@sarcappuccino I don’t know anything about SDSU’s art major but I’ve heard that UCSD’s is really nice, but also really competitive.
@sarcappuccino I’d also add, don’t let the UC prestige fool you. The state schools are considered more hands on, and while I can’t speak for the art department, I’ve been told by both school administrators and graduates from both arguing that more hands on focus of the state schools is equal to or even out weighs the UC “prestige” in the job market.
You should not go to a UC if you are just in it for the prestige.
You should go to a UC if you are actively interested in research and are interested in pursuing school at a PhD level.
I also should add if you are interested in a specific program at a specific UC as well. For example, Berkeley’s business school Haas is one of the best in the nation.
@bruins8clap So you’re saying that unless you plan to get a PhD, you shouldn’t go to UCSD?
Read the 2nd comment that I added to that. I also claimed that if a specific UC has a program that you are interested or shows great promise in the job sector – then sure, go for it.
But traditionally, UC schools are more about preparing students for research careers.
I’ll re-affirm with @bruins8clap . I believe the “prestige of UC” is not a reason to attend one if it doesn’t have a program you are interested in specifically. The UC’s prestige partly comes from the money they receive for their research focus. But as bruins8clap has mentioned, if the program doesn’t interest you and you aren’t planning on a PHD there isn’t a ton of reason to pay the extra $$$ for a degree with the UC name on it. So pay less attention to the “UC prestige” and more to the program that works for you. If there is a reason you specifically want to attend a UC program then do it, but not for the “UC prestige”. I hope that helps
@christress I too disagree with that assessment. People can go to a UC for the prestige, they can go even if they aren’t going to graduate school, they can go because they like the area. Everyone has their own reasons. I went to Berkeley for prestige (and career boost). Ain’t gonna lie. Otherwise I would have chosen a safer locale. ?
@bruins8clap Tell that to all the SV companies that hire Berkeley grads.
UCLA, Berkeley, UCSB, UCSD, etc. are all able to work for big companies. My brother graduated from Haas in 14’ and he works in NYC as a Citi Bank Analyst.
@kristinpete so I do agree with you, just different topics. I would put UCSD over UCSB from everything I have read and from my friends getting their MD’s and PHDs at UCSD. I thought we were comparing state schools for direct hiring from undergrad vs UCSD irrelevant from plans for medical school. Just a miscommunication I suppose.
@Ohm888 I suppose there is a supporting argument for every right choice, I can’t say I have any of the right answers. I was star struck by the “UC prestige and “career boost”” last year. And I fully plan on attending UCSD if Accepted. But what knocked me on my butt was when a personal contact put me in touch with 2 STEM professor at 2 of the major UC’s, and shockingly!.. literally I couldn’t believe their honesty. Told me that if I was Only planning on an undergrad, I was far more likely to get hired out of school if I attended a state school than the top UC’s. They said the UC’s will spend more time lecturing you about theory for leading into a PHD in your undergrad, but the state schools will focus more on teaching how to do something other than read theory about it. Once again I plan on attending UCSD as a top choice but I’m not going for the UC prestige.
@Scoobybrew I believe it depends on the major and If the UC is a top one or not.
UC’s has a large alumni network(1.7 million alumni living) compared to states schools which will give a boost to your resume in the future. I believe a company would far more likely to hire an undergrad student from UCB than hiring someone from state school! So i would not agree with the statement you said if you are talking about top UC’s such as UCLA and UCB.
This does not applies to TOP UC’s as far as I had heard from my professors.
Also, the different majors play a large role in this. So look for the university with the highest ranking for each major and don’t just look for overall if you are trying to get a job right after undergrad.
Although, I agree that UC’s are more about theory while state schools are about the application.
@Scoobybrew I’m not discounting that the UCs are research-oriented. That’s its mantra. However, I don’t believe that a person should not attend unless they plan on research or a graduate degree. I just simply don’t, especially considering that Berkeley and UCLA are global brands. Each person has to decide what’s right for them, based on personal factors.
All you have to do is go to the Linkedin Career Insights page and see the stats of alumni from Berkeley and San Jose State (considered a top draw in Silicon Valley) and employee counts by company.
Google
Berkeley - 3215
SJSU - 1027
Facebook
Berkeley - 1181
SJSU - 593
Linkedin
Berkeley - 515
SJSU - 322
I think what we’re all saying is that you should always always always independently research the schools you’re interested in, their programs, and from there make a decision based on your best fit. Just because a school is ranked “the best” or super prestigious does not mean it’s best for everyone or all programs.
@tinedancer I agree! I heard CSUs are much more “learn by doing” so some people are more into that (which is a great option)
@tinedancer I believe that’s what all trying to say except we were talking about getting hired right after undergrad. I agree with what you said for the most part. The school ranked or “the best” or super prestigious does not mean it’s best for everyone or all programs IF the person is NOT planning to get hired right after undergrad meaning most people will go to grad school or higher education after they have done with undergrad.
However, if you are trying to get a job RIGHT after UNDERGRAD without going to grad school, school rank does play a large role in this. Why school rank or super prestigious matters if you are trying to get a job right after undergrad? because those super prestigious schools have a large alumni network. Considering UCLA and UCB to top UC’s or super prestigious schools in the UC system.
Side note: CSU’s are good in fact they teach the application while UC’s are about theory.
I see what you’re claiming, but it is kind of misleading if you say that anyone who goes to Berkeley can work at a good job in SV. I would claim that around 80 percent of the Berkeley grads working in SV either come from Haas, Computer science, or engineering departments.
A friend of mine is in recruiting at Facebook from UCSB’s Communications. Another is at Google in recruiting from UCD Econ. I do agree the CSUs are more technical/vocational. I only took exception to the wording: “don’t go to a UC unless you want a Ph.D or are in research,” because I don’t think a degree from a UC will hold anyone back. ?
If you though I implied ANYONE from a UC can get a job in SV, I apologize. I would assumed there would be an implicit understanding that other variables are at play, such as personality, grades, nailing an interview, aptitude for the area of work, knowledge. What I meant to say if it wasn’t understood was anyone from a UC would have a comparable chance (and when it all shakes out maybe even better from a top tier IMHO). It’s not just a place for researchers or grad students.
And also not ANYONE who goes to a CSU can get a good job in SV and I never assumed you meant that. Your argument is getting silly.
Top 10 universities SV recruits from:
Five UCs in top 20, and just 2 CSUs listed.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/qz.com/967985/silicon-valley-companies-like-apple-aapl-hires-the-most-alumni-of-these-10-universities-and-none-of-them-are-in-the-ivy-league/amp/