Oregon vs. California

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hello.</p>

<p>I am currently a Montana resident with one year of Oregon Community college behind me.<br>
I am contemplating weather to get my 4 year degree in Oregon or California. My question is about the economies (and education expendatures) of each state. As of now, I am a Montana resident, but after my AA, I will spend the year working in either state, so I can get residency. Therefore, I need informed opinions on which state I should choose.</p>

<p>There are a few universities in Ca. with the programs I want (UC @ Berkeley) (maybe English with a double major in Chinese language and culture).
Only one in Oregon (U of Or.), but the language and Asian studies programs in both look very good.</p>

<p>A quick note though: I might have trouble being accepted into the UC @ Berkeley, as I will be 28 when I apply; I've never taken an SAT. My instinct tells me Oregon has the better ecomonic and educational atmosphere for a struggling student, but I want to make sure.</p>

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<p>University Of Oregon
“Ask University of Oregon students what they like best about their school and a surprising number will mention intercollegiate athletics. Press them a bit harder, however, and they’ll start to identify the school’s many outstanding academic programs: a business school with “a great faculty” and “amazing facilities;” solid and popular foreign language programs, including robust offerings in Japanese and Chinese; an “esteemed” and “extremely challenging” journalism school; a “very strong program in psychology and neuroscience”; an architecture program that “is increasing in popularity”; and a music program that students tout as “one of the best in the country.” The school also offers “a really strong study abroad program” that provides a “good outlet for all of the creative types at the university to pursue wild adventures or projects around the world,” “tons of opportunities for internships,” and “a whole world of unrecognized undergraduate lab research opportunities, which would give any student a foot in the door for a future in research.” In other words, an ocean of opportunities awaits anyone here willing to seek it out; UO “is a place where you can get involved as deeply as you care to in social causes/politics, where you can become closely connected to your professors and their research, and where a sense of community (on campus and off) permeates your entire educational career.” University of Oregon: come for the football and basketball, stay for the “incredible academics.”” ““There is a significant blend of students with different ethnicities, religious views, sexual orientations, and genders” at the University of Oregon, where students tend to be “laid back, environmentally conscious, and politically inclined…usually to the left.” The population includes “more than its fair share of nerds, preps, theater kids, hippies, and maybe more pot smokers, but everyone seems to be super friendly, and most people just want to get along.” The student body is “pretty white bread,” though, partly in reflection of the state of Oregon’s demographics (the state is 93 percent white). “If they lowered out-of-state costs, more people would attend who are from ethnically diverse cities,” one student suggests. A “large Asian and Middle Eastern population” accounts for much of the racial diversity here.” “Life at UO is amazing all year round,” undergrads report. In the fall “There is football, warm but crisp weather, and our campus is gorgeous.” During the winter “There are basketball games and a lot of indoor parties.” Spring and summer “are gorgeous” and the best time to enjoy the area’s many outdoor opportunities, because “the rain keeps people inside during the fall and winter.” Hometown Eugene “is great for the outdoors…. There are mountains to hike, rivers to float, and lakes to swim in all within 15 minutes. The coast is an hour away; the mountain is only an hour away (if you ski during the winter).” The school’s Outdoor Program “has several trips each week. Depending on the season, they have rock climbing, snow excursions, white water rafting, and camping trips.” The city is also great for cultural life; “The Hult Center and other venues host extensive arts and entertainment opportunities, including the annual Bach Festival, numerous other music festivals, art walks, the Saturday Market crafts fair—the list is extensive.” Enthusiasm for sports permeates the campus, and “There’s always a party going on” if that’s what you’re looking for. In short, “Whatever interests students hold, Eugene and the university usually have something going on that captures their attention.”"</p>

<p>Rank List</p>

<h1>20 Most Politically Active Students</h1>

<h1>14 Reefer Madness</h1>

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<p>University Of California - Berkeley</p>

<p>““Tough and competitive” University of California—Berkeley “is the epitome of cultural, political, and intellectual diversity,” both in its diverse student body (both in background and interests) and its substantial academic offerings. With “many departments ranked in the top five in their field,” UCB has the “stunning ability to accommodate nearly every interest and demand of students.” One student explains, “The freedom is incredible; there are a great array of majors and minors that all boast excellence in their departments. I feel like no matter what I choose to do at Cal, I will get the best of everything.” It won’t be handed to you, however; “UCB is a buffet. The opportunities are plentiful and the education is great, but you have to serve yourself.” The many standout departments (featuring “many professors who are Nobel laureates and award winners”) include the “top-tier science departments,” the “very strong business and engineering departments,” “the main humanities (history, English, political science),” mathematics, computer science, and music. No matter what you study here, there’s a good chance your professors will “have done great things in their fields.” “My organic chemistry professor helped name molecules at an international convention,” says one student. “My other organic chemistry professor just won an award for finding a drug to help with cancer research. These are real people with amazing lives and I get to learn the tricks of the trade from them.” Ambitious students can get in on the groundbreaking work, as the school “provides optimal research experience for students unlike any other university and constantly seeks students that can bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to the table.”” “The only real common factor among most Berkeley students is that they are studious and/or hard workers,” as undergrads here “come from all different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds….It is such a big school that you are always likely to be able to find someone else like you.” The mix includes “a lot of emo grad students, Asian premeds, a handful of jocks, and frat scenesters,” “nerds who never leave the library, environmental activists, ground-breaking scientists, party animals,” and “New Age hippies,” among many others. In short, “Everyone here is unique, from the run-of-the-mill preppy kids to the neo-hippie and goth crowd, to the guy wearing a kilt in your 8 A.M. Japanese class.” Asian students “make up a plurality of the student body, and there are loads of Asian cultural groups on campus. Other ethnic groups—such as African Americans and Hispanics—can be seen on campus” but are not as well represented. The Berkeley area “is quite liberal,” and many students here fit in well with the surrounding community." “For many, “Life is mostly centered around academic-related activities, if not classes and studying, then internships or jobs, or something of that sort.” More than a few, in fact, live in a near-perpetual state of academic immersion; they “get too sucked in to their work” and “don’t take full advantage of their surroundings,” but “if you can get your head out of the books for long enough, there’s always a movie to catch, or a good game of Frisbee going on, or a party in one of the co-ops or fraternities.” The city of Berkeley is “amazing.” “There are so many great restaurants and bookstores and interesting people and just so much stuff to experience and to explore.” Better still, San Francisco is “a 30-minute BART ride away,” and is “always exciting” with tons of “shopping, eating, concerts, theater, and all the culture of the big city.” Around campus, “Many students participate in sports or clubs for fun. Football games are probably the main reason students have school spirit, and they bring the students together for memorable experiences.” The university community provides “a lot of opportunities for everyone: clubs, sports, jobs, internships, sororities, fraternities, dance, art, journalism, etc. There are so many opportunities to meet people and have fun inside the Berkeley campus and out of it,” as well as an “endless numbers of events going on any given day. Art shows, benefits, plays, operas, live bands (local and touring), there are volunteer events and free classes. There is not enough time to do everything.”” </p>

<p>Rank List</p>

<h1>18 Least Accessible Professors</h1>

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<p>if you need any more info on other colleges, just PM me</p>

<p>look over the info and decide what college you’d like, good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks Pierre. I’m NOTconvinced that the UC at B is higher quality. While Persuasive, I saw no mention of study abraod. Plus, it sounds cliquish. Oregon seems the way to go… I grew up in Eugene. Plus, since my 2 year degree is from Oregon, it seems like a no-brainer. It would be a nightmare trying to get a studio apartment in the bay area for under $300. </p>

<p>"types at the university to pursue wild adventures or projects around the world”</p>

<p>Hmm that sounds like me; I just returned from two years studying in the Philippines… not under any study abroad program; I just went there. There is a 98% chance that after I graduate I’ll go to Vietnam, Thailand or China for as long as possible. I’d still be in the Philippines if I had some way to make money there.</p>

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If you’re using study abroad options and an impression of student body “cliqueshness” to judge quality, well, that’s your prerogative. With regards to academic rigor and quality, UCB easily bests Oregon. And of course, like any major research university, they’ll have study abroad opportunities.
[url=<a href=“http://studyabroad.berkeley.edu/]BPSA[/url”>http://studyabroad.berkeley.edu/]BPSA[/url</a>]</p>

<p>But hey, you grew up in Eugene and so you’re leaning towards that direction – especially given the Oregon vs. California cost of living concerns. Makes sense. Also, given your statement below, U of O definitely seems to the way to go for you. Seeing as Cal is where many of the best and brightest go to struggle, it definitely isn’t the place for students struggling with academics even before they get in.</p>

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<p>I’m not struggling with academics, but with finances.</p>

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<p>If that’s your criteria (which is understandable), then it is a no-brainer, the Bay area is much more expensive than Eugene.</p>

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<p>The cost of living in Cali is toooo much. If you can deal with a couple bumps here and there with financial issues, cool. If not, then maybe Oregon is in your best interest.</p>

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<p>Just curious why you are not considering UDub which has excellent programs in your majors … and lots of Asian students.</p>

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<p>As a transfer student, they won’t check your SAT score in the UC system. Cost of living in Oregon is going to be much less than the bay area. I don’t know how financial aid would play out in that, though.</p>