<p>So for the longest time I have been hearing the argument that the UC's are much better than the CSU schools. I bought in and only applied to UC's for the Fall 2010 semester. But I have bgun to wonder what is it exactly about the UC's that makes them better than the CSU's? If anyone cares to elaborate, it would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Big difference. But to not get into any details and hurt any fellow CSU students, UC>CSU.
If you don’t think so go and apply to CSU schools.</p>
<p>I think it’s just academic opportunity, selectivity rate, etc. etc. The same reason why people think Harvard is better than say, UChic. Both CSU and UCs are GREAT school though, and you should pick based on which one you feel is personally better for you. I think you’ll get a great academic experience at both.</p>
<p>UCs are research institutions and the curriculum tends to be more theoritcal, more research opportunies and prepare better for graduate school. While CSUs curriculum tend to be more towards practical skills and prepare you for a job.</p>
<p>The UCs tend to have students with:</p>
<p>-higher test scores,
-higher gpa
-higher% 9f graduate students, </p>
<p>and… cost more.</p>
<p>My Dad went to both UCLA and Long Beach St. and liked both.</p>
<p>The UCs are supposed to be reserved for the top 12.5% of CA high school graduates, with the CSU’s for the 13-40%, and community colleges for the rest.</p>
<p>Is a UC necessarily better for a high achieving student? Maybe not… what if you need to be close to home and the closest UC is more than an hour away? What if you need more night classes because you’re also working?</p>
<p>Then, there is a Cal State that is really, for most, the undergrad academic quality of the mid-tier UCs – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo… and just as hard to get into as SB, Irvine, and Davis.</p>
<p>Lastly, you’ve got some students who choose the most popular CSUs – San Diego St. and Long Beach St, over UCSC, UCR and UCM, even when cross admitted, because they like the Big Time sports and school spirit at those two CSUs.</p>
<p>Big difference. But to not get into any details and hurt any fellow CSU students, UC>CSU.
If you don’t think so go and apply to CSU schools.</p>
<p>It’s too late.</p>
<p>All I know is that my son graduated from a State school in engineering and did an internship with a large firm his senior year. When he graduated, he was offered a permanent position with the company, while the UC Berkeley and the USC grads were let go… My son had a lot more hands on experience and his company loved that!</p>
<p>takeit, the difference is that the UC Berkeley guy will eventually open up his own engineering firm and put your son’s firm out of business…</p>
<p>I guess it also depends on your major and/or career pursuit, since most CSUs offer criminal justice programs and fire science programs, while none of the UCs do. Only UCI has something similar, which is a criminology program. If I were to become a cop and wanted hands on training and experience to prepare me for the academy, I would certainly attend a CSU over a UC, if you are certain that you are going to become a cop.</p>