williams. Princeton or Pomona? Pomona. Brown or Bowdoin? Bowdoin. Heck, let’s get crazy. Columbia or Macalester? Macalester.
@calitransfer18 What is the deal with students at the UCs being so miserable? Do any other CA residents know about this issue? Is there something in the water at the UC campuses affecting undergrads’ emotional states?
I get it and don’t disagree. Just keeping it a light. Lol
The misery may be associated with premed students, although that would not be unique to any school, since premed students face a heavy weeding process.
If you can afford it . . . UCLA!
If you get a PhD then the education is typically paid for by the college via scholarships and work/study (eg. TA and RA). If you are instead thinking of a counseling degree PsyD then you pay, and that is usually but not always the case for a MA as well.
“But yeah. Harvard or Amherst? Amherst. Yale or Williams? Williams. Princeton or Pomona? Pomona. Brown or Bowdoin? Bowdoin. Heck, let’s get crazy. Columbia or Macalester? Macalester.”
Harvard (no contest), Yale (no contest), Princeton (no contest), Brown (actually close), Columbia (definitely no contest).
^ My picks
Amherst. That one is easy. The only way I would choose Georgetown is if I was admitted to the School of Foreign Service, and probably not even then.