So, I know that UC’s are great schools and Cali is a great place to be, but doesn’t it seem like everyone here is applying to mostly UC’s? Might be just me…but. Literally. every other chance me thread has so many California schools. I’m not trying to bash these schools, just genuinely interested as to why they’re so popular. Academics? Social scene? Vibe?
I do have some friends interested them but very few. Maybe because I’m from the east coast? AND they give horrible aid packages for out of state students… and so many of those applying are out of state. I don’t get it. Can someone explain?
I think you answered your own question—at least that would be my guess. They are great schools and California is a great place to live–beaches, mountains, deserts, big city, rural, we pretty much have everything — and of course great weather. But it’s an expensive place to live and the UC’s are expensive for those from out of state, so despite all these great things it still might not be the best choice for many.
Huge population, affordable tuition. Good schools. Sun, beach, skiing, long, straight freeways, convertibles, glamour, movie stars…Everyone wants to live the CA dream. I graduated from CSULB. I doubt I could even get in now, haha!
Not everyone wants to be in CA. My D had zero interest and wouldn’t put a single CA school on her list, despite the fact that my family is there and she has visited many times. Why? Strip malls, Beige County, traffic jams, smog, no rain, suburbia, fast food, shopping malls, movie stars, etc… Beauty (or lack of) is in the eye of the beholder.
@poblob14 I meant that the OP doesn’t understand why some people wouldn’t want to go to CA despite the OOS tuition – OP doesn’t understand that affordability is often one of the prime criteria of college choice.
1 out of 8 students in the US is a California resident. Perhaps you didn’t realize how large California’s population is compared to other states. California actually seems to be somewhat underrepresented by population on CC.
UCB, UCLA and UCSD all have worldwide reputations as Research Universities with a huge market share of Nobel Prize Laureates. Their reputations globally exceed the myopia and hysteria in the US that mainly foucses on Ivies and Stanford. Go Golden Bears! Go Bruins!
@T26E4 - The OP doesn’t understand why people WANT to go. He’s asking why they are popular among people on this board while not so much among his friends on the east coast.
Let’s not overlook the other top notch schools in California including Pomona College, Stanford and Cal Tech. The UC Schools are among a high caliber of higher institutions of education. California sets a high standard of education for its students. UCs hold up their end of the tent, and are second to none when it comes to public education. Cal is the #1 ranked public university in the country. Who wouldn’t want to go to California schools?
@T26E4 you misunderstood me. I am asking why so many people APPLY and CHOOSE UC’s. Actually, your point that the schools are expensive and that I don’t understand the cost of college are exactly what I’m asking. If the school’s are so $$ why is everyone in love with them?
Beauty (or lack of) is in the eye of the beholder.