I’m applying to the UC and CSU systems as a CCC transfer, and I’m planning to major in accounting. The CSUs are the only ones to offer dedicated accounting concentrations, and I was planning to go to San Jose State because I live 20 minutes away. But now I’m having second thoughts because my GPA will most likely be 3.72 at the end of Fall, putting me in the range of Santa Barbara/Davis. I don’t care about the “college experience”, but the UCs have the name recognition SJSU doesn’t. I would appreciate your thoughts.
The CSUs do have “name recognition” for Accounting. No worries!!! No need to spend money on a UC that isn’t needed and won’t make a difference for your career goals.
Thanks for the response. That’s kind of what I was thinking, and now I feel a little better about my choice.
SJSU is a solid school, particularly if you want to work in the Valley after you graduate.
With a 3.7 though, why not also apply to UCI and UCR and see what happens? that way, you will always know if you could get in and, the door is open if you change your mind.
CSU is plenty respected in accounting. What is going to make the most difference in your future is what you do at school, not the name on the diploma. Do you get good grades? Take part in leadership activities in clubs? Get internships or coop positions? The latter is more important than most college kids realize; past a certain GPA employers realize you can do the work, but a kid that has experience is one that can convey enthusiasm for what they know the job to be rather than what they hope it is. And the rec from their former boss is another push many kids don’t have.
I don’t want to sound like I’m reversing myself here, but its because college decisions are not simple open-and-shut. The “college experience” is more than parties and football games. Its about meeting people different than the ones you grew up with, being exposed to different ideas (even those you’ll never agree with), a chance to in effect try out independent life with a safety net as you live away at school but aren’t expected to be self-supporting and 100% independent. The UCs (and some CSU like San Diego, Chico, Cal Poly) draw kids from across the state so you get diversity. And most are living away from home. Living so close to SJSU I assume you’ll commute, and the number of kids hanging around the campus area in the late afternoon or on weekends is small. While you may get academics equivalent to those anywhere, kids away at college are getting practice in many “soft” skills that you will not. Some kids due to economics simply have to attend local colleges and live at home, but for those who can afford to go away I think it is a good idea. In fact you can even kick it up a notch; kids who spend a semester or year abroad often talk about it as the most transforming thing they did as they learn lessons in a sometimes uncomfortable and challenging environment.
If you have an idea of where you want to live and work when you graduate, consider going to the best rated CSU in that area. It will make arranging internships and interviews that much easier. SDSU is a solid choice for anywhere in the state, especially the Bay Area.
The CSU’s are great in business.
SDSU has a phenomenal alumni network for business. Their students are employed everywhere.
These schools are tough to gain admission. No one is going to ask to see your diploma once you start working.
@mikemac is spot on…
Thanks Mike. You’re right that exposure to different people will probably enrich my experience. And I did consider the benefits of living away from home. However, while I might get a decent financial aid package at schools away from my parents, I will still have to contribute a respectable amount. And while I’ll look into internships and the like, I don’t want to put too much of a financial burden on my parents, especially given that I have two younger brothers. My goal was to get my bachelors at a (relatively) low cost at SJSU, and look into grad schools away from home when I’m more financially dependent. What might put a wrench in those plans is my chances of getting into a decent grad school coming from SJSU.
Personally, I disagree. You don’t have to live on college to practice these soft skills, nor do you need to hang around campus in the afternoon or weekends. You might be doing something else worthwhile in your afternoons and weekends that help you get those skills, like working or socializing with people your age (who go to your college or not). That’s what you’d be doing if you were on-campus, anyway. In fact, kids who commute are practicing the same set of soft skills in different contexts - or sometimes a different set entirely.
My sister commuted to a public regional college from home. She filled her evenings and weekends working, involved in religious activities, and spending time with friends. She learned how to balance a demanding job with full-time college attendance; she started learning French and ASL through her religious community; she explored the city nearby with friends both that she met in college and that she met outside of college; and she hung out with a socioeconomically diverse set of friends.
If you can afford to live on-campus at college that’s great! It can be a great experience. But it’s not required to learn and grow and become an independent adult, and it’s prohibitively expensive for a lot of students. So sure, apply to the UCs to see what happens, but no, you shouldn’t feel bad about going to a CSU and commuting. You are doing what the vast majority of college students do, anyway; it’s a luxury to be able to afford living in a residence hall.
Agree with the advice you are receiving on this. There are several CSU’s that many very capable students choose over a given UC for a variety of reasons. As an example, my daughter is a considering undergrad business and that program is limited at the UC’s unless you want econ. Make the most of your situation and don’t feel you are settling for an inferior choice.