List almost complete. Are we missing anything?

State Forums
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<p>It's just about app time here in CA, at least for the CSU and UCs. My D is finalizing her list, and we are trying to decide whether there might be some other schools we should be considering.</p>

<p>Background:
GPA about 3.6 unweighted, although only 3 total AP classes, so not much higher ultimately.</p>

<p>desired major: Chemistry, goal: middle school/high school science teacher
SAT: fair to middling: 1130 CR + M (she is taking again in Nov, but probably won't be much improvement, as she does not do well at standardized tests.)</p>

<p>Financial situation: expected EFC about 10-13K, and we can't afford much more than that per year. In the past we have not qualified for Cal Grant because of excess assets.</p>

<p>ECs:
part-time job
several years of teaching kids at church
some drama activities
mission trip to Brazil
ROP (teaching)</p>

<p>Current school list:
Sonoma State
Sac State (safety)
Chico State (maybe)
UC Santa Cruz
U of Pacific
U of Redlands
UC Merced (maybe)</p>

<p>So far, thinking she would like a smaller school, but not ruling out a larger school. Convinced she doesn't want to leave California.</p>

<p>Any schools we might be missing? Can't think of any other UCs that fit her stats. Maybe UC Irvine? Any other privates that might be somewhat generous with financial aid?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>I know it’s close to app time, and she’s probably totaly decided on these schools, but some things that come to mind with this:</p>

<p>Is she trying to get her teaching credential simeltaneously with her BS in Chem, or is she willing to continue on later to obtain that? Something to consider is whether the schools also have teaching certification programs as well as it may be an easier transition to go directly into that while at the same school, or while completing those requirements at the same time as the bachelors - though it may require an extra year of school, and of course passing the certification tests.</p>

<p>If she goes to school where she can’t stay at home, then your COA will be much higher due to R&B, and those schools you’ve listed cover a wide area. Are UoP or UoR close enough to where she can live at home to attend? If not, then I’m afraid it doesn’t look like she has stellar enough stats to gain a scholarship from either one right away and that would leave an big COA. UoP offers CIP scholarship if you have done extensive community service in the area, but you need to be Cal Grant eligible to apply and get it. None of their other scholarships stand out as pertaining to what you’ve offered about your D. Their President’s Scholarship of $6,500 for new students is the closest thing, but it says the typical students who receive it have 3.61 GPA and a 1208 SAT. So, if she can raise the SAT enough in Nov, then the score may be able to come in in time for RD app time for UoP. So if she can raise the SAT a bit, then the President’s Scholarship along with your estimated willing to pay and fed loans she can secure would make UoP worth it (if you live in the area and she can stay at home). Of course, then can give grant aid, but I like to analyze worst-case scenario so that it’s always a suprise when things turn up. Otherwise, tuition + R&B at either private is upwards of $50k/yr.
[Scholarships[/url</a>]</p>

<p>[url=&lt;a href="http://www.pacific.edu/About-Pacific/AdministrationOffices/Office-of-Financial-Aid/Types-of-Financial-Aid/Scholarships/Presidents.html]President’s"&gt;http://www.pacific.edu/About-Pacific/AdministrationOffices/Office-of-Financial-Aid/Types-of-Financial-Aid/Scholarships/Presidents.html]President’s</a> Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.pacific.edu/About-Pacific/AdministrationOffices/Office-of-Financial-Aid/Types-of-Financial-Aid/Scholarships.html]Scholarships[/url”>http://www.pacific.edu/About-Pacific/AdministrationOffices/Office-of-Financial-Aid/Types-of-Financial-Aid/Scholarships.html)</p>

<p>UoR looks like it may fare better in scholarships though (their President’s is 3.5 GPA and 1100 SAT).
[Scholarships</a> & Talent Awards](<a href=“http://www.redlands.edu/offices-directories/financial-aid/3265.aspx]Scholarships”>The Page is Unavailable | University of Redlands)</p>

<p>As for the publics, they will be much cheaper tuition-wise. R&B will also bump those up quite a bit. My personal observations in case they align with anthing else you’ve heard: Chico State - the only thing I’ve ever heard about Chico is that it’s a party school, and I’ve lived in CA my whole life (minus the military years) given I don’t actually know anyone who has graduated from there. I’ve heard nothing specific about any of their programs. Sonoma State - Sonoma is one of those CSUs that might seem like it’s a bit out there location-wise. That’s not a knock, just an observation. Your D may be okay with a more rural setting, but to me it always seems dead between Santa Rosa and Petaluma. Though I’ve noticed most of the schools on her list are in lower populated areas, save Stockton and Sacramento. Which brings me to Sac State - I’ve heard many good things about their programs, like business, but nothing specific about Chem or their College of Education for that matter, though I don’t see this as a big problem since she plans on staying in-state. A friend of mine recently graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Math and a teaching credential and almost immediately got a job back home as a math teacher. The UCs are a good addition, though tuition is a bit more. I would lean more on UCSC if she were thinking of biology or marine biology or something more along those lines, but for chem, I would lean on whichever is closer or saves the most greenbacks.</p>

<p>If you are looking into safety too, then I know first hand that some of the areas around some of those schools aren’t . . . ideal. The area around Sac State seems to get worse every year and while UoP’s campus is beautiful (attended a wedding there even), the surrounding Stockton area isn’t. Compare that to UCSC and you feel like you’re in the middle of a 100+ acre forest - because you are! - or UoR with a very earthly atmosphere.</p>

<p>In short, those schools are all great choices for her to do what she wants to get done, and while I do not have any other schools to suggest (I would suggest a private school that is closest to you if UoP or UoR are not), this is what I have to offer about the schools that are already there.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

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<p>EDIT: Totally forgot to mention that while the UoR President’s Scholarship has lower qualification criteria, it also has a lower scholarship amount at $2,500 (vs $6,500 @ UoP).</p>

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<p>I saw this on CSUC…
Chico - Scholarships for Future Teachers
[Scholarships</a> for Future Teachers - Science Education - CSU, Chico](<a href=“http://www.csuchico.edu/sced/scholarships.shtml]Scholarships”>http://www.csuchico.edu/sced/scholarships.shtml)</p>

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<p>Thanks for very thoughtful replies!</p>

<p>She doesn’t really want to live at home. She wants to get away, without being too far away! If she did choose Sac State, she would end up at home, since it is local for us.</p>

<p>I will check out the UoP scholarship info. I agree that Stockton is very iffy. I have driven by the campus, but know that Stockton leaves much to be desired.</p>

<p>Last week I was down in Redlands area and drive around the campus. One end of the campus is nice, the other side is borderline. San Bernardino in general is not the greatest.</p>

<p>We are hoping to visit UoP soon, as well as Chico. Right now she says she doesn’t want to go to Chico because many of her cousins went there! It is her parents (me) that is asking her to at least consider it. </p>

<p>It would be great to combine the BS with the teaching certificate, but one of her teachers told her that it is better to get the degree, then the certificate, as teachers are paid more in CA based on their education, and the 5th year counts as more education. (No wonder we are in a budget crisis in CA!)</p>

<p>Wish she could get into UC Davis, but not much chance at that. </p>

<p>Anyone have thoughts on anything in the Bay Area?</p>

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<p>

That’s what I mean to suggest – the combined programs typically award the subject degree after 4 years, and then after a continuous next year are awarded the teaching certification. I suppose the word simeltaneously was misleading. Those programs are considered simeltaneous enrollment, but the degrees/certifications are conferred in a consecutive order.</p>

<p>

As far as BA goes, there’s SFSU, SJSU, and CSUEB (unless you care to oblige UC Berkeley as well) - which are all in higher Cost of Living and higher populated areas, but still offer the low(er) tuition advantage of a CSU. All theee offer teaching credential in single subject. Oddly, I remember that 2 of my HS teachers received their degrees and credentials from CSUEB back when it was known as CSU Hayward (Best teacher I’ve ever had went there; I went to HS in the Sacramento-Stockton area). CSUEB has an overall smaller student body and it kind out placed out of the way in some hills, which may give it the same vibe as the other schools on the list, which SFSU and SJSU won’t because they are smack-dab in a high metropolis - though they may expose a student to more opportunities because of such. Something to look into. Choosing somewhere like CSUEB gives her a cheap(er) safety without being so close to home (and it’s not Chico :wink: ). You should tour there if you can and see how she likes it.</p>

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<p>for what its worth, my friend just started at sonoma state and says the campus life afterhours sucks and professors are sub-par</p>

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<p>I go to Sonoma State. The afterhours are not the greatest. However, you are going to college to learn, not to party. There are tons of events that the school puts on where you can have a fun time, you just won’t be drinking. Personally, it was a plus for me that Sonoma State was not a party school.
My professors are amazing! I love my small class sizes (my smallest classes are 1,4,7,14 people and my largest is choir with around 90). Everyone of my teachers knows my name, my goals, and takes time to know me! I could not ask for a better department.</p>

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<p>Regarding Sac State, I almost went there after High School but decided not to. This was 2009 but the parking was awful, it was difficult to get into classes, and the on time graduation rate isn’t very good because of that. It’s very saturated. </p>

<p>Have you thought about UCSC or UCSB? 3.6 might get her in. UC Santa Cruz is a great choice. Gorgeous campus. Give UC Santa Barbara a shot as well. </p>

<p>Try Cal Poly SLO and Pomona too. Irvine is an excellent school as well. It never hurts to try.</p>

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<p>She is considering UCSC. </p>

<p>Right now I can’t get her to look at Irvine or UCSB, mostly because her chances are slim and she thinks she wants to be closer to home</p>

<p>We did visit UC Merced. I continue to be impressed by what that school is doing</p>