LBSU vs. Other Options

Colleges and Universities A-Z California State University - Long Beach
1

I’m currently torn between LBSU, SDSU, and CC as I was expecting to get into at least one of the UCs of my choice. Now that I’m left with these three (along with a waitlist from UCSC), I have no idea what direction to take.

I’m in-state, live in the South Bay, and am majoring in Business Administration but looking to transfer into Computer Science. This is my view on each option, and any advice as to what would be my best choice will be greatly appreciated:

LBSU: I live less than 30 minutes away so I wouldn’t have to pay for housing and I would just commute. Social/party scene doesn’t matter very much to me, as I’m looking to just finish as quickly as possible and get good internships/good grades while attending the school. I would like to transfer out of LBSU into a UC (UCI, UCSD, UCSB, UCLA, UCB), but I’ve heard it’s hard to do so. And as previously mentioned, I was admitted as a business major but would like to switch into computer science.

SDSU: I’m not too sure how far ahead SDSU is when compared to LBSU, but if the difference is minimal (which is the impression I have based off of what others have told me) then I don’t see a reason to pick SDSU over LBSU. I know a lot of people who got rejected from SDSU but were waitlisted to schools such as UCI or UCSB (and I was straight up denied) so I don’t really understand the difficulty of getting into the school. Is it that rigorous, or just super impacted? I know very little about SDSU (other than the fact that its acceptance rate is below 40%) so insight to SDSU would help. As mentioned earlier, the party/social aspect doesn’t make much of a difference, and I would much rather choose a mellow school. And also mentioned earlier, I would want to switch from business to computer science, and I would keep the transfer option open.

CC: CC never came to mind when applying, but with the choices I have, it’s appealing due to the TAP/TAG Programs. I would like to do TAP at SMC, as it has ties with UCLA, but I would also be content with TAG and its guaranteed admission into UCI or UCSB. However, I’m not sure how long it would take to finish Pre-Reqs and begin the transfer process, as I’ve heard it can take up to 3 years, which is not what I’m looking for. If it helps, I’ve passed AP World History (3), AP English Language (4), and am taking AP Biology, Comparative Government, US Government, Human Geography, Calculus AB, and English Literature this year, with more than likely chances to pass English Literature, Human Geography, and US and Comparative Government.

Potential Option (UCSC): If I get off the waitlist here, I’m curious as to how good of an option UCSC would be. I’m a fan of the mellow and laidback vibes of the school, but I’m not too sure about the location as it’s literally in the woods. However I’ve heard good things about their computer science program (if I get in and am able to transfer in) due to its proximity to Silicon Valley and other NorCal tech companies.

Sorry for the long post, it’s just that I didn’t think I would be left with these options and have no idea what direction to take. I can elaborate/clarify my viewpoint on each option if need be, as I’m sure this post was pretty hectic. Thanks in advance.

2

Have you visited both SDSU and CSULB? I have children at both schools and I can tell you that they are very different. SDSU is much more of a “party” type school than LB with a huge Greek system. LB is much more cultural diverse than SDSU. LB is a beautiful campus that is much more laidback and less judgemental. Both have strong business programs, but I’m not sure about computer science. I will tell you that LB is much more supportive of the students. At SDSU you are on your own unless you choose to use the services. LB requires that freshman actually go to a counselor before they can register which tends to keep kids on a better path. It is very easy to change your major at both schools. My son was admitted as an Environmental Sciences major and was able to change to a Business/Accounting major at SOAR. However, to get the true college experience I would not choose to commute. If you can afford it, living in the dorms is a great experience to help you become more independent and find a group of people that are like you. If you don’t want to do your four years at either school, I would save your parents some money and go the community college route, although from what I have seen with most students in our area that stayed home, it takes them way longer than two years to get to the UC school. I am a teacher and a parent, but that is just my two cents worth!

3

@southbaysenior, have you come to a decision?

A few thoughts. My son is in a very similar position. Accepted to CSULB for pre-Comp Sci, SIR submitted to LB, waitlisted at UCR for CS major.

Accepted to Honors program at CCC. I think that the CCC Honors is by far the best option, as it puts him in small classes with the smart kids, for almost no money, with priority registration, on a transfer path to UC. His diploma will say University of California.

We have learned that CSU to UC transfer is rare. Business to CS major change is even rarer, just about anyplace in California public universities.

UCLA does not accept transfers in to CS from CCC, with very rare exception. Also, UCLA does not accept APs as a rule. So your CCC to UC strategy might be more efficient at a different campus.

SDSU and CSULB are severely impacted with > 100K applications per year. They are becoming elite schools.

Best of luck! Interested to know your thoughts at this point.

4

Both are good schools- and both have solid CS and Biz programs. As noted above, they have very different from a student experience perspective. If you can afford the dorm, spend some time at both and pick the one that feels right to you. If not - then just head to LB and don’t worry about it. For CS in particular, a UC degree won’t give you a huge advantage in the workplace.

Major changes at most (for most majors) CSUs typically require a visit to academic advising. For popular majors, you start as a Pre-major while you complete the pre-reqs. As long as you complete the required classes and meet the GPA threshold you are in. Some programs, like nursing, are a more complicated and competitive process.
Read about CS @ LB here:
http://web.csulb.edu/depts/enrollment/graduation/native-major-criteria/COE.html#q_g3

You should be aware though that CS is a very difficult and time consuming major. The 2.5 they require is a more difficult hurdle than you think.

Which brings us to transfer. Transfer admissions into the top UCs is brutally competitive - especially for CS. You can use this tool to see the brutal truth. CS @UCLA had a 5% admit rate. So, being at CSULB vs SMC won’t make a difference. UCSB is similarly selective - while UCI is closer to 30%
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major

You can use the Transfer tabs and school type radio buttons to see that hundreds of students transferred from a CSU to a UC last year.

https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/admissions-source-school

UCI does participate in TAG and CS is not currently on the excluded major list so, if you follow the program EXACTLY, maintain a 3.4 GPA (again, that is harder than you think) and they don’t change the GPA threshold or add CS to the excluded list, you can transfer in -

SDSU and LB are inundated with transfer applicants and must provide space for ‘local’ transfers. Getting back into either as a non-local transfer will take more than the 3.4 UCI is looking for.

If you are budget constrained or you got shut out of viable options CCs are a great option - i attended one myself back in the dark ages. The quality of their programs, transfer success and access to classes is highly variable. You can use that tool to see what i mean.
http://scorecard.cccco.edu/scorecard.aspx

I would encourage you to head to the CSU that works for you and don’t look back.

5

@NCalRent, good discussion and food for thought, thank you. @southbaysenior, thanks for initiating this thread.

In the case of my son, the bird in the hand (CSULB or U of Colorado, Colorado Springs) is somewhat attractive, yet his goal is a PhD in CS. So the difference between UC and other options as a platform for grad school could be more substantial for him.

UCLA is not a target for transfer unless he changes his major (not a chance!). Ditto Berkeley, SD and CPSLO. There is an Honors to Honors transfer agreement between the local CCC and UCI. That would guarantee a Regents scholarship and on-campus housing if he fulfills the requirements. UCSB, Davis or Riverside might also work out for transfer. He does need to step up and get excellent grades for sure. He is certainly capable. He is a bit of a late bloomer. He just challenged the AP CS A exam this week without having taking a single CS class. I bet he gets a 5. :slight_smile:

I too started at a CCC in the dark ages, progressing to UCSD, UCSF and UCLA Anderson. The path is not assured; as you point out, UCI could impose GPA or major restrictions that are not currently in place.

I do agree that someone who wants to go directly to industry in CS should head straight to the CSU or UC campus that has accepted him/her and go full speed ahead. Though there are CSU to UC transfers, they are in the hundreds rather than the thousands. So if the goal is to transfer into an impacted major, I think the CCC --> UC pathway has higher priority at the UC end.

Tough call. CSULB is a fine school and is becoming quite selective. I am leaving the final decision to my son. He does have to live with the consequences!