How to choose between UCR, CSUF, CSULB?

College Search & Selection
1

PSA: This post came out way longer than I expected but I’m trying to answer all questions before they come so that I don’t waste anyone’s time.
PSA2: I attempted a TLDR but I’m not sure it actually encompasses all the necessary points.
PSA3: This is my first post so I hope all goes well. Sorry in advance for anything I miss…

Hello hello friendly CC people!

I’ve been a long-time lurker and have been reading through countless threads, both old and new, to try and come to a final decision but seeing as May 1 is just around the corner and I have not been able to come to a decision, I was hoping anyone kind enough to click this thread could offer some more insight.

I applied to pretty much everyone’s dream schools (UCLA, USC, NYU, UPenn, UMich, Northwestern, UCB, UCI, etc) and landed with UCR, CSUF, CSULB, and waitlist at CPP. Of course, this led to me looking at these schools in sort of a negative light and hearing all the “UCRejects” talk only confirmed all that so I fear that may be impacting my decision-making abilities a bit. However, I do believe (after campus visits and “welcome days,” that I’ve ruled out CSULB. Its campus didn’t really appeal to me and it felt dated). I initially applied to all these in hopes of pursuing business but am now realizing I’d like to double major with Computer Science or similar and economics (although UCR got me into this cool major called “Computer Science with Business Applications” and I think that with econ would be neat).

As for finances, UCR and CSUF come out to about the same amount living on campus. Though, commuting to CSUF (45 min drive with traffic) would put a bit of extra leftover cash in my pocket thanks to financial aid grants and such. UCR would have to be on campus. Both options, dorming and commuting, are appealing, of course, for their own reasons (extra cash vs. “the college experience” and “freedom”).

Campus-wise, CSUF’s campus (and library) appealed more to me, in general, while UCR’s recreational center was super sweet. CSUF is also in an area where it seems like there’s stuff to do when I have downtime versus UCR being in the middle of nowhere.

Academically, I know CSUF is known for business so a double major with econ there would be pretty good. But UCR’s UC name feels like it puts it on pretty even ground and allows me the opportunity to do research, if desired, as well (which could be an important differentiator beyond internships for the job market). I do plan to pursue an MBA at a “brand name university” after my undergrad regardless and it seems like UC’s offer a better shot at that.

And then there’s always the option of Community College for two years then aiming higher than either of these but there’s no guarantee that that’ll work out and I feel like it’d be better to take advantage of the opportunity presented to me right now.
Or even trying to transfer out of either after two years but we’ve all been through the threads about the low yield rates of attempts from UC to UC or CSU to UC.

TLDR: Got rejected everywhere so CSUF or UCR - economics and computer science. Finances are similar. Will pursue MBA. Liked CSUF campus more than UCR. Have to dorm at UCR. Possible to maybe commute to CSUF and have leftover grant $. Is UC brand that important? IS UCRejects still a prominent concept and does it affect job marketability? Basically, help please.

Thank you a million times over for even just reading this and helping out if possible!

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@Ghostfrog First, congrats on UCR and CSUF and your other acceptances. We know the feeling as our in-state 33 ACT/4 +++ GPA kid got shut out of every UC except UCSC. It is a very common phenomenon.

As to what you should do - there are folks more knowledgeable about the transfer policies, but down where we are, it appears a decent % of kids do 2 year CC and transfer into the UCs, or even good privates (USC, Occidental, Claremont-McKenna etc). But you would have to do well at CC and go through the app process all over again which can be daunting. But if you are commuting anyway, it will save you a bit of money you could hope to put toward an MBA.

On the other hand, I don’t think the choice of UCR or CSUF is mainly academic - both will have enough to challenge an interested, motivated student. So much of education is professor-specific and students (and others) too often forget this. I went to a “top” college and had amazing profs who taught me loads and useless profs who inspired me to sleep in and teach myself from the book. Today you have the advantage of being able to do online research about your profs. Wherever you go, try to do that as much as possible. Good teachers will be key.

Seems your choice is more do you want to have the “going off to college” experience. Folks in CA know how competitive the UCs and Cal States are these days. Grad school and employeers will be looking at what you did with your college experience more than where you went. I know this is not much help, but I’d choose based on 2 thoughts:

Get out with least amount of debt/most money in the bank. That will give you the best options down the road.

And wherever you go, get everything you can out of it. Each of those schools have amazing resources and very smart people. Seek them out, apply yourself 100% and you’ll do great.

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Given your choices I would definitely consider the CC route. You will save $ and most importantly it will position you to transfer to many of the schools on your list - top UC’s and CSU’s. Spend some time on the school forums and see what CC GPA’s students are getting in order to get admitted. If you do go the CC route it is essential to perform and make it happen. Good luck.

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I don’t know that much about either school, but if the main reason you’re leaning against UCR is the UCRejects thing, I wouldn’t let that impact your decision. No, it’s not still a prominent concept and will not affect job marketability. It’s a holdover term from past generations when everyone who didn’t get into other UCs had a guaranteed spot there, but times change, that’s no longer the case, and Riverside has gained a lot of respect. Ask anyone in your parents’ generation what USCs academic reputation was when they were going to college and you’re likely to hear that a C student whose parents had enough money could buy their way in. It wasn’t considered a place for serious students. That’s certainly not the case now, but you’ll still hear a few comments from those who haven’t kept up.

That said, it doesn’t sound like that’s the main reason, and you have more good reasons to choose Fullerton where you like the campus more, you have grants, tuition is also a few thousand $ less expensive per year, and you plan on going to grad school. If you decide to commute, you can save substantially more. I would estimate the savings to be more than $15K per year. Does that sound about right? That’s nothing to sneeze at. If I were you, I’d lean toward Fullerton for those reasons. I’m also a big believer in going with the school your gut tells you is the best fit.

Not to confuse you, but you also mentioned going to CC and transferring. That would save you some money in the first 2 years and give you a much better shot at other UCs including guaranteed admission to the campus of your choice (other than UCB and UCLA) if you met the TAG requirements. I believe you can only use TAG for one campus, but if Riverside accepted you now, I’m guessing it’s unlikely you’ll have a problem getting accepted to additional UCs as a transfer even without TAG. Something to think about.

Best of luck!

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one clarification @1dreamer UCSD also doesn’t participate in TAG - also popular majors at participating schools are sometime excluded (Biz at UCI for example). TAG is a good program - but you have to follow it to the letter and you should understand it’s limitations before heading down that path.

to the OP - don’t let stale labels unduly color your perceptions… I can’t tell from your posts if price is a big deal or not. Can your family put you in a dorm at UCR or the other schools without undue hardship? If not, then a CC or commuting to Fullerton is your best option. If so then, don’t worry about the money and go where you want. All three of the schools in your title are solid. Pick the one where you think you will excel.

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@1Dreamer, LOL on your point about USC. Reminded me of back in the day…I agree that the negative talk about UCR is dated and also just the result of California having a lot of great universities. Many other states would love to have a UCR. I also think students at UCR seem to be generally happy with the university, except for the parking.

OP, if you live at home and commute, they might recalculate financial aid. Check the difference in the CSUF estimate between living on campus versus commuting.

Someone in your situation should consider cc if you do not have the money to pay for your choices or if you are so into a prestigious name that you would try to see if you could get in elsewhere. Keep in mind that coming in as a transfer has its own challenges (getting to know the new place, different academic demands) and it’s usually good for people who want to start at cc and transfer or do not have other options. Also, if the CSULB campus did not appeal to you, does a cc appeal?

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If you’re really thinking more about CS, then the UCR program might be a really good fit, good enough where the campus advantages of CSUF may drop down in your personal assessment rankings.

The CC route is fine if cost is your major motivator. If it’s not, I would recommend stating at either UCR or CSUF, as you’ll be able to take non-IGETC classes to help you decide where your major focus might take you.
If you do decide on the Transfer route, take heed of what a poster above said about TAG and the specificity of the classes you’ll need to qualify.
I would strongly recommend that if you do attend a CC, that you go into the transfer office for advising PRIOR to registering for any classes and pre-plot the coursework for your two years there. Many CC’s may have two classes that look the same, but only one qualifies for transfer. Additionally, some classes that qualify for admission at a UC may not qualify for transfer to a CSU and visa versa. Beware of the Communication class requirement at the CSU’s which are not required at the UC’s, should you want to transfer to CPP or Cal Poly SLO.

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@CaliDad2020 your post was definitely helpful! Yes, it’s seeming to become more of a phenomenon to see highly qualified kids get rejected. I appreciate the clearing up of all the haze surrounding college admissions, essentially, by narrowing it down to money and seeking out the best experience at either campus by dedicating myself. This is easily forgotten in the flurry that is college admissions. So thank you for that!

@my2caligirls @1Dreamer @NCalRent @bookguy @hop Heeding all of your words about CC, it seems much less appealing - especially with the exclusion of many “higher end” UCs and desired majors. Cost is not the major motivator because either UCR or CSUF can be covered with some work-study or a regular job off campus and financial aid. Just for clarification, neither school has given us a complete official financial aid package yet (thanks to the government “randomly selecting” me for verification and delaying the entire process) but after sitting down with financial aid officers at the campus, we were able to plot out an estimate for the financial aid and costs.

If I’m understanding the outpour of wisdom here, it seems that UCR and CSUF are both great schools and perhaps more consideration should be given to the finances in order to save up cash for an MBA or just because saving money is always a good idea. But on top of all of that, it comes down to ignoring negative connotations on either school and just taking the plunge where it seems like I would excel most. Then just make the most of it and use it wisely.

I really appreciate all of your input and felt it appropriate to acknowledge all the posts here. They were all helpful!

For anyone lurking on this, I still haven’t come to a definite decision so please do feel free to still chime in :slight_smile: