STATS:
UC GPA:4.08
SAT:1350
Major: microbio at SDSU and economics at UCR
I’m torn between the two. I’m new to California and am unaware of the cultures and makeup of these two campuses. Looking for insight to help me make a decision
You really should visit both campuses when classes are in session if at all possible. Also, what’s up those very different majors? Be sure to consider how easy it is to change majors at each school.
I’m still not 100% sure on which major I want to pursue for college. Those two are my top choices
Definitely visit both. They are very different schools. See which one feels like the right fit (socially, academically and financially).
Congrats! My preference would br SDSU but, I am not you. i agree, visit both and follow your gut.
I personally like the campus and environment at SDSU better but then you might have the opposite reaction. Make sure to visit.
UC Riverside Ranks Higher on 2018 US News Overall National Rank #124 (UCR), and #140 (SDSU). Also for public schools US News Ranks are #58 (UCR) and #68 (SDSU). UCR is in 2018 US News Top 100 Business Programs #77 (SOBA Undergrad) and #93 (Anderson MBA). If you stick with Microbiology (instead of Economics) and want to become a Doctor or pursue graduate school, I would recommend UC Riverside for sure. The University of California System is one of the best in the world with national and international recognition. Definitely take a tour of each campus to see what they are like and get the overall vibe of the place which will help in your decision.
Yes UCR is a “UC” and you can look at all of the rankings that you want, but the location is an issue. Students on this site often complain about the campus environment. Remember, you have to live there for 4 years.
SDSU just has a lot going on. You’ll have more social alternatives because they have a little bit of everything for everyone. The school is a united campus. Any student who attends is an “Aztec for Life”; and the alumni is active and proud. The complaints about Riverside are the weak environment. It is inland and has its limitations on off campus events.
SDSU has the location if you need any types of internships. There are several major hospitals; the la jolla biotech think tanks are full of labs and institutes (Salk). The alumni network for business is active in SD, Orange and LA counties.
There is a symbiotic relationship between SDSU and UCSD; you can share libraries, labs and sometimes research facilities. I have a colleague who did her premed prep at SDSU. She used the premed counseling at SDSU to prepare for her interviews. She also used the UC shared facilities to prep for her MCATs. She is a physician.
When you visit, you will immediately notice the difference between the campuses.
People at UC Riverside focus more on academics rather than social alternatives. UC Irvine is very similar in that respect as well. If you are less into academics, but prefer that perfect “non-boring” regional location, big parties, rah-rah football team, and a raging greek system, then SDSU may be better for you. Campus environment is great at UCR along with a proud and active alumni system from this Highlander for life graduate of UC Riverside!! Honestly, both will give you great opportunities, so check them out, and good luck!
People who believe the hype from 20+ years ago, are unfamiliar with SDSU, while erroneously and poorly assuming that students are “less intellectually-gifted” at SDSU. It hasn’t been that way for a while. Ask @gumbymom about her son.
SDSU has options, but that’s not what I was referring to @Fisherman99.
They have strong academic options and awards. Just because a school is a UC, does not mean it is the only choice. Just look at posts about UCR on this forum.
I have nephews and nieces @SDSU who aren’t into the “rah-rah” scene, but are serious students and have used the link to the UCSD Med Library for shared research. SDSU has great robotics and environmental science practical teams.
I have neighbors, with honor students (talking 1400+ SATs), who had options at other UC’s, but chose SDSU. I have another neighbor whose daughter was miserable at UCI. She graduated from UCI but didn’t have any employment options given limited practical exposure to internships. She had to attend SDSU to get some practical experiences and found employment through their career center. My husband’s HR department now prefers recruits from the CSU system (especially SDSU) and the Cal Polys because of the hands-on practical engineering and software experiences. Rankings don’t tell you everything.
SDSU is a tough admit and has the honors college. Is it UCR? No.
Is it a good school? Definitely.
OP, you NEED to visit both schools. You will get a feel for where you want to be.
UCR is regarded as a commuter school as well. My D has a friend who went there and did not like this aspect of it. II think it’s close to 40% - but check that out in case my number is off. This could make a big difference in terms on how the campus feels.
SDSU is a great, very respected CSU school as well and of course, enrolls countless exceptional students that also could have attended UC schools. It is definitely not like 20 plus years ago (from what I remember lol)…a ton of good things going at SDSU and many more to come!
The reason why UCR students may complain more about campus environment is precisely because a good number are commuters (more academically qualified first gen students now that Chancellor Kim Wilson encourages helping with financial aid…a noble thing) and not as involved in campus life as well as it’s “crappy” sometimes hot and smoggy INLAND LOCATION that Merced, and Davis also get made fun of on a regular basis.
I get the LOCATION VERSUS ACADEMICS thing completely. Heck, UC Riverside is in the “less desirable”, more boring Inland Empire. However it is one of the FASTEST GROWING areas in the United States! In fact UC Riverside is the fastest growing UC campus of ANY UC…there is a reason for that! Academics were always most important to me and I preferred not having distractions to focus on studies. We did have a lot of fun at UCR too! In fact, I would have attended a UC Barstow in the middle of the desert if they had one…as long as they had stellar academics (and at least a good workout gym please!). I’m a little biased of course as a lifelong Highlander and do admire the student that is willing to head to a “non-ideal” location in pursuit of great academics and make those required sacrifices that not everyone is willing to do!!
You will definitely receive a great education and college experience at either school. Visit them both and best of luck!!