<p>Ok, with the May 1st deadline approaching soon. I'd like some help with potential college choices. </p>
<p>The main problem is that many people choose a college based mainly on strength in major of interest and internship possibilities involving that major. Ok, so I am interested in biology. No, no pre-med,molecular, etc. but actually something that would lead eventually to a career with either working with or research involving animals/nature(main interests would be fish, herps, and "bugs"). And yes, I know wildlife management/science may also lead somewhere I wouldn't mind going. I haven't met anyone in person actually doing this. Is it really that uncommon? </p>
<p>I visited the three schools in the beginning thread with family friends in the area. Cal Poly Pomona's aquatic biology etc. area seemed rather small. The campus did have a cool greenhouse and was nice looking in general. UC riverside campus bio area in contrast was several massive buildings. From what I saw a lot of it was dedicated to micro-biology/neuroscience.</p>
<p>CSU Long beach had buildings of intermediate size(one of which at present is about to be torn down and rebuilt). I did see however a lot of marine biology related things in the building. I have no idea of the rankings of these campuses. One important thing would be ease of getting internships as an undergrad.</p>
<p>I also was accepted to several other CSU's, Merced, and Santa Cruz.</p>
<p>Any thoughts appreciated!</p>
<p>i would imagine santa cruz would have strong programs in anything aquatic/marine simply based on location. i'd go with santa cruz.</p>
<p>I would go with Santa Cruz. First you always go UC over CSU, more resources, opportunities and connections. Second, your major seems to fit better at UCSC.</p>
<p>The main reason UC Santa Cruz is not on the list is my folks heard from my sis that it is a "party school". I've heard stuff about it also being a "stoner/hippy" school. Anyone that goes there care to comment? The living situation would also be tough. I've heard it has a good marine bio program if I choose to go that particular route, as mentioned here.</p>
<p>One thing i noticed(unfortunately we missed the actual open houses)...is that the Cal-Poly/Beach campuses seemed full of life. They had little club activity signs posted up everywhere. At Cal-poly some engineers were doing surveying, and their was some kind of community event going on at beach. Riverside seemed a bit dead by comparison. Yes their were some posters. Some skater people on skateboards/skooters, and two guys playing catch in the front. It was a few hours after their open house and you'd think more than that would be visible.</p>
<p>UCSC all the way. Saying UCSC is a "party school" is like saying UC Berkeley is for hippies and social activists.</p>
<p>Old news.... 35 years old, in fact.</p>
<p>P.S. UC Santa Barbara has the party school rep also, and it too is overblown.</p>
<p>Cal State Long Beach is as much of a party school as is UCSC.</p>
<p>u need to go to UCSC.</p>
<p>For some reason, folks are really against it.</p>
<p>Considering long beach and Riverside...would long beach be more appropriate?</p>
<p>bumpage.</p>
<p>Anyone actually have experience with Riverside or Beach?</p>