<p>The two main reasons to pick a school:</p>
<p>1). They have a strong program in your major> Ex : Cal Poly for architecture. My child’s friend chose that over CAL and her parents, I am sure, investigated the situation and found her reasoning to be sound.</p>
<p>2) You love it or really like it there: the philosophy, the feel, the weather, the politics, the size…whatever.</p>
<p>I think if you can articulate just these two reasons well, your parents will listen. But do your research…all CSUs are not created equal.</p>