I am currently in a dilemma. I have been accepted to all three schools as a transfer student majoring in Business Administration emphasis in Supply Chain Management. In my opinion, there are pros and cons to all three schools. First, CSULB seems to be the most social and most popular overall of the three. Also, it seems to be the hardest to get into because it has the lowest acceptance rate out of the three schools. In addition, I have a few friends there and was thinking about getting an apartment with them. Second, CSUF seems to be the most reputable out of all three for business (not too sure about supply chain management though?). I have heard good things about the connections CSUF has with the OC area. Lastly, CPP seems to be the least reputable of the three but I have researched their program (Technology and Operations Management) and on their website they seem to offer many resources, such as clubs and labs. HELP!! I need to commit soon. Any feedback would be great. Thanks in advance!
I’d argue your premise that CPP is any less reputable than the others. Also, being hard to get into is no measure of a school’s fit for you. All 3 have strong reputations, especially in So Cal. You need to visit the schools and see where you think you will fit best. Spend a few hours on campus while school is in session, eat a couple of meals on/near campus, talk to some students, maybe even drop in on a class. That will give you a much better sense of what a typical day will be like - and who will be sitting next to you in class.
Congrats and good luck
It really does not matter which school you choose. All three offer excellent business programs. Stop being so concerned with how “reputable” a school is. Employers don’t really care about that at all when they’re hiring you but are looking for a combo of education and experience. (unless you went to an Ivy League school.)
Rather you should focus on the cost first and how you’re going to fund your undergrad and whether or not you have to take out loans or will be awarded grants. Second determine if you want the full college experience. Meaning do you want a campus with a lively environment or do you want something that is a bit more peaceful?
I think cost and whether or not you want a livelier campus should be your main focus points.
@NCalRent I apologize for being naive about CPP’s reputation. I will definitely try to explore each campus more while school is in session. I have come to the realization that going to one school over another is not going to give much of an edge as they are all very similar for my program. Thanks again!
@IsntThatSpatial I agree that cost is a huge factor and that attending any of the three schools would not give an advantage over another in terms of being employable. However, my theory is that I’ve saved a decent amount from attending community college for the last 2 years and I am really looking forward to having a better social life. Although I do agree that having a social life isn’t everything. I do believe that academics comes first. I have received no grants and all loans for these schools because apparently my parents make too much. Ugh, the struggle is real. 
Also, I forgot to add that I live about 35 minutes away from CSULB, 30 minutes away from CPP, and 40 minutes from CSUF. If I were to attend CSULB, I would try to get an apartment with my friends for at least the first year as I want some sort of college experience and then possibly commute my last year to save money. For CPP, I would be either living with my family in West Covina, which would cut the commute time to 15 minutes. For CSUF, I would probably try to live with my family in Walnut or get an apartment with my sister, if she decides to attend. If worst comes to worst, I will be commuting here as well. So ultimately, it seems like I would be commuting to all 3 schools if the cost is too high.
I wouldn’t even consider Fullerton just based on the commute.
So it’s between Beach and CPP now. You said you have money saved? Is that to pay for rent and other expenses if you go to Beach your first year? Do you work? (I ask cause that might be a factor) Is the college experience realllllly that important to you? If you’re under the age of 25 go for it and in fact I encourage this. As a much older non traditional student (Go Aztecs!) I didn’t get to do this and regret it.
Do you just want to get in and out and graduate and are…all business? (No pun intended) Have you asked your parents what they think?
My wife has an MBA and has (really we since were married) about $100k in loans. 2/3 of that is for her masters. The interests on unsubsidized loans reallllly adds up! The other 1/3 is undergrad. I say all this because although she does not absolutely not at all regret getting both of her degrees she wished she did not take out any loans. So now she has to pay those back. I’m big on cost and just really want you to be aware of what you’re getting into.
The money you have saved from going to CC I would use that for tuition for Beach and live with your family and commute to school. Your social life will be there still just on weekends and in summer.
I hope this helps and good luck to you!
Yes the money saved would be to pay for college expenses. However, on my own merit, I am working part time and managed to only save up for one year of tuition for either college (excluding living expenses and books, supplies, etc…). The second year I would either have to take out a loan or ask my parents to pay out of pocket first. The reason is that my parents want me to pay them back at least half of what they spent. I know it sounds kind of harsh but I’m really hoping that they are just saying this to scare me and will actually let me off the hook but if not then I guess it shouldn’t be too bad. Ideally, I am really trying to be under $15,000 - $20,000 in debt by the time I graduate. I have talked to my parents and knowing how asian parents are, they want me to commute to cut costs. But I can’t help but wonder If I were to do that, I would basically be experiencing community college 2.0 and when I graduate, I have no fond memories of college whatsoever. Do you think that living in an apartment for the first year and commuting the last would be the best way to compromise costs and college experience? Thanks for the help!
What kinds of memories are you trying to create? I think the fact that you were accepted to a lively campus in Beach that in itself entails that you won’t miss out on the college experience, relatively speaking. If you live with family during your upper div you might miss out on a few things but you’ll still be able to experience a lot and immerse yourself into what the campus has to offer.
To compare I transferred over to State and intend on doing a study abroad program, I plan on joining a club or two related to my major, and of course going to athletic events. With that said I won’t be able to hangout on campus for long and get into leisure activities or just walk across the street to my apt. I also work PT as well but want to get involved on campus for sure.
Personally, I’d live with my parents as long as possible in order to save money cause I know I’d still be able to experience what a top tier lively CSU is like. With that said I feel as though the college experience is best experienced if you’re an athlete and a student doesn’t have to work. JMO. As an ex-athlete who went on recruiting trips to Stanford and ASU the perks athletes receive are insane.
Anyway, ultimately you’re going to decide what’s best for you in the end and what you will be content with but the fact that your parents will be helping you out is super amazing and I assume you have to pay them back interest free? That’s a steal if true.
I’m assuming you decided on Beach? I ask since you want a typical college experience. We can probably agree that CPP is more of a commuter campus.