Hey guys.
I just started my senior year of high school and I want some help on choosing a college. I want to major in business but I’m not sure what area would be best. I’m sort of thinking either business administration or international business. I want to stay in the Southern Californian area. Can anybody recommend a school? I’m thinking about Cal State Fullerton, San Diego State, and Cal State Long Beach. Do you guys think it would be better to go straight to a four year than to go to community college and transfer?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
What is your CSU GPA?
What is your ACT/SAT scores?
What is your financial situation? How much can your parents pay/year?
Your EFC?
Going to a CSU vs. community college will depend upon if you are have the grades and test scores and if CSU’s are affordable.
All the schools mentioned are good for Business however, you need to have the stats to get into these schools.
Below explains how Cal Stats admit students:
The Cal states admit by major and eligibility index. They really only consider GPA/Test scores/Geographic location and HS course rigor. Other than Cal Poly SLO, your EC’s are not considered.
You need to calculate your CSU/UC GPA using grades from a-g courses taken 10-11th.
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
Not sure which courses are a-g and will give you extra honors points, then use this link by typing in your HS name?
https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist#/list/search/institution
Cal states and the majority of the UC’s use the capped weighted GPA.
Then calculate your Eligibility index:
If you took the Redesigned SAT:
(CSU capped weighted GPA X 800) + (SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) + Math Score) = Eligibility Index
Eligibility index for ACT:
(CSU capped weighted GPA X 200) + (ACT Composite x10)= Eligibility Index
**CSULB and SJSU use a modified EI for STEM/Engineering majors:
http://www.sjsu.edu/admissions/impaction/impactionresultsfreshmen/index.html
You will then be ranked based on EI and major and they accept from the top down until all spots are filled.
You will get priority at your local CSU which you can look up on this link. Local applicants usually require a lower EI to get an acceptance unless the program is highly impacted.
http://www.calstate.edu/sas/onestopkiosk/documents/CSULocalAdmission-ServiceAreas.pdf
Impacted campuses/majors: https://www.calstate.edu/sas/documents/ImpactedProgramsMatrix.pdf
My GPA is about 3.5
My SAT score is 1250 (Math 530) (English 720)
My ACT composite score is 24
I am not sure about my EFC, but I do know that my parents will not pay for my college at all. they make about $70,000 combined annually.
I hope this information helps 
They will not contribute anything? Will they let you live at home and commute? Do you work part-time and have some savings or do they have any college savings for you?
Will they fill out the FASFA (financial aid form) so you eligible for a student loan?
So your eligibility index is 4050 so you should be able to get into the majority of the Cal States. Cal Poly SLO and San Diego State might be a slight Reach depending upon major.
Did you look up your local CSU on the service area link I gave you?
I see how my reply might have been a bit misleading. My parents will let me live at home. I am looking for a part time job to save money. However, my family and I think I would be better off not using student loans. Thanks for the link (I am looking at the link right now in another tab).
Each Cal State will have a net price calculator where you can input your parents financial information and you will get an estimate of costs. Here is one for Cal State Fullerton:
http://www.fullerton.edu/financialaid/calculator/
This will give you an idea if you qualify for any Federal grants or Cal grants which could help pay for some tuition costs. Your parents should also figure out their EFC (Estimated Family contribution).
They will still need to fill out the FASFA so you would be eligible to receive federal grants and cal grants.
https://www.aidcalc.com/calculators/efc/efc1718/#window_top
If your parents will let you live at home but not pay anything towards college expenses, then attending a community for 2 years and then transferring would be a good option.
The Cal States and UC’s have articulation agreements with the community colleges to help with your transfer.
https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/transfer/Pages/ccc-associate-degree-for-transfer.aspx
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/guarantee/index.html
Thank you so much!
Agree 100% on avoiding student loans. You note you live in t So Cal, do you live a commutable distance from a CSU or UC?