<p>I am currently completing an IGETC pattern for transfer at Foothill College and am planning to transfer and get my Bachelor's in sociology. I'm from Chico so I'd been thinking I would just transfer to CSU Chico but my boyfriend urged me to consider other options--just because it's where we live doesn't mean it's the best fit.</p>
<p>Here is what I'm looking for:
- located in California; preferably northern but at this point I'm considering it all
- beefy, well-respected sociology program
- public universities (UCs or CSUs) preferred</p>
<p>I'd like a public university because the price is so much cheaper, and I'm trying to avoid loans. I am eligible for a good amount of aid or scholarships though since a) I'm over 24, and b) I have an awesome GPA, so if you think the perfect school is a private university--especially if they offer good financial aid--I'm listening :) Please help me out, throw out any ideas you've got.</p>
<p>UC Berkeley is one of the top sociology departments in the country. It’s really going to depend on what you want to study. Sociology is a big topic.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to take the major-prep courses as well as IGETC. For example, if Berkeley is your target, see this list:
[ASSIST</a> Report](<a href=“Welcome to ASSIST”>Welcome to ASSIST)</p>
<p>What you may want to do is look at sociology course listings in course catalogs and sociology faculty rosters to see what topics the department at each school covers, so that you can choose a school that covers the subareas that you are most interested in.</p>
<p>Use the net price calculator on each school’s web site to get a financial aid and net price estimate.</p>
<p>go to what ever school is most convenient or you get the best vibe from.
a sociology degree is a sociology degree is a sociology degree. it is not matter what school you go to.</p>
<p>In terms of PhD program, the top programs at UCs are: Berkeley, Los Angeles, Irvine, Davis & Santa Barbara, San Diego, Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Cruz (in that order).</p>
<p>The real question is what you’re looking for. If you want to get a PhD after undergraduate, you’d probably like to take these rankings into account. If you’re not interested in a PhD, however, you might find that the higher ranked school are focused on research and not teaching–which might not align with what you want out of your undergraduate experience.</p>
<p>Also if you want to move to another part of Northern CA, Humboldt State offers sociology majors a number of opportunities although someone from Chico might not like living in Arcata. If I remember correctly, Humboldt State recently opened a marijuana research institute and sociologists are expected to play a large role(the full article should be in the Chronicle of Higher Education). It also plays an outsized role in studying the effects of educational access for rural California children and given its status as a masters institute, I would be surprised if UGs did not frequently help out with Professor’s research.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your input! I know sociology is a huge area and that’s one reason why I like it so much–it basically touches on everything. I am really fascinated by sociology of gender, and besides that everything else is about the same (that is, I would love to study/do it). Although I’d love to, I doubt it’s at all likely that I’ll be pursuing a PhD in sociology; I’m interested in good teachers and challenging/stimulating classes.</p>
<p>whenhen - I laughed at “someone from Chico might not like living in Arcata.” You’re right, all I could think was, “brr! so cold!!” I’m sure I’d adjust but I am really enjoying my sunny 70 degrees (in December!) right now…</p>
<p>I’m interested in UC Davis, I like how you can do an emphasis in social services (I’d be pursuing an MFT if I wasn’t on the path I am now), plus it’s closer to home than some others. Does their program generally have a good reputation? I’ve been looking at lists of universities and rankings and so on but they can only tell you so much.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your input, I really appreciate it :)</p>
I know sociology is a huge area and that’s one reason why I like it so much–it basically touches on everything. I am really fascinated by sociology of gender, and besides that everything else is about the same (that is, I would love to study/do it). Although I’d love to, I doubt it’s at all likely that I’ll be pursuing a PhD in sociology; I’m interested in good teachers and challenging/stimulating classes.</p>