I was just admitted to UCSC and SJSU as a transfer student, but I’m having some trouble deciding on where to go; any insight is appreciated!
My main focus, career-wise, is to work at a government job (preferably in a law enforcement agency/in a crime lab). I know that the human biology program at UCSC is geared more towards people who are interested in pursuing medical/healthcare fields. Hence why I am leaning more towards SJSU’s forensic science/bio program. I’m also planning on doing either a double major (forensic science or human bio and psychology) or a psychology minor. I don’t have a strong interest in going into the medical/healthcare fields, so would SJSU be a better fit?
I am planning on getting a masters degree in either forensics or psychology and I’ve heard that UCs would give me a better chance at getting into graduate school. I’ll give you a summary of the pros/cons of both schools below:
SJSU
• Has a forensic science/bio program
• Classes in the forensics program sound much more interesting to me
• Financially efficient
• Would pursue forensic science/bio and psychology
UCSC
• Might give me a better chance when applying to graduate schools
• Better campus/environment
• Human bio is a broader major
• Would pursue human bio and psychology
I know that forensics is what I want to do in the future and I don’t want to “settle” for a major that might make me happy, but UCSC is such a great school and I’m at a complete loss as to which one to go with. I’m so torn in between these two schools and any input would be helpful!
:-<
I’m not quite sure about the better environment but ucsc is known for being a party school surrounded by a lot of trees. It was pretty creepy to walk through it at night and the classes are usually far away so you would have to take a shuttle. (according to my sister who graduated from there) I would lean towards sjsu because it provides more focus into the major, the campus has more city life, and it’s more financially stable.
(also being more interested in the program will definitely help with your studies and overall enjoyment with learning)
My vote would be for SJSU.
CSU’s are typically more pre-professional than UC’s, and in this case SJSU has your specific major, which is a plus.
Coming from a UC, I can’t see that there would be a significant advantage as to getting into a grad program within your specific field, as the UCSC preparation would tend to be more theoretical and not as hand’s on as what you’d be getting from SJSU.
I would suggest that you look at the courses that you’d take during the next two years at each school and see which match the skills you wish to master, or would be more interesting for you to take. SJSU would allow you to take courses in criminology and sociology in addition to your focus in forensic sciences and bio, which could be another plus for grad school admission.
SJSU is very commuter and its academics, outside of Cs and related, are definitely not as good as UCSC’s. However I agree that Human Bio will be premeds mostly and is not foresnsic science!
have you visited SJSU? Do you have a place to live nearby (housing is expensive).
Look into the UCSC major: is there any concentration or way to tailor it to your interests?
Have you visited the schools? I mean I go to UCSC so obviously I am partial to the campus. I feel really safe there and there is no pressure to do anything. I just transfered from a JC fall 2016. I think that following the major you want is important though. With that being said I am a business econ major which is much broader at UCSC that other schools where I can get a specific accounting degree and it worked out for me (I have an accounting internship this summer). Research the programs maybe and when/if you visit see what people have done with this degree after graduation. You can also go to the career center and see what kinds of companies come to the job fairs they put on and see what internships or grad schools show up at UCSC. It sounds like UCSC is your first choice if you can know that you future job will work out so look into that and I hope it works out for you!