UCLA Anthropology BA vs. CSUF Psychology BA

College Search & Selection
1

I am going to be transferring this fall, and am having trouble picking a school. I know both majors are in the social sciences, and I have heavily researched the different options on CSU’s and UC’s. I went to UCSC for a year as a Human Biology major then switched to Anthropology, since I was not well prepared for the culture shock, home sickness, and hadn’t taken chemistry since freshman year of high school. Due to financial and familial pressures I decided it best to take a leave, then decided to withdrawal since I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and wanted to explore more at a much lower cost at a local CC close to home. Now I have been accepted to UCLA (Anthro B.A.), CSUF (Psych B.A.) and UCR (Public Policy B.A., but would graduate in 4 years). I’m not really considering UCR, since it said it’d take my four more years to complete the Public Policy B.A.

I like CSUF, since the lower cost will allow me to study abroad. Also, I’m not sure if I want to go to graduate school, or nursing school, after my undergrad. The only downfall of CSUF is that since it is a different system from the UC’s my courses from UCSC aren’t guaranteed to be credited.

I was told that UCLA, since it’s a UC, will have to acknowledge my courses from UCSC. But, the higher cost means I’ll feel more pressured and won’t have enough to study abroad.

Sorry for the length. Any advice? I know I am young (20yrs), but I feel like I should finish something?

Thank youu

2

The only thing I can tell you for sure: There is a huge difference in prestige between your 2 main school choices, though I suppose you should be aware of … but somehow I don’t see that in your writing?

3

The thing you will need to consider is if your career goals will need to include grad school and the relative competitiveness of grad school admission in that particular field.
Are you thinking psychology or sociology to be an MFT or social worker? Then CSUF is fine.
If you’re thinking of a more academically oriented grad program, then UCLA all the way.

4

^Hmm, I’m not sure I agree with the above. My PhD is in psychology and I work in the field.

I’m checking out the CSU-Fullerton page right now in psychology to look at the faculty. The faculty are fully engaged in research there, and they got their PhDs from top programs - several UCLA, UC-Riverside, USC, UN, Stanford, UConn, UCSD, Penn State, Chicago. These are top programs in my field. I’m also realizing that I recognize the names of a few of them because they’ve done nationally recognized research in my field (Kristin Beals and Michael Birnbaum being the two I recognize).

If you want to go to graduate school in any field - MSW, MFT, or for a research PhD - you can go to CSU-Fullerton and do just fine. Of course UCLA has an excellent anthropology department with internationally known faculty there.

So I think there are four major points here. Number one, what do you want to study? Anthropology and psychology are similar but they are distinct fields. Psychology is more quantitative and experimental than anthropology. You’ve already started as an anthropology major - will it be easier to continue in an anthro major?

Two, CSUF’s lower cost will allow you to study abroad. How important is that to you?

Three, you need to find out whether CSU will take all of your credits. My guess is that it will - just because it’s a different university system doesn’t mean they won’t but you should find out. Then you can make a more educated decision between the two.

And finally, post-graduation plans. While I think both CSU and UCLA can get you into the graduate school of your choice just fine, UCLA does have a definite advantage in employment - especially in the social sciences. I know you are planning on graduate school, but people change their minds all the time - and you may want to take a break.

There’s also the question of how you are paying. Are you taking on debt?