UC Riverside or CSU Long Beach?

College Search & Selection
1

So… I got accepted to UCR and CSULB and I am grateful that they accepted me; but now I have to make a choice here.

My major is Chemistry and I have pretty good financial aids from both schools.

For UC Riverside…

Pros)

  1. It’s UC, and being in UC was one of my dreams. I want to be what’s called “UC graduate”
  2. I heard Chemistry major is pretty strong there. (Ranked 47 in Chemistry according to their web site)
  3. It’s a growing school. New medical building and hopfully new programs make this school grow to be more selective and prestige, and as an incoming freshman, that makes this school very considerable to attend.
  4. Facility is nice… at least that’s what I heard and it seems pretty clean for me.

Cons)

  1. It is considered as the “worst” UC and I think there is right reasons to that.
  2. My sister goes to UC Berkeley and the cost to attend UCR is almost the same as going to Cal… Going to Riverside isn’t “cost-efficient” for my parents and me.
  3. Surrounding city is pretty ghetto. I’ve never been to Riverside area but it’s famous for its ghetto-ness
  4. I live in cost area in California and I don’t really like desert climate, especially in summer. It’s too hot and dry!
  5. (Please don’t get me wrong) So many Asian Americans in UCR. I am Asian myself but I always lived where so many Asians are there. Because this is university, I want to go where I can meet variety of people.

For CSU Long Beach

Pros)

  1. This is one of the best CSU schools. There should be solid reasons for that.
  2. Very, very cost efficient for me because tuition is lower than UC schools.
  3. Nice campus, nice climate, beautiful school. What more can I say
  4. Long Beach has best chance for me to have solid grades to move onto more selective graduate school like UCs which are my dream schools

Cons)

  1. Chemistry major in LB isn’t so hot? I think this school is known for the business classes.
  2. Not an easy school, but not the most difficult one. I know I didn’t make other selective UCs but I feel I learn when I challenge myself.
  3. “CSU” title is holding me back a little. (Absolutely no offense to CSU students, it’s my issue)
  4. My family will move to around that area. This may be a pro but it’s too close lol.

Are my pros and cons reasonable?
What do you guys think I should choose?

2

Visit Riverside if you haven’t. Finances are definitely important. If your goal is to work as a researcher, you’ll likely need an advanced degree, which is something to consider as it will be extra costs. I’ve found getting classes is more of a hassle at the CSUs vs. UCs. If you like chemistry, you might consider chemical engineering…the job market is better for ChemEs. CSULB has a good program that is widely recruited by the oil industry in Los Angeles.

3

An advanced degree in chemistry (PhD mostly, terminal Master’s in chemistry aren’t common) will most likely not be extra costs, but instead will come with tuition waived and a salary.

4

^ Extra costs also being lost opportunity costs. Like limited salary for 5-6 years.

5

Both are good schools - you seem to have your heart set on LB - forget the stupid label and go there.

You raise an interesting point about the value of UCR vs UCB. Particularly with a sibling at UCB - but, you didn’t get in there…

I would caution that maligning UCR as the ‘worst’ UC is a bit like saying a Boxster (entry level Porsche) isn’t a nice car. Truth be told, it is an outstanding car but, no 911. All 9 UCs will give you a very good education at a very reasonable price.