<p>raiderfan, as I said… please keep your options open. It is an easy matter next year for you to apply to BOTH UC campuses and CSU’s, and make your decision in the spring.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that you have the ability to get involved in grassroots political activities, nonprofit internships, etc. – wherever you go. My son had some great opportunities as a CSU student – but he may have been at an advantage because he had experience before he got to the CSU – he took a “gap” period of 3 years before applying to the CSU as a transfer. In any case the opportunities he had were not a given – he had to apply in a competitive process. </p>
<p>It worked out well for my son – he got a job with a nonprofit agency immediately after graduating… but as noted, experience counts. But there is a downside as well – he may apply to law school in the future – and a UC degree would be a better springboard for that step. My daughter is at a more prestigious, private college which you would probably find appalling in terms of the level of self-involvement of students — but somehow she found a way to travel with a group to lobby in DC about financial aid issues (on the east coast) – and she has arranged some great internships for herself with nonprofit agencies. </p>
<p>Don’t sell yourself short. Keep options open. </p>
<p>And some basic principals that you should know as an advocate: there is no point arguing with your parents NOW – you will only set them up to harden their position. It’s much better to do your research and prep on the QT – and worry about who you are going to convince of what when the time comes. </p>
<p>You shouldn’t have to convince them of anything, in any case. It is YOUR choice where to go to college, not THEIRS. Assuming you will be 18 when you go off to college, the only power your parents have is financial – and whether or not you qualify for need based financial aid, you are entitled an unsubsidized Stafford Loan each year that exceeds the amount of CSU tuition – so if you are willing to work, you can pay your own way if you have to. </p>
<p>But my point is that you don’t want to be stubborn or dig in, either. If you feel next April that – with college admission offers in hand – that the CSU’s are where you want to be… well, they will still be there. But it seems to me that you are making decisions prematurely without adequate information. At this time you shouldn’t be worried about how to frame an argument – you still don’t have all the facts & information you need.</p>