csuf (fullerton) or csulb for finance?

<p>I am transferring from a junior college and have currently been accepted to both of these schools as a finance major. I have heard that both of these schools are really good for business but I want to know which one is better? Which school gives you a better advantage in the workforce after you graduate? Also which school is going to give me a better experience overall? I have heard that Long Beach is really impacted and that it could be a hassle getting the classes that I need.</p>

<p>This might not be what you want to hear, but I was in this position a while back. The answer is NEITHER.</p>

<p>Within California, I’d suggest Berkley, Stanford, Caltech, USC, UCLA, Claremont Mckenna or Santa Clara as an economics major(If you’re trying to stay local, then Cal Poly Pomona is a solid choice and UCI is OK if you’re willing to work hard during recruiting season)</p>

<p>For you average student, CSUF and CSULB are basically tied in terms of opportunities and neither are “good” for business. Employers, ESPECIALLY in finance are prestige whores and they look for candidates who have high pedigrees(went to a good school, interned at top firms, CFA candidates, etc.)</p>

<p>When I think CSUF or CSULB, I think of people who partied their lives away and never worked hard at all or people who aren’t that bright.</p>

<p>Local firms might consider them acceptable. Most “big name” finance firms will be going to UCLA and Cal Poly(Cal Poly gets surprisingly good recruiting) before even considering CSULB and CSUF(or even UCI).</p>

<p>I’ll give you the basics of what recruiters look for</p>

<p>1) University
2) Work Experience(a balance between directly relevant experience and prestige, think fortune 500 companies)
3) GPA(under a 3.5 usually means you’re not getting hired unless you’re from an elite uni)
4) Major(anything business is fine. I’m doing math/econ with minors in statistics and accounting, it’s a good combination)</p>

<p>As far as CSULB being impacted… CSUF isn’t any better. If you go to either, you’ll be spending 2.5 or 3 years until you graduate. If you’re WORRIED about graduation time, a bare bones econ degree from UCI is the way to go(it can be done in a summer and 3 quarters, which is substantially CHEAPER than doing 2 or 3 years at a CSU especially if you get financial aid)</p>

<p>Let me emphasize that your degree alone is worthless unless it’s from a top uni. What will get you places is working your rear off and taking advantage of every opportunity. Become President, or Treasurer or VP of your school’s finance or business club, take on 2 or 3 internships at a minimum(wealth management with Merril Lynch or UBS is a good start, then upgrade from there) and at the beginning of your senior year(this is when finance firms hire) be prepared to drive out to LA 2-5 times a week for career fairs at UCLA, USC, Cal Poly, CMC, etc.</p>