<p>I am currently a student at a California high school and plan on going to a 4 year university in CA. I have a 4.09 UC/CSU GPA and received a 1690 on my SAT. The colleges I'm thinking of applying to are: UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UCI, USC, UCSB (parents are against this decision), CSULB, CSUN, and SDSU. </p>
<p>For business, I plan on majoring in economics but I still want to do something with finance and accounting. I know that its unlikely I'll get into UCLA, USC, and UC Berkeley, and I'm focusing on the other schools, mainly UCSD.</p>
<p>My question is: Whats better, UCs or CSUs? Should I add more schools on my list? Whats the best possible school for my major? Can I go to a CSU for 2 years and then continue my education at a UC majoring in economics?</p>
<p>Sorry to say but an SAT of 1690 will not get you in at UCSD and 50/50 at UCI and UCSB regardless of your GPA. You need to raise that SAT to around 1900.
You are a match for SDSU and CSULB. CSUN is a safety. You might want to consider UCR since their business is highly rated and accredited. SDSU has an excellent Business school so you can’t go wrong by attending there either. </p>
<p>UCSC is another alternative. They have a management economics degree and you can get the finance and accounting concentration in that department. In my opinion, the UC’s are better choices than going to a CSU. You should try to raise you SAT score to around 1800 for the lower tier UC’s though they have accepted applicant with lower scores.</p>
<p>Your list of schools looks good. They run the gamut from ‘reach’ to ‘safety’.You might consider adding Cal Poly SLO., particularity if your test scores improve. They have an outstanding business program. </p>
<p>Echoing comments above, to be competitive at the upper UCs (UCSD included), you are going to need better test scores. If you have time, take the SAT again and perhaps the ACT.</p>
<p>Starting at a CSU and transferring to a UC is very difficult. It can be done but, does not happen often. Both systems have stern mandates to give priority to Community College student. 95%+ of their Jr transfers come from CCs.</p>
<p>Good luck</p>