SDSU over UCSD...Am I Crazy?!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - San Diego
1

<p>So...</p>

<p>I've been accepted to both, and have both completely paid for by the GI Bill. At UCSD, my plan is the "Math & Econ joint major." At SDSU, my major is "Statistics/ emphasis in Actuarial Science." My ultimate goal is to be an actuary (Math dude for insurance).</p>

<p>From my perspective, SDSU appears to have a more relevant program, with less of the "bruiser classes" like Real Analysis, Applied Linear Algebra, etc. I should also mention that as of now, I have no plans to attend grad school for Math. My plan, as of now, is an MBA after the Actuarial Exams. </p>

<p>Comparing campuses, both are nice, and an equal distance for me (driving from Temecula). </p>

<p>Even writing this, my decision seems to heavily sway towards SDSU. Still, would I be throwing away any huge opportunity by not attending UCSD? Any suggestions/ opinions are welcome and appreciated.</p>

2

<p>You’re not crazy. If you feel that SDSU will better prepare you for what you want to do, then I would pick SDSU.</p>

3

<p>Hard to say. If you asked it here then people would try to encourage you to go to UCSD.
However, if even yourself is somewhat already leaning toward SDSU, then you should go there so that you won’t regret it later.</p>

4

<p>You’re crazy.</p>

5

<p>You’re not crazy. SDSU and UCSD were the first two I toured and I ended up applying and eventually enrolling at SDSU and not even applying to UCSD. I got into a few other UCs (and had a similar dilemma, but with UCSB instead of UCSD and with a different major) but SDSU seemed like a better choice for me personally. Don’t worry about what everyone else says is a “better” school; just worry about what you think is best for you. Also, just because a school has “UC” in its name doesn’t mean all of its programs are better than that of a CSU. It’s true that many of the programs are better but there are exceptions. You’re making a good choice by comparing the programs you want to major in instead of the school as a whole.</p>

<p>Whatever you pick, though, you really can’t go wrong. They’re both great schools.</p>

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<p>SDSU had never been confused of being a great school before.</p>

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<p>@Warrenfreshman</p>

<p>I think it just has been…</p>

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<p>I heard ucsd’s student body is really anti social and unattractive. Is there any truth to this?</p>

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<p>why not transfer to a school that offers an actuary program? UCSB just started one, honestly to be an actuary one needs a certificate, not a four year degree. However, now that more people are trying to get a job in this field it’s starting to get competitive AND you will be competing with global applicants as well.
My brother in law started is an actuary, he does VERY WELL and when he hires young college graduates(after HR weeds the best of the best) he looks at 1) what college they attended 2) GPA 3) work experience. He can’t stress interning at a firm and gaining on the job experience enough.
If you do decide on UCSD, take a look at the management science program and get an internship somewhere in San Diego at a solid firm. I believe Mercer is located in San Diego (they have an internship program), not too far from UCSD and SDSU. Congrats on getting to both schools, FYI - SDSU was listed in the top colleges who received the most application for this year, it was a hot school, so kudos for you on getting in.</p>

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<ul>
<li>My brother in law started as an actuary … sorry I don’t have my glasses with me</li>
</ul>

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<p>Post #5:

</p>

<p>The grad programs may be better, and that is where the “name” comes from. Probably undergrad is about the same, except that UCSD does not offer the program the OP wants.</p>

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<p>UCSD is a significantly better school than SDSU. My mother works in the actuarial field. There are a few UCSD grads at her company and no SDSU grads. Most of the actuaries did not major in actuarial science in college. Most were just math/stats/econ/etc. majors who took the exams. Just offering some info, but take it with a grain of salt of course.</p>

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<p>@ tkpasq, thanks for your perspective. This year, I applied to UCLA, SD, SB, & SDSU. I got into all of them (stats at a glance: Marine Corps veteran, 3.9 GPA, prerequisites completed everywhere BUT SDSU…missing two). Since I own a house, UCSD & SDSU are my only options. Otherwise, I probably would have gone to Wisconsin (Go Badgers!! Hah!) or Drake. </p>

<p>I’m fortunate enough to know quite a few people in the Actuarial field, and they all say that the number of exams completed is the great equalizer. With that, would it not make sense to go into a program that prepares one for these exams? If you get a chance, I’d like to hear your Brother-in-Law’s opinion on that.</p>

<p>Honestly, I still sway towards SDSU, but with reluctance. It’s hard to turn away a paid-for education from a school like UCSD. It was even harder when an advising rep called me the other day, asking me to give UCSD additional consideration. I was shocked as to why they would even care, considering the applicant pool. Perhaps it had something to do with pulling more federal $ into the school from veterans attending. At any rate, it was flattering.</p>

<p>I got such a good vibe from SDSU, epecially from the veteran side of the house. Per the “Vet Success Program” recently implemented, internships are readily available. As a matter of fact, I have been offered (2) for this Summer, though not related to anything Actuarial. A VA rep is also permanent staff at the school. That’s not something that UCSD is offering at this time, and it makes a huge influence to my decision. </p>

<p>@ CollegiateDreams, thanks for your input as well. I have heard points as to “don’t major in Actuarial Science,” and some of them do make sense. For instance, some feel that a person who can complete exams outside of a specific program is arguably more driven. With that, SDSU’s program is technically a Statistics major, with an “emphasis in Act. Sci.”</p>

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<p>Yeah, the grad programs are better at UCs, but I think most undergrad programs are about the same…it varies from school to school, though. I was referring to undergrad programs in my post.</p>

15

<p>Perhaps you should interview some actuary recruiters and find out which programs they consider the best to recruit from.</p>

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<p>you can get a better GPA in SDSU than in UCSD also, and that will help when you apply for MBA programs!</p>

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<p>You’re not crazy. I would say you’re the best kind of college student. You’ve done your research and are basing your decision on where you can get the best relevant education for what you want to do with your life. </p>

<p>There are a couple of snobs in this thread. There are majors that SDSU offers that USCD does not. Nursing is an example. So that is one reason why students go there. It is also about half the price of UCSD. I think this is the reason why it’s looked down on.</p>

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<p>“It is also about half the price of UCSD. I think this is the reason why it’s looked down on.”</p>

<p>It’s so stupid to think that SDSU is looked down on because it is cheaper. The U.S. News and Report ranking UCSD (#38) and SDSU (#165) has a lot to do with it.</p>

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<p>rankings for undergrad are useless.</p>