Having difficulty with transfer decision..

State Forums
1

<p>After completing my prerequisites at my local community college, I am ready to transfer.
I applied this past Fall to 6 schools, all CSUs. </p>

<p>I am considered to be a local applicant for SFSU and have been offered admission. My parents are most supportive of me attending SFSU because I wouldn't have to pay rent (they are kind enough to let me stay at home while I finish my Bachelors). My estimation for the total cost is somewhere around $10,000/yr, including tuition, fees, transportation, personal expenses, etc. My parents are willing to pay some of the cost (around 50%) and I would assume responsibility for the rest. I am working part time right now to help pay as well.</p>

<p>For a while I was leaning towards this option, except, well, I found out recently that I have also been accepted to CSU Long Beach. I have been rejected from San Jose State, and I have yet to hear from San Diego State and Sac. I have also been offered conditional acceptance to CSU Monterey Bay.</p>

<p>I know Long Beach is one of the higher ranked CSUs and I thought I had no chance of getting in. Now that I have been offered admission, my decision is not so simple. If I decide to attend CSULB, it would be upwards of 15k/year, if I am lucky enough to receive a Cal Grant. If I decide to go, and move out, I may lose the financial backing from my parents to help pay for school. </p>

<p>My question is this: Is it wise to assume the responsibility for what could be >$20,000 in loans (if I don't get scholarships/financial aid) to go to a "better" school? SFSU makes the most financial sense for me, but CSULB is ranked on several lists as one of the best public schools, recognized as one of the best in the CSU system, and it's an excellent school for my major as well.
I just don't know if it makes sense to drown in that much debt right after I graduate..</p>

<p>Any advice (especially from CSULB & SFSU alumni/students/parents) would be greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>What’s your major?
If you went to long beach, would you be fine with staying in the area after you graduate if you find a job there?</p>

3

<p>Good questions asked by Huegox. What your major is may indicate your earning potential to pay off the debt and to help see if it is worth it. And if you plan to come back to NoCal after college, I would think that SFSU has a higher name recognition here than LB; of course depending on the major and program too. Also consider how likely you are to be able to get the classes you need at each of these locations and whether you will be able to really finish in two years.</p>

4

<p>I am a health science major, with plans to study public health in graduate school. I think I would be okay with living in the area if I get a job there after graduation, because I’ve lived in the Bay Area my whole life and so I’d like to explore somewhere else for a while. </p>

5

<p>@GoldenWest</p>

<p>I think that’s why I am having so much difficulty with making this decision. I know I will be able to support myself with my degree, but realistically won’t be making a TON of money. If I do decide to move back to the Bay after graduation I think SFSU would have more name recognition, however, I also think it depends on the individual/the connections they made while in college. So I am really conflicted. Haha. </p>

6

<p>I’ve also finished my ‘Golden Four’ and completed my prerequisites for all schools, so I would be able to start right away with upper division work. Unfortunately, both schools are really impacted, so that is also something I have to really consider. </p>

7

<p>I wouldn’t incur any debt to get to Long Beach, especially since you plan to attend grad school and will probably wind up back in the Bay Area. The school isn’t that much better. Save your borrowing capacity for grad school.</p>