Two CA schools, two scholarships CSUF Presidential vs. Chapman U Presidents

Parents Forum
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<p>I posted a while back looking for help and info with engineering schools for my son. Fast forward a few months later, he's more set on computer science, math and/or accounting. </p>

<p>He had his heart set on Chapman University, loves the campus, the size as well as he was offered a spot on a ball team. That was a big plus in his eyes, but won't be the deciding factor. He received an offer of $27k per year for their Presidential merit scholarship. He was good to go. </p>

<p>As of this week, he was offered the Presidential scholarship at CSUF, which pays for four years tuition, generous book stipend, parking, priority registration (I was told they register first so no issues not getting a class) and guaranteed housing in the honors and presidential scholarship dorms, small class size, as well as leadership, mentoring, etc. he will be one of 17 chosen freshman of 350+ for program. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.fullerton.edu/scholars/about/benefits.asp"&gt;http://www.fullerton.edu/scholars/about/benefits.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>He has the usual concerns of state vs. private, prestige of one over the other, etc. </p>

<p>He has also posted on another thread, however I thought it wouldn't hurt to throw this out to all the parents for their advice. Which do you feel would be the better opportunity? Advantages...disadvantages, both during and after. </p>

<p>We live very close to both schools. He plans on living on campus. We don't want him to choose based on CSUF being a better financial deal, more what would best for him now and in the future. </p>

<p>Thanks so much!! </p>

<p>His post-</p>

<p>"Hi all, I'm new to this site, but I'm looking for some advice. I plan on majoring in computer science, or possibly accounting if comp sci doesn't work out. I have been accepted to chapman university with a $27,000 per year scholarship. However, I have also been accepted into fullertons presidential scholarship program, which pays for everything except dorms. I have no idea what to do. Will one give me better chances with a job following college? Any suggestions or help would be really greatly appreciated as I am stressing out over it. Will one give me more weight for internships and the like? Thank you"</p>

2

<p>Perhaps he may want to look at the on-line catalogs and schedules to see what CS and math courses are offered at each school, and how frequently they are offered.</p>

<p>Also, check how difficult it would be to change major, if that is a possibility.</p>

<p>Would he be looking to go directly to employment at graduation, or possibly continue on to PhD study in CS or math? If he majors in math and will seek employment at graduation, is he looking at employment in teaching high school math (needs a teaching credential as well) or finance/actuarial type employment? These questions may be worth considering when looking at the academic offerings.</p>

<p>Note that accounting licensure typically requires a total of five academic years’ (150 semester units) of college course work, so a four year bachelor’s degree would be insufficient for this purposes (although there is enough leeway in the course requirements that there are many options for the extra 30 units, including taking additional courses at community colleges).
<a href=“http://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/lic_require.shtml”>http://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/lic_require.shtml&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>My rough math suggest you’ll be in for about $27k to attend Chapman vs about $10k for room and board @ Fullerton - for 4-5 years (as usual, UCB is correct about the accounting). I don’t know what your financial situation is, IMHO, Chapman simply isn’t that much better than Fullerton.</p>

4

<p>First off – presume you’ve toured both schools? Does he like them both, no particular leaning one way or another? You are the only ones who can decide what is affordable for you. PM me if you’d like – my son attends Chapman and is on an NCAA athletic team there. It is a wonderful school and environment, with small class sizes and excellent access to professors. </p>

5

<p>I have family & friends who attended CSUF 25-30 years ago & I have family who have attended Chapman in the past 10 years.</p>

<p>Personally I would tend to choose the small private over the big public, especially since it is a CSU not a UC, in terms of recruiting prestige. But, that being said, i had a friend in the 80s who really rocked at CSUF, very invovled, awards & became a very successful attorney. Also, does being a presidential scholar at CSUF mean there is an intimate involvement of some staff, does your son become truly special there? Treated special?</p>

<p>I have a DD who attended a small school very much like Chapman and another who attended a UC</p>

<p>Feel free to PM me.</p>