Location,Location,Location!!!!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I have am facing a problem....I am looking at colleges as a rising junior, but location seems to be split factor.</p>

<p>I live in Rhode Island, so All Northeast/Atlantic colleges are only a few hours away from where I live.
I want to live in California, particularly a major city such as San Jose that has a lot of technology related jobs...etc.</p>

<p>Should I go to a University in the Northeast or California?</p>

<p>And I don't stand a chance at a MIT or Stanford, so it isn't obvious. </p>

<p>I can't give you are definite major... But CompSci,Physics( for graduate Astrophysics),CIS,and Economics all look appealing.</p>

2

<p>If your heart is set on California, definitely look into the UC system, they are all respectable colleges, especially Berkeley and UCLA.</p>

<p>Honestly, it’s a decision you’re going to have to make on your own. We can’t tell you what’s best for you - if you plan to live in California as an adult, I’d say you should go to college there so you can more easily pursue job options straight out of college.</p>

<p>But if you want college to be an easier adjustment, or if you plan to visit your family often, you might want to stay in the northeast.</p>

<p>Remember, no matter where you go for undergrad, you can always change your mind and go somewhere totally new for grad school. Maybe you want to stay close to home during college and then head out to California for grad school. There are many options for you at this point, so good luck deciding!</p>

3

<p>I doubt I can get into Berkeley or UCLA since they are extremely competitive, especially since I am OOS.</p>

4

<p>Well, that’s when you start to look at some of the other UC’s. They represent a broad spectrum of prestige, IMO. Look into the mid-range UC’s if you want - UCSB, UCI, etc.</p>

5

<p>Look at ucsb. It’s the only UC that I would even consider going to. It’s not nearly as cutthroat as some “top ranked” schools, but the academics are excellent. One of my friends just graduated with a degree in business econ from ucsb and got a job in la with a starting salary of $60+ k.</p>

6

<p>I don’t mind being cutthroat in college…But I don’t want cutthroat admission. </p>

<p>I want to go to a college where I go holy cow, they sink A LOT of money into this place making it high-tech and modern and its research.</p>

<p>If you don’t understand, Ask me.</p>

7

<p>yes berkeley is practically like an ivy league for admissions for oos. how about Harvey Mudd?</p>

8

<p>Harvey Mudd is also VERY selective…They have a 4.0 average accepted GPA.</p>

9

<p>anyone else?</p>

10

<p>UCs are not only hard to get into, they are expensive OOS.
Why are you ruling out the whole middle of the country?</p>

11

<p>I am not “ruling-out” the middle of the country…I mean if I got accepted to UofC,Rice,or UIUC, I would most likely go.</p>

<p>I am also open all thing.</p>

<p>I am just saying that both California/Washington or the Northeast are the most practical for many reasons.</p>

12

<p>Is Santa Clara well known?</p>

13

<p>Well Riverside isn’t actually in an lovable location…</p>

14

<p>I do not know your grades nor do I know OOS issues but I would also place Cal State San Jose or UC Santa Cruz on the list. Lots of folks who do not get into Stanford or Berkeley consider these two options if they want to be near SV and want engineering/CS. Proximity to SV is a huge advantage if you are not going to one of the top top schools. You can get internships during school etc.</p>

15

<p>Santa Clara has a good local reputation. It’s engineering dept is highly regarded … especially locally amongst the SV employers.</p>

16

<p>Another vote here for Santa Clara if internships/employment opportunities with Silicon Valley tech firms is a high priority for you. It is very well know in the region and has strong connections with HP, Google, Cisco, etc. (Just check out SCU’s advisory boards.)</p>

<p>Academics at SCU are better than San Jose State and at least as good - if not better - than UC-Santa Cruz (which I admit I am less familiar with). And for an OOS student, SCU may even be cheaper since they give good merit aid.</p>

17

<p>SJSU is even a bit low for me.
I will definitely look intro UC:SC and SB since UC:SC had a partnership with NASA Ames giving it a top Physic and CompSci program. And SB has a top 5 undergrad physics and a top 10 graduate program. </p>

<p>Also I am not at all limiting it to these 2 areas…</p>

<p>Ask me a A LOT of question to help me look around.</p>

18

<p>anyone else?</p>