So I’m currently at a CC, and I’m trying to become an elementary school teacher. I’m getting ready to transfer out this fall, and I’ve been accepted to both CSULB and UCLA, as well as other universities. However, I’m trying to debate between these two.
If I were to go to UCLA, I’d be going in as a History major, with a potential minor in Education. I love History, and I’ve completed my History classes at my college with straight A’s. In addition, my professors have made me fall in love with the subject. Although I am pursuing a multiple subject credential, I was told by an esteemed professor that it’s better if I major in a subject rather than just “liberal arts” because if I ever want to teach in a middle or high school, it would be hard to get in with a liberal arts degree. That is why I applied to UCLA as a History major. I really do enjoy learning about History but my concern is job placement once I graduate. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to land a job with a History degree, even if it is from UCLA. Thoughts? There’s always that minor, but how influential is that?
Regardless, if I were to go to UCLA, my plan is to apply to graduate school, and go immediately after graduation so that I can get my teaching credentials, and hopefully a masters in teaching simultaneously. However, I think I would need a job to pay for rent or at the very least basic things like food.
I’m also looking at a 10k loan a year at UCLA, for two years which isn’t so bad for the degree I think.
Then there’s CSULB, where I’d be attending as a human development major. The major sounds very interesting and appealing but I don’t think that CSULB would offer me the same opportunities that an education at UCLA would. I would also not be able to teach a subject with a human development B.A. I think. Grad school would be the thing after CSULB too, but I hear name recognition counts when applying? Also, CSULB would be a free ride though it is very close to home, a commuter school, and I’m not trying to put down the CSU’s cause I do think they are amazing, but I feel like I’ve worked really hard at my cc and deserve to go to a top tier school, but I’m not sure what’s wise here.
WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK? I’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS.