<p>Actually… being the parent of a CSU grad who kind of fits that “social advocate” mode… I kind of know what you are talking about. My kid was a transfer into CSU, and I do think that he found a student body that was more engaged in social & real life issues there. I know that when he was out of school, before going to the CSU, he also engaged in work with students at both Santa Cruz & Cal, probably doing volunteer recruitment – he absolutely hated the time he was working on Cal & did comment on the student mindset. (He would have been seeing it through the eyes of someone with a nonprofit advocacy going on campus to get students to volunteer). At his CSU he had a half-time job with Americorps, and he was also doing volunteer recruitment – and he mentioned to me once that his biggest problem was that he had more volunteers than spots to put them in. </p>
<p>I used to prefer to hire CSU students to UC students for administrative work in my law office – I just always found the CSU students to be more down-to-earth and reliable, better workers. (I attributed it more to necessity + work experience – most of the CSU students were paying their own way and working their way through college)</p>
<p>So I think its a quality that is hard to really define in words – but there is a difference in student bodies. Maybe what you mean by “commuter” feel is that the students are more a part of the community at large? </p>
<p>It probably depends on the CSU but I do think that it was a good choice for my son. </p>
<p>But if you are a rising senior, I think you should keep your options open and apply to both. In the meantime, focus on what specific programs of study may be open to you. Definitely check out the college system at Santa Cruz— if instead of thinking “UC” you start trying to weigh the pros and cons of Stevenson vs. Kresge vs. Merrill (etc)… you might start to have a very different perspective. Check out Merced as well… you might find a very different vibe at UC’s newest and least popular campus. </p>
<p>Your parents might change their minds when they see the price tag. But you might change yours when you start to get a better sense of the communities that each UC represents – which is why I say that at this point it make sense to keep your options open.</p>