I want to cut one of these California schools because I don’t think my parents are too fond of the idea of me going to California for college. I live on the east coast. Anyways, if I went to UCLA i’d be doing Civil Engineering. USC also Civil Engineering. Berkeley- Something in the College of Environmental Design or possibly Civil. And at Cal Poly SLO I would do architecture. Cost isn’t too much of a factor although the 20,000 dollar tuition for Cal Poly SLO definitely is a huge plus. Basically what I want in a school is:
Great academic programs for what I mentioned
Awesome social life (probably joining a frat)
The activism at Berkeley is pretty amazing because i'm definitely an activist myself and some of my ec's reflect that. I love that part of Berkeley.
Good preparation for getting a masters degree in an architecture/urban planning related field.
I think i’m definitely keeping USC but I love all of these schools. It makes it hard. Any advice?
Oh I forgot to mention. Proximity to nature is really important, activities like hiking and outdoorsy things. That’s one of the attractive parts about California. Also, getting internships would be great.
If you’re big on nature, why USC and UCLA? Or even Berkeley, for that matter. You’ll need a car if you want to experience nature if you’re at those schools, which would be tough for someone from the Northeast. Why not UC Santa Cruz (incredible forests nearby) or UCSB/UCSD (very close to the beach)?
That’s a tough question. I still think you should apply to all four. Engineering at Berkeley, USC and UCLA are very difficult to get into, and Cal Poly is certainly no lock, either. I’d hate to see one of those dropped on the assumption you’ll get your choice of the other three.
Berkeley is one of those schools that you either love or hate. It’s my impression that fewer USC and UCLA students complain about their school than Berkeley students do.
USC would be worst for proximity to nature, although if you had a car you could be at the beach or in the mountains in 30-45 minutes.
Cal Poly SLO would be the best for proximity to nature, but it sure is hard to do something with an architecture degree these days.
That $20k in tuition at SLO does not include room and board, so add another 11K to your total. OOS All of those schools are super competitive. What are your back ups?
Well that’s 3 applications, since the UC are one–you just check box the UCs you want. You will have to decide by yourself. I think proximity to nature: Cal Poly, UCB, UCLA, USC. LA is a giant sprawling metro and suburbia-land but is actually close to nature for day or weekend trips but you have to drive. However there is an easy bus to the nearby beaches (Santa Monica, Venice) at UCLA. Easy enough to do when you want. I don’t know how to get there from USC without a car, it is possible to connect via metrolink but would take quite awhile.
I’d cut UCLA and USC and add UCSC if proximity to nature is important. UCLA and USC would cost about the same OOS (60K) so are your parents able to pay this out of pocket without loans and without your getting a scholarship? If you need scholarships, USC is your best hope among UCLA, UCB, and USC
The Angeles National Forest is only around a 20 - 25 minute drive from UCLA. There are also plenty of places to hike like the Santa Monica mountains.
OP, you should look into adding more private schools to your list if you want to go to school in California. Consider applying to the Claremont schools, Occidental, Stanford, etc. and see how admissions go. A few more applications won’t hurt if you get significantly better financial aid packages from these schools.
@beyphy This student is from the Northeast, so it’s probably safer to assume that they won’t have a car. I mean, they could probably get a ride from one of their friends, but I feel like that might get a bit annoying after a while.
Well, in LA if you have a car I feel like I can get to natural parks, beaches, mountains etc. It is California! But I did decide to cut UCLA ultimately, that way I have 1 socal school, 1 in central California, and one in northern because I love both norcal and socal. Also I heard the grading curve at UCLA was brutal. As for UCSB and UCSC, UCSB doesn’t have architecture or civil engineering and UCSC doesn’t either :/. Great schools though, I was looking at them.
How much are you willing and able to pay for a civil engineering degree? Berkeley and UCLA will cost you $55,000+ a year before you factor in travel costs and the need for a car to visit all that nature. Unless your family is very wealthy that’s pretty pricey.
Come on out to CA! It’s got all those things you are looking for. I’d give different advice if you or your folks would take on a lot of debt for you to do this, but since you say “Cost isn’t too much of a factor” then why not? You get what you want, the UC system gets an extra $100K. Win-win!!
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don’t think my parents are too fond of the idea of me going to California for college.
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You need clarification from your parents. They may have NO intention of spending $55k for a UC, when you have less expensive options…plus the added expense of travel and fraternity.
Cal Poly will cost a lot more than $20k. …the COA is $36k right now…and really more with cross-county travel
It would be helpful to know your test scores and GPA/course load. SLO is not a given, it’s helpful to have a 29-30 ACT. The other 3 schools regularly deny kids with 3.9’s and 31 or 32 even 33 ACT’s. Though, out of state might help at UC if you pay full tuition, and SC likes regional diversity.
SLO is in a beautiful setting, but I hear it’s pretty quiet. Not really a college town, the residents roll up the carpet at about 9:00 pm. Pretty conservative, kids that were perhaps a little more sheltered like to go there. Not all students are like that, by any means, but not a radical place. SLO’s Greek system is pretty low key also.
If Berkeley’s politics appeal to you, then you may find SLO and USC too far to the right.
And even though SC and UCLA are in the middle of the city, (and both campuses have trees) you’re right, they are just a couple hours from amazing mountains, deserts and beaches. You do need a car though, or a roommate with one.
California kids that like the outdoors lifestyle but want to get away from home look at Oregon, Washington, and Colorado schools.
I don’t think you’re too familiar with SLO. It IS a college town. Kids attending are no more sheltered there than at other colleges. A large percentage come from California, roughly ½ of those are from the SF Bay Area and the others from Southern California.
